How to Enjoy Andorra La Vella, Andorra

Andorra La Vella, Andorra is the capital city and is located in the southwestern portion of the Principality of Andorra. Andorra is located in the eastern Pyrenees Mountains and is bordered by France and Spain. The main industry in Andorra is tourism, although it has become known for being a safe haven from taxes. The area consists of rugged mountains and although it is located in a temperate zone, the high altitude can make for cooler temperatures. The main language is Catalan, but most of the locals speak Spanish, French, or both.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Andorra La Vella is best known as a ski resort with its location high in the Pyrenees Mountains. It can be a difficult city to reach as it is three hours from the closest airports in Toulouse and Perpignan, France, or Gerona and Barcelona, Spain. This doesn't seem to slow down the tourist trade however, as around ten million visitors come to this small city annually.

2. The main part of the city looks like any modern European capital, especially with the large concentration of banking, but the old part of the city, called the Barri Antic, still maintains its old world charm with stone streets and houses giving it a special beauty. Some of the old architecture which draws tourists includes the Sant Esteve Church, the old parliament building - Casa de la Vall, and the Santa Coloma church. All of these locations are worthy of a sightseeing tour and getting some good photographs.

3. Andorra La Vella is also a great jumping off point for exploring the mountains which surround it. The Pyrenees are a high range of mountains along the border between Spain and France with very few passes that go through them, so most roads go around them. While there you may want to visit some of the massive waterfalls, such as the Gavarnie. There are also two National Parks on the Spanish side and one on the French side to visit.

4. No European city would be complete without museums and Andorra La Vella is no exception. The Ordino Museum of Miniatures and the Engordany Model Museum both have displays of all things tiny. There is also the National Car Museum, the Matrioshka Doll Museum, and the San Jordi Iconographic Museum to visit while you are in Andorra La Vella.

5. Of course, most people that visit Andorra La Vella are there for the skiing or mountaineering, although many cyclists visit the area for mountain climbing and high altitude training. Speaking of which, if you are there during the summer, you may be able to catch part of the Tour de France, which usually cuts through part of the Pyrenees. If you miss that internationally famous race, there is the Vuelta a Espana held there in September. If you are physically fit and are up for some serious hiking, there are three long distance paths which follow the entire length of the mountain range

6. If skiing is your passion, there are many ski resorts scattered throughout the Pyrenees and many of them are close to Andorra La Vella. In the city itself, you may want to try The Andorra Park Hotel, located in the heart of Andorra La Vella.
   
   If you love the mountains, whether in summer or winter, the Pyrenees Mountains have no equal, and Andorra La Vella, Andorra is a great travel destination in the heart of these majestic mountains.