In spite of its size, I was surprised at how much there was to see in Andorra. The snow, spa and the churches are just a few of the country’s hidden gems.
Looking back, I have some great memories of the days I spent discovering different things to do in Andorra. Along with some good friends and in the middle of winter, we left the Lleida train station by car and headed towards the small town of La Cortinada. We stayed at the Hotel Mu Plaza, a comfortable and curious place to stay decorated in a cow theme. We were only there for three days, but we took full advantage and we really enjoyed getting to know this small, interesting country. Want to hear our reasons to visit Andorra? What follows are five of my best reasons!
Relax and live like a king in Caldea
If you want to know what Heaven on Earth is like; you should visit Caldea. I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon at this spa and the only thing that I can tell you is that I came out a new man. There is a long list of treatments and circuits that you can choose depending on how much time you have. I was attracted to the outdoor pool because it was the middle of winter and it was snowing, but the water was nice and warm. It’s a fantastic place to come after a long day spent skiing!
Enjoy the different activities in the snow
One of the main attractions of Andorra is definitely the activities in the snow. Whether you are an expert or are just starting out with no experience (which was my case); Andorra is one of the best places to enjoy different sports in the snow. I spent a morning in Vallnord walking on snowshoes, riding a sled pulled by dogs and riding a snowmobile. When I go back next time I’d like to try skiing or snowboarding (with a monitor, at the beginning, of course!)
Lose yourself in the little towns
Although, Andorra is obviously a touristic destination, there are still a few small towns that are charming and worth a visit. One of the days we spent driving to a few of these hidden gems. I visited Ordino, La Massana, Escaldés and, of course, Pal took a little piece of my heart. The winding streets that take you up to the Church of Saint Clement made a lasting impression on my memory.
Shopping in Andorra La Vella
I’m sure that I won’t be the first person to tell you that shopping is one of the main reasons to visit Andorra. Since they are not obliged to charge IVA, the prices are much lower than the same thing in Spain. If you are looking to buy a new tech gadget, perfume or clothes, you can take advantage and really fill your suitcase for the next season. I have to admit that I resisted the temptation; but it was difficult!
Visit the Romanic Churches
In addition to the charming small towns in Andorra, one of the main attractions are the Romanic churches. If you are interested, you can spend a whole week going from one to another. The ones that I liked best were the Church of Saint Clement in Pal, the Church of Saint Coloma in Andorra la Vieja, the Church of Saint Joan of Caselles in Canillo and the Sanctuary of Meritxell, which is a castle and is also in Canillo. Since we are talking about the Romans, the bridges are also worth seeing. The Bridge of the Margineda is the longest Medieval bridge in Andorra and it is found in Andorra la Vieja.
With all this in mind, it’s clear that Andorra offers much more than just snow. Obviously snow sports are the main attraction, but what could be better than enjoying your favorite winter sports combined with a few days visiting the beautiful villages, relaxing at the spa or shopping for discounted items? These are just a few reasons, my personal favorites, to visit Andorra and discover all it has to offer. What did you like best about Andorra? Did I leave anything out?
Very glad you were able to stay in La Cortinada, it’s a beautiful little town here in Andorra. Were you able to explore nearby Sanctuary of Meritxell in Prats? It’s a nice spot – very quiet with some easy walking trails nearby.