Andorra Travel Guide

Andorra is a small independent principality located in the Pyrenees, between France and Spain. Though tiny in size, it's well known for its duty-free shopping, beautiful mountain scenery, and excellent skiing, attracting visitors year-round.

Established in 1278 through a feudal charter known as the paréage, Andorra became a co-principality under the shared rule of the Bishop of Urgell in Spain and the Count of Foix in France. Today, those roles are held by the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France. While Andorra has long been a sovereign entity, it adopted its first written constitution in 1993, becoming a parliamentary democracy while maintaining its co-princes as ceremonial heads of state.

Covering just 181 square miles (468 square kilometres), Andorra is a mountainous country filled with alpine lakes, forests and rivers. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe and has several museums and cultural sites, including a perfume museum and an ethnographic museum.

The country is most famous for its ski resorts. Grandvalira is the largest ski area in the Pyrenees, while Ordino-Arcalís is popular for its off-piste terrain. In summer, Andorra becomes a destination for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and golf.

With a population of about 80,000, Andorran nationals are a minority, as many residents come from neighbouring Spain, Portugal, and France. This mix of cultures adds to the country's unique character.

Beyond outdoor activities, visitors can enjoy the destination's wide selection of restaurants, cafés and wellness spas. Shopping is another major attraction, thanks to the country's low taxes and broad selection of goods.

Whether visitors are drawn by nature, winter sports or shopping, Andorra offers a blend of adventure, relaxation and cultural interest in one of Europe's most distinctive small countries.