Last Updated on 19.07.2023 by Iliyan
Why Andorra exactly? For a traveler like me every country I haven’t visited yet is an irresistible temptation. That’s why my friends and I decided to escape crowded Barcelona for one day and add another country to our list. However, we organized a perfect day trip from Barcelona to Andorra.
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How to get from Barcelona to Andorra?
There are 3 options to organize a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra.
By bus:
Leaving from Estación de Autobuses de Barcelona station (Nord). Return ticket costs 36 €. The trip lasts about 3 hours and 15 minutes. You can reserve tickets directly using ALSA’s website.
By car:
This is the easiest and most comfortable way to get to Andorra. Keep in mind that when renting a car in Spain you have to pay a 28.50€ fee when exiting the country. Apart from that you also need to pay toll fees for using the highways and tunnels, which amount to a little under 20€ one way.
Guided tour
The third option is to go on a private tour. You won’t have to worry about anything during the day trip from Barcelona to Andorra.
Best places to visit in Andorra
Andorra is one of the smallest in the world, nestled between Spain and France in the eastern part of the Pyrenees. The capital is Andorra la Vella. The principality of Andorra is not part of the European Union, but the official currency is the euro. However, Andorra has a free passage regime for EU citizens. The official language is Catalan. The head of the principality is the President of France and the Archbishop of Urles, who is a representative of Spain.
Casa de la Vall
Casa de la Vall is the most famous building in the capital. This historic house was built in 1580 and currently houses the headquarters of Andorra’s General council.
La noblesse du temps (The Nobility of Time)
One of the central streets in the city is proudly occupied by a true masterpiece, created by the genius of Salvador Dali. The sculpture symbolises the past times, and the crown represents the influence and the power that time has over us.
The Paris Bridge (Pont de París)
The Paris Bridge crosses the Valira River and connects the Av. Dr. Mitjavila with the Avinguda Consell d’Europa. It is a cable-stayed bridge with fan system. On the bridge you can see the name of the city in large letters, making the perfect backdrop for photos.
Church of Sant Esteve (Església de Sant Esteve)
One of the best places to visit in Andorra La Vella is the beautiful Church of Sant Esteve. It is located in the old part of the city on Plaça del Príncep Benlloch. It was built in the 11th-12th century, but have gone through several alterations over the years. The church was remodeled in the 20th century.
Tax-free shopping
A big part of the tourists visit the country to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains and to take advantage of the tax concessions of the principality. Yes, that’s right – because of the lack of duties goods here (like perfumes, cigarettes and electronics) cost 20-30% less than in neighboring Spain and France.
Is a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely! Because of the compact size of Andorra la Vella makes it super convenient to see everything on foot just for a day. There’s plenty of shopping and dining places, as well as a few landmarks, and some great panoramic views of the mountains. The landscape is full of mountain tops, forests and valleys. The country is particularly popular for winter visits, when you can see it in its full glory. You can ski or snowboard or just enjoy the SPA procedures at one of the luxury hotels.
