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Capital of Andorra
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Terence s at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Andorra la Vella is the capital of Andorra. It is a small alpine city that draws visitors primarily for skiing, hiking and tax-free shopping. Even if those activities don't appeal to you, there is enough in the city to fill a day or two. There is a large spa complex, an interesting old town, and several museums This article also covers the adjoining parish of Escaldes-Engordany.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Església de Sant Esteve
This church in the old part of the city dates from the 12th century, but was restored in 1940 by the Moderniste architect Josep Puig y Cadafalch who also undertook important works in Barcelona. Free guided tours; otherwise, the church is open to tourists outside of mass hours.
nobility of time
A sculpture by Salvador Dalí featuring his melting clock.
Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. It is obligatory to reserve by phone.
Dating from the 16th century, it was the seat of the Consell General (Andorran Parliament). Access is by guided tour only. Tours are on the half hour and last about a half hour. Reservations are required for the tour, so it's best to stop by and reserve a tour in the morning and return during your tour time.
The parliament building is a relatively modern building and you can walk around up the hill behind it and go onto the roof where there is a type of mini park. On a nice day, there is a great view out over the valley across and looking south towards Santa Coloma. From here you can head back up the hill slightly to the right and visit the old church of St Esteve. Behind it is an interesting little area filled with narrow streets which is clearly the original location of the settlement.
Park with small pond and public toilets.
This visitor centre has useful information on the leisure activities offered in the Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley, as well as facts on the tasks carried out to manage the valley and promote the values that have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site.
An outdoor art installation created by Javier Balmaseda that uses brightly painted monumental taps and pipes to line the promenade along the river from an old stone footbridge to a whimsical sculpture of bathtub and pipes. It is illuminated at night by LED lights.
Art gallery for temporary exhibitions. It is worth going in just for the great view over the river (including a glass floor) and up the valley.
Centre d'Art d'Escaldes-Engordany (CAEE)
An art gallery that used to be a cinema. It has sculptures by Josep Viladomat, Romanesque models of Andorra buildings and temporary exhibitions. First floor is a library with washroom facilities.
Museu Carmen Thyssen Andorra
Art museum that opened in 2017.
Modernist style, designed by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. It is not possible to visit inside because it is a private home. From the 1930s.
A hot spring water fountain, considered one of the hottest in Europe (70ºC). Bring a water bottle, but be careful.
Romanesque style, dated from 12th century and restored on 20th century. It is notable the disproportion between the nave and the 17-m bell tower. It is obligatory to reserve beforehand. Free-guided tours.
Pont de la Margineda
This bridge dates from medieval times but is still in perfect condition. Nearby there is a metallic sculpture made by the Valencian sculptor Andreu Alfaro.
A paved path with handrails illuminated in the night. 2.5 km long. From Collegi Sant Ermengol road to Carrer Mestre Xavier Plana. Look for the green marker signs.
trail of shade
A easy, shaded and paved 3-km trail along the south edge of the city with nice views. From Bar Nobega to the Rotonda de Gall (a roundabout with a large gold rooster in the middle). Look for the green marker signs.
A spa, sauna and swimming complex. It is at the top of the town in the dramatic glass spire structure.
Small and popular with locals, this restaurant is a great place to try some local cuisine, including escudella. The food is rustic and portions are generous.
An excellent place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or tapas.
Tasty homemade menu. Very good atmosphere. Warm welcome.
The pizzas and hamburgers are great. Attentive and friendly service. It is somewhat hidden from the shopping area. Dine-in or delivery. Order or reserve online.
Tasty tortilla sandwiches and Francesinhas. Directly at the river. The terrace is nice.
Very nice place. They have a wide variety of food. They serve you quickly. The staff polite and efficient.
The pizzas are very good, especially the signature ones; you can see how they are making it. Friendly treatment. Cozy place. It is run by some Argentines. It is tiny, it has 4 tables so it is essential to book on Friday and Saturday.
Spectacular black rice. The place is very cozy. The attention is great. Warm welcome. A little hidden, small room (remember to book).
Perfect place to dine or have some tapas. Homemade food. A cool place. The whole team is professional, attentive and friendly.
A Mediterranean restaurant with local cuisine. The restaurant also has a wall of photos of "who's who" celebrities, politicians and dignitaries eating at the restaurant.
Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant.
The place is beautiful. The food is good. The attention of the waiters is excellent.
This wine and alcohol shop does wine tastings, including of Andorran wines, which you will otherwise get only at the wineries (€4 a tasting, €8 a glass, €45-50 per bottle).
A "heterofriendly" gay cocktail bar.
Located centrally in the main shopping area. Formerly Husa Centric Hotel.
Cheap price, no air-conditioner, breakfast buffet and parking are available.
formerly Ibis Hotel
59 rooms in the middle of the Meritxell Avenue shopping district.
A hotel beside the Av. Carlemany pedestrian street.
A hotel with underground parking. Next to Av. Carlemany pedestrian street. This hotel offers some fantastic views of the Pyrenees.
Spa, Touristic Bus, Bikers friendly, Near shopping area Avda.Carlemany.
24-hr parking, buffet restaurant.
Nice 4-star hotel in the centre of the town. Andorra Center is part of the Best Hotels chain.
Hotel Carlemany
Spring-fed thermals, jacuzzi, sauna, massage and other services available in the hotel.
Spa, transfer to ski areas, access to Pyrenees Department Store, Near old downtown.
Department store with several floors. There are various family-friendly restaurants, a large electronic goods floor, designer label floors, and a supermarket notable for interesting Andorran and Spanish specialty foods and red wines.
A large commercial centre with several floors of shops, many of which are clothing and fashion stores. There is a food court on the 3rd floor and a supermarket at the basement level.
Supermarket sells electronics, clothes and food.
By bus
There are three lines of the communal bus, which connect the towns and industrial and residential areas of the parish. All vehicles are adapted for people with disabilities .
Parking
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La Seu d'Urgell Pyrenees and Andorra · Regional · LEU
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