The Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest states on our planet: its area is only 468 square kilometers, which is about 5 times less than the territory occupied by Moscow.
There is no regular army or prisons in Andorra; all tasks of maintaining law and order are performed by a small police force. At the same time, it is quite safe there; you can safely walk the streets at any time of the day, without worrying about your life and wallet.
In total, about 80 thousand people live in Andorra, but more than 11 million tourists come to this tiny country every year. As a rule, in order to go skiing from the picturesque slopes. In addition, Andorra attracts guests with duty-free shops and several interesting attractions, which we will tell you about now.
Photo: eco-turizm.net
Thermal Spa Complex Caldea (on the map)
Andorra has the largest European thermal center. Architect from France Jean-Michel Ruols took part in the development of the project. There is a lagoon on the territory of the complex, the water temperature in which does not fall below +32 °C. In the evenings, it turns into a theater stage and becomes part of the original play “Mondaigua”, which means “Water World”.
Photo: skiandclub.ru
In addition to the main pool, everyone can take a dip in the Indian and Roman baths, soak in the jacuzzi, warm up in the sauna and undergo special wellness treatments, such as chocolate wraps. For hungry tourists, there are restaurants in Caldea where you can go in your swimsuit.
Photo: voxxter.ru
Casa de la Val Fortress (on the map)
In the capital of the state, the city of Andorra la Vella, there is the medieval fortress Casa de la Vall – one of the most ancient buildings in the country. Previously, the General Council (local parliament) met there,
there was also a court, a prison and a small hotel. A large living room, a kitchen with antique dishes and utensils, and a meeting room are available for inspection. On the first floor of the fortress there is a church, and on the last floor there is a postal museum. In the evenings, museum staff light candles in antique metal candelabras.
Photo: oldtimer.ru
Car Museum in Encamp (on the map)
Many tourists visiting Andorra consider it their duty to visit the car museum. It is located in the small town of Encamp, which is approximately 13 kilometers from the capital of the state. The museum’s exhibition consists of 90 cars and almost 100 bicycles that were produced in different years. At the entrance to the museum, visitors are greeted by the oldest cars. Among them is the main exhibit – the Pineta steam engine, manufactured back in 1898.
The collection of the automobile museum in Encamp is one of the most significant in Europe. You can view it any day except Monday, from 09:30 to 18:00. The entrance ticket costs 5 euros (370 rubles).
Photo: tonkosti.ru
Comic Book Museum (on the map)
People come to the city of La Massana to visit the Comic Book Museum, where “drawn books” are collected from almost all over the world. Rare publications include the so-called “horror films” – horror comics. In addition to the main exhibition, the museum regularly hosts exhibitions of famous contemporary artists, and every Thursday there are master classes where anyone, under the guidance of an illustrator, can learn to draw comics.
The museum is open on weekdays from 16:00 to 19:00, admission is free. The city of La Massana can be reached by taxi or bus from Andorra la Vella, the distance between the cities is only 7 kilometers.
Matryoshka Museum (on the map)
Tourists from Russia love to visit the resort town of Escaldes-Engordane, where the Matryoshka Museum is located. More than 300 painted wooden dolls are stored in three halls. In interactive rooms, visitors are shown films telling about the technology of creating nesting dolls and the features of their painting. A separate room is dedicated to Russian women. The museum is open from 09:30 to 19:00 from Tuesday to Saturday, on Sunday it closes at 13:00. Monday is a day off.
La Cortinada Nature Center (on the map)
When traveling around Andorra, be sure to visit the Nature Center, which is located in the town of La Cortinada. It is located on the territory of the mansion of the Rossel family, one of the most ancient families in the country. There is an exhibition “2014 meters”, which is dedicated to the Pyrenees. During the excursion you will get to know how these lands changed under the influence of human activity, how agriculture and resort infrastructure developed. The nature center is open Tuesday through Saturday. The free tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.
How to get to Andorra
To visit Andorra, you need to apply for a Schengen visa. It can be obtained from the Spanish or French embassy, since this state does not have its own representative office in Russia. The easiest way to get to Andorra is from the closest countries – Spain and France. You can, for example, fly to Barcelona and take a bus directly from the airport towards the capital of Andorra. There are 5-6 such flights every day. Considering the distance from Barcelona to the capital of the principality (200 kilometers),
travel time will be approximately 3-4 hours. The cost of such a transfer is 33 euros (2450 rubles).
Useful information for tourists
• The state has been declared a duty-free trade territory, but upon entry you will have to comply with the customs rules of France or Spain.
• Andorra does not have its own currency. The Andorran diner is issued only in the form of collectible coins (gold, silver and bimetallic). Euros are used to pay for goods and services.
• There are no restrictions on the import and export of currency.
• Andorra is the only country where sending letters and postal orders is completely free. Don’t forget to take advantage of this and send a postcard to your friends.
• Andorra has a very developed network of bus routes. It connects all the cities and small villages of the country. The schedule is observed very strictly, so even during rush hour the waiting time does not exceed 30 minutes. The cost of a travel ticket depends on the length of the route, on average the price is approximately 4 euros (300 rubles).
• Local stores offer a wide selection of equipment for skiers and snowboarders. Collections are updated every season, all leading brands are represented. Sometimes you can buy clothes and equipment in Andorra two times cheaper than in Russia.
Have a nice trip!
When traveling, pay for purchases with a OneTwoTrip loyalty card, and up to 10% of the order amount on OneTwoTrip, as well as up to 2% of any purchases paid for with the card, will be returned to your account.
Author: Roskin Mikhail
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