The capital of Andorra is called Andorra la Vella and this is certainly one of the best places to visit when holidaying in the principality. Although the Andorra ski resorts are the main reason for the booming tourism industry in the microstate, there are also several Andorra la Vella attractions worth checking out in the capital city.
The Andorra la Vella hotels are also of high quality, while the Andorra la Vella nightlife is famous, meaning that many people like to stay right there in Andorra’s capital.
Andorra la Vella facts
Let’s take a look at a few of the most important facts about Andorra la Vella. This is a very historic part of the world and Andorra la Vella has been the main city of the principality since 1278, which is when Andorra’s co-princes, one from the French and one from the Spanish side, reached an agreement. Nowadays, Andorra la Vella is a very modern city and a hub for Andorran banking, shopping and tourism.
In terms of Andorra la Vella’s location, many wonder ‘Is Andorra la Vella in Spain?’ but it is entirely inside the Andorra border, closer to the southern Spanish border than the northern French one.
As for some other facts about the capital, the currency used in Andorra la Vella is the euro, while the official language is Catalan even though many residents also speak one or more of Spanish, Portuguese, French and English too.
There is no Andorra la Vella airport, and that’s because there isn’t an airport in the microstate at all. If flying there, you’d have to go to an airport in neighbouring Spain or France and then travel by car or bus into Andorra.
Andorra la Vella population
The population of Andorra la Vella is approximately 22,000, so it makes up more than a quarter of the principality’s overall population of 80,000. If looking at the entire urban area of the capital, this extends to 40,000 residents, which is about half of the country’s entire population.
Things to see in Andorra la Vella
One thing that Andorra la Vella is known for is that it is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of just over 1,000 metres. Besides that cool fact, one of the main Andorra la Vella attractions is the duty-free shopping.
The top 10 Andorra la Vella things to do
Of all the many things to do in Andorra la Vella, these are some of the most interesting of all and the top five Andorra la Vella activities:
Visit the Casa de la Vall
Often ranked as number one of all the Andorra la Vella things to do, the Casa de la Vall (the House of the Valley, in English) is the former site of the General Council of Andorra, as well as being a former manor and fortress. Built in 1580, it contains so much history and that’s why it’s top of the Andorra la Vella activities.
Have drinks in the Barri Antic
The Barri Antic is the name for the old town area of the capital and this is a beautiful part of the world. There are also many bars lining the historic streets, so this is a favourite place for people to stop for a drink.
Take your photo at the Pont de París
One of the most famous of all the Andorra la Vella attractions is the Pont de París, which is a bridge that has the word Andorra la Vella in large lettering across the structure. That makes it a favourite spot for taking a selfie to post on social media.
Go shopping in Andorra la Vella
Because of Andorra’s unique tax system, you can find very low prices and bargains all across the principality. Logically, the capital of Andorra la Vella has even more choice in terms of shops.
Visit the Christmas Village
If you’re going on an Andorra winter holiday around Christmas time, be sure to check out the famous Christmas Village in Andorra la Vella, where you’ll find artisan products, live music and culinary delights on the capital’s streets and squares.
Relax at the Caldea spa
Since 1994, there has been a thermal spa in Andorra la Vella. It is called Caldea spa and its facilities are among the top attractions in the city and the country. Although Andorra and Andorra la Vella are small, this is a huge complex, at over 40,000 m2.
Take in a football match
If you are a sports fan, then Andorra la Vella can offer high-level football. The Estadi Nacional is located in the city and is the home of the Andorran national football team and of FC Andorra, a football club that competes in the Spanish second division.
Stroll around the Parc Central
Andorra la Vella has its own Central Park, called the Parc Central locally. Designed by the architect Daniel Gelabert Fontova, this park means that even the principality’s largest city has a huge green space in the centre.
Enjoy the best Andorran dishes
Andorra is famous for having some very tasty cuisines. These include fish dishes, snails, escudella (a type of stew with pasta) and crema andorrana (similar to crème brûlée). One of the best things about visiting Andorra la Vella is that the city boasts many of the best restaurants in Andorra, where they serve all of these delicious meals.
Try out an Andorra la Vella half-day tour
More and more tourists like to embark on a walking tour when they visit a new city for the first time. In the case of Andorra la Vella, that’s recommended too. However, the city is small enough that it’s advisable to start off with just a half-day tour of Andorra la Vella. That will probably be enough to see the whole city.