Travel guide
Andorra

The 12 keywords Andorra

1. #Wellness

Thanks to its thermal waters and well-equipped centres, Andorra has become an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday. Caldea is the place to be and is the largest spa in southern Europe. The majority of the hotels in the principality are equipped with a spa centre

2. #Borda

A typical Andorran peasant house without a chimney, built of dry stone, where wheat and livestock were once kept, borda means "hut". Today, typical Andorran farmhouses and gastronomic restaurants are known as bordes. These are the best places to discover Andorran cuisine.

3. #Catalan

This small piece of mountain land wedged between France and Spain has a very strong Catalan influence. In fact, it is the only place in the world where Catalan is the official national language. But be careful not to mix things up: Andorrans are proud of their Pyrenean identity, so don't tell them they are Catalan!

4. #Detax

The Andorran regime is more than ever placed under the sign of tax exemption. Indeed, VAT does not exist, its inhabitants do not know the income tax, and the professional tax and the social charges are minimal. As a result, unemployment is very rare. This extraordinary situation attracts crowds of people who come to shop!

5. #Ecotourism

With its magnificent mountains full of natural treasures, Andorra lends itself wonderfully to ecotourism. To make its rich natural heritage accessible while protecting it, the principality has opened nearly twenty ecotourism circuits in recent years, spread throughout its valleys.

6. #Iron

From the 17th to the 19th century, the extraction of iron ore, its transformation and marketing were the pillars of the country's economy. This part of the Principality's history has not been forgotten and today there is an "iron route" in the Ordino Valley for those who wish to learn more about this thousand-year-old history.

7. #Parish

The parishes are the geographical and administrative boundaries of Andorra. There are seven parishes: Canillo, Encamp, Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella (the most populated), Sant Julià de Lòria and Escaldes-Engordany (the latter has only existed officially since 1978). The town halls are called comuns (comu in the singular).

8. #Principality

Andorra is the only country in the world with a political system based on the co-principality. It is a small independent state under the sovereignty of two co-princes: the French head of state and the Bishop of Urgell (Catalonia). In this sense, the status of Andorra is not comparable to that of Monaco (monarchy) and Liechtenstein (principality).

9. #Mountain

Given its location in the heart of the Pyrenees, the least we can say is that Andorra is above all a country of mountains. The country has no less than 65 peaks! Wherever you are, in the city centre or in a remote village, you will always have views of the mountains, sometimes even from your hotel room

10. #Snow

Vast and beautiful stretches of snow, a real white horizon. Andorra's ski resorts guarantee snow from November to April, thanks to their state-of-the-art snow cannons. But beware: while snow is a skier's friend, it can quickly become the sworn enemy of walkers and motorists if they are not properly equipped.

11. #Sports

The number of sporting activities on offer in Andorra is vast. Nature lovers can explore the valleys on foot, snowshoes, bicycle or horseback, or go canyoning, fishing or climbing. Snow sports enthusiasts can ski, snowboard or ride a snowmobile down the slopes. A paradise for the hyperactive!

12. #Tobacco

Tobacco from Spain was introduced to Andorra via a cottage industry in the 17th century, and was widely grown. Then, from the 20th century onwards, consumption became widespread, the production chain was mechanised and American blond tobacco won out. Tobacco production is nowadays marginal in the Andorran economy.