Is a Day Trip to Andorra Worth It From Barcelona?

I wanted to visit Andorra because I am fascinated by tiny countries, how they maintain independence, and how they became micro-nations in the first place. So, on our most recent visit to Barcelona I jumped at the opportunity to add the small mountain nation of Andorra to our list of UN countries.

Now that the trip is complete, I have to say the experience absolutely exceeded our expectations in every way. Here’s what we did and what you can expect on a day trip to this tiny country full of history, shops, and ski slopes in the Pyrenees Mountains.

Getting There

There are several ways you can get to Andorra from
Barcelona, which is about a 3-hour drive. You can rent a car, take a bus, or hop on a tour. We decided to hire a private guide, which was absolutely the best option for us: comfortable, relaxing, and informative.

Our guide, Adrian, was professional, knowledgeable, and a fantastic storyteller. If you can splurge for a private tour with him, we highly recommend it. This is not sponsored, we just like to share our favorite experiences so you can enjoy them too! You can tell that Adrian took great care to plan the itinerary — and everything worked out perfectly from start to finish.

A Gorgeous Drive

On our way to Andorra, we stopped in several locations in both Spain and France and learned about the shared interests in Andorra between its two larger neighbors. France and Spain even have their own mailboxes in Andorra!

The official language in Andorra is Catalan and that history is so fascinating, too.

The location in the Pyrenees Mountains makes for a gorgeous drive with stunning views and photo opportunities.

Fascinating Medieval Architecture

Along the way, we stopped in several towns including Bága, Spain. This town has beautiful architecture but a turbulent history, which we learned about as we took a stroll through the main square. It was established in the 9th century and redesigned in the 13th.

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We also stopped at a view point to see Montserrat on the way out of Barcelona. This is a very popular place for visitors to the area.

A Delicious Lunch Spot

Andorra is known for beef and our stop for lunch at Manacor did not disappoint. I am not a big meat eater but my carnivorous travel companions and I all absolutely loved the dry-aged beef and local ingredients at this restaurant. Thankfully, I was also able to order a delicious bowl of fresh fruit to balance it out! But I have to say this beef was divine!

A Vibrant Capital

We were actually quite surprised at how big and vibrant the capital city of Andorra la Vella felt. It’s a lovely mix of old and new with cute restaurants, historical buildings, viewpoints, and of course, shopping.

Quite honestly, I was afraid Andorra might just feel like a big shopping center since people tend to visit for the good prices and low taxes compared to neighboring countries. But Andorra was so much more. In fact, while our day trip was amazing and totally worth it, you may want to carve out a few days to spend here, if you have more time. In the summer there are plenty of outdoor activities, and in the winter, the skiing is renowned. If you look at a map of Andorra, you might even mistake it for one giant ski resort!

Our Verdict

We love big cities, but it’s also so nice to get out and explore the countryside, soak in the stunning scenery, and learn the history of smaller towns and nations. Our trip with Adrian to Andorra was so memorable and the journey was well worth it.

Have you been to Andorra? Let us know in the comments.

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