How to Easily Day Trip from Barcelona to Andorra in 2024
Andorra is a tiny, yet beautiful country known for its stunning mountain views, ski resorts, and duty-free shopping. People keen on visiting often ask, “Can you do a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra?” I’m here to tell you it’s more than possible to experience some of the natural beauty of Andorra in just one day. And, in this post, I’ll explain the best ways to do it so you can make the most of your time!
Is a Day Trip from Barcelona to Andorra Worth It? (2024)
I’ll be honest, a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra is ambitious, and you’ll likely be exhausted by the end. But, I also wholeheartedly believe that allowing yourself to experience a completely new country and environment is worth paying $60 – $250 USD.
For me, visiting Andorra was literally and figuratively a breath of fresh air. I know that sounds dramatic, but if you want to travel at a slower pace and immerse yourself in the great outdoors then Andorra is just what you’re looking for. With all the towering verdant mountains, fresh crisp air that’s untainted by mass pollution, and the general tranquility of a less populated area, it was like paradise. I could not stop smiling while wandering around.
That said, I can recognize that Andorra is not everyone’s cup of tea. For example, if you thrive in big city environments, such as Geneva, Lyon, or Paris, then you might find yourself a little more bored since Andorra doesn’t have as many specific attractions to see.
However, if you’re ready for a break from the chaos and noise of Barcelona and to travel off the beaten path, then I absolutely think Andorra is worth visiting.
How Do I Get From Barcelona to Andorra?
Depending on what route you take, Barcelona is about 125 miles or 200 km from the capital, Andorra la Vella. And to traverse this distance without having to navigate it yourself, there are two options.
By Private Tour
The easiest and most comfortable option is to go on a private tour. On a private tour, you won’t have to worry about finding your way or trying or researching the meaning behind everything you see. Plus, you’ll be able to check out some of the lesser-known spots that aren’t commonly known. And with a local guide, you’ll hear all the interesting stories behind the more historic places!
✅ 🏔 Check details for this fantastic tour to Andorra that I highly recommend.
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – almost all 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 12 hours
This is the best tour from Barcelona that allows you to exclusively explore the small country of Andorra in just one day. Antonio, a very friendly and personable guide, will lead you on a memorable excursion, highlighting both the famous tourist attractions as well as the more obscure spots that remain lesser known! So, if you’re ready for an amazing trip while visiting Barcelona and want to take in all that Andorra has to offer without any stress, then this tour is for you!
The Spend 1 Day in Andorra Tour includes:
- Round-trip private transportation in an air-conditioned car
- Learning about Andorra’s culture and history
- Visiting Pont de Margineda near the Spanish border
- Touring Casa de la Vall in Andorra la Vella
- Marveling the panoramic view at Mirador del Rock del Quer
- Exploring the small village of Ordino
- Visiting the Santuario del Meritxell — the main sanctuary of Andorra
- Personalized tour with up to 6 guests (minimum 2)
Everything was just great! We love the uniqueness of Andorra with the great supports from Antonio! Hope to have chance exploring more in the future!
– Keo L. (seE MORE REVIEWS)
✅ 🏔 Check availability for this amazing tour from Barcelona to Andorra
By Bus
Your second option is to take a bus from Barcelona to Andorra. This option is the cheapest and allows you more freedom while visiting Andorra. The caveat is that you’ll be limited in terms of time spent in Andorra. This is because you’ll need to keep the return bus schedule in mind. Thus, you could end up spending only about 6 hours in Andorra and equally as long of time on the road… That’s unless you opt to spend a night or two in Andorra.
But, if you’d rather explore Andorra at your own pace and don’t mind navigating the public transportation systems, this is your best bet. To reserve a seat, I recommend booking a bus ticket through Omio. This is the company that I have used for all my inter-Europe travels since 2019. It’s super reliable and the easiest way to find the best fares and routes that work for you.
✅ 🚌 Check bus routes from Barcelona to Andorra on Omio
🚨 And if it’s your first time using Omio, sign up with this link to get $11 off your first booking.
All you have to do is click the link, input your dates, and then you’ll see all the possible routes. There are several direct buses every day, and they cost ~ $32 – $40 USD one way.
🏔 PRO TIP: If you are under 25 years old, save yourself a few extra bucks and purchase a youth ticket instead of an adult one!
Can You Drive a Rental Car From Barcelona to Andorra?
It’s definitely possible to drive a rental car from Barcelona to Andorra. However, speaking as someone from the US, there are certain rules and qualifications that must be met to rent in Spain. Some of the requirements include: being at least 21 years of age, having a valid driver’s license for at least one year, a valid ID (passport or state-issued ID), an International Driving Permit, and proof of residency.
If you meet these requirements, then you do have the option of renting a car. And if this interests you, I recommend renting a car through DiscoverCars. It’s my favorite rental car company, and I’ve never had issues with them in all my years of traveling.
✅ 🚗 Click to check rates and availability of rental cars on DiscoverCars
What Is the Best Way to Travel to Andorra?
My honest opinion is that the best way to travel to Andorra from Barcelona is with a private tour with Antonio. You will be able to make the most of your limited time and it’s simply the least hassle-free. Plus, he’s just a fun character who brings a lot of entertainment to the journey. 🤠 That said, I know private tours can be expensive, so it’s fair if you take the bus route option. Just know you’ll be tight on time.
Fancy 3 Countries in a Day?
And just so you know all your options…There’s even a highly-rated tour that goes through 3 countries in a single day: Spain, Andorra, and France. More than 2970+ people have taken it, and it has overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Again, you’ll probably be “The Walking Dead” by the end of it, but that’s peak efficiency! And it’s worth noting that this tour is ironically cheaper than the private tour with Antonio. But, you definitely won’t see as much of Andorra — just something to consider 😉
✅ See details for this popular 3-countries in one day tour from Barcelona 🇪🇸 🇦🇩 🇫🇷
8 Things to Do on a Day Trip to Andorra
Alright, now that you have a pretty decent idea of how to get to Andorra, you may be wondering what to do during your visit. If you’re traveling there independent of a private tour, here’s my list of 8 things to do in this charming country! These are all either free or very low cost, so you can keep trip costs to Andorra down. 😉
🏔 NOTE: The activities in the order I would complete them if you’re arriving at the Andorra la Vella bus station. This will help you save time and energy in unnecessarily traversing the city.
1. See 7 Poetes
When you arrive at the Estació Nacional d’Autobusos (bus station) in Andorra la Vella, you want to make your way to Barri Antic. This is Andorra’s Old Town or Old Quarter. It’s where you’ll find a couple of the more historic buildings in the area, similar to Stockholm’s Gamla Stan.
On your way there, you’ll pass by an art installation in front of the Commune administration building on your left called, ” 7 Poets.” As you can likely guess, the name comes from the fact there are 7 yellow statues of poets. Each poet is on a pedestal raised above the ground at a different height.
The symbolism behind this piece is that they are meant to represent the 7 parishes of Andorra: Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordancy, Sant Julia de Lòria, Encamp, La Massana, Ordino, and Canillo. They serve as an integral example of the country’s appreciation for public art. And if you visit at night, you’ll see them lit up!
2. St. Esteve of Andorra Church
The next stop is the picturesque St. Esteve of Andorra Church, one of the more prominent landmarks in the city. This Romanesque church dates back to the 12th century, but it was quite heavily restored during the 20th century. As such, there are only pieces of the original church that remain. These include the semicircular apse, part of the walls that make up the nave, and another smaller apse.
Within the church, you’ll discover that only a few balls adorn the walls. This is because some of the murals and paintings that used to be there are now being preserved in the Catalonia National Art Museum. That said, one important piece remains, the Painting of the Souls, which is from the 18th century. And while it’s the largest church in the principality, it’s still a small fraction of the size and grandeur of churches you’ll find in Milan or Paris — so walk in with an open mind!
3. Casa de la Vall
After seeing the church, make your way to the iconic Casa de la Vall. This is located about a 2-minute walk away. The historical house was built in 1580 as the home of the Busquets family. However, in 1702, the General Council of Andorra bought the home and it became the seat of parliament from 1702 – 2011. Check out this post if you want to learn more about Andorra’s unique position between France and Spain!
From the outside, you’ll notice there’s a large outdoor terrace providing an impressive 360-degree view of the Pyrenees Mountains. This is also where you can catch a nice view of the 7 poets from above.
Additionally, visitors can opt to take a guided tour of the inside to learn more about the history of the building and Andorra. Tickets for the tours are €5 per adult or €2.50 for students and senior citizens — so quite affordable! The historic house is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM – 2 PM and from 3 PM. – 7 PM.
🏔 FUN FACT: A picture of Casa de la Vall is what depicts the face of an Andorran 1 Euro coin.
4. Feast on Delicious Food
When you’re done viewing the Casa de la Vall, it’s time for the part of the day that most people seem to leave out — feasting time! After all, no trip would be complete without trying out the local food! For those who don’t know, Andorra is known for its hearty and savory dishes.
One of the country’s most popular dishes is Escudella — a stew made with meat, potatoes, and pasta shells seasoned with various herbs and spices. And the best part about Andorra’s cuisine is that it tries to use locally produced ingredients. Therefore, they often have rotating menus depending on what’s in season!
Unfortunately, I don’t remember the name of the restaurant I went to with great Escudella. But, I do remember and recommend eating at MuaKaBo and La Casa Restaurant & GastroBar. These are both located in the Old Quarter area and close around 3:30 – 4 PM until the dinner time shift. So, unless you want to walk up the hill again, you’ll want to eat lunch before you leave the area!
5. Pyrénées Andorra
In the introduction, you may recall I mentioned that Andorra is well known for its duty-free shopping. With this in mind, it likely comes as no surprise that Andorra’s economy is mostly propelled by its finance, retail, and, tourism sectors. As such, you’ll find lots of department stores to browse through around the central parts of Andorra.
In particular, the Pyrénées Andorra is one of the most notable stores. It’s right around the Old Quarter area and home to a wide array of shops! This makes it a great place to go for tax-free shopping, especially for those who may be interested in saving on designer brands!
6. Noblesa del temps
When you’re done shopping or at least ready to move onto another area where there are more stores to window shop at, make your way to Plaça de la Rotonda. Here, you’ll find Noblesa del Temps, which translates to Nobility of Time. It is a surrealist bronze sculpture by the world-famous Catalan artist Salvador Dalí. The sculpture features a melting clock resting against a sparse tree and angels adorning each side. You’ll notice it’s quite reminiscent of Dalí’s most well-known work, The Persistence of Memory, and repeats similar motifs.
7. Pont de París
Directly behind the Noblesa del Temps is the Pont de Paris (Paris Bridge), an aesthetic suspension bridge. I don’t know why it’s called the Paris Bridge, but it ironically reads “Andorra la Vella” in big letters on the front.
It’s not really worth crossing the bridge, but I do recommend spending about 2 minutes to take a picture with it in the background. This can be a nice little souvenir photo to commemorate your visit to the 6th smallest country in Europe! Plus, when I was there, they even had a little stand that you could put your phone on to help you take a picture if there’s no one around or you don’t feel like asking someone to take your photo!
Oh! And if you stop by during the nighttime, you likely won’t have to deal with the swathes of crowds and can enjoy the view of the “Andorra la Vella” letters all lit up!
8. Parc Central
For the last bit of the day, you can either wander along Meritxell Avenue, the most popular street in Andorra. It’s lined with hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes, etc. There’s also a French and Spanish post office if you’d like to send off a couple of postcards to loved ones…
Or, if you’re ready to give your feet a break and want to just take in the surrounding scenery, a few minutes walk away from Plaça de la Rotonda is Parc Central. This is a well-maintained park that’s not far from the bus station. Public bathrooms are available and there’s lots of grassy space and some playgrounds if you happen to be traveling with little ones.
Personally, I chose to take a nap under a tree as it was so peaceful and pleasant listening to the La Valira river water flow. But, if you aren’t one for lying on the ground (understandable lol), there are also benches and some artwork to check out around the park! Just make sure you begin slowly walking back to the bus station about 30 – 40 minutes before it’s supposed to leave! No one likes being stranded in countries! 😅
Best Time to Visit Andorra
As I mentioned earlier, Andorra is known for an array of things — some of which are seasonal activities. Therefore, the best time to visit Andorra depends on what your interests are and what you hope to do! For instance, if you’re mostly interested in hiking and sightseeing around the city then late May – October is ideal for a visit to Andorra! You can expect temperatures that range from about 50 °F to a nice 75°F during this time — perfect for exploring on foot.
And, of course, to avoid any tourist crowds, you’ll want to head over during shoulder season — September and October. But, honestly, even in peak summer months, you probably won’t see a lot of tourists outside of the main downtown area.
Meanwhile, if you’re keen on skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities, visit Andorra between December – February. This is when the ski resorts are flourishing with activity and fresh snow.
Where to Stay in Andorra
In the event you decide to spend a night or two as I did, here are a few of my recommendations on where to stay in Andorra based on my experiences and outside research. These are just for Andorra la Vella since that’s where I stayed and the general area where I spent most of my time!
Low-Cost Stay
- Barri Antic Hostel & Pub — the hostel turned hotel I loved staying at | ⭐️ 9.2 / 10
- Hotel Yomo Cèntric — 4-star hotel in downtown Andorra la Vella | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Hotel Starc by Pierre & Vacances Premium — fantastic 4-star hotel | ⭐️ 9 / 10
- Hotel Metropolis — lovely 4-star hotel right on Valira River | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Luxury Stay
- Grand Plaza Hotel & Wellness — crowd-favorite 5-star hotel | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Andorra Park Hotel — 5-star hotel located in the Old Town area | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
But, if you want to check out other places and parishes in Andorra, you can check rates and availability with the buttons below.
Alternatively, you can scroll around on the interactive map below. It displays current prices across several booking platforms and will give you up-to-date prices for your trip if you input your dates!
Barcelona to Andorra Day Trip: FAQ
I fully think Andorra is worth visiting. It was a welcomed contrast from all the large cities I had previously been traveling through. However, if you’re still unsure, I have a dedicated post on who I think would enjoy visiting Andorra and who should probably skip it.
As you can likely tell from this post, yes — you can easily do a day trip to Andorra from Barcelona. Your options are: go on a private tour, take the bus, or get a rental car.
Since Andorra is located high up in the Pyrenees Mountains, there is no train from Barcelona to Andorra. The bus is the only public transportation option.
The most hassle-free and easiest way to get to Andorra is with a private tour. Whether it’s the tour to only Andorra or a tour through Spain, Andorra, and France, both allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride!
Via private transport (car), the ride from Barcelona to Andorra is about 2.5 hours. In contrast, it takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes with the bus, assuming minimal traffic.
Yes, there is border control between Spain and Andorra. However, you don’t have to stop when traveling from Barcelona to Andorra unless you’re specifically asked to.
Andorra’s official language is Catalan. However, both French and Spanish have been influential in the region for centuries so many locals speak these languages too. But, I also noticed that most locals understand at least basic English phrases and you can communicate with a bit of patience!
Wrap-Up: Day Trip from Barcelona to Andorra (2024)
Ultimately, Andorra is an easy day trip from Barcelona. And, with its breathtaking mountain views, long-standing history, and calm atmosphere, the country provides the perfect escape from the chaos of the vibrant city of Barcelona. Not to mention, despite its relatively small size, Andorra has all kinds of activities for travelers to enjoy!
So, if you’re ready to catch a glimpse of what Andorra is about, be sure to add an unforgettable day trip from Barcelona to Andorra to your itinerary. But, regardless if you go or not, I hope this post has been helpful and wish you the best!
Learn About Spain
- 🐠 Basque Country: Keen on exploring Northern Spain? Consider making a short stop in Bilbao, a delightful and affordable city, filled with delicious Basque food, and near the famed Rioja wine region!
- 🏖️ San Sebastian: San Sebastian is the gastronomic epicenter of Northern Spain! So an absolute must-do activity is indulging in their regional specialties! Think pintxos, regional wines, burnt basque cakes…
- 🇪🇸 Barcelona: Considering doing a mini tour of Gaudi’s best landmarks around Barcelona? Read my review of Casa Batlló before going, it could save you lots of money!
