Ultimate Guide to the Small Country Between France and Spain (2024)
Did you know there’s a little country between France and Spain? It’s called Andorra. And if you’ve never heard of Andorra, don’t worry — you’re in the right place. Within this post, I’ll tell you all the essential information you need to know about Andorra… well, that and probably a bit more! So, whether you’re just looking to learn more about Andorra, want an answer to a specific question, or simply going down the Internet rabbit hole, you’ll hopefully leave a little bit more knowledgeable about this small country between Spain and France! 😉
Everything About the Country Between France and Spain
What is Andorra? Is Andorra a country? These were two of the most common questions I received when I spoke to friends, family, and other random people I met about traveling to Andorra. And based on these interactions, I think it’s fairly safe to say that most non-Europeans have never heard of it, or at least don’t know much about it… So, let’s start with the basics!
Andorra is a country that’s also a tiny, independent principality. And for those just hearing about the term “principality” for the first time, it essentially means that a state is ruled or reigned by a prince or princess.
That said, we all know that women make up a tiny fraction of country leaders compared to men, and Andorra is no different. Thus, Andorra is led by the Prince — two “co-princes,” actually, but more on that unique situation later. First, we are going to dive deep into the geography of Andorra!
Country Between France and Spain: Geography of Andorra
Here are the answers to 8 commonly asked geography-related questions about the country between France and Spain.
Where Is Andorra Located in Europe?
As you can likely tell from the title of this post, Andorra is located on the Western side of Europe, between France and Spain. But, more specifically it’s located within the Pyrenees mountains! For reference points to cities you likely have heard of, Andorra’s capital is about 114 miles (183km) from Toulouse, France, and 119 miles (191 km) from Barcelona via car. From both cities, it takes about 3 hours, give or take 20 minutes, depending on road conditions and traffic.
Where Is Andorra on a Map?
Below is a map showing the exact location of Andorra in Europe. As you can see, it’s located right on the edge of the Iberian Peninsula, which includes Spain and Portugal.
Additionally, you can see that Andorra is ‘landlocked’, meaning that it has no coast on any body of water. That said, there are some lakes in Andorra, such as Lake Engolasters and Estany Primer, which provide a nice change in scenery from all the mountains.
Is Andorra Part of Spain?
No, Andorra is not part of Spain, but it does have a unique political relationship with Spain and France. As previously mentioned, Andorra is a principality that has two co-princes, one from each neighboring country. One of the two is the President of France and the other is the Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia, Spain. This arrangement has been in place since the 13th century. Despite its political ties with France and Spain, Andorra is not a part of either country. It remains an independent country, with its unique system of government, flag, official language, customs, and laws.
Is Andorra Catalan?
Yes, Andorra is Catalan. For those who don’t know, Catalan refers to the Catalonia region, which is largely made up of Northeastern Spain but also includes Andorra. There are a total of four provinces that make up this region: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona.
The person that you most likely have heard of who’s Catalan is the world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí. He is responsible for being the mastermind and creator of many of the iconic landmarks in Barcelona, such as La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Park Güell, Casa Mila, and Casa Vicens.
How Big Is Andorra?
When it comes to size, Andorra is a small nation that is just shy of half the area of San Diego – coming in at 180.7 mi² (468 km²). For another point of reference, Paris is 40.7 mi². So just the city of Paris would make up almost a 4th of the country of Andorra!
Is Andorra the Smallest Country in the World?
Despite this very small size, Andorra is far from being the smallest country in the world. It is the 17th smallest country in the world. Some countries smaller than Andorra include Nauru, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Maldives, Grenada, Barbados, etc.
Is Andorra the Smallest Country in Europe?
Similarly, Andorra is not the smallest country in Europe — it is the sixth smallest! From smallest to largest, it’s currently being beaten out by Vatican City, Monaco, San Marino, Lichtenstein, and Malta.
What Is the Capital of Andorra?
The capital of Andorra is Andorra la Vella. It’s located at the very heart of Andorra and is home to around 23,000 people. Compared to the capital cities of Andorra’s neighbors, Andorra la Vella offers a unique opportunity for travelers and locals alike to experience traditional mountain life with all its serenity. It’s also very picturesque – with lots of cobblestone streets, stone buildings, terraced gardens, and of course, the sweeping views of the Pyrenees Mountains.
And just for you’re reference… Andorra is broken up into several communities referred to as parishes. There are a total of 7 of them: Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, and Sant Julia de Loria. The dotted lines in the map above represent the borders of the various parishes!
Country Between France and Spain: Government of Andorra
Now that you have a solid sense of Andorra’s geography, here are 6 answers to frequently asked questions about Andorra’s government and position concerning several global organizations.
What Is Andorra Flag?
Andorra’s flag is split up into three equal vertical sections and consists of three colors: blue, yellow, and red… Yay for more flags that look the same as others to confuse people! The only thing that makes it stand out against Romania’s flag 🇷🇴 and Chad’s 🇹🇩 flag is the fact that there’s the coat of arms of Andorra in the center. 🇦🇩
Does Andorra Have a Royal Family?
No, Andorra does not have an official royal family like Sweden, Norway, Spain, or the UK. As previously mentioned, Andorra has a unique government situation in that the principality is ruled by two heads of state, one from each neighboring country.
However, it’s a bit more nuanced than that. Despite the Bishop of Urgell and the president of France officially having the title of Andorra’s co-princes, they don’t oversee day-to-day matters. Instead, they both appointed a personal representative who jointly governs Andorra and simply keeps the co-princes apprised.
And all this said, in recent years, the power of the co-princes has been significantly reduced. In 1993, a new constitution was adopted that established executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, effectively forming Andorra’s parliament.
Is Andorra in the EU?
Andorra is not part of the EU or Schengen Area. Instead, it just has individual agreements with its neighboring countries regarding the free movement of people. Some other countries in Europe that aren’t part of the EU include Monaco, Liechtenstein, San Marino, and the Vatican City. You’ll notice all these countries top the list for the smallest countries in Europe… a coincidence? LOL no. It’s safe to say the requirements for joining the EU didn’t really consider these smaller countries. Thus, it’s unlikely any of them will be joining anytime soon.
Is Andorra in the United Nations?
Despite not being a member of the EU or NATO, Andorra is part of the United Nations, which aims to secure international peace and security — among a host of other good values and things. Andorra became a member state in July 1993. Thus, you can see its flag standing tall outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland!
Is Andorra in NATO?
Likewise, Andorra is not in NATO, which stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. You can see the list of all 30 countries that are in NATO here.
Is Andorra a Rich Country?
This is a bit subjective, but I would not classify Andorra as a particularly rich country — at best, it’s above average. According to the 2021 World Bank report, Andorra had a GDP of 3.33 billion, which isn’t great for comparison since it’s largely affected by population numbers. But, if we look at Andorra’s GDP per capita, it’s $42,137.3 USD, which is a little bit better than the average.
In comparison, Europe’s richest countries based on GDP per capita include Monaco ($173.7k), Luxembourg ($133.6k), Ireland ($100.2k), Denmark ($68k), and Sweden ($61k). You can see more data from the World Bank’s report here.
Country Between France and Spain: Andorra Climate
If you’ve never been to the small country between France and Spain, you probably don’t know what to expect in terms of Andorra’s climate… so here’s my take!
Is Andorra Beautiful?
Personally, I believe Andorra is quite beautiful. When I visited, I was constantly amazed and would often stop to admire the surroundings… I wasn’t looking at anything in particular, just taken aback by the change in views. But like most things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Thus, here’s generally what kind of views you can expect if you visit.
First of all, it’s a very mountainous country, so you’ll witness lots of towering mountains and lush valleys, and likely drive along some scenic roads. Andorra also boasts miles of scenic hiking trails and has a few different lakes. But, if you don’t have a rental car or private transport with a tour, they can be harder to reach.
In terms of city life, even Andorra’s capital is much less chaotic than other major cities in Europe like Lyon, Zagreb, or Milan. Sure, there’s a fair bit of car traffic in the main city area, but once you walk like half a mile, you’ll hardly see more than 100+ people.
This was great for me, but I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. So, if you want a better gauge of whether you should visit Andorra, feel free to read my dedicated post that delves into what to expect when visiting Andorra.
Does It Snow in Andorra?
Yes — it absolutely snows in Andorra! In fact, its location in the Pyrenees mountain range makes it one of the snowiest countries in Europe, with an average annual snowfall of 74 inches or 188 cm. Thus, you’ll find lots of ski resorts to choose from all across the small country. The biggest and most popular one is called Grandvalira, but there are several others, such as Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís.
And despite the country being relatively unknown to most non-Europeans, it is the ultimate ski destination for Europeans. From late November until about April, winter sports enthusiasts flock here each year to take in the fresh snow! But even if skiing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of activities to check out, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and more! So this is a place to consider visiting if you are a fan of snow.
5 Fun Facts About Andorra
#1 What Is Andorra Known For?
As explained in detail earlier, Andorra is known for being the world’s only co-principality, with two heads of state. And piggybacking off the last bit about receiving tons of snow, Andorra is also famous for being one of the hosts of the Alpine World Ski Championships.
However, what Andorra is probably most famous for is being a tax haven. The country has a free market economy and imposes no capital gains, inheritance, or sales tax. Furthermore, the government doesn’t place any taxes on imports or exports. Therefore, people often visit Andorra to do lots of duty-free shopping since goods are cheaper. So, while Andorra isn’t tax-free, it is a tax haven with its very lenient policies!
#2 What Is Andorra’s Official Language?
The official language of Andorra is Catalan, and it is the only country in the world with this Romance language as its sole official language. That said, many locals are trilingual and speak French and Spanish as well. I even discovered that most people I interacted with also spoke basic English. So with such a diverse linguistic landscape, communication usually isn’t an issue in Andorra.
#3 Population of Andorra
The population of Andorra is estimated to be around 80,000 people, which makes it one of the least populous countries in the world. That said, as a result of its rather large tourist industry, it receives an incredible 10 million tourists per year!
#4 Andorra’s High Altitude
With an elevation of 3,356 ft (1,023 meters) above sea level, Andorra la Vella is the highest capital city in Europe!
#5 No Fighting
Despite being smack in the middle of two very power-hungry countries, Andorra hasn’t been in a war in ages, as in about 1000 years. This is largely due to its inconvenient location in the Pyrenees mountain and lack of resources to support large populations due to limited arable land.
The last time Andorra was truly involved in a war was when Charlemagne involved Andorra in fighting the Islamic Moors from advancing into Christian France. However, if we are getting nit-picky… Andorra did technically declare war on Germany during World War II in 1914.
But, considering they have no military…they didn’t participate in the war at all. Consequently, they were forgotten about when the Treaty of Versailles was signed and didn’t officially declare peace with Germany until 1958. So in this fun little sense, Andorra hasn’t fought in a war for 1000+ years!
How to Travel to Andorra
At this point, you might be thinking about visiting. If that’s the case, Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about how to travel to Andorra.
Is Andorra Expensive to Visit?
This depends on your finances and budget, but relatively speaking…I thought Andorra was pretty affordable. Depending on where you eat, meals can be expensive. But in general, a regular meal at an average restaurant costs about USD 20, which is less expensive than eating a meal at a similar restaurant in Paris.
And with regards to housing, I stayed at the Barri Antic Hostel & Pub, which is a low-cost hotel. My stay was about $50/night and more than worth the price. So with these reference points, I think Andorra isn’t expensive to visit.
Is Andorra Visa Free?
Andorra is visa-free! All visitors are allowed to visit and stay in Andorra for up to 90 days. That said, there are other rules and documents you will want to bring with you. You can find more information here.
Does Andorra Have an Airport?
Due to its mountainous terrain, Andorra does not have an airport. The closest airport is Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell airport in Spain, which is about a 30-minute drive from Andorra la Vella. This also helps explain the whole visa-free situation above. All travelers have to enter through Spain or France. Thus, International travelers will be screened and checked at their points of entry in those countries.
Is Andorra Near Barcelona?
Yes — Andorra is near Barcelona! It’s only a 3-hour drive away from Barcelona, which makes visiting the small country as a day trip more than possible! Feel free to check out this dedicated post for all the information you need to complete a day trip from Barcelona! I include information about going on a private tour as well as traveling to Andorra independently.
Where to Stay in Andorra
Should you decide to stay in Andorra for more than a single day, you’ll probably need housing! Here are a few of my recommendations on where to stay in Andorra based on where I stayed and my thorough research. These are all recommendations for Andorra la Vella since that’s where I stayed. But, you can use the buttons or map below to explore additional housing options within Andorra if you plan on traveling elsewhere!
Low-Cost Stay
- Barri Antic Hostel & Pub — The hostel & hotel that I stayed at | ⭐️ 9.2 / 10
- Hotel Yomo Cèntric — Wonderful 4-star hotel w/ great breakfast | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Hotel Starc by Pierre & Vacances Premium — Excellent 4-star hotel | ⭐️ 9 / 10
- Hotel Metropolis — Stylish 4-star hotel w/ bar & restaurant | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Luxury Stay
- Grand Plaza Hotel & Wellness — Stunning 5-star hotel with spa | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Andorra Park Hotel — Gorgeous 5-star hotel along the mountains | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Check rates and availability on your preferred booking platform with the buttons below.
Alternatively, you can scroll around on the interactive map below. It shows current prices for hotels in the area and will give you even more accurate information if you input your dates!
Andorra Tourist Information: FAQ
Despite not being part of the EU, the official currency of Andorra is the Euro. The country briefly had its own currency called the Andorran diner (ADD), but it was better for tourism and economic stability to switch over to the Euro.
No country is 100% safe, but based on my experiences, I would say it’s safe. I (a small female) was completely fine and comfortable roaming around the streets of Andorra at night alone. Not once did I feel in danger or see any sort of crime. That said, remember to exercise common sense and always stay aware of your surroundings!
Whether or not Andorra is boring is going to depend on your interests. For example, if you are looking to see huge monuments or do something as thrilling as paragliding in the Swiss Alps, then yes, Andorra might be boring. But, if you’re looking to be surrounded by nature and towering verdant mountains during the summer and snowy peaks in the winter…then Andorra probably won’t be boring for you! Again, I delve into the topic of whether someone should visit Andorra here if you’d like to learn more.
The people of Andorra are very friendly! You probably won’t run into that many locals given the smaller population, but every person I interacted with was super kind and welcoming!
Yes — the Andorra Tap water is drinkable! I often would fill up my water bottle directly from the sink in my bathroom before leaving to explore for the day. And since I’m still here and writing this post… I am pretty sure the water is safe to drink!
Wrap-Up: The Small Country Between France and Spain
If you’ve made it this far, congrats! You likely know more about the small country between France and Spain than like 95% of the people in the world! But, if you skipped to the end (because don’t worry I do that too, sometimes), here’s a lil recap. Andorra is a tiny principality that’s fairly unique in that it’s a co-principality with two heads of state — one from France and one from Spain.
And aside from a unique government situation, the country has lots to offer its visitors. From the stunning landscape of towering Pyrenees mountains and many hiking trails to its abundance of duty-free shopping opportunities and small-town atmosphere, it’s a country that attracts millions of tourists each year! So whether you decide to visit or not, I hope this post has been insightful and you leave knowing a little bit more about the small country nestled between France and Spain!
