Andorra

October 21, 2025 Lisa Comments 0 Comment

I stayed at the Hotel de l’isard. It was a really nice room, very comfortable, and it had a refrigerator! I had my cold morning Pepsi. It was a convenient location in Andorra la Vella.

I started with a visit to the tourist center for a map. The very helpful person also told me about the Rec de Sola trail; I wouldn’t have heard of this without her. I spent about 3 hours doing this hike the next morning.

There are many access and exit points. I walked up at the east end, via the Cami del Pont Placa to the Cami Font de la Call, connecting to the Rec del Sola. There were fantastic views of the city and mountains.

I saw the Dali Sculpture, “La Noblesse du Temps” (Nobility of Time) on the busy Plaça de la Rotonda. There is a great view of the Pont de París, the curved bridge with Andorra la Vella, from the plaza.

I walked down the pedestrian street, Avinguda Meritxell, crossing between the towns Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany to Avinguda Carlemany.

I visited Pont d’Engordany, built in 1785, on the Plaça Santa Anna. There is another tourist center here.

I walked along the Valira d’Orient enjoying the multiple fountains, Font Caldas to Placa dels Safarejos, with its very unique bathtub fountain.

I saw Pont de la Tosca, built in 1820. There are several natural hot springs along the street, including Font del Roc del Metge.

Heading back to Andorra la Vella, I stopped to see Església de Sant Pere el Màrtir. There is a lovely statue, La Puntaire, a woman making lace, on Plaça de l’Església in front of the church.

I stopped in at Caldea Spa. I thought about scheduling a massage or facial for the next day but they didn’t have appointments at convenient times; if interested, booking in advance would be beneficial. I did want to see the building though so worth the stop, however, they charge for a complete tour.

I visited the great Parc Central. Located along a bend of the river, there are many sculptures, a playground, and a pedestrian bridge connecting old town. I walked all the way back up town on the lovely Camí del Parc Central, the path along the river.

I would have liked to visit Casa de la Vall, a historic house and museum. It is closed for restoration. I thought I’d be able to at least enjoy the outside but it is totally blocked off with huge fencing.

The Esglesia of Sant Esteve is a 12th c Romanesque church in old town. It is a beautiful stone building and has two two Baroque altarpieces dedicated to St. Lucy and St. John the Baptist.

Outside the church is the pedestrian bridge Rambla Molines. Full of flowers, it connects Old Town to Placa del Pobla. This is a huge beautiful plaza. It has great views over the city and country, plus more art and lots of restaurants.

Church of Saint Stephen from Placa del Pobla

Leaving town after two nights, I headed south first to see La Margineda Bridge. It is over the river Gran Valira and was built in the 15th c.

I stopped at the Church of Santa Coloma. This is Andorra’s oldest church, dedicated to the patron saint of Andorra. It was built in the 9th c but the round tower wasn’t added until the 12th c when the building was renovated. The church has a beautiful baroque altarpiece.

You have to buy tickets at the nearby museum, Espai Columba. There are interesting relics and exhibits here. It also has the history of the church, and the murals removed from the nave are in the museum. They have a projection light show in the church showing the original paintings. Definitely recommend a visit.

Continuing north for my drive to San Sebastian-Donostia, my route took me into southern France. It was convenient to stop and see Church of Sant Joan de Caselles. Built in the 11th c, it is located in Canillo, Andorra. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open for visitors. The altarpiece, from the 16th c, is supposed to be worth the visit.

Really enjoyed my visit to this beautiful little country. It’s famous for its winter sports but I wanted to see it in better weather!

Restaurants

La Adelita – great tinga de pollo tacos! Would not have expected to find good Mexican in Andorra. Also found some salsa verde – no where to be found in Portugal – in a market and brought several bottles back home with me.
La Suculenta Smash Burger – great burger.
Boris beer – had to seek out some local beers brewed in Andorra. I found Boris Brown at LOLA and picked up a White Ale at the grocery store and carried with me to San Sebastián.