Andorra
la Vella,
capital
of the
Pyrenees
ang
1
2
A piece of Andorra
4
Andorra la Vella,
capital of the Pyrenees
6
Capital
of historic heritage
8
Capital
of culture
14
Capital
of shopping
22
Capital
of hospitality
28
Capital
of the Pyrenees
32
Capital
of sports
38
Some practical information
46
3
A piece
of Andorra
4
Andorra is a special country. It has a remarkable history,
which explains the reasons for its survival as a nation, with
unusual stability in its geographical borders and forms of
government. Andorra’s independence originates from a feudal agreement signed in 1278. Its unique form of political organisation, the co-lordship exercised originally by the Count
of Foix (today replaced by the President of the French Republic) and the Bishop of Urgell, has survived the centuries
and has been modernised through the constitution of 1993,
when Andorra became a constitutional state: a parliamentary
co-principality, member of the United Nations.
Andorra is at the axial heart of the Pyrenees. It covers an
area of 468 km2 and is the largest of the small states of Europe, but only eight percent of the land is urban: the rest is
a series of mountains, lakes and rivers. Ten percent of the
whole country – the Madriu-Perafita-Claror area – has been
declared by UNESCO as part of the heritage of humanity, for
its exceptional cultural and natural values.
The country is divided into seven parishes, governed by
communes, a medieval institution in origin. The population
is around 76,000 inhabitants. Catalan is the official language
of Andorra. However, the diversity of nationalities among the
resident population means that many other languages are
present, such as Spanish, French and Portuguese.
With its broad offer of shopping, business, sports and culture, Andorra has everything to make your stay among us
unforgettable.
5
Andorra la Vella,
capital
of the Pyrenees
6
Set in the central valley of the River Valira, in the heart of the
country, Andorra la Vella is the ancestral capital of the Valleys. In the middle ages this was where the representatives of
the six historic parishes of Andorra would meet together, in
the Consell de la Terra, the country’s earliest parliament. Today it is the nerve centre of the country, the political, cultural
and commercial capital of Andorra.
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8
Capital
of historic
heritage
The heritage of the parish is especially rich, interwoven into
the unique history of Andorra, forming a harmonious whole
with its many and varied natural environments, from the valley floor to the high mountain.
9
From the beginnings
The earliest setters of Andorra occupied the Balma de la Margineda, on the border with the parish of Sant Julià de Lòria.
This was more than ten thousand years ago, at the end of the
last ice age. We have evidence from later times, especially the
bronze age, with vestiges of dwellings throughout the sunny
parts of Andorra.
Medieval splendour
The Romans occupied the strategic Roc d’Enclar, commanding the plain of the central valley, where they produced wine,
and had a fortress from which they
controlled one of the main passes
over the Pyrenees. Above the rock is
the oldest church in Andorra, Sant Vicenç d’Enclar – built towards the end
of the 7th century, with its typical cylindrical bell tower. The climb up to the
rock, a half-hour walk from the Carrer
dels Barrers, is a deeply moving journey into the past.
At the foot of the rock is the town centre of Santa Coloma, named for one
of the most beautiful churches in the
Romanesque Pyrenees. It was built in
two phases: the nave in the 10th century, and the beautiful bell tower – with
Lombard decoration and cylindrical,
like that of Sant Vicenç, dates from the
12th century. Inside the church are Romanesque frescos and a
beautiful carving of the Mare de déu del Remei.
Information: Tourist office (+376) 873 103
turisme@comuandorra.ad
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Close to Santa Coloma, to the south, is one of the great archaeological discoveries of the Pyrenees: the site of Roureda
de La Margineda. Situated near the main road, high above
the plain, the site is from various ages. The most important
is an impressive medieval fortification, Sant Vicenç fortress,
built around 1190 by Viscount Arnau of Castellbò and which
was the bridgehead of the Counts of Foix in Andorra until the
signature of the second Pariatge, in 1288. The archaeological
works have not yet been completed, but there are guided tours
to visit the site.
Information and bookings:
Tourist information point (+376) 873 103
turisme@comuandorra.ad
In the capital there are two more Romanesque monuments.
In the centre is the church of Sant Esteve which, in spite of
contemporary restorations, preserves the apse and several
elements of the original construction. The church contains
a notable pair of altarpieces and the famous Quadre de les
ànimes, by Joan Casanovas, the most outstanding baroque
work preserved in Andorra. The other Romanesque church in Andorra la Vella is that of
Sant Andreu, beside the old road to La
Massana.
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The medieval heritage of Andorra la
Vella includes one of the finest examples in La Margineda bridge, the
most and characteristic of all Andorran
bridges. Built between the 13th and 14th
centuries, it crossed the Valira for access
to the lower part of the parish, and has survived, impassive, all kinds of the downpours.
Dating from the same era is the Creu Grossa,
beside the street of the same name and in the
centre of Andorra la Vella. The original is in the
Commune House, the building which houses the
commune administration services.
Modern and contemporary
heritage
In the centre of Andorra la
Vella is the building with the
greatest symbolic meaning
in the country: the Casa
de la Vall. This great noble house, with defensive
features and large murals
inside it, was built in 1580
by the priest Busquets. The
Consell General – the Andorran parliament – bought
it in 1702 for use as the parliamentary seat. The Consell members met in the Casa de la
Vall and the criminal courts were also held there. In the Consell
assembly chamber is the legendary Cabinet of the Seven
Keys, which can only be opened if the representatives of all
seven parishes are present with their keys to open the seven
locks, all at the same time. The new seat
of the Consell General has been built beside the Casa de la Vall.
Information and bookings:
Central booking office for Andorran
national museums (+376) 839 760
museus@andorra.ad
www.museus.ad
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We find examples of traditional Andorran architecture in the villages of La Margineda and Santa Coloma and in the Historic
Center of Andorra la Vella. One of the best preserved examples, listed in the general inventory of the Andorran cultural
heritage, is Cal Closca, in El Pui d’Andorra la Vella.
There is a guided itinerary, lasting a couple of hours, around
the principal points of interest of the historic centre.
Information and bookings:
Tourist office (+376) 873 103
turisme@comuandorra.ad
In the 20th century, the opening of Andorra to the world was reflected in the
adoption of new architectural forms,
but these still used traditional elements
to create a very characteristic style,
genuinely Andorran: known as granite
architecture. Buildings in this style are
many. La Torre dels Russos, in Santa
Coloma, by architect Cèsar Martinell, is the foremost example.
Walking along the first part of Avinguda Meritxell, in the centre
of the capital, we find others: the Casa Maestre, the old Clínica
Vilanova, Casa Felipó and the former French Co-prince’s
Delegate’s Residence.
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Capital
of culture
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The city – which forms an urban continuity with Escaldes – offers visitors an important shopping route with a hotel infrastructure of the first order, and wide variety of gastronomy.
Contemporary and popular culture coexist in Andorra la Vella
and mutually influence each other. Past and present, tradition and modernity, live together here and complement each
other. The festive calendar follows the celebrations throughout the year.
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The festive
calendar
Christmas
The Christmas celebrations begin with the Santa Llúcia market,
with stands selling gifts and craft
pieces. On 24 December Father
Christmas arrives at the parish.
At the end of that day, after the
midnight mass, flat bread and
mulled wine are served to combat the cold.
On 5 January, in the evening, the
streets of Andorra and Escaldes
are full of expectation and magic
with the largest cavalcade in the
Pyrenees, prepared to receive the Three Kings.
Escudella for Sant Antoni
On the morning of 17 January, cooks begin making fires to
prepare the tasty escudella which is shared at midday among
the neighbours and passers-by.
Carnival
Group with strange figures and disguises, the trial in public of the Carnival King and a sausage feast are the
central events in the days devoted to
indulgence before the beginning og
Lent. One of the most typical events at
Carnival time is that held by the Consòrcia dels Casats, a welfare brotherhood which was founded in 1776.
Sant Jordi
St. George’s day on 23 April is celebrated in the Plaça del Poble, with a
market full of stands selling books and
roses, public readings and with many
authors present.
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The Falles
On the Eve of St. John’s Day, 23 June,
the Fallaires of Andorra go round the
streets of the historic centre rolling
spectacular figures made of burning
birch bark, in an ancestral ceremony of
fire and light, for which an application will be
made for its declaration as part of the intangible heritage of humanity.
The Contrapàs dance
The main festival of Andorra la Vella takes place on
the first weekend in August. On the Sunday, at one
o’clock, in the Plaça del Poble, people dance the traditional
Contrapàs, a ceremonial dance full of character, directed by
members of the Esbart Dansaire of Andorra la Vella, a group
created in 1981 and one of Andorra’s cultural ambassadors.
Main festivals
During the summer, as well as in the capital, main festivals are
held in the districts of El Puial, Santa Coloma and La Margineda.
Livestock market
27 October is the date for the Livestock Fair, a re-enactment
of the traditional autumn market when Andorran and other
livestock farmers sold cattle, mules and donkeys and made
their deals.
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Cultural programmes
The music and dance season
The music and dance season during the winter months offers top level programming, with contributions by international
artistes. The performances take place at the Congress Centre
in Andorra la Vella.
The theatre season
The theatre season presents shows on
tour and also productions by local companies. These take place at the Teatre
Comunal and, depending on the staging, the Congress Centre.
Dijousderock
On Thursday nights
in the months of July
and August Andorran
rock groups have a stage
reserved for them where
they can present their music.
Exhibition hall
The Government exhibition Hall opened its doors in 1990. This
space can be used for many kinds of exhibitions, although
these are essentially artistic; the artists exhibiting are both national and international.
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Cultural itineraries
Historic centre
The historic centre of Andorra la Vella comprises the districts of
Pui, Puial, Cap del Carrer, Barri Antic, Plaça Rebés and Plaça
del Poble. The historic centre is the oldest part of the city. Its urban structure has not changed with the passage of time, with its
narrow streets, little squares and
some fine old houses, evidence
of the traditional style of building.
The historic centre has preserved
its personality alongside the growing city. Today it is the subject of
plans to reinvigorate the area,
with the aim of restoring the role
of the traditional trades. Many
occasions in traditional Andorran
culture – the intangible heritage
which follows a seasonal festive
cycle – take place in the setting of
the historic centre.
Rocks in the Street
The Rocks in the Street Museum is a promenade around the
geological history of Andorra. We can come close to it while
walking around the streets in the centre. The route begins in
the Central Park.
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Green Ring
The urban centre of Andorra la Vella is circled by two irrigation
channels built in the 19th century: the Solà (sunny) irrigation
channel and the Obac (shady) irrigation channel. These have
been converted into flat walks, easy to get to from the centre
and with grand views over the city, in addition to their geological and botanical interest. The Green Ring project helps us to
understand the historical development of the parish through
understanding its cultural landscape.
There are several self-guide itineraries, easy to follow, which can be
enjoyed throughout the year.
• The agricultural transformation of
the valley (rising 142 m, the route
700 m long).
• The growth and urban development of the valley (rising 76 m,
the route 800 m long).
• The human being and adaptation to natural risks (rising
180 m, the route 800 m long).
Self-guide price: €1.00
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The heritage arch: Santa
Coloma – La Margineda
Taking as a starting point the car park at
Enclar, an itinerary has been designed
– The heritage arc – which combines
all the points of heritage interest in the
south of the parish. The route is around five
kilometres, mostly using paths, and can be
completed comfortably in a couple of hours,
allowing for a relaxed visit to some of the main
monuments of Andorra: the church of Santa Coloma, the Torre dels Russos, the rock shelter and
the bridge at La Margineda, and the Roureda de La
Margineda archaeological site.
Information: Tourist office (+376) 873 103
Tourist bus
The tourist bus offers six different routes, designed so that you
can visit the most interesting places in the country in a pleasant and easy way.
Information and bookings: Tourist office (+376) 873 103
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Capital
of shopping
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Andorra la Vella is the commercial capital of the Pyrenees. Its
streets and avenues form an immense open shopping area,
where you can find the most exclusive articles, the latest
world novelties and the must surprising specialities, at prices
without competition. The shops in Andorra la Vella are waiting
to welcome you with an enormous variety of products.
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The shopping streets
Avinguda Meritxell
Avinguda Meritxell is the longest shopping avenue in the
Pyrenees, and is the backbone of the city. For many years
Avinguda Meritxell has attracted a large number of tourists,
due to its great variety of fashion articles, jewellery, perfumery
and electronic goods of the most exclusive brands. Here also,
you can find large shopping malls offering a great diversity of
products, as well as hotels and restaurants.
Historic center
The historic centre of the capital is traditionally the trading
heart of Andorra la Vella, with family businesses, specialised
and friendly, offering personal attention to make you feel at
home. A little village in the midst of a big city. In its streets you
can also find a great variety of restaurants.
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Prada Ramon
Prada Ramon, close to the main line
of Avinguda Meritxell, has become
a dynamic trading area. The offer is
broad and you will find here clothes
and accessories, perfumes and department stores, and a large variety of cafés
and restaurants where you can restore your
forces between visits to the shops. Prada Ramon also has three public car parks.
Santa Coloma
Avinguda de Santa Coloma is the specialist area for
motor enthusiasts. Here you will find many shops devoted
exclusively to equipment and accessories for motorcars and
motorbikes. You can also get equipped from head to foot in the
latest fashion for bikers.
Trading hours
Andorra enjoys great flexibility in trading hours in all the commercial establishments. Some shops remain open until 9 or
10 p.m. for dates and periods when there are many tourists.
The shops are only closed for 4 days a year: January 1st,
March 14th (Constitution Day), September 8th (Meritxell, the
National Day) and December 25th.
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Customs allowances
You have to declare to Customs all the products which exceed
the personal allowances. Special limits can also be applied for
animals or plants, live animals, species in danger of extinction,
medicaments, arms, ammunition, art objects and collectables,
currency, gold and means of payment.
Agricultural products
• Coffee: 1,000 g of coffee or
400 g of coffee extract.
• Tea: 200 g of tea or 80 g of tea
extract.
• Alcoholic beverages*: 1.5 l of
beverages over 22 degrees or
3 l of liqueurs or aperitifs under
22 degrees or sparkling wine,
5 l of table wine.
• Tobacco*: 300 cigarettes or
150 cigars (less than 3 g each)
or 75 cigars (over 3 g each) or
400 g of pipe tobacco.
• Other agricultural products:
Up to a value of 300 euro**,
but not more than: 2.5 kg powdered milk, 3 kg condensed
milk, 6 kg fresh milk, 1 kg butter, 4 kg cheese, 5 kg of sugar
and sweets, 5 kg of meat.
Industrial products
Maximum quantities and amounts per person.
• Perfumes: 75 g perfumes + 375 ml of colognes.
• Other industrial products: Up to a value of €900**.
* For these products, those under 17 years have no allowance.
** For those under 15 years, the EC Member States can reduce the allowance as a maximum to half the quantities mentioned.
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Trade fairs and congresses
The Congress Centre
Andorra la Vella Congress Centre, situated at the nerve centre
of the city and in an unbeatable location, is the ideal setting for
the holding of professional events.
The total area is 4,200 m2, laid out in facilities such as an auditorium, five functional rooms, a meeting room and a kitchen
to serve meals. There is also a parking service for those attending.
The team of professionals guarantees precision, creativity and
quality in the supply of services, since the aim and object is
the success of your event. The audiovisual technology and
the functionality of the Centre enable an optimum result to be
achieved in the organisation of any kind of event.
Andorra la Vella Fair
Since 1978 the third weekend of October
has been the occasion for the Andorra la
Vella Fair, held in a great marquee set
up in the car park area of Central Park.
The fair occupies an area of more than
12,000 m2, with more than 150 stands
for businesses and institutions of Andorran and from the neighbouring states.
Beside the great marquee there is also the
Entities Fair, where some fifty associations
present their activities.
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Capital
of hospitality
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Hotels
The hotel offer in the parish of Andorra
la Vella is of the first order, with a total of 5,246 beds in establishments of
all categories: hotels, aparthotels, 1
camp site and 1 inn.
Hotels
Andorra Center **** .......................................... (+376) 824 800
Andorra Palace ***............................................ (+376) 873 601
Andorra Park Hotel *****.................................... (+376) 877 877
Arthotel ****....................................................... (+376) 760 303
Bellpí ***............................................................ (+376) 804 935
Cal Forner *....................................................... (+376) 866 880
Carlton Plaza *****............................................. (+376) 872 999
Cassany ***....................................................... (+376) 820 636
Celler d’en Toni **.............................................. (+376) 821 252
Cérvol ***............................................................(+376) 803 111
Cisco de Sans **............................................... (+376) 863 188
Crowne Plaza *****............................................ (+376) 874 444
Diplomàtic ****................................................... (+376) 802 780
Festa Brava ***.................................................. (+376) 820 741
Florida ***.......................................................... (+376) 820 105
Font del Marge ***............................................. (+376) 823 443
Fonts (les) **...................................................... (+376) 821 393
Garcia *............................................................. (+376) 820 968
Hespèria Andorra la Vella ****........................... (+376) 880 880
Husa Cèntric ****............................................... (+376) 877 500
Indalo **............................................................. (+376) 821 871
Isard (de l’) ***................................................... (+376) 876 800
Jaume I ***........................................................ (+376) 820 061
Màgic Andorra ****............................................ (+376) 876 900
Mercure ****....................................................... (+376) 873 602
Novotel ****........................................................ (+376) 873 603
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Pitiusa ***.......................................................... (+376) 861 816
Plaza *****......................................................... (+376) 879 444
President ****..................................................... (+376) 877 277
Pyrénées ***...................................................... (+376) 879 879
Reata *.............................................................. (+376) 722 040
Rosa (la) *......................................................... (+376) 821 810
Sàlvia d’Or (la) ***............................................. (+376) 827 200
Sant Jordi **...................................................... (+376) 876 200
Tívoli *** ............................................................ (+376) 804 265
Valmar **........................................................... (+376) 821 667
Aparthotels
Domus *............................................................. (+376) 825 428
Fontverd **........................................................ (+376) 803 525
Maragall *.......................................................... (+376) 825 428
Inns
Alberg la Comella *........................................... (+376) 867 080
Camping Sites
Valira **............................................................. (+376) 722 384
Gastronomy
Andorran cuisine is simple but rich, based on the traditional
recipes of the Pyrenean mountains. Besides the
tasty and substantial dishes from the old
times in Andorra, you can find more creative chefs and establishments offering
international cuisine.
The historic centre is home to a large
variety of establishments, including
those considered to be the best restaurants in the country. The combination of
traditional gastronomy with this outstanding architectural setting is one of the great
attractions of the restaurants in this area.
* You can find them in the list attached.
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Capital
of the Pyrenees
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In Andorra the natural heritage always has a cultural component: interaction between man and his environment is a
constant factor. This is one of the great attractions of nature
in the country: the dialogue between the majesty of the Pyrenees and the efforts made by man in order to live here. In
the parish of Andorra la Vella there are many itineraries in the
mountains to be enjoyed, with various degrees of difficulty.
We offer you below a sample of the possibilities:
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Madriu-Perafita-Claror,
World heritage site
One of the ways into the nature area of Madriu-PerafitaClaror, declared World heritage site by UNESCO in 2006, is
from the Obac or shady side of Andorra, by well signposted
paths leading up to Prat Primer and the pass of La Caülla,
through the woods of Palomera. The protected area, which
is shared between four parishes (Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra
la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany and Encamp), is a magnificent
example of the natural and cultural environments in the mountain ecosystems.
The Prat Primer
path
The path starts from the picnic site
at La Comella and is very straight
and demanding. It rises
900 m in little more
than three kilometres, taking
us up to the mountain refuge of Prat
Primer, one of the entrances to the
Madriu-Perafita-Claror area. The big
change in altitude allows us to see how
the plants and landscape change as we
ascend. There are colonies of marmots
which are easy to see at the upper levels.
(900 m climb, 3 km distance, takes 3-4 hours)
34
From Prat Primer
to L’estany de la
Nou
The above route can be completed by going on up to La Nou lake,
reached by going over the pass of
Prat Primer at 2,493 m, in a high
mountain itinerary. La Nou lake, in
contrast to most of the lakes of the
Pyrenees, collects river water and always has the same level,
due to contributions from aquifers. It is the southernmost lake
in the Principality and also the warmest. As an alternative to
returning by Prat Primer, there is a way down by the Perafita
valley and the Madriu valley.
(320 m upward climb, 290 m down, 3.1 km distance, takes 90’)
The shady
paths
The wooded and shaded
slopes of Andorra are crisscrossed by a network of
paths which allow itineraries
to be arranged to measure,
sometimes connecting with
those going into the MadriuPerafita-Claror area.
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Short route
around the Springs
This brief route, which goes from the
Comella picnic site, allows you to visit
some of the springs on the shady side
of Andorra la Vella, in an itinerary which
runs through the Palomera woods.
(160 m climb, 1.3 km distance, takes 50’)
The path to Serrat
and the holm oaks
of La Comella
This path allows you to visit one of the
few holm oak woods in Andorra. It connects with the path from La Costa and
from the Obac irrigation channel.
(230 m climb, 2 km distance, takes 35’)
The oak woods
on the path from
La Costa
The path from La Costa, with some paved
sections, runs through the midst of magnificent oak
woods, with undergrowth of enormous variety and
quality, where you can see a great number of plants
and the rich animal life in the medium mountain altitudes in Andorra. The route starts
from the Serradells swimming pool,
which is reached from the Obac irrigation channel, and arrives at the
road to La Comella, from where you
can return via the Serrat path.
(163 m climb, 500 m distance, takes
40’)
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The Solà paths
The Solà of Andorra la Vella is dominated by the sharpness
of the Enclar ridge, abrupt, full of scree, with plants clinging to
the rocks. Walking along the Solà irrigation channel is the best
way to appreciate the great botanical and geological variety of
he mountain range, but there are also some excursions which
allow us to go on into more accessible areas.
The Enclar valley
The Carrer dels Barrers in Santa Coloma is the start of the
path which, passing by scree, goes to the little hill of Sant
Vicenç. The path continues to the left and you can visit the
pre-Romanesque church of Sant Vicenç and the Roc d’Enclar
archaeological site. To the right, the path continues straight
on in the direction of the mountain range, passing through a
wild valley where you may see raptors and also large animals:
Pyrenean chamois, roe deer and wild boar.
(350 m climb, 1,600 m distance, takes 2 h 30’)
Information and bookings:
Tourist office (+376) 873 103
turisme@comuandorra.ad
37
Sportspeople are provided for with many sports facilities in
Andorra la Vella, outstanding among which is the Olympic
swimming pool at the Serradells Sports Centre.
The facilities, combined with a hostel infrastructure both
comfortable and competitive, make Andorra la Vella an excellent international sports centre. The sub-Mediterranean
mountain climate and the altitude of the Commune Stadium,
the Olympic swimming pool and open areas make it very suitable for training activities. The climatic conditions, combined
with an average altitude ideal for the rapid adaptation of the
body to new environmental factors, are optimum for short
sports stays or for passing from higher to lower altitudes.
Also, just a few minutes from the city, there are the two largest skiing areas in the Pyrenees and a cross-country skiing
station, together with a whole country to be explored.
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Capital
of sports
39
Sports facilities
Serradells Sports
Centre
The Serradells Sports Centre was built in 1991 for the
Games of the Small States
of Europe. The facilities have
been extended in recent
years. There are an Olympic
swimming pool, a teaching
swimming pool, an outside
swimming pool for the summer, a covered pavilion of
45 x 23 m, three squash
courts, a covered tennis court,
four covered paddle courts
and one open. There are
also a gym for body building,
four fitness rooms, an artistic
gymnastics room, an area for
water and relaxation, 4 bowling alleys, billiards and a target shooting range. There is
also a sports medicine centre, a shop, a bar restaurant
with an area for children and
a car park.
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Commune Stadium
This amenity, located in Avinguda de Salou, has a sixlane athletics track, a grass
football field, two areas for
long jump, high jump and
pole vault, an area for javelin
and discus, and an area for
weight putt. There is also
an uncovered sports court
40 x 20 m for hockey, artistic
skating, handball, volleyball
and basketball, and a covered pavilion, also 40 x 20 m,
for artistic gymnastics. The
car park and bar are supplementary services.
National Stadium
Close to the sports centre of Andorra, this
was, in 1971, the first of the existing
sports facilities to be built in the parish. The playing field is for football, but
in fact is used almost exclusively for
playing rugby.
Andorra sports centre
This multipurpose area, located on the
Baixada del Molí, is designed for various
team games at high competition level (basketball, volleyball, six-a-side football) as well
as other individual sports, such as rhythmic
gymnastics, judo and karate. The stands have
capacity for three thousand spectators.
Joan Alay Pavilion
Recently built, this covered space, an annex to the Andorra
sports centre, is for basketball, six-a-side football and volleyball, and is also equipped with apparatus for artistic gymnastics.
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Climbing routes and via ferrata
Solà d’Enclar route
This is the location with the most climbing routes in the whole
country. It is at an altitude of 1,100 m, to the south southeast.
Climbing is possible all year round. There are 4 climbing sectors: Cementiri, Bigabloc, Esfinx and Santa Coloma.
How to get there: Going down Avinguda Santa Coloma towards Sant Julià de Lòria, turn onto the road towards the cemetery. Take the path leading from the right-hand corner of the
car park, leading to the foot of the wall.
Characteristics:
• 72 routes
• 78 routes of 1 length, 8 long routes, granite
• Material required: parabolts and chemical anchorages
• Difficulty: from 5a to 7c
Pyramid
This is an impressive wall 150 m high, and is 1,200 m to the
south southeast. Here you can enjoy this sport all year round
and also enjoy the sun which shines all day.
How to get there: Going down Avinguda Santa Coloma towards Sant Julià de Lòria, turn towards Carrer Gil Torres and
follow the path marked with yellow points.
Characteristics:
• 29 routes
• 24 of 1 length, 13 long routes, granite
• Material required: parabolts
• Difficulty: from 5a to 7a
Llasta de l’Obac
This is a fairly flat rock located towards the
north. There are only 3 climbing routes.
We recommend choosing fairly dry days,
as there is a lot of surrounding vegetation.
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How to get there: Take the path of the Obac irrigation channel
from Avinguda Tarragona, and after a hundred metres you find
the path which leads to the climbing routes.
Characteristics:
• 3 routes, limestone rock
• Material required: chemical anchorages
• Difficulty: from 5a to 6b+
Roc d’Enclar via ferrata
At the start of the path going up to the
Rock d’Enclar, which is accessed from
the Carrer dels Barrers in Santa Coloma,
there is also the start of via ferrata 270 m
long, with al the equipment needed to ensure an amazing climb. It is essential to have
a hard helmet, harness, dissipator and proper
footwear.
• Distance: 270 m
• Climb: 190 m
• Time: 15 min (getting there) - 1 h 30’ (climb) - 25 min (descent)
• Difficulty: average
• When: all year
• You undertake this activity at your own risk and responsibility.
• Do not use the via ferrata in bad weather.
• Before starting, check the weather forecast.
• Keep yourself systematically secured to the cable.
• Avoid crowding on the vertical parts.
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Cycle tourism
The tough mountain passes, the spectacular landscapes, the
richness of the cultural and natural heritage and the many options offered in the country are, without question, the main attractions for cycling tourism in Andorra.
La Comella pass
• Distance: 4.3 km
• Climb: 348 m
• % gradient: 8.1 %
The Andorra 11 Cycle Route ascends
all along the CS-101 until arriving at the
top of La Comella, at 1,347 metres. It is
category 2 (accessible).
The route has an average gradient of 8.1 %,
with a climb rising 348 metres over 4.3 kilometres distance. This cycling route has formed
part of the programme of various well-known
cycle races, such as the Catalan Cycling Week, for
more than 30 years.
You find this and other cycling routes n the Cycle Tourism
Guide to Andorra.
Leisure spaces
Central Park
The Central Park is the largest urban green area in the
capital, an oasis where you
can rest from the demands
of the shopping round. It has
a total of 33,000 m2 laid out in
different areas, such as areas
for children, for young people
and for senior citizens, green
zones and water.
There are services of car parking, toilets, telephones and a
restaurant bar with terrace.
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River promenade
All lovers of open air sports will enjoy the promenade beside
the River Valira. Part of the stretch is also adapted for joggers.
Bowling Serradells
The Sports Centre at Serradells, in Andorra la Vella, offers billiards, darts, bowls and video clips until 00.00 h.
For more information:
(+376) 874 120.
Picnic site at La Comella
With an area of more than 16,500 m2, the picnic area is an
ideal setting for a barbecue with family or friends, with the panorama of the sunny side of Andorra in front of you.
• 22 stone tables for 6-8 persons each
• 5 fireplaces for 6 grills
• 5 water sources
• 5 rubbish collection points
• 1 WC adapted for those with reduced mobility
• 1 access ramp for wheelchairs and prams
• 2 wood stores
• 1 car park for vehicles with
12 places
Obac irrigation
channel path
This begins at the Escaldes
crossroads, on Avinguda de
Tarragona, and arrives at Serradells. The irrigation channel
is covered to allow for a broader path; it is the only special
jogging circuit of the parish.
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Some
practical
information
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Visas
Andorra does not require a visa from any nationality.
For adults: (Schengen Area)
• Only a valid passport or identity card is required.
For underage children with their parents: (Schengen Area)
• Valid passport or identity card.
• A family book or similar is not a valid travel document.
For underage children not accompanied: (Schengen Area)
• An authorisation for leaving the territory (which can be collected from the town hall or police station) and valid passport
or identity card.
• A family book or similar is not a valid travel document.
For people travelling with pets:
• The animal’s passport and health card of updated
vaccinations.
GMT hours
Andorra shares the same time zone as its neighbouring countries, Spain and France.
Electricity
220 V.
Plug type: C-F
Climate
The Andorran climate is Mediterranean mountain type, with
hot summers and cold winters with substantial snowfall. The
average minimum is -2ºC and the maximum is 24ºC. Snowfall
is frequent, and rain is mostly between October and May.
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Official currency
The currency in use in Andorra is the euro, although the Principality does not, for the moment, mint its own euro.
Money can be changed at any banking entity and there are automatic cash dispensers. The use of international credit cards
is recommended, such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express, among others.
Generally, banks in the country have the same opening hours:
Monday to Friday, from 09.00 h to 17.00 h with no midday
closing.
Citizen safety
The location of the country in the Pyrenees and the qualified
police and customs services contribute to a high level of citizen
security and guarantee tranquillity for visitors during their stay.
Public transport
All the public transport lines in Andorra can be consulted at
www.transportpublic.ad
Urban lines
Every parish has a commune transport service which links the
small centres which are not covered by the main routes of the
inter-urban lines.
Interurban lines
Various urban lines link the parishes, with the main stopping
places found on the busiest streets in the urban centres. Tickets can be bought directly on the bus. The service hours are
generally from 07.00 h to 21.00 h.
Express Bus
This is the fastest and most frequent line linking the urban
centres of each parish with the capital. The route crosses the
country by secondary roads to avoid the heavily populated
centres. The Express bus is identified by its orange colour and
its stops are on the outskirts of the urban centres.
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International lines
There are regular lines linking Andorra with Seu d’Urgell, Barcelona (and its airport), Lleida (and the AVE station), Tarragona and Toulouse in the Languedoc, among other destinations.
Taxis
• Taxi Association of Andorra: (+376) 863 000
• Central booking office: (+376) 812 345
Lost property
The Andorran Police Department is in charge of receiving reports of lost property. Also, if you find any lost property, you
should go to the Police and leave it with the officers on duty.
Police: (+376) 872 000
www.policia.ad
Roaming
If during your stay in Andorra la Vella you need to use your
mobile apparatus or connect with the Internet, we advise you
to enquire about your operator’s prices for data services in
roaming.
You can also consult the prices of the local operator, Andorra
Telecom, at the offices in Avinguda Meritxell, 111, Andorra la
Vella, or on the web www.andorratelecom.ad
*Andorra does not belong to the EU.
Free Wi-Fi networks
• Tourist office La Rotonda.
• Plaça del Poble.
• Prada Casadet public library.
• Beside the Andorra Telecom building, at Ave. Meritxell, no. 111.
Car Parks
Andorra la Vella has more than 4,500 parking places spread
around 21 public and private car parks for public use.
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Emergencies
In the event of an emergency, call:
• Police
(+376) 872 000 / Emergencies: 110
• Fire Brigade
(+376) 800 020 / Emergencies: 118
• Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell
(+376) 871 000
• Urgent Medical Service (SUM)
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• Ambulance
(+376) 800 020 / Emergencies: 118
• Mountain Rescue
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Edita: Comú d’Andorra la Vella
Fotografies: © Comú d’Andorra la Vella
Maquetació i disseny gràfic: A-Tracció-A
Impressió: Impremta Envalira
Dipòsit legal: AND.575-2013
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www.andorralavella.ad
Tourist office
Plaça de la Rotonda, s/n
AD500 Andorra la Vella
Tel.: (+376) 873103
turisme@comuandorra.ad
turismeandorralavella
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