This quick guide to Andorra, a charming microstate in the Pyrenees, covers everything you need to know before visiting this unique European destination.

We tried to gather all the important information you might find useful when planning a trip for yourself. They are all first-hand tips from our recent visit to Andorra, so we hope you find them useful.
Location: The Pyrenees, Europe
Size: 468 square kilometers
Capital: Andorra la Vella – the highest capital in Europe (Isn’t that an interesting fact?).

What to expect?
Mountains, ski resorts, hilly terrain, the world’s longest alpine slide, a ton of winter activities, hiking routes, shopping malls and spa resorts, just to name a few.
Who is Andorra not for?
This country is definitely not for those looking for grand architecture, a ton of historical buildings like cathedrals (You won’t find there sights like the Cathedral of Toledo or Royal Palaces).
You go there for active holidays instead. Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, relaxing in spa or shopping.
That being said, there are plenty of things to see in Andorra la Vella and its vicinity. Those you can easily manage in a day.
How long should I stay?
It all depends on your Andorra itinerary, whether you travel from Spain or France by bus or car. Whether you are going on a ski trip? Shopping? Or, you are in the “neighborhood” and want to tick another country off of your Europe Bucket List? Or you want an active summer or winter break packed with activities.
For a quick visit, a day is plenty. If you are thinking of some active holidays, then 3 days is the minimum.
Where is the nearest airport?
The closest airport is in La Seu d’Urgel, Spain. It does operate literally only a few flights a week, all arriving from Madrid. This airport is less than 40 minutes by car from Andorra la Vella.
When planning to visit Andorra, it is best to combine it with other nearby countries. Spain’s Lleida, Barcelona or Girona have international airports and so does Toulouse in France.
What is the official currency in Andorra?
Even though this microstate is not part of the European Union, the Euro is their official currency. This is very convenient for travelers who are visiting more than one European country, as most of them use the same currency.
Roaming
Roaming is not free! Your mobile phone provider might charge you a ridiculous amount of money for calls and mobile data.
Tip: If staying in Andorra for a longer period, you will be better off buying a local SIM card. Otherwise, turn off your internet data for the duration of your stay! We learned it the hard way. Our mobile phone provider charged us for everything and the prices were astronomical.
Are there any toll roads?
No, you don’t have to pay any toll to use the roads. However, there is a charge to use the Envalira Tunnel on the border with France. We paid 7.90 Euro/8.20 USD (standard car).
What you should know when driving a car
Parking spaces are very narrow, making it almost impossible for large cars to park and then get out of the car without touching the car next to you. It is a challenge in many places, so be careful.
We have traveled across Europe twice, from Spain to France, Italy and Austria up to the Baltic States and the easiest country to park your car was Estonia.
How long does it take to drive from one side of the country to the other?
It will take about an hour to get from one corner of this microstate to the other.
Weather
Winters are cold, with temperatures easily reaching below 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) and summers are pleasant due to its high position between the Pyrenees Mountain range. In January and February, expect minus 13 degrees Celsius (negative 56 Fahrenheit).
I hope this quick Andorra guide helps you plan your journey or gives you inspiration/tips on what to do or not do.
Safe travels!