Andorra la Vella

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Andorra, Andorra La Vella. Casa De La Vall - Government House.

Getty Images/AWL Images RM

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Overview

Cradled in a green valley, 10km northeast of Spain's Catalonian border, Andorra's lively, traffic-choked capital is the bustling gateway to the nation's spectacular mountain country. At 1023m high, it's Europe's loftiest capital. Beyond the mega-department stores, strip of duty-free shops, famous spa complex (the largest in Europe) and pop-across-the-border novelty, Andorra la Vella is a friendly-enough city with a sprinkle of charm still to be found in its valley panoramas and tiny cobbled old quarter, the Barri Antic, home to the 16th-century Casa de la Vall. But for most travellers, it's more of a well-equipped stepping stone towards the snow-dusted ski slopes, high-altitude trails and mountainous majesty of the Andorran Pyrenees.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Casa de la Vall

Andorra la Vella

Constructed in 1580 as a home for a wealthy family, this graceful stone mansion served as Andorra's parliament building from 1702 until as recently as…

Església de Santa Coloma

Andorra la Vella

Mentioned in documents from the 9th century, this elegant pre-Romanesque church is Andorra's oldest. The slender 12th-century Lombard bell tower still…

Església de Sant Esteve

Andorra la Vella

These days aligned north–south, Andorra la Vella's parish church dates from the 12th century. Apart from some wonderfully warm, glowing stained-glass…