The Pyrenees Andorra

The tiny Principat d’Andorra (pop. 72,400) bills itself as El País dels Pirineus, the country of the Pyrenees. The natural beauty of its towering and dramatic mountainous surroundings is closely rivaled by the artificial glitz, busy highways, and gaudy billboards of its flashy capital, Andorra la Vella. According to legend, Charlemagne founded Andorra in AD 784 as a reward to the valley’s inhabitants for having led his army against the Moors. For the next 12 centuries, the country was the rope in a four-sided tug-of-war between the Spanish counts of Urgell, the French counts of Foix, the Spanish bishop of Urgell, and the king of France. Not until 1990 did the country create a commission to draft a democratic constitution, adopted on March 14, 1993.

The only way to get directly to Andorra is by car or bus. There are multiple ways to get from France to Andorra by car. For instance, both Foix and Perpignan are possible starting points (55km and 128 km from Andorra, respectively). A bus runs regularly between Toulouse and Andorra, as well. Driving in Andorra la Vella is an adventure for some. Road signs can be confusing, and navigating the crowded, twisting streets can prove a difficult chore.

• International Buses: Catch international buses to destinations other than La Seu d’Urgell at either of the 2 offices (separated by a fence) at Estació Central d’Autobusos, C. Bonaventura Riberaygua, in Andorra la Vella. Autocars Julia\Nadal (☎902 40 50 40; www.autocaresjulia.es) goes to Barcelona (3hr.; daily 8 per day, 6:15am-10:15pm; €24.50/42 round trip; also stops at Barcelona Airport, €30/52). Novatel (☎376 35 20 13) has service to Barcelona (3hr.; daily 5, 8, 10am, 12:30, 3:15pm; €28/€48 round-trip). Alsina Graells has buses to downtown Barcelona (3hr., daily 9 per day 6am-7:15pm, €23). La Seu d’Urgell is accessible every hr. on a La Hispano-Andorra bus (☎376 82 13 72, www.andorrabus.com; 30min.; M-Sa every hr. 8am-9pm, Su 5 per day 8:15am-7:15pm; €2.65) departing 200m from Pl. de la Rotonda.
• Intercity Buses: Efficient intercity buses connect the villages along the 3 major highways that converge in Andorra la Vella. The tourist office provides a helpful bus schedule. Since most towns are only 10min. apart, the outlying cities can be seen in a day via public transportation (€1-5.50).

• Andorra La Vella

Andorra la Vella (pop. just over 20,000), the capital, is anything but vella (old). Remnants of the city’s past, however, make for quirky contrasts to shiny new electronics and sporting goods stores ...more