- Andorra has no airport, so fly to Barcelona or Toulouse and take a shuttle bus
- Grandvalira is one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees and popular with UK beginners
- Shopping is tax-free but there are customs limits on what you bring home
- Summer brings lakes, high trails and far fewer crowds than the Alps
- Airports
- No airport; fly to Barcelona (BCN), Toulouse (TLS) or Girona (GRO)
- Flight time
- about 2h from London to Barcelona or Toulouse, then about 3h by road
- Best time to go
- December-April for skiing; June-September for hiking
- Currency
- Euro (€)
Andorra sits high in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, a pocket-sized country of steep valleys, stone villages and ski lifts. For British travellers it is best known as a good-value ski destination, with English-speaking ski schools and lively après, but summer is just as rewarding, with marked trails, glacial lakes and mountain huts. The capital, Andorra la Vella, is one of Europe's highest and doubles as a big duty-free shopping centre.
There is no airport, so you fly to Barcelona or Toulouse in about two hours and transfer by road. Andorra is one hour ahead of the UK, uses European two-pin plugs (C and F) and drives on the right. Catalan is the official language, but Spanish, French and, in resorts, English are widely spoken. See our Europe guide for nearby countries.
Entry requirements
Andorra is not in the EU or Schengen, but you can only reach it through France or Spain, so in practice you cross the Schengen area to get there. British passport holders can usually enter Schengen visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and time in Andorra does not normally count towards it, though you must still meet Schengen rules on the way in. Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Andorra
Grandvalira
The biggest ski area in Andorra, linking Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp with well over 200 km of pistes. Soldeu and El Tarter are the favourites of UK tour operators, with ski schools geared to beginners and intermediates. Pas de la Casa, on the French border, is known for its nightlife.
Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís
In the quieter western valleys, Pal Arinsal is a good-value choice for families and beginners, with Arinsal village known for its British-friendly bars. Ordino Arcalís is smaller and snow-sure, with some good off-piste and lovely views.
Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany
The twin towns form the country's urban centre. Avinguda Meritxell is lined with shops selling electronics, perfume and spirits, and the small Barri Antic (old quarter) has the historic Casa de la Vall parliament building. Caldea, a striking glass-spired thermal spa in Escaldes, is a popular way to unwind after skiing.
Ordino and the valleys
Ordino is one of the prettiest villages, with stone houses and museums, and makes a good summer base. The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape, crossed by trails to lakes and old shepherds' huts.
Best time to visit Andorra
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Winter (December-March) | Reliable snow most years; busiest at Christmas, New Year and February half-term |
| Spring (April-May) | Late ski season into April, then quiet shoulder months as lifts close |
| Summer (June-September) | Warm days, cool nights, hiking, mountain biking and via ferrata |
| Autumn (October-November) | Quiet, colourful and cheaper; some hotels close between seasons |
January, outside the UK school holidays, usually brings the best mix of good snow, cheaper packages and quieter slopes.
Getting to Andorra from the UK
Most visitors fly to Barcelona or Toulouse, both served from many UK airports, and take a shared or private transfer. Shuttle buses from Barcelona airport take about three hours; from Toulouse it is usually around three hours too, depending on snow on the Envalira pass. Girona and Reus are alternatives for some routes. The small Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell airport in Spain, about 20 minutes from the border, has limited flights and none from the UK at the time of writing. Ski packages usually include the transfer. It pairs easily with a city break in Barcelona; see our Spain guide and France guide.
Getting around
Andorra is small and buses run frequently along the main valley roads between the towns and ski areas at low fares. Ski buses link resort villages in winter. A hire car helps in summer for trailheads, but traffic in Andorra la Vella can be heavy and winter driving needs snow chains or winter tyres. Many visitors simply stay put in a ski village and walk to the lifts.
Money and costs
Andorra uses the euro. Skiing here is usually cheaper than in the Alps, with lift passes, ski hire and lessons all coming in lower, especially at Pal Arinsal. Allow around €100-160 per person per day for a mid-range ski trip including accommodation, before lift passes, or less on a package. Fuel, alcohol and tobacco are cheap, but the UK has strict duty-free limits on what you can bring home. Tipping is not expected, though rounding up is appreciated.
Frequently asked questions
Is Andorra good for beginner skiers?
Yes. Soldeu, El Tarter and Arinsal have plenty of gentle runs and English-speaking ski schools, which is why they are so popular with UK families and first-timers.
Can you fly directly to Andorra?
No. There is no commercial airport in Andorra itself. Fly to Barcelona or Toulouse and transfer by bus, shuttle or hire car.
Is Andorra worth visiting in summer?
Yes. Summer brings high trails, lakes, mountain biking and via ferrata routes, with far fewer crowds than the Alps and generally lower prices.
Is shopping in Andorra really tax-free?
Andorra has very low sales tax, so many goods are cheaper, but UK customs allowances still apply to alcohol, tobacco and goods over the limit when you return.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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