How to Plan the Best Day Trip from Barcelona to Andorra

Wondering how to do a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra?

I have you covered.

Sandwiched between Spain and France, the drop-dead gorgeous microstate regally sits in the heart of the Pyrenees. And it’s so close to the Catalan capital that a day trip to Andorra from Barcelona is easily doable.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to easily plan a tour from Barcelona to Andorra, so you can enjoy as many facets of the country as possible.

Ready?

Let’s plan your visit to Andorra.

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🚍 How to Travel from Barcelona to Andorra – Every Available Option

You can reach Andorra from Barcelona by bus, by car, or on an organized tour. Let’s explore all available options below:

Day Trip from Barcelona to Andorra by Tour

The easiest way to travel from Barcelona to Andorra on a day trip is by joining a tour. Here are all the details about our recommended guided tour:

• I recommend this incredible small-group tour. It’s a great option if you’re on a tight schedule and want to explore as much as possible.
• During this Andorra day trip, you will visit a medieval Spanish village and a typical French town as well.
• When you reach Andorra, you’ll have enough time for shopping and exploring the lovely capital city.
• The scenic drive back will take you through the heart-stopping vistas of Montserrat.
• Bring water and snacks as this will be a long day of exploration.
• Don’t forget your passport. Andorra is not in the EU. Travelers with EU nationalities won’t need to show their IDs. However, if you’re traveling Europe on a Schengen visa, you’ll need to show your passport at the border.

Visit Andorra from Barcelona by Bus

Traveling to Andorra by bus from Barcelona is the cheapest option on this list.

Here’s everything you need to know about doing a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra by bus:

• Directbus, Infobus, and ALSA Bus have direct routes to Andorra from either Barcelona El Prat Airport, Barcelona Nord bus station, or Barcelona Sants bus station.
• The earliest bus departs from Barcelona at 6:00 AM, and the last one returns from Andorra to Barcelona at 10:30 PM.
• The journey lasts between 2:45 and 3:15 hours, depending on the traffic, the time and station of departure, and the number of stops.
• The ticket prices start from $33.60 (€30.90) for the trip from Barcelona to Andorra. ALSA Bus has the lowest rates.
• The return tickets from Andorra to Barcelona are cheaper at just $5.55 (€5.10), making the total cost of the day trip from Barcelona to Andorra around $39.15 (€36.00).
• I recommend you bring snacks and water with you.
• Don’t forget your passport or national ID. The bus driver will check it. He’ll tell you whether or not you need to get off at the border and pass through passport control.

Travel From Barcelona to Andorra by Car

If you don’t have your own wheels, you can easily rent a car in Barcelona. Make sure you tell the rental company that you plan to visit Andorra. There’s a small additional fee for driving over the border.

Here’s what else you should know about visiting Andorra from Barcelona by car:

• From Barcelona, get on C-16 and head northwest for about 125 mi (200 km).
• The car journey takes a little over 2:45 hours.
• Gas prices are cheaper in Andorra as there’s no VAT.
• If you decide to go on a shopping spree, make sure you know how much alcohol and cigarettes you’re allowed to import back into Spain. Border control does random checks.
• Make sure your driver’s license is valid in both countries.
• If you need to rent a car, find the best offers from all major rental companies using this link.

Getting to Andorra from Barcelona by Train

I don’t recommend this option for traveling between Barcelona and Andorra. Here’s why:

• There are no direct trains that go from Barcelona to Andorra.
• The nearest high-speed train station is in Lleida. From there, you need to take a bus. This makes traveling by train the slowest and longest option, and is not suitable for a day trip between Barcelona and Andorra.

📍 The Best Things to Do and See in Andorra on a Day Trip from Barcelona

Andorra is a great choice for a day trip from Barcelona. The country’s small size allows you to see almost every corner in a single day.

But despite its tiny size, Andorra prides itself on several remarkable features. Besides having the highest capital in Europe, the country boasts a host of peculiar museums and is a tax-free shopping heaven.  

The microstate attracts over 10 million people every year. If you’re wondering why you should go, check the top reasons to visit Andorra.

So, now that you know the basics and how to get there, let’s dive into the sexy stuff. Below, you’ll find the best things to do in Andorra.

✔️Tip: You can do most of the activities on a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra. Some might require more than a day, though. Last year, I spent 4 days in the charming microstate and enjoyed some excellent hikes that you can’t fit all in a single-day trip.

1. Explore Andorra’s National Parks

If you arrive early enough in Andorra, consider hiking one of its three national parks on a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra.

Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Valls del Comapedrosa, and Valle de Sorteny cover a big part of the country’s territory. The largest one – Madriu-Perafita-Claror – is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You might spot boars, eagles, roe deer, and bearded vultures while trekking.

2. Go on a Shopping Spree

Since Andorra enjoys a tax-free status, shopping should be high on your to-do list.

From luxury boutiques through designer brands to shops that sell top-notch perfumes, alcohol, and tobacco, you’ll find something to your liking.

The best place to satiate your spending hunger on a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra is The Shopping Mile. It covers Avinguda Meritxell, Fener Boulevard, and Vivand, and is pedestrianized.  

3. Test Your Skiing and Snowboarding Skills

Andorra takes great pride in its fantastic winter sports resorts. Its location in the heart of the Pyrenees contributes to the outstanding snow conditions. The season lasts from early December to late April.

Even if you’re only visiting on a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra, you can still put your ski or snowboard skills to the ultimate test in the areas of Grandvalira, Soldeau, and Vallnord.

In Grandvalira alone, the resort’s lifts can handle more than 100,000 skiers per hour. So instead of spending your time in Andorra queueing, you can enjoy the slopes.

Don’t worry if there’s not enough snow, though. Grandvalira possesses an extensive network of snow cannons that can quickly cover 65% of the resort’s entire territory.

The area invites you to:

• 130 mi (210 km) of skiable slopes,
• 127 slopes of all difficulty levels,
• 60 restaurants and dining options,
• 20 adventure activities,
• 7.5 mi (12 km) of freeride areas,
• 5 children’s areas,
• 3 snowparks (one of which is for nighttime), and
• 3 World Cup slopes.

4. Relax in the Country’s Numerous Spas

If you’re staying the night, the best place after a long day of skiing, hiking, or shopping is one of Andorra’s many spa resorts.

You can find spas literally everywhere, but if you want to taste the real deal, head to the famous Caldea Spa Complex. You can rejuvenate for a few hours in its many pools and saunas even if you’re traveling only on a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra.

From the outside, the mirror-covered building of Caldea looks like a rocket that’s ready to fly in outer space. Inside, Jacuzzis, herbal saunas, swimming pools, and hydromassage jets are waiting to give you the royal relaxation you deserve.

5. Discover Andorra’s Churches and Cathedrals

The country boasts an admirable number of churches and cathedrals, dating from the Romanesque ages. Below, I’ve listed the TOP 5 Romanesque churches and cathedrals to explore on a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra:

• Church of Santa Coloma d’Andorra (Església de Santa Coloma d’Andorra). Dating back to the 8th century, Santa Coloma is not only Andorra’s oldest religious temple but also one of the country’s oldest buildings. The Lombard-style bell tower of the church was built in the 12^th century.
• Church of Sant Esteve (Església de Sant Esteve). You’ll find this Baroque church in the center of Andorra la Vella’s old town. Sant Esteve traces its roots to the 12^th century, but it underwent numerous changes and additions in the 20^th century.
• Church of Sant Eulalia d’Encamp (Església de Santa Eulàlia d’Encamp). Romanesque in origin, Sant Eulalia has different modifications added later in the 17^th and 20^th centuries. The church finds its origins in the 11^th century. The most impressive part of Sant Eulalia is its bell tower.
• Church of Sant Joan de Caselles (Església de Sant Joan de Caselles). Located on your way out of Canillo to France, Sant Joan de Caselles is a classic example of an Andorran Romanesque church. The outside is typical for this style – a charming combination of stone and wood. Sant Joan de Caselles dates back to the 11^th and 12^th centuries.
• Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Meritxell (Basílica Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Meritxell). The sacred basilica is the most important religious temple in Andorra. Located in Canillo, it carries the name of the patron saint of Andorra – Our Lady of Meritxell. The church is a unique combination of Romanesque architecture and modern elements.

6. Explore the Country’s Peculiar Museums

When you’ve had enough of Romanesque architecture, how about a tour of Andorra’s quirky museums?

Among the most unusual ones are:

• The Postal Museum. Explore how Andorrans make and print stamps in this peculiar museum that showcases over 50,000 stamps.
• The Museum of Miniatures. Located in the town of Ordino, the Museo de la Miniatura displays a large variety of works by Nicolai Siadristy, a Ukrainian artist considered to be one of the world’s best miniature artists.
• The Perfume Museum. More than 39,000 units and thousands of different fragrances await you in five different rooms in this one-of-a-kind museum.
• The Comic Museum. Check out this colorful museum where 1,000+ copies wait to satiate your love for comics. The oldest piece is Little Nemo in Slumberland, dating back to 1904.
• The Electricity Museum. It’s open all year round, but from May to September, you can follow the Engolasters hydroelectric route. The tour takes you to the Engolasters lake’s dam where you’ll have a chance to peek inside the secrets of electricity production.

7. Charge Your Taste Buds with Andorran Cuisine

The cuisine of Andorra is not very popular worldwide, so use your day trip from Barcelona to Andorra as you’ll hardly have another chance to try it.

Similar to neighboring Catalonia and France, locals like eating escargots. Hare and boar are some of the mountain game dishes you can expect to find in the country as well.

If you’re more of a traditional food lover, I recommend two typical dishes for you to try when in Andorra:

• Escudella. Andorra’s national dish is a meat and vegetable stew or soup. The dish combines meat, pasta shells, and various seasonal veggies, including cabbage, carrots, and celery.
• Trinxat. Resembling Bubble and Squeak, the dish epitomizes cabbage, leek, potatoes, and pork meat. Chunks of garlic and fresh parsley add a fragrant touch to trinxat.

🏨 Where to Stay in Andorra if You Decide One Day Isn’t Enough

If you decide that a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra doesn’t give you enough time to explore, and you want to spend a night or two there, I have prepared some extra tips.

For a country with a population of less than 80,000 people, there’s an impressive array of accommodation options in Andorra. With a total of 700 properties, you can find everything from humble hostels to chic five-star hotels.

Our Recommendations for Places to Stay in Andorra

• Mountains. The cozy apartment Bosquet 1 in the ski resort Canillo is just 5 minutes from the ski lift, making it the ideal starting point for your day of hiking or skiing. You and your travel companions will enjoy modern amenities, a fully-equipped kitchen, a terrace, and a hot tub. The quaint apartment hosts up to five guests.

• City. If you’re not visiting Andorra for its mountain activities but rather for the incredible shopping opportunities, stay at the modern and convenient Hotel Starc in the capital Andorra la Vella. This chic accommodation offers modern designs and rooms with hot tubs.

• Spa. Would you rather rejuvenate by soaking your body in mineral waters? Then, the boutique Grau Roig Andorra Hotel & Spa is the right lodging for you. The elegant, award-winning establishment will seduce you with its magnificent wellness center, three onsite restaurants, and stylish, modern rooms. In the spa and wellness center, you can pamper yourself while taking in the heart-stopping mountain views.

✔️ Currency, Language, and Visa Tips for Andorra

Here are our best travel tips for visiting Andorra on a day trip from Barcelona:

• Currency. Although Andorra is not part of the European Union, respectively the Eurozone, the local currency is the euro. This is one of the Andorra facts which makes it a fantastic choice for a day trip not only from Spain but also from France. Both countries use the euro, too.

• Language. Andorra’s official language is Catalan. Besides Catalan, you can also get along with English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

• Visas. The Principality of Andorra has no visa requirements. The country is not a member of the Schengen Area, and it doesn’t have an international airport. This means that for a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra, you don’t need an additional visa.

You can find more information about traveling to Andorra on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

FAQs About Planning a Day Trip from Barcelona to Andorra

Is Andorra a good day trip from Barcelona?

Andorra is a great option for a day trip from Barcelona. However, some people might find visiting just the capital of the micronation a bit boring. That’s why most tours include a stop in France and in Spain as well.

Is there a high-speed train from Barcelona to Andorra?

No, there isn’t. In fact, there are no railways in Andorra at all. The reason is the mountainous terrain of the country.

The nearest train station is in L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre, France. The nearest train station where high-speed trains stop is in Lleida, Spain.

What is the fastest way to get from Barcelona to Andorra?

The fastest way to travel from Barcelona to Andorra is by car. The second-fastest is by bus. It takes from 2:45 hours in each direction, depending on the time of day and traffic.

How much time do I need in Andorra?

If you want to do some shopping, see the main sights of Andorra de Vella, or visit a spa, a few hours is all you need to spend in the country.

However, to properly relax, pamper yourself in a nice spa, enjoy the ski slopes, or mountain hikes, I suggest you spend a few days exploring the tiny country.

How to get around in Andorra?

The easiest way to get around in Andorra is by using the public bus system. It’s a much better and cheaper option than the overpriced tourist buses which travel once a day and follow only one preset route.

Now You Know How to Plan a Day Trip from Barcelona to Andorra

And there you have it – the perfect day trip from Barcelona to Andorra. If you want to make the most of your journey, depart early and plan your day in advance.

And if you have a few days, I highly recommend spending a night or two in the small yet beautiful country.

Whether you like jaw-dropping mountains, shopping for great deals, or visiting charming churches, put Andorra on your travel wish list.

Now, I’m curious:

What would you do on a day trip from Barcelona to Andorra?

Share in the comments below.