Andorra la Vella (map) is the capital of Andorra. At an altitude of 1023 m it is Europe’s highest capital, and the only one located over 1 km above the sea level. As of 2015, the city has a population of 22,886. The principal industry is tourism, although the country also earns foreign income from being a tax haven.

The town is really in two parts. There is the newer section at the north end of the town that is very commercial with lots of shops. The other half is the older half, down across the river and to the south and west.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: More about Andorra

The city’s old town is characterized by old stone streets and houses. The central Església de Sant Esteve (Saint Stephen, map) church is part of the area that guidebooks often label as a picturesque part of the city. This was built in a Romanesque style in the eleventh century. It is a heritage property registered in the *Cultural Heritage of Andorra.

Probably the oldest building in the city is another church, dating from the ninth century, is the Church of Santa Coloma d’Andorra (map).

Don’t overlook the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley (map). The cultural landscape of Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, which was inscribed in the World heritage list in 2006, can only be accessed on foot. It offers great hiking and climbing possibilities in summer and in winter ski mountaineering or walking with snowshoes is an option.

One entrance to the valley is a short bus ride or just over an hour walk from the oldest part of Andorra la Vella. See *Escaldes-Engordany for details.

Toulouse is the main hub for accessing Andorra.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: If you have a few days, then you can easily visit most of the main villages by the local bus service operated by Cooperativa Interurbana Andorrana, S.A.

BUS: Mobilitat.ad, a website that gives an overview of bus routes into and within Andorra, though it is only in Catalan. International lines via Andorra la Vella > Andbus • Alsa • Montmantell • Interurbana.

Many coach routes serve Andorra, particularly from Spain, mainly Barcelona but also Girona, Madrid, Malaga, Lleida and Valencia.

TRAIN: Andorra is the only sovereign non-island state in Europe to have never had a railway. Rail stations near the border: L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre (map), this station is not on the territory of Andorra, but rather in neighboring France, some 3 km (1.9 mi) from the border. Gare de Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg (map), this station is in France but close to the Spanish border.

AIRPORT: The nearest airport is 1 La Seu d’Urgell Airport, 12 km (7.5 mi) to the south, in Spain.

Benvinguts! / ¡Bienvenidos! / Bienvenue! / Welcome!

⇒ video source: Andorra la Vella /youtube.com/

• City of Andorra La Vella