THE DESIGN REVIEWER
IT'S WORTH A SECOND LOOK
ANDORRA
A DAY TRIP TO ANDORRA
Andorra was part of my 10th trip to Europe, as part of a visit to sights in Spain that I have yet to been, and to Portugal. With a superbly rushed itinerary where I had to switch accommodation every other day, I had just time for a day trip to Andorra.
Andorra –> Barcelona –> Valencia –> Cordoba –> Sevilla –> Lisbon –> Sintra –> Lisbon –> Porto
In the trip planning to Andorra, I had considered packaging Andorra, with an exploration of the Pyrenees Mountains. However, it was late January, and the season was not exactly suitable for trekking though it would be suitable for skiing. Getting to the Pyrenees would also be difficult without renting a vehicle. Driving alone from Barcelona would not only be tiring, but potentially dangerous.
With the limited time available, the idea was to get to Andorra in the most efficient way possible. My decision was to take the Direct bus from Andorra which had slots leaving straight from the airport, confident that my Singapore Airlines flight would arrive early as it normally does. I could stay a night in Barcelona, and wake up really early in the next morning to take the bus from the bus station located to the north outside the Sants station, but that would mean requiring an extra night in Barcelona, which I wouldn’t mind if I had more time, but I couldn’t. I also had the option of returning to Barcelona in the evening and then to head straight for the train to Valencia in the evening, without spending an extra night, but that would be too risky in case of a traffic situation to Barcelona.
At the Direct Bus Stop where the chevrons are, outside the Airport terminal, opposite the private car pick-up
My flight landed at Barcelona El Prat airport at 0705hrs only 5mins before schedule, while the bus had been scheduled to leave at 0730hrs. It was already 0725hrs when I finally got out of the plane – I regret not asking the flight attendants for help so that I can get off the aircraft sooner – I had had no check-in bags and immigration was a breeze. It was 0745hrs when I reached the bus stop at Terminal 1, so now that I had extra time, I went to get a SIM card at the local Tabacos store, rather than depend on the free WIFI on the bus during the journey. The next bus will only come at 0930hrs, so instead of waiting, I took a bus to Barcelona in the hope that there will be other unknown buses leaving for Andorra sooner.
It was 0830hrs when I got off at Plaça Espanya, and I strolled towards Barcelona Sants station which was about 20mins walk away, hoping to catch a 0900hrs alternative to Andorra. It was snowing lightly, and the walk was refreshing. Unfortunately, the earliest option to Andorra was still that 0930hrs option from the airport, which will reach the Sants bus station at 1000hrs. Concurrently, I was also considering using Blablacar, which was risky because I had booked a car but the driver was going to Andorra 44500 in Spain in the other direction, instead of the Andorra across the border. Luckily, the driver acknowledged the difference and cancelled the booking.
The bus finally pulled into the station at 1005hrs and by the time it left at 1020hrs, it was full. I took the chance to sit on the left side of the bus as other articles had claimed it to be more scenic, all the way to the back, though I remembered that there was some nice scenery to the right as well when we passed by the Pantà d'Oliana, a reservoir created by damming the Segre River. The best seat would be towards the front of the bus so that both sides could be seen. It would be a riskier choice though should the bus brakes suddenly.
Photo location: Tarroja de Segarra
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Photo location: Oliana
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Photo location: Oliana
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Photo location: Oliana
With 3 hours on the bus, there was time to check emails on the rather dependable WIFI, as well as to take a sandwich lunch. We crossed the border at 1250hrs, reaching at 1300hrs at what’s possibly the nicest bus terminus ever at Andorra la Vella, right next to a rapidly moving stream. I had an open ticket so I can choose to return at any time as long as there was an available bus from the same company leaving. There were lockers to deposit a bag if needed.
I started off towards the town centre tourist info to check what can be done, as the SIM card didn’t seem to work. (I later realized after that most European Union SIM cards with EU roaming will not work in Andorra because Andorra is not part of the EU, and managed to revive the SIM card back in Barcelona.) Unfortunately, the paid selections at the tourist information did not appeal to me, so much so that I can’t even remember what they were, so I decided just roam about town. There’s the Dali Sculpture called ‘The Nobility of Time” which is arguably the most recognizable centerpiece in Andorra.
Infocentre looking like a Helmet
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The Nobility of Time, by Salvador Dali
Avinguda Meritxell
The main pedestrianized shopping street of Avinguda Meritxell leads on from the Dali Sculpture, with shops offering fashion at prices cheaper than in the Spain, as Andorra is a tax haven. Heading east, I didn’t hesitate to enter a few shops to take a look. There were also supermarkets, and a variety of shopping options. At the end of the street were more economical eateries and restaurants. There is also a Hard Rock Café for fans. Walking beyond took me to the Museu Carmen Thyssen (which is different from the other museum of the same name in Malaga, Spain), as well as the Sant Pere Martir Church.
Museu Carmen Thyssen
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Saint Pere Màrtir
A little further along the streams leads to a bridge as part of the Water and Madriu Valley Visitors' Centre or the CIAM, which stands for Centre d’Interpretacio de l'Agua i del Madiu, which was an accessible modern piece of Architecture. The Font del Roc del Metge which is a hot spring right by the CIAM. At 70 degrees Celcius, it is reportedly one of the hottest in Europe, and rich in Thermal Plankton, Sodium, Sulphur, and other minerals. This brings us to the other recognizable landmark in Andorra, which is the spa centre and hotel, its architecture trying to establish Andorra la Vella as a spa capital.
CIAM
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Font del Roc del Metge
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The Spa Centre
Heading back to Avinguda Meritxell, to see the lights and nightlife, and to the west of the Dali sculpture, will lead to the Historic Centre and to the Esglesia Sant Esteve de Andorra la Vella. The historic centre is connected to the street below via the Plaça del Poble (Town Square) via a lift in the Andorra government building, as an alternative to walking up or down the hill along the curved road, connecting to the bus terminal.
Avinguda Meritxell
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Avinguda Meritxell
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Esglesia Sant Esteve de Andorra la Vella
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Plaça del Poble (Town Square)
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Exit to the lower Street at Carrer Bonaventura Armengol
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View of the Government of Andorra Building on approach from the bus terminal where the lift to the Town Square is. One could also take the sidewalk along the road on the left of the building to reach the historic centre.
I had wanted to board the return bus to Barcelona at 2015hrs, but there had been some unexplained delay and the bus only set off at 2045hrs. While waiting, the snow came.
Andorra on a shoestring: How much did I spend?
- 51.00€ - Return bus tickets from Barcelona; it would have been 59€ from the airport.
- 5.90€ - AeroBus from El Prat Airport to town; cheaper option at 2.15€.
- XX.xx€ - Tax Free shopping
- 6.90€ - Doner Kebab on a plate
- X.xx€ - Snacks from the supermarket
What should I have done?
- Accept the bus time slots: Either stayed at the airport for a relaxing breakfast or sightsee in Barcelona.
- Start the walk in Andorra by taking the lift up in the Andorra government building to the Historic centre,
- Then walk towards the Dali Sculpture and onward to the CIAM, then relax at the Spa before taking the bus back.
One of the more scenic bus terminal by a fast flowing stream
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Approximately 2.5km to walk from west to east
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Verdict: 3 Stars
I was there to add another country to my list of countries visited, being the main reason for travel. While I did manage to pick up some cheap shopping, it was not that much cheaper. While the Spa was a highlight, it could not have been more interesting than that experienced in Vals or Budapest. I cannot comment on the skiing and the hiking but it did not feel like I have missed out on any jawdropping scenery from the images available. The city itself is accessibly designed with a number of good modern architecture. It is also a good getaway from Barcelona without worrying too much on travelling logistics.