To be the only town of a tiny principality must be something special. Because of being the only town, Andorra la Vella is understandably the capital of Andorra. Andorra la Vella is nestled between France and Spain. Though only 11.6 square miles, this city earns money from tourism and from its local products, which are brandy and furniture. According to the latest measurement, the tiny city’s population is a mere 23 thousand.
Andorra la Vella is all about embracing the present, with its focus on business involving luxury items and electronics. This does not mean, however, that history is not taking a peek. Why not? The very name Andorra la Vella means “Andorra the Old”. If you walk the streets of the city, you will find old stone streets and historic buildings. This is quite the opposite of the central city, which is where the ultra-modern, shiny buildings are located. Having both worlds in a tiny city is part of the Andorra la Vella surprise.
Although Andorra la Vella is a capital city, it is three hours away from the nearest airport. So if you want to visit the place, you need to have your flights connected to a final stop at airports in Barcelona, Girona, Perpignan or Toulouse. From any of those stops, you can finally travel by land to Andorra la Vella. When in the city, prepare yourself for some crazy traffic. If you tend to get easily frustrated in such situations, you may need to ride a bus or hail a taxi instead of driving yourself. The average temperature in Andorra la Vella varies from a very cold 28 degrees Fahrenheit to a mild 73 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best to visit the place during the summer months.
If you are an American seeking to enter Andorra, you will need a valid passport. You also need to present a return ticket from Andorra. If you are staying only up to three months, you wont need any visa. Within 10 minutes driving of Arinsal which is a popular travel destination for skiing in Andorra.
