Three days to discover Andorra la Vella

The first day is devoted to one of the capital's most important buildings: the Casa de la Vall. This building embodies all the codes of Andorran civil architecture and is also one of the Principality's most symbolic and distinctive monuments. Built in 1580, this ancient house served as the residence of the Busquets family until 1702, when it became the seat of Andorra's General Council.

In 2011, after more than three centuries, the Parliament of Andorra moved to a new building and the Casa de la Vall opened its doors to the public as a history museum with a costume collection. In addition to its museum function, the historic property continues to host the small European country's most formal events!

In the afternoon, we prepare for another of the town's great highlights: the Museu Casa d'Areny-Plandolit. Andorra's new postal museum, built on the ruins of the old Odino Conquistador warehouse, showcases a fine collection of stamps.

The museum exhibition is divided into two parts, including a theoretical section on the history of the Andorra Post Office. Thanks to the museum's sound and light equipment, the visitor is fully immersed in the evolution of the post office as a communication system, from the past to the present. The visit continues with the discovery of various Andorran stamps, where you can also observe the process of designing stamps by hand.

⭐ Andorra Park Hotel

Andorra Park Hotel is located in the heart of Andorra la Vella, just a few steps from Saint Stephen's Church and Plaza del Poble. This 5-star hotel, near Casa de la Vall, pfropoxd 98 beautifully decorated rooms with private whirlpool baths and furnished private balconies.

The Andorra Tobacco Museum, located in the parish of Santa Julia de Loria in south-west Andorra, is housed in a former tobacco factory in Reig. The building has become one of the country's most emblematic landmarks. It was built in the 20th century and was in operation from 1909 until 1957, when tobacco production was at its peak in the villages.

The museum takes visitors through the process of developing and manufacturing tobacco, right through to its marketing. It also displays old utensils and machinery.

The afternoon is dedicated to walking and shopping! Head for the Plaça del Poble. This is a very interesting square, located on the top floor of the government building (free access). From here you can enjoy a splendid view of the valley and the mountains. The square is also a popular local gathering place, especially in the evenings.

It would be a shame to come to Andorra and not do a bit of shopping. All international brands are tax-exempt in Andorra, so no tax! Given that tourism and commerce are the main economic activities in this small country, it's only natural to find a dozen or so shops selling clothes, shoes, make-up, perfumes, jewellery, technology, home decoration, and so on. The best-known shops are concentrated on Avinguda Meritxell, especially the big department stores such as Pyrènèes Andorra!

Meritxell Avenue (in Catalan, Avinguda Meritxell) is the main avenue in the Andorran capital. Named after the Virgin of Meritxell (Andorra's patron saint), Meritxell Avenue is home to a large number of hotels, shops, restaurants, banks, pharmacies and supermarkets. It begins at Plaça Rebés (next to the historic centre of Andorra la Vella) and ends at Avinguda de Carlemany.

⭐ Hotel Plaza

The elegant Hotel Plaza enjoys an ideal location, close to the commercial centre of Andorra la Vella. The accommodation is popular with celebrities. The rooms feature traditional English-style decor. The Plaza Hotel is modern and stylish, with Paul Smith carpets and oil paintings. The hotel's à la carte restaurant serves gourmet dishes. The piano bar features live music. It is a great place to enjoy a drink while relaxing.

On our last day in the capital, we're getting up early to enjoy a 2-hour visit to the beautiful church of Saint Estève. Located on the Plaça del Príncep Benlloch, this church appears on most postcards of Andorra la Vella!

Built in the twelfth century, this Romanesque church was extended and modified on various occasions. One of the most notable changes took place around a century later and culminated in the Romanesque semi-circular apse, decorated in the Lombard style. It is considered to be the largest in the country. The last major alteration was carried out in the 1940s, by the architect Josep Puig i Cadalfach (one of the greatest exponents of Catalan Modernism).

After visiting the church of Saint Estève, with its two Baroque wooden altarpieces, you can lose yourself in the streets of the capital.

For the afternoon, head for the Place de la Rotonde, which is the main square in the centre of this mini-country. It is located next to a bridge over the River Valera and is also the centre of Andorra la Vella.

As well as the 7 poets, the most famous sculpture in Andorra la Vella is La Noblesse du Temps, created by the Catalan surrealist artist Salvador Dalí in 1977. This monumental bronze work symbolises the passage of time and its domination over mankind. After being ceded to the Government of Andorra in 1999, "The Nobility of Time" was permanently installed in the Place de la Rotonde in 2010.

The Pont de Paris is a suspension bridge that crosses the River Valira and links the Avinguda Doctor Mitjavila with the Avinguda Consell d'Europa. Designed in 2005 by Spanish civil engineers Leonardo Fernández Troyano and Guillermo Ayuso Calle, the Paris Bridge is an avant-garde structure with a straight branch (45 metres) and a semi-circular branch (27 metres). Other architectural details stand out in this modern construction: the two triangular structures, crowned by two steel spheres measuring 2.20 metres in diameter.

⭐ Suites Plaza Hotel & Wellbeing Andorra

At the Suite Plaza, you are in the heart of the administrative centre of Andorra la Vella, close to modern government buildings and the Parliament in the cobbled streets of the old town. Andorra's famous ski resorts are just a 10 km drive from the hotel (free private shuttle to Grandvalira ski resort).