Andorra: My 20th Country
We spent Thanksgiving in Andorra and it took us by surprise how much we loved it! We were definitely there in the shoulder season because there was no snow and the ski season hasn’t started so it was quiet, but the scenery is unreal. Andorra is a tiny principality (non-EU) tucked away between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains. It was about a 2.5 hour drive from Barcelona. You can also get there by flying in Toulouse, France. We flew into Barcelona late on Wednesday night and stayed at the Barcelona airport hotel, spent Thursday morning in Barcelona, then headed to Andorra Thursday afternoon. We arrived around 5:30. On our way back to Barcelona on Sunday, we stopped in Girona, Spain for the day which was a perfect day trip.
Skiing is definitely the main attraction in Andorra but we got a great deal on an amazing 5-star hotel (Hotel Park Piolets in Soldeu) that was advertised as being great for kids. They had a kids club where you can leave kids over the age of 4, babysitting services, a gorgeous indoor pool and spa with long family hours (12-6), family spa treatments, and incredibly kind staff. Our 3.5 year old was spoiled with gifts and candy all weekend as well as games of hide and seek around the lobby with every member of the staff.
Some of our favorite activities:
Pont Tibetà Canillo: a 603m long suspension bridge that is 158m above the ground. The views are unbelievable because you’re at an altitude of 1875m. It’s only open until Dec 1 (so not a winter activity). Tickets can be purchased online or at the tourism office in each parish). We saw young kids walking across and it felt very safe, but I carried my toddler in a backpack carrier for my own peace of mind. You cross and then go back the way you came. You take a bus from the town of Canillo up the mountain and then walk about 900m on a very easy path to the entrance of the bridge. There was a small cafe and bathrooms before the bridge. Catching the bus back down was very easy.
Mirador del Roc del Quer: Just up the mountain from the Pont Tibetà is a famous viewpoint with a glass bottom observation deck. During peak season you also need a paid ticket for this, but we were able to visit for free in November. We drove to this point and parked in the parking lot along the mountain road but the same bus that goes to the bridge continues up to the view point. There is a cafe here as well. It’s an easy walk (maybe 10-15 min) from the parking down to the viewpoint and deck.
Chasing the Tamarros: in Andorra, there is a legend of the tamarros, creatures that protect the forests and lands of each of the seven parishes of Andorra. They each have a name and distinct personalities/powers. If you go to one of the tourism offices, you can get a tamarros guidebook/passport for kids to “chase” tamarros around the country. Make sure to find pine cones and drop them in the hole in the back of th statue to help the tamarro jump through their portals. Basically, you drive around and find the statues, each of which has a sign with a stamp attached. You stamp the book and once you collect them all (or at least a few), you take the book back to the office and the kids get a prize. This was a really fun activity for kids and was a perfect way to spend a sunny day and see more of the country driving around. The statues are set in the most beautiful locations. Here is a GoogleMaps list with pins for all the tamarros: Andorra Tamarros · Kirstin https://maps.app.goo.gl/UYMjQF3h7CLXFd2r9?g_st=i
Old Town Andorra La Vella (one of the seven parishes in Andorra) and Christmas Markets
Wish We’d Had Time For:
Naturland Adventure Park: Tobotronc alpine coaster, soft play areas, and animal farm.
Water Park/Ice Skating at Palau de Gel (Canillo)
Caldea Thermal Spa: has spa options for kids as young as 3 but ages 3-4 can only access the Children’s Spa, where parents cannot accompany them (they are with the specialized instructors in the children’s spa and parents are given a pager). Over the age of 5 can access the Classic Spa, where parents are also able to access.
All in all, we cannot wait to go back to ski and absolutely fell in love with this tiny country and the people we met!
