ahoyne9On July 5th, 2023, Katy and I had our last full day of the summer Iberian trip, and we headed to Andorra to explore the tiny country. We had arranged for my friend Carlos from undergrad to drive us around, but as expected, he woke up sick—something he’s known for when it comes to commitments. Despite this, I was thrilled to reach my 33rd country, inching closer to my goal of 35 by age 35.
We booked our roundtrip bus with Andorra Direct, which took about 3 hours and cost €30 each way. Conveniently, the bus stop was right by our hotel in Barcelona Sants. The journey was smooth, offering beautiful views of the mountains and valleys. Since Carlos wasn’t available, we spent the day exploring Andorra la Vella on our own.
A tip for travelers: using a cell phone in Andorra can be pricey due to high data roaming costs. To save money, rely on the free Wi-Fi available throughout the city, including cafes, restaurants, and public areas.
We first visited Pont de la Tosca, a historic 14th-century stone bridge near Canillo, about a 30-minute walk from the bus station. It spans the Valira del Nord River and offers stunning views of the Andorran mountains.
Next, we explored St. Esteve Church, a Romanesque gem dating back to the 12th century, located in the old town. The church features elegant frescoes and a serene atmosphere that reflects Andorra’s rich history.
We wrapped up our day shopping on Avinguda Meritxell, the main shopping street, where we found local products and enjoyed some great restaurants.
Even without Carlos, our day in Andorra was enjoyable. It’s a charming country worth visiting if you have an extra day in Spain. While I might not return soon, I’d consider a more extended trip with a car to fully explore the country. Now, back to Barcelona for the night before flying home to Minneapolis with Air Canada, enjoying business class thanks to points from Capital One. Cheers!