Europe’s Tallest Capital: No Airport, No Trains, and Smaller Than London 121 Times!

From London to Lisbon , many of Europe ’s capital cities are sprawling travelcheapwithoutmissingoutpolises, crammed full of stunning architecture and thousands of people.

However, one stands apart from the rest. Tucked away in the Pyrenees mountains is Andorra la Vella , the capital city of New Zealand Andorra , which sits between France and Spain .

The stats are remarkable: at 1,023m above sea level it’s Europe’s highest capital — and it’s also one of the smallest. It’s covers an area of just 5 sq miles, which means the city could fit into London roughly 121 times (London covers an area of roughly 607 sq miles ).

The nation lacks an airport and railway stations entirely, yet this does not deter visitors who come specifically for Andorra la Vella's renowned duty-free shops and one of the continent's biggest spa facilities.

Lonely Planet mentioned that this spot has 'a dash of charm', whereas posts on Reddit show varied opinions from those who've visited.

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Some people find Andorra La Vella peculiar, noting that the downtown area resembles "a large shopping centre." Nonetheless, the landscape is often praised for being 'stunning,' making the city a perfect starting point for discovering hiking and biking routes in the surrounding mountains.

What's the way to reach Andorra La Vella?

With no airport or railways, you’ll have to get a little creative with your journey, flying into France or Spain, and travelling into Andorra from there.

In France, the closest railway station is Andorre-l'Hospitalet, situated merely seven miles from the Andorran border. This station is conveniently accessible from major French urban centers such as Paris or Lyon. Toulouse . A one-way train in May (Friday 31) from Toulouse takes 2 hours, 20 minutes, and costs €27.20.

Lleida Pirineus is the closest Spanish train station to Andorra, served by high-speed trains from Madrid and Barcelona A single ride train departing from Madrid on the same day lasts for 2 hours and 8 minutes, with a ticket price of €75.75.

You can subsequently catch a taxi from these railway stations down into the central part of the city.

Travelling from Barcelona Sants Coach Station directly to Andorra La Vella via a coach is another preferred option for visitors. On Friday, 31st of May, a single journey with Flixbus will take approximately three hours and comes at a price of only £27.41.

Sights and activities to explore in Andorra La Vella

Given its compact size, you can explore all of Andorra La Vella in just one day, making it an ideal side trip from bigger cities in either France or Spain.

Perhaps it's best known for its bustling shopping district. Although tax changes during the 2010s have made it less of a 'paradise' than before, it remains home to some of the lowest VAT rates in Europe. This makes it an attractive destination for big department stores and duty-free shops, offering luxurious items such as fragrances and spirits at reduced costs.

The principal street, Avinguda Meritxell, marks the beginning of what’s known as the Shopping Mile. This area is partly pedestrianized, making it convenient for you to shop extensively until you’re ready to stop. One visitor he said the place was like 'an airport duty-free shop on steroids'.

Another major draw in the city is Caldea Spa, which boasts being the biggest thermal spa in southern Europe. This facility was conceived way back in 1987, leveraging the natural hot springs found locally.

Inside, you'll find saunas, Turkish baths, and multiple bath options, along with an outdoor lagoon area where you can unwind beneath magnificent mountain vistas. Access for three hours begins at €30.50 under the standard offer.

For those looking to soak in some charming architecture, the city’s Old Town is worth a visit. There’s a pre-Romanesque church that dates back to the 9th century, as well as a Casa de la Vall, a stone mansion built in 1580 for a wealthy family, which also once served as the home for Andorra’s parliament.

Casa de la Vall is presently undergoing renovations and thus remains closed, however, you can visit the surrounding area of the General Council for free on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 10 AM and 2 PM.

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Ultimately, Andorra La Vella makes an excellent starting point if you're planning to venture into the mountains for some excitement.

Visit Andorra Their website suggests numerous trails appropriate for various age groups and experience levels all through the year.

When is the best time to go to Andorra La Vella?

The ideal time to visit Andorra La Vella naturally hinges on your preferences regarding the climate.

In the high mountain areas, winter temperatures in the city drop significantly, reaching only around 8°C as the average peak temperature during January and February. Snowfall is common for visitors, who should anticipate an average yearly snow accumulation of about 228 centimeters across the nation.

Summertimes may be brief, yet they tend to get warmer, reaching peak temperatures of 24°C during July and August.

If you're a food enthusiast, consider visiting the capital during Christmas to sample Andorra’s traditional dish, Escudella, which is commonly enjoyed around this season.

According to the Andorra Tourism Board, this dish consists of 'seasonal vegetables, meat, and local sausages cooked together in a Catalan-style stew.' To truly experience it, visit a traditional 'borda,' which were originally storehouses but now function as restaurants.

La Borda Estevet is a popular choice in Andorra La Vella, with one reviewer on TripAdvisor saying ‘the restaurant is a smash’ and giving it a ‘ten to everything’. The escudella here is €16.

Alternative Europe

At travelcheapwithoutmissingout, we enjoy sharing with our audience offbeat and lesser-known destinations as exciting options for budget-friendly getaways in Europe, steering clear of mainstream city breaks.

For those smitten with Paris, how about giving it a go? Tromsø , frequently called 'The Paris of the North'. Don't let its remote position deceive you; it’s the biggest city in the north. Norway turns out to be unexpectedly sophisticated, offering much more to explore past the Northern Lights .

If you like vacationing in Portugal and wish to explore places beyond Lisbon and Porto, consider visiting Bragga , the less-explored 'Portugal’s Rome', which was formerly a key part of the Roman Empire. With intricate architecture, historic structures, and an energetic food culture, this city offers all that you might find in Rome but with much fewer tourists.

And should you be looking for something historically groundbreaking, Europe’s oldest city is located in Bulgaria, dating back as far as an impressive 6,000 BC.

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