My madness to complete a Spartan Race Ultra brought me to small, but very beautiful Andorra. In fact, from the bus ride started in Barcelona, one of Europe’s hubs of basically everything, things started looking great. Our accommodation happened to be in Andorra La Vella, the capital city of the very small state from the Pyrenees, even though the race itself was in a different city, Encamp. Back to basics, it is important to know that in Andorra there are no railroads and neither is any airport, so Barcelona was the best option – well, OK, the Spanish city was for long on my bucket list and I took advantage of this event.
The landscape of Andorra, most important ingredient!
About Barcelona I’ll talk in a separate article, the main focus is on Andorra. Is it worth visiting? You bet! We didn’t schedule anything there in particular, apart from my 13 hours and a half race, I had some time to walk the distance back between Encamp and Andorra la Vella. Even if it was night, and I was tired as fuck, I have enjoyed five more kilometers in the purpose of loosing my legs a bit, and focused on the surroundings. Everything seems to be very good organized, the infrastructure is proper to a state of this caliber and especially located in such a region. Now, the human made environment is decent, but the best part is the landscape.
Marmots, 2500 meters peaks, beautiful cabins
Going back, in the first day in Andorra la Vella and also in the morning before our departure, we had the chance to study in depth the streets of the capital city and among some very fascinating buildings and statues, what was the most imposing… the mountains, that were arising from every corner of the view. Amazing! Having the opportunity to attend such a challenge as I did, the views at the top of the Pyrenees were even better. The struggle was so real, but the environment, everything around came as a patch that relieved my agony. From the marmot which jumped in front of me, at 2400 meters highs, to the slender bridge I needed to cross in order to continue my run…
Then, what to see in Andorra la Vella?
Then there were the cabins from some isolated valleys, small villages on my way. It looked like a fairytale, under a perfect weather and with just right of everything, including Spanish hospitality – because the organizers of the event were, indeed, from Spain. In fact, Andorra is protected by Spain and France, since these countries round it so bit of every culture is reflected in the way Andorra looks and behaves. “We are not going to run in Andorra, OK?” Oh, right. I will once more in the future for sure, but this is not important. I understand the fact that I need to concentrate a bit more on the touristic side as not everybody will go there for sports.
You don’t need to. The location deserves a four-five nights stay, and I am pretty sure you can find plenty to do. My recommendation limits to Andorra la Vella, because there is the only place I have ‘investigated’ carefully. ๐ So, what to see in the capital city:
- La Casa de la Vall
- Caldea spa complex
- The Town of Les Escaldes
- La Noblesse du Temps
- 7 Poetes
I do have a strong recommendation for your stay!
Apart from all the above you can always take a look here, as apart from the nature, the small country has a lot to offer:
17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Andorra | PlanetWare
Also, there is Get Your Guide, which I use very often when I travel and for sure you can find there loads of amazing experiences. And, where to stay…? Here I can make a strong recommendation. It is not maybe the cheapest, but you can access all the touristic areas and you have wonderful conditions of stay. Not to mention the small river that might pass under your window! ๐
Hotel Spa Termes Carlemany – we have found it on booking.com, but I am attaching the direct link to the hotel. Go for it!