Although people tend to think about Andorra as a winter destination, the truth is that Andorra in summer is paradise!
The place is ideal for visiting during the warm summer because it boasts breathtaking hiking trails, tasty food, pleasant temperatures, and a vast array of fun outdoor adventures suitable for all levels.
We have spent most of our summer holidays in Andorra since we were kids, so we know the country like the palm of our hand! All the time we have spent there has given us insight into what everyone needs to know when planning a summer trip.
So, read our local guide to find out when to visit, how to get around, where to stay and eat, what to pack, and what to do in the country!
* Post written for the first time in May 2023 and updated in May 2024.
Planning a trip to Andorra in summer
When to visit Andorra in summer
June and July are great months to visit as the days are long, temperatures are warm, and many events are happening. The snow has already melted in the mountains, so you can enjoy hiking, climbing, and cycling.
August tends to be the most crowded and warmer month. It’s also when summer storms usually occur, especially in the afternoon/evening.
If you’re looking for fewer crowds and still good temperatures, the best months are June and September.
MTB season starts in Vallnord Pal Arinsal on the 14th of June. Between the 14th and the 22nd of June, the bike park is open only at weekends. Then, from the 22nd of June onwards, you can enjoy it every day. From the 9th of September to the 13th of October, the bike park is open again only on weekends.
⚠️ Important!
If you plan to go to Andorra in August, consider that the 15th is a public holiday, so some restaurants and shops might be closed.
How to get to Andorra
The nearest international airports to Andorra are located in Barcelona and Girona , both in Catalonia, Spain, and Toulouse, in France.
If you arrive in Barcelona, the most convenient option is to take the bus. Two bus companies, Directbus and Andbus, go straight from the airport to Andorra (both have similar prices). These buses also make a stop in Sants station (Directbus) or Diagonal (Andbus), so they’re also a good option if you’re visiting Barcelona for some days and then want to go to Andorra. The buses run between 6 and 8 times a day, and the trip takes around 3 hours.
The other option to reach Andorra is by car.
⚠️ Important!
If you rent a car in Spain or France and are considering driving to Andorra, think it’s a different country, and you might need special permission. Talk to the rental agency before making the trip to be sure everything is okay.
Moving around Andorra in summer
The easiest way to move around the country is by car, especially if you plan on sunset adventures and reaching not-so-popular spots.
That said, an excellent bus network around Andorra connects all villages and the country’s capital. So, you can reach all natural parks, most climbing areas, and points of interest (such as monuments and picnic spots) by bus without any problem. Tickets are bought directly on the bus.
On Fridays and Saturdays, several night buses run from the country’s capital to the villages throughout the night.
As you might know, Andorra is a pint-sized country, so moving around, even if you cross the whole country, will take an hour at maximum.
⚠️ Important!
If you drive, one thing to consider is that it’s almost impossible to park for free in Andorra La Vella. Save time (and sanity!) by leaving your car in a parking lot rather than searching for a free spot.
Phone calls and Internet in Andorra
Although surrounded by EU countries, Andorra is not part of the EU. Therefore, roaming doesn’t apply in Andorra. We advise you to turn off your mobile data before entering the country, as Internet rates are wildly high. We don’t want you to end up with a 60€ bill just for receiving a couple of WhatsApp messages!
To stay connected during your trip, you can buy a SIM card there (Telecom is the only provider in Andorra) or rely on the WiFi. There are plenty of places to get WiFi for free, like hotels, ski resorts, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Even the city centre of Andorra La Vella has a free WiFi network.
Where to stay in Andorra in summer
The accommodation options in Andorra are endless.
If you’re looking for calmness and outdoor adventures, we recommend booking accommodation at one of the many mountain villages. We suggest planning the activities and things you’d like to do and see first and then looking at the best place to be based depending on what you’ve planned.
If you want more entertainment and food options, consider booking accommodation in Escaldes-Engordany or Andorra La Vella.
You can look at Booking for a stay that suits your budget and needs.
Come to Andorra to test your skills at Vallnord Bike Park? Then, getting accommodation in La Massana or Arinsal will save you time and money. Both villages have direct access to the bike park through a cable car.
If your trip to Andorra is to celebrate a special occasion, maybe you’re interested in an original and unique stay. You have various options, such as secret mountain tents with unbeatable views, a cabin in the middle of the forest, glamping at 2.350 m, or a borda in one of Andorra’s most idyllic valleys.
⚠️ Important!
If you plan on staying in Andorra for more than a day, make sure to book your accommodations ahead of time! The hotels, resorts, and hostels tend to fill up early in summer since Andorra is a popular summer destination, especially for Catalan people.
Top things to do in Andorra in summer
Andorra is a paradise for mountain and adventure lovers but also for families, couples, and friends looking to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the big cities.
Also, Andorra’s main feature is that everything to do is located so closely that one can visit several places in one day.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in Andorra in summer:
Hike through breathtaking landscapes
Andorra’s location in the middle of the Pyrenees range means its natural setting is breathtaking. Think about crystal-clear lakes, rocky mountains, green meadows, and lush pine tree forests.
Here are some of our favourite hikes in the country:
🏔 Rugged and hilly peaks
Looking for a challenge and unbeatable views? We’ve got you! The country is home to over 65 peaks that exceed 2.500 m (8.200 ft) in altitude.
Our favourite ones are Comapedrosa, Casamanya, Medacorba, Pic de la Font Blanca, Pic de l’Estanyó, and Alt del Griu.
Alt del Griu peak
Medacroba peak
💧 Crystalline lakes
Andorra is also home to more than 50 mountain lakes. If you’re up for exploring the alpine lakes around the country, you can’t go wrong with Estanys de Pessons, Estanys de Tristaina (quite crowded in peak season), or the lakes in the Vall del Madriu (challenging routes) or Vall d’Incles.
The most accessible one, with a car park less than a 5 min walk from the lake, is Engolasters Lake.
😌 Easy hikes
But not everything is challenging routes that take several hours to complete. In Andorra, you can also find easy trails that are perfect for a morning stroll, can be enjoyed by the whole family and are suitable for all levels.
We love Ruta del Ferro (Ordino), Camí del Gall (Canillo), Camí de l’Obac d’Incles (Vall d’Incles), and Circuit de les Fonts (Engolasters).
🏡 Hut to hut hike
Finally, if you’re a seasoned hiker and are up for a multi-day adventure, you can hike the Coronallacs. It’s a 92-km hut-to-hut hiking route divided into five stages. You sleep at one of Andorra’s guarded shelters each night, so you don’t have to carry much weight.
Have a picnic in the middle of nature
Fancy a day outdoors that involves tasty food, time in nature, and having fun?
Then, head to the supermarket, buy everything you need, and enjoy one of Andorra’s picnic areas. Choosing one won’t be easy, as there are more than fifty!
All picnic areas have tables and benches, water taps, and car parks, and some are even equipped with barbecues.
⚠️ Important!
Before lighting any fire to grill food, make sure that lightning fire is allowed at that moment. BBQs and fires are prohibited during drought periods and when temperatures are high, so it’s always good to check before heading out.
Also, please remember to tidy up everything and don’t leave any rubbish behind, so other people can enjoy the experience after you and have a great time as well!
Test your MTB skills in one of the world’s best bike parks
Redbull magazine said so. They rated Vallnord Bike Park as the 4th best bike park in the world, thanks to its services and privileged location within the Pyrenees.
Vallnord Bike Park is located in the ski resort Pal-Arinsal, which turns into a mountain bikers’ paradise during summer. You can access it either by car or via a cable car from the village of La Massana.
There are several circuits for all levels and all tastes: cross-country, e-bike, enduro, 24 downhill trails with jumps, and a wood park with drops, walkways, and a wall ride. The bike park even has a circuit for the little ones!
Need the equipment to practise this sport? No worries! There are several shops in La Massana where you can rent bikes and all the equipment necessary to enjoy this sport safely.
Also, from August 26th to September 1st, Vallnord Bike Park hosts the UCI MTB World Cup, the world’s largest multi-round mountain bike racing series.
Go rock climbing
Rock climbing season in Andorra starts in April/May and stretches until September/October (always depending on the weather).
The country has multiple areas for rock climbing, all well-equipped, in breathtaking natural surroundings, and with incredible mountain views.
Whether you’re trying your first moves in rock climbing or are a pro, you’ll find routes in Andorra suitable for your level. Check the various rock climbing areas and routes.
If you’d prefer to climb on an outdoor climbing wall, you can head to Ordino (a free access climbing wall with several routes), Canillo (a 33 m high artificial wall with a pyramid shape), or Cortals d’Encamp (a free big fake rock with several routes). This option is excellent for beginners or people who want to climb when the sun has set (the one in Ordino is illuminated).
Get your adrenaline pumping on a via ferrata
If you are unafraid of heights and sure-footed but don’t fancy the complicated knots or rope manoeuvres needed for climbing, we have something for you: climbing a via ferrata.
This activity involves climbing a mountain with various aids, such as ladders, suspension bridges, rugs, and steel cables, and it’s so much fun!
There are 16 via ferrata routes in Andorra, and we guarantee incredible views on all of them! After trying all of them, we’ve put together a guide with the 7 most incredible via ferrata routes in Andorra.
Be marvelled by the grand Cirque du Soleil
Epic acrobatics, mind-blowing tricks, colourful characters, and great music.
Yes, that’s what Cirque du Soleil is all about.
For the past eleven years, Cirque du Soliel has performed a new show in Andorra La Vella each July. This year’s one is called Sublim and promises to be a show full of extravaganza and incredible acrobatics.
We’ve attended all the shows and promise the experience is magical! The show is shorter than a typical Cirque de Soleil one but also cheaper. It lasts about 60 min and costs 25 €.
Go for a sunset adventure
It is challenging to appreciate the sunset from the capital and the mountain villages in Andorra. But, once you venture out in the mountains and gain altitude, you discover sunsets are pretty impressive from there!
We can assure you there’s no better feeling than enjoying a tasty meal while watching the sunset behind the mountains. That’s what we go for when we want to enjoy a special occasion or cram adventure time during the weekdays, as we did last summer in Casamanya.
⚠️ Important!
Remember to bring a headlamp with you for a sunset adventure. After watching the sunset, you’ll have to go down in the darkness, so a headlamp is necessary!
It’s also a good idea to take a windproof jacket and some layers with you, as temperatures descend at night and it gets chilly, especially at high altitudes.
If you want to make your adventure longer and not return to the car after sunset, you can spend a night at any non-guarded mountain hut around the country.
They are basic shelters with a fireplace, tables, a fountain, and bunk beds (without mattresses). There is no electricity (and sometimes no running water), so you have to be prepared with everything you need to spend a night there.
We’ve slept several times in various huts, and although the hard beds don’t guarantee the best night’s sleep, the experience of enjoying the sunset, being disconnected, and waking up in the middle of nature is indescribable!
⚠️ Important!
Remember to leave the huts as you found them so others can enjoy them too. Take all the trash with you, replace the wood (if you’ve used it to make a fire) and clean the fireplace.
Enjoy a wine tasting in a high-altitude winery
Although Andorra is far from being a region famous for its wines, wine lovers will still find several local wine producers offering tours of the vineyards and wine tastings.
Andorra’s local wineries are:
- Borda Sabaté: Ecological wines near the country’s border with Spain
- Casa Auvinyà: A winery in the south of the country with a production of 3.000 bottles a year
- Casus Belli: The highest winery in Andorra, with vines planted at 1.250 to 1.300 m.
- Casa Beal: Starting in 1988, they were the pioneers in the rebirth of wine production in Andorra after more than a century’s interruption.
- Celler Mas Berenguer: Andorra’s newest winery, which produces four different types of wine.
Discover the country on two wheels
Two-wheeled enthusiasts, this one is for you!
We mentioned Vallnord Bike Park before, but Andorra offers many other opportunities for road, gravel, and mountain bikers.
🚴🏼 Road cycling
Home to 21 mountain passes, Andorra is a great place to practise road cycling. Many pros use these roads as a playground to train, and it’s normal to see cyclists pushing hard on the roads all around the country during summer.
Be warned, though! Don’t expect to find flat roads here; everything goes uphill or downhill.
The most famous mountain passes are Port de Cabús (15.6 km with an average gradient of 6.2%), Coll de la Gallina (12.2 km with an average gradient of 8.4%), Port d’Envalira (26 km with an average gradient of 5.2%), and Coll d’Ordino (9.9 km with an average gradient of 7%).
Also, some well-known bike road races take place on the Andorran roads. For example, La Purito, the most arduous amateur cycling tour in Europe, is on the 11th of August.
🚵🏽♂️ Mountain biking
If, like us, riding on the road is not your jam and you prefer the forest and mountains, you’ll also find hundreds of km off-road in Andorra.
In Berques d’Arinsal, Engolasters, and Naturland, you’ll find several circuits with jumps, obstacles, and pump tracks. The first two are smaller but free, while Naturland is paying but has several areas and more than 60 km of trails.
A great option to explore the country at a more leisurely pace is by e-bike. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy longer distances and move the next day!
Check out Andorra Tourism website to find both MTB and e-bike routes.
Explore the country’s capital
Another good plan is to explore the actual town of Andorra La Vella. Its central avenue is filled with shops, restaurants, and bars, and the city centre is very pedestrian-friendly.
Besides the commercial centre, our favourite part is the historical centre. It’s like a small village inside a big town.
Also, Andorra La Vella is where you’ll find most entertainment attractions. There’s a cinema and a bowling alley, and if you’re a fan of escape rooms (like us!), we can’t recommend Komnata Quest enough.
There is also a short trail around town that provides scenic views of the country’s capital.
Have a go on the world’s longest alpine slide
Would you dare to try the longest alpine slide in the world? Tobotronc is a 5.3 km long slide with a total drop of 400 m. Nearly 10 min of high speeds and adrenaline rush are guaranteed!
We tried it last summer, and the experience was so fun! We went down surprisingly fast yet always felt safe. There are brakes so you can regulate and control the speed.
The Tobotronc is located in the leisure park Naturland and is designed for both children and adults. The good thing is that the ride’s cars can seat two people, so you can share the fear and scream together!!
Delicious places to eat in Andorra
Andorra is home to mouthwatering restaurants serving high-quality food. Although it is a tiny country, you’ll be surprised at the variety of food options available.
We’ve put together a list of delicious restaurants in Andorra to help you decide where to eat. It’s an eclectic mix, but each restaurant has been sampled and tested without fear or favour.
⚠️ Important!
We recommend booking in advance, especially in the high season (summer and winter). Some restaurants in Andorra can’t be booked through their website, so you have to use the old-fashioned way: calling. As the phone rates here in Andorra are expensive, we recommend using Skype to call.
What to pack for a trip to Andorra in summer
In summer, temperatures in Andorra are delightful. Highs are around 25 ºC (it’s usually sunny in Andorra), and lows are 15 ºC.
Although it can be hot during the day, temperatures tend to drop at night, so packing appropriately is essential! A helpful rule of thumb is to take a windproof jacket, a down jacket, a neck gaiter, and long pants with your summer clothing.
If you’re planning a hike or adventure in high altitudes, we recommend packing a windproof jacket and some layers. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, and it’s better to be safe than sorry! A reusable water bottle and an emergency kit can also come in handy.
Also, the sun hits harder in the mountains. So, it’s good to have sunglasses, a cap or hat, and sunscreen (reef-friendly to protect yourself and the environment against nasty chemicals). You can now get hiking shirts and pants designed to protect you from the sun.
When we pack for a summer trip to Andorra, we like to bring our headlamps. That’s useful if we stay longer in the mountains and it gets dark.
We also find it helpful to pack two pairs of shoes in case one gets wet or dirty from a hike.
We hope this guide helps you plan a fantastic summer trip to Andorra. If you visit the country in the summer, let us know your favourite adventures!
This is amazingly helpful, thank you so much
Thanks a lot! We’re glad it was useful 🙂