Road trip tips. Where to find what in Andorra?

clare-allcard-2-300x273Road trip tips. Where to find what in Andorra (Pyrenees)?

ROAD TRIP TIPS – DIRECTIONS

Main places:

Andorra la VellaEscaldes-EngordanySan Julia de LoriaLa MassanaOrdinoEncampCanilloPas de la Casa

Most directions are as if starting from the Km 0 roundabout in Andorra La Vella. (That is the one on the Escaldes-Engordany/Andorra la Vella bypass that has a big 0 in the middle, looking rather like a Fabergé egg).

ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR CHURCHES

ARINSAL CHURCH, Arinsal. Not immediately obvious. Drive to the centre of the village and turn left across the river to the car parks. As you come back over the bridge to the main street look up and the tiny church is up some steps above the pedestrian crossing.

LA CORTINADA CHURCH, Ordino. Drive to Ordino and at the first roundabout take the second exit heading for Arcalis. You will come first to La Cortinada. Go to the end of the straight road of the village and take the sharp bend to the left. The church is on your left and you can either park just before it or at the far end of the car park of the restaurant just after it and walk down across the grass to the church.

ESCALDES CHURCH OF ST PERE MÀRTIR. From km 0 roundabout Andorra la Vella, head up hill and turn off left at the first turning, just before the central police station. At the first crossroads turn right and follow the road to the traffic lights at Av Carlemany. Turn right and park in the car park on the right. The church is directly across the road.

ORDINO PARISH CHURCH, Ordino. As you reach the first Ordino roundabout take the last exit leading you towards La Cortinada and Arcalis ski station. The church is high up on your right at the very next roundabout.

SANT ISCLE & SANTA VICTÒRIA, LA MASSANA PARISH CHURCH. Pass the Esso garage on your right in the centre of town. At the MoraBanc on the right turn left up the hill. The church is at the corner at the top on your left.

SANT ANTONI CHAPEL, La Massana. As you drive up through the tunnels to La Massana, go through the one open all down one side and start looking for somewhere to park. The chapel is hidden from view on the right hand side, below the road and just before the entrance to the Sant Antoni tunnel.

SANT ANTONI CHURCH L’Aldosa, Canillo. Leave Canillo in the direction of France and after a time you will come to a roundabout named l’Aldosa. Take the second exit up the hill to L’Aldosa. Co-ordinates 42°34′40″N 1°37′10″E.

SANTA COLOMA CHURCH, Andorra la Vella. Drive past *Pyrénées. Take the road down through the centre of Andorra la Vella in the direction of Spain and on to Santa Coloma passing the big Intersport Centre on your right. Cross several small roundabouts till the road joins the very big, oblong roundabout. Carry on round the roundabout as if heading for Spain and pull into the car park, on the roundabout, on the right. The Santa Coloma church is the one with the lovely tall round tower close to the road.

SANTA CREU CHURCH, Canillo. Take the road to Canillo. Drive straight on at the roundabout by the petrol station. Pass the Palau de Gel ice rink on your left. Up the main street and down to a second roundabout. Take the first exit. Very shortly after the road branches, with the most straight ahead part leading to the tiny church. However, keep going to the right. Ahead is a car park. Walk back to the church.

SANTA MARIA DEL FENER CHURCH, Andorra la Vella. From Km 0 roundabout take the road down towards the turquoise Illa Carlemany shopping centre. Turn into the Fener Car Park on your left. Head down to the bottom right hand corner. Exit the car park bearing right. Immediately cross the road leaving the chemist on your right. You come to a small square. The big office block on your right has the Santa Maria del Fener church up the steps/ramp and through the big doors. (It is a great venue for a concert as it is warm, has good acoustics and a downward sloping floor.)

SANT ESTEVE CHURCH, Andorra la Vella. Park in the *Prat de la Creu car park near the Govern. Take the lift to 7th floor. Go out via the Plaça del Poble. Turn right across the flyover bridge. St. Esteve church is on your left on the corner.

SANT EULALIA ENCAMP PARISH CHURCH, Encamp. Take the road into the centre of Encamp. Turn left at the crossroads just before the Motor Museum on the left and a car park on the right. Park in the car park at the bottom of the hill. Walk to the far side of the roundabout and up the steps to the church.

SANT JAUME DELS CORTALS CHURCH, Encamp. Take the road to Encamp. At the entrance to the town exit the tunnel and take the first right on the roundabout. Drive up the by-pass. At the exit drive straight on at the roundabout towards France. At the Funicamp cable car roundabout take the first exit up hill to the right. The church is about 5km further on, hidden amongst trees on the left hand side of a sharp right-hand bend. Next to the way in through the trees to the church is a wooden rubbish bin. You can park off the road on the right-hand side of the bend.

SANT JAUME DE RANSOL, Canillo. Take the main road towards France. Drive through Canillo. Cross over the roundabout with a turning for L’Aldosa. Just before you reach El Tarter you come to another roundabout. Take the second exit for Ransol and the church is up the hill on your left.

SANT JULIÀ PARISH CHURCH, Sant Julià de Lòria. Take the tunnel at the big roundabout a little before Sant Julià. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. At the bottom of the short hill there is a big multi-storey car park on your left. Park in there and take the lift up to the Plaça and the Centre. Walk across the Plaça de la Germandat and turn right down the main high street. the church is about 200 yards on your left.

SANT MIQUEL D’ENGOLASTERS CHURCH, Escaldes-Engordany. From Km 0 go uphill towards France. At the next roundabout – with the sculpture of a large bottomed woman on a bicycle – take the first right for Engolasters. Follow the road up a couple of kilometres and you come to the church on a little plateau on your right.

SANT MIQUEL DE PRATS CHURCH, Canillo. Take the main road through the centre of Canillo passing the ice rink on your left. Shortly afterwards you come to a small roundabout before a Total petrol station. Take the first exit and continue to bear right up the hill. The church is about 1.5 kilometres further up on the left hand side of the road.

SANT ROMÀ DE LES BONS, Encamp. Take the road to Encamp. Go through the short tunnel and take the second exit on the roundabout driving through the centre of the town. Pass the Comú and car park on you right, Go on up the road and round the bend to the right. Shortly afterwards there is a turning to the left leading to Les Bons.

SANT ROMÀ DE VILA, Encamp. Take the road into the centre of Encamp. Turn left at the crossroads just before the Motor Museum, go to the small roundabout at the bottom of the hill, take the second exit and follow the road up to Vila. Sant Romà is on your left.

SANT ROMÀ DE VILARS CHAPEL, Escaldes-Engordany. From Km 0 turn down towards the turquoise Illa shopping Mall but take the very first turning on your right. Follow the road through to the end where it bears left. At the crossroads turn right into Ave Carlemany keeping to the left hand lane. Pass the church and take the left hand turn. Follow the one way system up and down towards La Massana. At the T junction keep right. Pass the pharmacy and shortly afterwards take the right hand road up the hill. At the T junction go left and continue to bear left until you arrive at the minute chapel.

SANT SERNI PARISH CHURCH OF CANILLO. Take the main road to Canillo. As you enter, just by a petrol station, there’s a roundabout. If the roads are clear of snow you can take the second exit and drive up the steep narrow road to the church at the top and hope to find parking space. Alternatively drive anyone unable to climb up the road up to the church and then turn back down and park in the Palau de Gel (Ice Rink) car park on your left, just before the roundabout.

SANT VINCENÇ CHURCH, Estamariu, SPAIN. At the big roundabout just before La Seu take the third exit towards Puigcerda and the Cadí Tunnel. About 8 kms on you pass a turning to the right to Alàs. Shortly after that is the Estamariu turning on the left. Drive up the winding road till you come to the village.

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ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR ART GALLERIES

CAEE/CENTRE D’ART D’ESCALDES-ENGORDANY: (Av. Carlemany, 30). From Km 0 roundabout head towards the turquoise Illa shopping centre but take the very first turning to the right. Follow the road to the traffic lights at Av. Carlemany. Turn right and park in the car park on the right. On Av Carlemany cross the road and turn down hill. The building is #30 on the main street, not very obviously an art gallery but usually has a large poster outside. It is one block before *Plaça Coprínceps.

DESIG(N) ART GALLERY, Andorra la Vella. Park in the Prat de la Creu car park near the Govern. Take the lift to 7th floor. Go via the Pl del Poble, across the flyover bridge, past St Esteve church on your left and up the narrow cobbled street beside it. Keep straight on through the square with the ‘dancing sculpture’ and Alix Sharp’s excellent little art gallery is on the right on the last corner before the the Casa de la Vall.

ENCAMP COMÚ GALLERY, Encamp. Take the road into the centre of Encamp. Drive through most of the town. As the road starts to rise and lust before a sharp right bend, you will see the comú set back to your right followed by a carpark. The gallery is inside the glass comú building.

ORDINO STUDIOS, Ordino. Take the road up into the centre of Ordino. At the top roundabout, in front of the National Auditorium, take the first exit going further up the hill. Between the third and fourth turnings on the right is the Ordino Studio with an underground car park beneath it.

ESPAI D’ART ART GALLERY, Andorra la Vella. From Km 0 head down towards the turquoise Illa building but park in *Pàrquing Fener (see instructions lower down.) Walk out through the central exit near the paying machines. Cross the road and carry on down towards SOM telephone centre leaving Roca & Ribes on your right and the corner café on your left. At the Som T junction turn left into Carrer de la Borda and the Espai d’Art is a couple of doors down at Number 5.

GALARIA DECO-ART, Carrer de la Grau, Andorra la Vella. From Km0 head down towards Spain. Pass the central bus station and the columned Law Courts. Cross over the next roundabout and at the following one, the one for Sabadell, get in the right hand lane and take the first exit. The next street on your right is the Carrer de la Grau. If you go to the far end you come to the Centre Historic underground car park on your left. Park and walk back to the gallery.

GALARIA JARDIN COSMIQUE, Escaldes-Engordany: (C. Josep Vilodomat, 30,) From the roundabout Km 0 head for the Dama de Gel roundabout (at the 12 bottom of the tunnel from La Massana) Go across the roundabout as if going to the Caldea. At the Caldea roundabout take the left exit and the gallery is on your right just after the traffic lights. You can park either underneath the Prat del Roure, in the Caldea (expensive), in the car park on the left of the Caldea (where the foot bridge leads you into the Caldea), or just across the river from the Caldea opposite the Escaldes Comú.

GALARIA MAMA MARIA, Ava Meritxell, Andorra la Vella. Drive up the Av. Meritxell. You will pass the restaurant and gallery Mama Maria on your right just before the turning to the Pyrenees car park. To park take the Pyrenees turning but carry on up to the right and go into the government car park on the left. With your plastic, Andorra la Vella parking ticket you get an hour free. Then just return to the main road and turn left down hill to the gallery.

GALARIA PILA RIBERAYGUA, Andorra la Vella, Park in the Prat de la Creu car park near the Govern. Take the lift to 7th floor. Go via the Pl del Poble, across the flyover bridge, past St Esteve church on your left and up the narrow cobbled street beside it. The gallery is through a narrow door in the very first row of shops on your right. before you come to the ‘dancing fountain’ square.

ESCOLA D’ART, Sant Julià. (Pl. Germandat) Take the tunnel at the big roundabout a little before Sant Julià. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. At the bottom of the short hill there is a big multi-storey car
park on your left. Park in there and take the lift up to the Plaça and the Centre Cultural.

ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR LIBRARIES

GOVERNMENT PUBLIC LIBRARY, Andorra a Vella. Park in the Prat de la Creu car park. Leave by the ground floor main entrance. Cross at the pedestrian crossing. veer to the right and then turn left almost at once towards the river. Half way down the street there is a pedestrian turning to the left leading into a central square. In the square turn right. the public library is straight ahead at the far end.

NATIONAL LIBRARY ARCHIVE. Casa Bauró, Andorra la Vella. Leave your car in Pàrquing Prat de la Creu. Take the lift up to the 7th floor. Turn left out into the Plaça del Poble. Go right and right again over the pedestrian flyover. At the end turn left and left again around Sant Esteve church and up the street, Carrer de la Vall, into the Historic Centre. Almost at once the lane opens out into Placeta Sant Esteve with its Sergi Mas sculpture of people dancing. Casa Bauró faces you across the little square.

LA PUÇA BOOKSHOP, CENTRE HISTORIC, Andorra la Vella. Park in the Prat de la Creu car park near the Govern. Take the lift to 7th floor. Go via the Pl del Poble, across the bridge, past St Esteve church on your left and up the narrow cobbled street beside it. Keep straight on through the square with the ‘dancing sculpture’ and then about three doors further on on the right is the entrance to this super bookshop which sells English books amongst others. WARNING The talk is up a curved flight of wooden stairs and there is no lift.

LIBRARY, CENTRE ESPORTIU SOCIOCULTURAL, Pas de la Casa. Take the road over the top of the Coll d’Envalira and down into town. The Centre is the huge building on the left as you come down the hill. It is pretty impressive inside.

LIBRARY, La Massana: Go to the end of the high street and turn right towards Ordino. Park in the car park on your right. Walk out of the car park the way you drove in. The library is directly opposite you.

ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR MUSEUMS

CASA CRISTO MUSEUM, C/ dels Cavallers, 2, Encamp. Drive past the moto museum on your left and drive on to the comú open air car park on your right. Leave your car and now walk past the comú leaving the square on your left.
Continue on down into the old village and ask as it is not that easy to find…

MUSEU CASA D’ARENY-PLANDOLIT, Ordino. As you enter Ordino cross the twin roundabouts and head up the hill. After a short distance there is a bus stop on your right. Take the right hand turning directly after it. At the top of the hill park in the car park. Return down to the main road. Cross over on the pedestrian crossing and turn right. Take the next turning left into the high street. The Museum is the large house with wrought iron balconies on the right.

CENTRE DE NATURA DE LA CORTINADA, Ordino. From Ordino take the road towards Arcalis. When you get to La Cortinada drive to the centre of the high street, cross the roundabout and just after Hotel Sucara on your right turn right down the narrow lane and across the river. Park the car. The centre is there.

CENTRE D’INTERPRETACIÓ D’ANDORRA ROMÀNICA, Pal, La Massana. Take the road out of La Massana, north in the direction of Arinsal. At the Erts roundabout take the second exit for Pal. Drive through Pal village on the flat observing the church high up on the right. At the end of the straight there is a very sharp uphill bend to the left. Don’t take it but drive straight ahead down a narrow lane into the car park. Leave your car there. The road up to the church goes out at the back end of the car park and up the hill. The Centre and the Church are together.

CASA RULL MUSEUM, Sispony. Coming up through the tunnels from Andorra la Vella carry on towards La Massana at the Anyós roundabout but keep towards the centre of the road. Take the first turning on your left up to Sispony. In the village, pass the church on your left and take the next turning to the left along a very narrow street leading to the Sispony valley. You will pass the Casa Rull museum on your right. If there is no parking in front of it keep going straight on for about another 100 metres and you come to a wide area where you can park and walk back.

MUSEU DE COMIC, PLAÇA DE LES FONTETES, La Massana. The big plaça off the far end of the high street with the tourist office and Bon Dia café at the far end of the flyover to the cable car. Underground car park underneath it. The Museum is just across the Plaça from the Tourist office.

MUSEU DE MOTO (motorbikes), Canillo. Drive straight through Canillo heading for France. You will pass AINA, the children’s holiday camp on your right. the road then curves to the right and ahead on the right is the Romanesque Church of St Joan de Caselles. Just before the church is a parking area. The Moto Museum is underground there.

MUSEU DE L’ELECTRICITAT Escaldes-Engordany. From Km 0 head uphill towards France. Cross over the ‘Cockeral’ roundabout and at the ‘fat ladies with bicycle’ roundabout take the second exit, downhill. At the bottom of the hill keep heading towards France but go into the centre lane. Just after the Hotel Tropical on the far side of the road is the entrance to the FEDA complex and the museum.

MUSEU DEL PERFUM Escaldes-Engordany. From km 0 drive down the hill towards the large turquoise clad building on the right, the Illa Shopping Centre. There is parking underneath Illa or you can park more cheaply in the Fener car park on your left before you reach the Illa. From Fener walk down the street to the pedestrian precinct, Av, Carlemany, starting at the traffic lights and running in front of Illa. The Perfume Museum is on the first floor of the Centre Julia building across the avenue from the Illa.

MUSEU LA FARGA ROSSELL, La Massana. This iron works museum is on the road out of La Massana heading in the direction of Ordino. You pass the fire station with the red doors on your left and shortly after, on the right, there’s a short turning off where with any luck you can park. The museum access is on this side road. If there’s no space there, carry on 200m and park in the forecourt of the Dia supermarket and walk back.

NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM, ENCAMP. As you come out of the tunnel leading to Encamp go straight on over the roundabout, second exit, and carry on down the main street into Encamp. You will come to a junction with the Automobile Museum on your left and a car park on your right.

JACIMENT DE LA MARGINEDA, La Margineda. Take the central road through Andorra la Vella and Santa Coloma towards Sant Julià. Pass the Romanesque Santa Coloma church on your right. Carry on over the big roundabout next to Becier, pass the petrol station and almost at once turn right, down into the big parking lot of the motorbike shop. Park at the far end of the lot. Carry on on foot out of the parking and take the dirt track up to your right. Follow it for about 300 metres and you come to the Jaciment.

LA CORTINADA NATURE CENTRE, Ordino. Drive to Ordino and at the first roundabout take the second exit heading for Arcalis. You will come first to La Cortinada. Cross the roundabout in the centre of the village, Pass Hotel Sucara on your right and immediately afterwards turn right and down the hill, cross the river and bear right beside the golf course. The Centre is there on your left.

ANDORRA ROMÀNICA MUSEUM, Pal. From La Massana take the Arinsal road and at the Erts roundabout take the second exit for Pal. Go to the end of the straight bit of road through the hamlet and, instead of curving sharp left
heading up the road to Pal ski station, drive straight on and park by the playground. Then walk up the steep hill to the church. The Museum is there.

ARENY-PLANDOLIT MUSEUM, Ordino. As you enter Ordino cross the twin roundabouts and head up the hill. After a short distance there is a bus stop on your right. Take the right hand turning directly after it. This leads up to a big car park. Walk back down the hill. Cross the road. Turn right and follow the 2 road round into Ordino main street. The Museum is the big building on your right with lots of wrought iron balconies.\

TOBACCO MUSEUM, Sant Julià. Take the new tunnel at the big roundabout a little before Sant Julià. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. At the bottom of the short hill there is a big multi-storey car park on your left. Park in there and take the lift up to the Plaça de Germendat and the Centre de Congressos. Stand with your back to the Centre and directly ahead of you, across the road, is a large sculpted sign for the Tobacco Museum just up the hill on the far side.

CASA DE LA VALL, plus gardens Andorra la Vella. Park in the *Prat de la Creu car park near the Govern. Take the lift to 7th floor. Go via the Plaça del Poble, across the bridge, past St Esteve church on your left and up the narrow cobbled street beside it. Keep straight on through the square with the ‘dancing sculpture’ and then pass Alix Sharp’s excellent tea rooms on the right and you arrive at the Casa de la Vall. For the Gardens take the steps up to the right close to the building.

ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR PARKS

PARC CENTRAL, Andorra la Vella. (Parc Central is by the river in the centre of Andorra la Vella with the ducks and the permanent marquee in it next to the big car park.)

PARC DE LA MOLA, Escaldes-Engordany. At Km 0 roundabout head down to and pass Illa on your right. At the Dama de Gel roundabout take the first exit and head up the road over the ‘bumped’ pedestrian crossing. Cross the next intersection and then turn into the car park on your left. Walk out of the exit. Turn right across the river and ahead of you on the left is Caldea and on the right the Parc.

PARC DE SANTA CATERINA, La Massana. Take the road from La Massana towards Ordino. Pass the Farga Museum on your right and soon after you come to the turn off for the Dia supermarket on your right. As you turn in, the little lane to the Parc is immediately on your left, before you cross the river.

PARC PRAT DE SENZILL, Sant Julià. Drive down towards Sant Julià. Take the tunnel at the big roundabout a little before the town. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. Carry on beside the river. The road curves to the right with a right hand turn onto a bridge over the river. It is signposted to La Fontaneda. The Parc is down beside the river on the left. There is parking and lavatories there.

ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR MAIN SQUARES

PLAÇA CARLEMANY, Canillo. Drive through Canillo to the little roundabout just before a petrol station. Go sharp right and then bear left towards the parking sign which leads to the underground car park. The Canillo Comú is directly above it and the plaça is the big one in front of the comú.

PLAÇA DE LA GERMANDAT, Sant Julià de Lòria. Take the tunnel at the big roundabout a little before Sant Julià. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. At the bottom of the short hill there is a big multi-storey car park on your left. Park in there and take the lift up to the Plaça.

PLAÇA DE LA ROTONDA, Andorra la Vella Park in the Park Central car park and then walk up river to the next bridge and that is the Plaça de la Rotonda.

PLAÇA DEL TELECABINA, Canillo. Drive through Canillo to the little roundabout just before a petrol station. Go sharp right and then bear left towards the parking sign which leads to the underground car park. The Canillo
Comú is directly above it and the Telecabina close by.

PLAÇA DELS BRAUS, Andorra la Vella. Go to the Pàrquing de Prat de la Creu. Leave the car there. Go down to ground level. Walk out to the main street. Cross the road and turn right. Cross the little side road and the Antiga Plaça de Braus is below you on the left.

PLAÇA DEL CONSELL, Encamp Drive into the main street of Encamp and continue until the road starts going up hill. There is parking just before the corner. Walk back down the hill on the same side of the road until you come to
the tourist office. That is the Pl del Consell.

PLAÇA DELS DOS VALIRES, Escaldes-Engordany. From the roundabout head down past the turquoise Illa Shopping Centre and on to the roundabout of the Dama de Gel near the tunnel to La Massana. Take the second exit following on beside the river. Then take the first turning to the right and immediately turn sharp left down into the underground car park. Come back out to the road beside the river. Walk up the hill a little. Cross at the pedestrian crossing and turn down the side road towards the river. That is the plaça.

PLAÇA DE LES FONTETES, La Massana: The big plaça off the far end of the high street with the tourist office and Bon Dia café at the far end of the flyover to the cable car. Underground car park beneath it.

PLAÇA DELS ARINSOLS, Encamp: Drive into the main street of Encamp and continue until the road starts going up hill. There is parking just before the corner. The Comú is the large glass building on your right. The Pl d’Arinsols is in front of it.

PLAÇA DELS DOS VALIRES, Escaldes-Engordany. From km o, head down past the turquoise Illa Carlemany and on to the Dama de Gel roundabout at exit from La Massana tunnel. Take first right then, at mini roundabout, go left. The entrance to the Prat del Roure car park is first right. Park car. Walk to far end of parking, down a ramp on right to lifts. Take the lift to the top. Cross the terrace to your left, and take the passageway past the café. On the main road take the pedestrian crossing to beside the river. The Plaça is the cul de sac that goes over the river.

PLAÇA DE L’ESGLÈSIA, Pas de la Casa. Take the road over the top of the Coll d’Envalira and down into town. The church is on the right on the big roundabout. Take the third exit for the main car park.

PLAÇA DEL PI, La Massana, Drive into the centre of town. Go past the Esso station and park immediately after that in the Comú multi-storey car park. Return to the main road, cross over on the pedestrian crossing and turn right. Cross over the small side road and then, on the next corner, you will find an A frame Creperie and the Plaça del Pi, right opposite the Hotel Palanques.

PLAÇA DEL POBLE, Andorra la Vella: On the roof of the main government building and neighbouring multi-storey car park in Prat de la Creu street. (Just past Mr. Bricolage.) Take the lift to the 7th floor.

PLAÇA DEL QUART, La Massana. At the far end of the high street you have to bear right at the ‘roundabout’ with the cable car in the middle of it. The plaça is the open space on that roundabout, in front of the Font Hotel. Parking close by on your right.

PLAÇA D’ENGORDANY, Esaldes-Engordany. From Km 0 roundabout head towards Illa but take the very first turning to the right. Follow the road to the traffic lights at Av Carlemany. Turn right but move immediately into the left hand lane. Turn left in front of the church. Follow the Av. Copríncep de Gaulle and carry on into Av Pessebre and the little shops of Egordany. After the pharmacy on your right, bear right up the hill to a T junction. Turn right into Av de Sant Jaume. The Plaça is a short distance along down a little alleyway on the right. Park where you can!

PLAÇA DE LA CORTINADA, Ordino. 42°34’32.5″N 1°31’09.4″E . Take the road to Ordino and drive on through in the direction of Arcalis ski station. La Cortinada is mainly a modern ribbon development skirting the road on either side. Pass the Hotel Sucara and immediately turn down to the right across the river. Park in the car park on your left. Walk out of the car park and turn left. Follow the lane round and you will come to the old, old heart of La Cortinada. Turn left again and you will come to the plaça. This is a very picturesque area. At the far end of the lane on your left stands what is reputed to be the oldest remaining house in Andorra.

PLAÇA DE SANT MIQUEL, Encamp. Drive into the centre of town. Cross over the big roundabout. The lane to Pl Sant Miquel is a little further on, the next turning on the right into the old part of town. Might be wise to either park on your right, opposite the Motor Museum and before the roundabout, or carry on along the main road to the parking near the comú, also on the right. Then walk back down the main road to the tourist Office and take the lane down the left hand side of it.

PLAÇA GUILLEMÓ, Andorra la Vella: (Better known as Pl de les Arcades..) Take the one way system past Pyrenees Department store and it is the first square you come to. It has arcades around it, hence its popular name.

PLAÇA LALÍN, Escaldes-Engordany: Drive up the avenue on the far side of the river to the Caldea. Park in the small car park to the left just before the top roundabout. Take the steps out at the far end, towards the metal arched bridge over the river. Pl Lalín is just across the pedestrian crossing and on your right touching onto the roundabout.

PLAÇA MAJOR, Ordino Right by the church, the main square.

PLAÇA MAJOR, Santa Coloma Near Santa Coloma Church.

PLAÇA MAJOR, Sant Julià de Lòria Take the tunnel at the big roundabout a little before Sant Julià. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. At the bottom of the short hill there is a big, multi-storey car park on your left.
Park in there and take the lift up to the Plaça de Germandat. Cross the Plaça to the high street. Turn right and head down hill. The church is on the left and the Pl Major is a widening of the road on the right.

PLAÇA PRAT DE CALL, Ordino. Drive to Ordino go straight over the two consecutive roundabouts heading up the hill. At the third roundabout, in front of the National Auditorium, either take the second exit into the partially covered car park straight ahead or take the first exit up the hill. The Plaça is on top of the car park.

PLAÇA PRAT DEL RIU, Canillo. Take the main road through the centre of Canillo passing the ice rink on your left. Shortly afterwards you come to a small roundabout before a Total petrol station. Take the first exit and continue to bear right. The Plaça is on top of the covered parking near the river.

PLAÇA PRÍNCEP BENLLOC, Andorra la Vella Park in the Prat de la Creu car park near the Govern. Take the lift to 7th floor. Go out via the Pl del Poble. Turn right across the flyover bridge. Walk to the street. The Andorra la Vella Comú is on your right and the plaça is directly in front of you.

PLAÇA REBÉS, Andorra la Vella. Park in the Prat de la Creu car park near the Govern. Take the lift to 7th floor. Turn right down the hill out of the lifts. The Plaça is right there.

PLAÇA SANT ROC, Sant Julià. A little before Sant Julià take the new tunnel at the big roundabout. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. At the bottom of the short hill there is a big multi-storey car park on your left. Park in there and take the lift up to the Plaça de la Germandat. Cross the plaça and carry on up the road ahead. turn right into C/Dr Palau and the Plaça Sant Roc is a little way along on the right.

PLAÇA SANTA ANNA, Escaldes-Engordany. From km o roundabout Andorra la Vella, head towards Illa but take the very first turning to the right. Head up hill and continue following the road as it bears left. At the crossroads turn right into Av. Carlemany. Park in the car park on the right. Walk a little further towards France and cross at the first pedestrian crossing that takes you to the A frame tourist office. Plaça Santa Anna is right near there.

PLAÇA TELECABINA, Arinsal Right in the centre of the village by the cable car/telecabina.

PLACETA DE L’HOSTAL POBLADÓ. Arinsal: The little square in front of the Hostal Pobladó on the right hand of the main street just after the cable car.

PLACETA DE LA CONSÒRCIA, Andorra la Vella. Park in the Prat de la Creu car park near the Govern. Take the lift to 7th floor. Go out via the Pl del Poble. Turn right across the flyover bridge. Go past St Esteve church and immediately turn left up the narrow street beside it. At the first little square turn right and walk about 100 metres and you come to the Placeta.

ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR THEATRES

TEATRE COMUNAL, Andorra la Vella: (Antic Carrer Major). Park in the Prat de la Creu multi-storey car park. Take the lift to 7th floor. Go into Pl del Poble. Turn right across the flyover then turn left into the main street past the church and keep going for one block. The Teatre Comunal is on the same side of the road – just after the Albert shoe shop on the corner on the right. It is above some shops so you need to look up to see the words ‘Teatre Comunal’ written large across a blank piece of wall. The entrance is just after that up a steep cobbled side street and to your left into the Antic Carrer Major.

TEATRE LES FONTETES, La Massana. Drive to the end of La Massana high street. Turn right as if heading for Ordino and immediately turn right again into the multi-storey car park. Take the lift up to the theatre.

CLAROR AUDITORI, Sant Julià de Lòria. This is the large theatre inside the *Centre cultural of Sant Julià de Lòria. (Plaça de la Germandat) Take the tunnel at the big roundabout a little before Sant Julià. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. At the bottom of the short hill there is a big multi storey car park on your left. Park in there and take the lift up to the Plaça and the Centre.

ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR EXHIBITION HALLS

ANDORRA CONGRESS CENTRE, Ordino. At the entrance to Ordino cross the two linked roundabouts and head up the hill. At the roundabout in front of the National Auditorium take the first exit and continue up the hill. The Centre is at the start to the third turning to the right and on the left hand side. (It used to be called Ordino Studios.) There is an underground car park going off the main street just after the turning to the Centre.

LA LLACUNA, Andorra la Vella: (C. Mossèn Verdaguer, 4). Take the one way system past *Pyrénées department store and just before you reach the plaça with the fountain (known both as the Pl. de les Arcades & Pl Guillermó) you will pass a building on your right clad in blue glass. That is the La Llacuna. I usually park in the government car park on *Prat de la Creu or in the *Pyrenees. This is the arts centre for the Andorra la Vella Comú. It has a small theatre and music and dance schools.

NATIONAL AUDITORIUM, Ordino: This is the large building at the far side of the roundabout at the top of the main road heading into Ordino and the high street.

ARINSAL SOCIAL CENTRE, Arinsal. Drive to the centre of Arinsal village. Just before the telecabina turn left across the river and park. The Social Centre is set back a little from the road up the main street on your right just after the Hotel Montané.

ARTALROC GOVERNMENT EXHIBITION HALL, Escaldes-Engordany. (Av. Carlemany 8, the old Interpretation Centre for water and the Madriu Valley.) From Km 0 roundabout head towards the turquoise Illa shopping centre but take the very first turning to the right. Follow the road right through to the traffic lights at Av Carlemany. Turn right and park in the car park on the right. Walk some 200m up the main road to the glass flyover. The entrance to the gallery is at the upper end of the glass building.

CENTRE CULTURAL & DE CONGRESSOS, Sant Julià de Lòria: (Plaça. Germandat). Take the tunnel at the big roundabout a little before Sant Julià. On the far side take the first right as if going to Spain. At the bottom of the short hill there is a big multi-storey car park on your left. Park in there and take the lift up to the Plaça and the Centre.

CENTRE DE LA CULTURA CATALÀ, Andorra la Vella. Take the one way system past *Pyrénées department store to the plaça with the fountain (known both as the Plaça de les Arcades & Plaça Guillemó). Instead of going through the square turn right as you reach it and the Centre is on the corner of the first little side street to the right opposite the small Bon Dia café. I usually park in the government car park on *Prat de la Creu or in the *Pyrenees.

CENTRE HISTORIC, Andorra la Vella. Go to the parking *Prat de la Creu (close to the government administration building). Park. Take the parking lift to the 7th floor. Turn left out onto the Plaça del Poble. Turn right and right again across the pedestrian bridge. Walk around the Sant Esteve church and turn up left beside it. You are now in part of the Centre Historic. If, instead, you cross the road in front of the church and then go to the far right hand corner of the little square, Príncep Benlloch, you will find yourself in another part of the old town.

CHESTER HOUSE, Av. de Meritxell Andorra la Vella. Leave your car just down from Km 0 in the *Pàrquing Fener. Go out the top exit. Turn left and head down to the traffic lights. Chester House is just across the road from you (Illa shopping Mall is across the road on the right.) 42°30’30.7″N 1°32’02.4″E

ROAD TRIP TIPS FOR PARKING

PARKING CAMP DE LA TANADA, Ordino. Cross over the two adjacent roundabouts at the entrance to Ordino and head up towards the village. On your right is a bus shelter and then a sharp turn up to your right that leads to the big car park.

PARKING CENTRE HISTORIC, Andorra la Vella. For this, from Km0 head on down towards Spain. Pass the bus station and then the old bull ring, now painted grey, on your right. Cross over the new roundabout with the metal sculpture and, at the next roundabout, raised up with patchworked turf just before the rugby pitch, take the first exit towards the TV station. Take the first turning right between Kit Descans and Multisegur offices. Drive to the end of the road. This is an Andorra la Vella car park taking their plastic card for an hour’s free parking. The first parking spaces are very narrow, suggest only slim people use them! However the spaces further in appear to be a little wider. Follow the signs and you will come out in the Plaça Lidia Armengol Vila at the foot of the new parliament building. From there you can take a lift up to the Centre Historic. (Personally I prefer the old Prat de la Creu parking which is close by)

PARKING CLOT D’EMPRIVAT, Escaldes-Engordany. From Km 0 turn downhill to the turquoise Illa shopping Mall. Turn right directly past it and the marquee is up that road. There is lots of parking nearby, some of it pretty expensive! It is cheaper to park in the Fener car park. (see below)

PARKING D’ARENY, Encamp. Drive through the town until, just before the major right-hand bend, you will see, one block in to your right, the square and the reflective glass structure of the Comú d’Encamp. A hundred metres further up the main road, before the bend, is the aparcament d’Areny.

PARKING DEL TABOLA, La Massana. Drive to the centre of La Massana and, just after the Esso garage, turn right down the narrow road. Take the first turning left and the Tabola complex is on your right. There is parking there but, if it is closed, then go back up to the main road and turn sharp right into the La Closeta underground parking of the Comú.

PARKING DEL TRILLÀ, Andorra la Vella. Go to ‘Pyrénées”. Turn right as if going into their parking but turn right again past the Carlton hotel entrance. The Car park is on your left.

PARKING DEL BULLIDOR Pas de la Casa. Drive to Pas de la Casa taking the Envalira Pass road over the top – not the Envalira tunnel. Follow the road down to the town and at the big roundabout take the third exit and carry straight on on the Av del Consell General. The parking is at the end where the road makes a sharp left turn.

PARKING DELS ARENYS, Canillo. Enter Canillo by the main road. Right at the start there’s a petrol station on the right and a small roundabout. Go straight across the roundabout keeping in the middle of the high street. The Pàrquing dels Arenys is the very first turning to the left immediately before the Palau de Gel/ice rink.

PARKING DELS REFUGIS, Canillo. Drive through the centre of Canillo down a little hill to a small roundabout and at the next, larger roundabout take the first exit. This brings you to the aparcament dels refugis.

PARKING EL PRAT DE L’ARENY, Encamp. Drive through the short tunnel just before Encamp. Go straight on at the big roundabout heading into Encamp town. Drive through the town and as the road starts to go up hill you will see the big glass Comú building and square on your right. The parking is the big one on your right straight after it.

PARKING ENCLAR, Santa Coloma. From the Km0 roundabout head down towards Spain. Pass the bus station, cross the next two roundabouts. Pass the rugby and football stadiums and cross the next, small roundabout. Pass a petrol station on your right and the Vienna Restaurant. At the roundabout shortly afterwards take the first right over the river then, just before the school take the first left. Follow the narrow road until you come to the next roundabout which is on the main, Santa Coloma, road. Take the fourth exit heading for Spain. After a long straight you come to a very large roundabout. The Pàrquing d’Enclar is right on that roundabout on the right hand side just before Santa Coloma church.

PARKING ENCODINA, Ordino parish: Take the bypass to Ordino, past the sports centre on the left and the church on the right and head for the Arcalis ski Station. Once above El Serrat and on the straight keep an eye open for the sharp turning on the right and stop in the big parking before the track that leads to the Sorteny Nature Park. PARKING FENER, Andorra la Vella. From Km 0 head down towards Illa. Fener car park is almost immediately on your left. You can now turn in across the traffic and park.

PARKING HOSPITAL (OPEN AIR) From Km0 head down past the turquoise Illa shopping mall to the Dama de Gel roundabout with the metal horse sculpture (near the entrance to the Pont Pla/La Massana Tunnel). Cross the roundabout (2nd exit) head up to the next roundabout and take the second exit. Follow the one way system to the traffic lights taking the left hand lane. Turn left and the new car park is on your right up a little side road. The back of the hospital is visible to your left. The car park is part of the Escaldes Comú car park system so you get an hour’s free parking using their plastic parking card. It is ideal for hospital visits. (To get there from La Massana simply take the old road down towards the hospital – not the Pont Pla tunnel – and it is on your right just before you reach the hospital).

PARKING LA PALANQUETA, Encamp. Drive into the centre of Encamp, pass the Motor Museum on your left. At the next roundabout take the last exit down the hill. The Prat Gran parking, La Palanqueta, is on your left.

PARKING PARC CENTRAL Andorra la Vella. From Km0 head down hill towards Spain. Cross the traffic lights and then a roundabout. Pass Andorra 2000 on your right. Cross the next roundabout by the bus station keeping to
your right. shortly afterwards you come to some traffic lights and just before them there is a narrow turning to the right which takes you into the lower end of the Parc Central Parking.

PARKING PRAT DE LA CREU, Andorra la Vella: From Km 0 carry on down towards Spain. Pass the building with columns on your right. Keep in the right hand lane. Pass the old circular bullring and at that roundabout take the first exit. Go up the hill and at the next roundabout take the first exit into Prat de la Creu. The government admin buildings are on your left. Just after the next pedestrian crossing is the entrance to the multi-storey car park.

PARKING PRAT NOU, Ave Rocafort, Sant Julià. Follow the instructions for *Prat Gran playground. Prat Nou is next to it.

I’ll be with you again next week.

Culturally yours,

Clare.

If you want to learn more in depth about Andorra try reading “Andorra Revealed”.

Look for about the author of the blog Clare Allcard

See also Andorra travel guide

See also Pyrenees travel guide

See also France travel guide

See also Spain travel guide

Read more: What to do today? Cultural events in Andorra with Clare Allcard ...