Hear about travel to the tiny country of Andorra as the Amateur Traveler talks to musician Eli Lev about this small country in the Pyrenees Mountains, where he lived for three years.
Why should you go to Andorra?
Eli says, “I just fell in love with the country. First of all, it’s in the middle of these magnificent mountains of the Pyrenees, so that means in winter you’ve got skiing, snowboarding, Aper ski, lots of festivities. Beautiful. In the summer, you’ve got these incredible hikes and a really special, like Neverland, nestled in the mountains with a lot of nature and really cool culture as well. So all year round.”
Day 1 – Barcelona → Montserrat → La Seu d’Urgell
Pick up a rental car or budget bus in Barcelona, break the 3–4 hour mountain drive with a 3-hour stop at dramatic Montserrat Abbey for the cliff-side basilica, hiking paths, and Black Madonna shrine. Continue north to La Seu d’Urgell to wander its daily produce market and get a first taste of Catalan culture before the border.
Day 2 – Sant Julià de Lòria & Naturland
Cross into Andorra’s first valley town and spend the day at Naturland (called “Naturlandia” on signage). In summer, you ride the alpine-coaster “tire shoots”; in winter, the same track becomes a snowy luge run—Eli says it’s a fun, low-stress way to meet the mountains.
Day 3 – Andorra la Vella (capital day)
Morning or afternoon at futuristic Caldea Thermoludic Spa, a glass pyramid of thermal pools, saunas, and restaurants that suits every budget thanks to timed ticket deals. Afterwards, stroll Avinguda Meritxell to shop duty-free perfumes, wine, and gourmet food at the Nu/Pyrénées mini-mall.
Day 4 – High-Valley Adventure
Choose a ski domain—Vallnord (Pal-Arinsal) or Grandvalira—and buy a two- or three-day lift pass. Winter brings reliable snow; summer, the same lifts unlock endless hiking and free mountain huts called bordas. Don’t miss the side-valley Vall d’Incles, which Eli calls “the most magical space” for its pure water, vivid meadow,s and overnight huts.
Day 5 – Mountain Life & Après
Ski or hike until lifts close, then join lively après-ski in Arinsal: tapas at El Cau, DJ sets at Cisco’s, and five or six walkable bars where “everyone meets people from all over the world”. For a splurge dinner, Eli highlights Michelin-listed Beç in Escaldes-Engordany or Koy Hermitage in Soldeu.
Day 6 – Festivals or Two-Wheeled Thrills
Summer: time your visit for a village Festa Major—live music, folk dancing and artisan stalls; Sant Julià, Ordino and La Massana host some of the most welcoming celebrations. Try the downhill-bike runs that repurpose ski slopes; Andorra hosts World Championship events and keeps graded trails open for beginners through experts.
Day 7 – Return to Barcelona via Manresa
Descend the valley and detour into the historic Catalan city of Manresa for Gothic architecture and a final Catalan meal before your evening train or flight back to Barcelona.
Why this week works
- Compact distances: nothing in Andorra is more than an hour apart.
- Season-proof: swap skis for hiking boots or bike pads on Days 4-6.
- Culture to peaks balance: capital comforts, duty-free shopping, and spa time counterweight days in high alpine valleys.
Follow Eli’s outline and you’ll sample spa luxuries, valley festivals, mountain action, and Catalan-Andorran culture in a single, satisfying week.
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Show Notes
Eli Lev
Andorra
Montserrat
Sant Llorenç del Munt
Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey
La Seu d’Urgell
Pete Seeger
Sant Julià de Lòria
Natur Land
Andorra la Vella
Caldea Spa: Thermal Waters and Treatments in Andorra
Visit the Incles Valley
Pal-Arinsal (Vallnord) Ski Resort
Grandvalira Ski Resort
Incles Valley
Koy Hermitage – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
Beç – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
Festivals and Celebrations
Arinsal
el Cau, Arinsal
Cisco’s Apre Bar
Manresa
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Camino de Ronda – Hiking in Northern Spain (Podcast)
Travel to the French Pyrenees Mountains (Podcast) – Amateur Traveler
Ordino Arcalís
Community
On Travel to Tunisia – Episode 132 (2008)
Hi – I heard your podcast on the airplane and now listened to your podcast about Tunisia. Firstly, I have been enjoying listening to your fabulous podcasts. I have travelled around the world to 102 countries to date and run 5-star tours. I just returned from running a 10-day tour to Tunisia. I am wondering if perhaps your podcast about Tunisia is from a while back because you suggest there are no nice 5-star hotels; however, this is not really true. In Tunis, I stayed in the Four Seasons last time I was there, and with my group a few weeks ago, we stayed in the Residence, which was fantastic. The pools were magnificent and I think the service was better than any hotel I have been to throughout the world (And I am very picky! Additionally, we stayed in the Residence in Douz, which was also great.
I also loved the Market Places. People loved to buy all the Tunisian Ceramic dishes. People loved the markets!
All the best! Keep up the great job!
Miriam
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