Andorra Visit or avoid?

Ammoman · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 04 Nov 2012 Karma :

Started Planning my summer trip for 2016 through Spain and France, but was thinking about going into Andorra? Don't know much about the country and it's roads to be honest. Anyone any experience Good or Bad. Thanks.
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

We went on hols to the south of France in the early 2000s and popped over to Andorra one day.

Can't say the place appealed. Felt like a cramped shopping centre, busy trying to sell stuff to those wanting to get things possibly a bit cheaper (although I was looking at a dSLR at the time, and while the prices there were cheaper than UK high street prices, with a bit of hunting round I could have pretty much got one in the UK for about the same price as in Andorra).

Mountain road over the top into the place was nice.

All the best

K
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Enduro Numpty · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 Oct 2012 Karma :

Was in Andorra around 25 years ago and it was a tacky shit hole. Me and the wife tried it again last year and nothing much changed. Cheap booze, fags and perfume and some dodgy electrical stuff.

On the plus side the roads in the Pyrenees are among the best I've ever ridden and whether you go to Andorra or not I would highly recommend you spend some time in the mountains. I much prefer the Pyrenees to the Alps. Zoom in on Google maps and if you find a squiggly line on it you can bet that it's a brilliant road. Everywhere we stayed in the Pyrenees was good and I suppose Andorra was bearable for one night.

Last year we zig-zagged the length of the Pyreneees from West to East and timed our visit for the Motogp in Barcelona (if your looking for more ideas).

Can't wait to go back to Spain and the superb roads.

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

From the Spain side it is a very twisty route to the first big settlement was ok. There is even a big bike shop in the middle of town.

After that isn't nice.
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garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

I've ridden a Chinese moped through there. Twice.

Not a lot there, pleasant enough though.
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spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

Avoid like the plague Thumbs Up

Monkeypony · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :

People generally confuse the country with the city. The city is a shit hole. The country has some amazing roads and scenery. Crossing from France to Spain via Pas De La Cassa is a very nice ride, but be wary of shit weather and plenty of snow in early summer!
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Gazz · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 May 2009 Karma :

Some mixed replied in this thread thus far.

We were there last year and quite enjoyed it. We went in from the east from Perpignan in southern France and left heading south into Spain (think that is the only road you can get into Spain from if I remember right).

The roads are amazing and scenery just as breathtaking. Very smooth roads with loads of ups (and then downs) hairpin bends, etc. And Andorra la Vella was quite impressive as well - not impressive as something you haven't seen before but where it is located; high up in the mountains got you thinking about how they get their supplies up there - when you see the roads that lead to the city.

Lots of places selling cheap duty-free type items if you are into that, and quite a lot of bike shops as well for such a small place.

Actually choose to visit here instead of going down towards Barcelona and glad that we did. Its not somewhere that many people would consider going to and you can basically visit Barcelona any time.

I was going to post a lot of pics from it but wont bother. Wink

Ammoman · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 04 Nov 2012 Karma :

Come on then Gazz lets see the Pics. Shocked

Thanks for the replys Very Happy

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Gazz · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 May 2009 Karma :

KnuckleShot · Scooby Slapper Joined: 11 Dec 2014 Karma :

Think when I get full licensed I will have to plan a trip there - those photos have sold it for me

Ammoman · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 04 Nov 2012 Karma :

Great pics Gazz thanks for sharing.
Andorra 2016 here we come.. Very Happy

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J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

We stopped there for a night during our Spain roadtrip. The roads to arrive there were fantastic. However we only layover in Andorra for the night before setting on. The views were nice but didn't really see much because the weather was terrible and we were tired and hungry Very Happy

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P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Stay anywhere but Hotel Barcelona. Defo defo defo wouldn't recommend unless you like basic basic basic smells of shit basic. Laughing