Have you ever wondered what is going on in those really really small countries hidden across Europe?
During my semester abroad in Barcelona my curiosity took hold and I took a day trip to Andorra, the sixth smallest state in Europe. It has an area of 468 square kilometers and a population of less than 90,000 people. You can drive straight through it in less than an hour, yet I learned it has more to offer than meets the eye.
My day trip to Andorra was organized by an Erasmus events coordinator in Barcelona. Me and friends I have met through the exchange all decided to take part in this experience and see what was going on in Andorra.
After a lengthy drive, we were taken up through the mountains to a viewpoint. It was beautiful despite the clouds blocking a lot of the view. Driving and walking through the Pyrenees mountains, I saw a much different landscape full of snowy skiable slopes that gave me insight into how some Spaniards and Andorrians spend their free time.
We then went to the main city and capital, Andorra la Vella. This cute town immediately stood out as a base camp for skiers and shop haven for those looking to avoid EU taxes. Since my goal for the day did not surround skiing nor shopping it was a little harder to find the hidden gems of the city.
Driving into the city I had tried to research places of interest but very few were within walkable distance of where the bus had dropped us in the city. Luckily me and my adventurous friend went wandering looking for some hidden Andorrian culture within the shopping mall of a city center. We stumbled upon a few unique architectural buildings, churches and a free museum focusing on Andorrian artists.
The museum was definitely the peak of our experience, we learned about Andorrian artists, sculptures and through the process learned a lot about how Andorra became an independent nation and why the locals identify as a unique cultural identity to neighboring catalonian or french populations.
While others on the bus grumbled about the city being boring and the day just being a long drive for lunch, I felt like I can confidently say I know about Andorra now. If you are looking to go to a small country, be mindful that unlike big tourist destinations the day may not fill itself; rather you may need to seek out the cultural opportunities.
Renee Kowalski
Spring 2025 – GW Exchange - ESADE (Barcelona)
Fall 2023 – GW Global Bachelor's Program - Belfast Semester
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs & Data Science Double Major
The Global Bachelor’s Program