If you are visiting Barcelona, you might be tempted to add another country to your trip. Andorra is one of the easiest options, and you can even visit it on a day trip.
And yes, that also means you can technically visit three countries in one day.
This day trip from Barcelona takes you from Spain into France, and then into the small mountain country of Andorra, all within a single day. It sounds a bit intense, but it’s actually a really fun way to see a completely different landscape without having to plan everything yourself.
What I personally liked about this tour is that it’s not just about ticking off countries (well, for Andorra maybe a little bit). You’ll drive through the Pyrenees, stop in a small French village, see mountain lakes, and then explore Andorra’s capital. So it actually feels quite varied throughout the day.
Of course, it is a long day, and you will spend a few hours in the bus, but if you are short on time and still want to experience something beyond Barcelona, this is a really easy and interesting option.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through exactly what this tour to Andorra looks like, what to expect at each stop, and whether I think it’s actually worth it.
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What is included in the day trip from Barcelona to Andorra?
Everything is actually taken care of, which makes this a really easy day trip to do.
Transport is included for the entire day, starting with pickup in Barcelona. From there, you’ll drive to Bagà in Spain, continue into France, and eventually make your way into Andorra, finishing in the capital, Andorra la Vella. And of course, the return trip to Barcelona is included as well, so you don’t have to think about logistics at all.
You’ll also have an English-speaking guide with you for most of the day, sharing some background and information along the way. But there is also some free-time you can spend as you please.
What to bring on the day trip from Barcelona to Andorra?
As this is quite an early start, I would definitely recommend grabbing some breakfast beforehand if you can.
That being said, I actually managed to find a bakery open while walking to the pick-up point, and there were also some convenience stores around which were open. Throughout the day, you’ll also have opportunities to buy food and drinks at the different stops, so I think it’s really just the morning where I’d recommend bringing some snacks and grabbing some food before.
One thing I would really recommend bringing is something warmer to wear. Even if it’s warm in Barcelona, it will be noticeably colder in the mountains, especially in Andorra.
And I would also recommend bringing some Euros in cash. The souvenir shop in Andorra for example did not take cards.
Other than that, you don’t need much. Just the usual things like comfortable shoes, some water, and maybe sunglasses if it’s sunny.
But first, some Barcelona Essentials ✨
Where to stay in Barcelona? I stayed at Kabul Party Hostel. 🇪🇸
Need an ESIM, so you can have data in Spain? Check out these ESIMs from Airalo! 📱
& make sure to prebook your ticket to Sangrada Familia!
The itinerary of the tour from Barcelona to Andorra
Here’s a full breakdown of the itinerary for this day trip from Barcelona to Andorra, including all the stops and what to expect.
7:00AM: Meet at the meeting point and start your day
It’s an early morning, as the tour leaves at 7AM already, at a meeting spot located near Palau de la Música. From where I was staying at Kabul Party Hostel it was only about a 15-minute walk to get here, which was very convenient. However, you should already be at the stop about 15 minutes early, so at around 6:45AM, and you guide will be waiting for you there.
I arrived at 6:45AM on the dot and was actually the last person of the group to arrive. Our group size was only around 14 people, but we had an entire bus for ourselves. So I suppose the group size can vary quite a bit and there could be a lot more people as well.
8:30AM: First stop: Bagá, Spain
It’s a small town in the north of Catalonia, close to both the French and Andorran borders, and a really nice first stop to ease into the day before heading further into the mountains.
We stopped for a coffee on the main square and our guide showed us around this tiny town which had a bit of a medieval feel, with stone houses, narrow streets and a quiet, local atmosphere. It’s not a place you need a lot of time for, but it’s a pleasant quick stop to walk around.
11:00AM: Thermes d’Ax, France
At around 11:00AM, we crossed into France and stopped in a small village called Thermes d’Ax near the border, where we had about an hour of free time to walk around.
There was a small river running through, there was a place selling cheese, a small church you could walk up to, and that was about it. It was nice, but I would say an hour was a little to long to spend here. But after this it was time to cross into Andorra!
1:30PM: First Stop in Andorra: Pas de la Casa
The border crossing into Andorra went smoothly, didn’t even need to get out of the bus. I just had my ID on me, but for the people who had a passport, the tour guide collected all the passports in the bus and then had them stamped.
After entering the country via France we passed Pas de la Casa, which is high up in the mountain and mostly known for its ski resorts. You can see a lot of hotels right by the ski slopes, and we also spotted a lot of people skiing while passing with the bus.
The views are stunning and even in March (when I visited) there was still so much snow. We also stopped at a viewpoint where we got some stunning views of the mountains, covered in snow.
2:30PM: Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra
At around 2:30PM, we arrived in Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra, where we had about two hours of free time.
Probably one of the first things you’ll notice are lots of shops selling everything from perfumes and cosmetics to alcohol and designer items, often at lower prices than in Spain or France. So if you’re into shopping, this is definitely the place to do it.
Just keep in mind that there are limits on how much you can bring back with you into Spain, but your guide will tell you all about it while still on the bus.
Aside from shopping, I also really liked just walking around the city. It’s surrounded by mountains, so even though it feels quite modern, you still get those really nice views in the background everywhere you go.
Two hours felt like a good amount of time to explore a bit, grab something to eat, and just take it all in before heading back.
7:00PM-7:30PM: Arrive back in Barcelona
Depending on the traffic and how the day goes you get dropped off back in Barcelona around 7PM/7:30PM. My tour was actually back a little before 7PM. The drop-off point is close to where you also got picked up in the morning.
It’s a long day but if you get some sleep in the bus, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the night in Barcelona. Dinner times are a bit later in Spain anyway, so just head back to your hotel, take a bit of a rest and head out for some dinner and drinks afterwards.
Overall experience with the day trip to Andorra
I would say this tour is a really easy and convenient way to combine your trip to Barcelona with visiting Andorra (and technically France as well).
Personally, I didn’t really care about the France stop, just because I’ve been to France quite a few times already. But I also couldn’t find any tours that only go to Andorra. And considering its location in the mountains, plus the weather and transport, it would have been quite a hassle to organise this trip on my own.
And honestly, in the end I do think the itinerary makes sense. Andorra la Vella is quite small, and two hours there felt like more than enough time to see the main areas and walk around a bit.
So having the additional stops in Bagà and the small French village actually made the day feel more varied and worth it overall, rather than just going there and back.
Want to book this trip as well? Then this is the exact tour that I went on!
Let me know if you have any questions about the tour!
