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Inside Europe's highest capital city with no airports or train stations – but welcomes EIGHT MILLION tourists a year

Inside Europe's highest capital city with no airports or train stations – but welcomes EIGHT MILLION tourists a year

The Irish Suna day ago

EUROPE's highest capital city sits on the Pyrenees mountains with no airport or train station to access it.
Nestled between Spain and France, the capital of the tiny country
5
Europe's highest capital is located 1,023m above sea level
Credit: Getty
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Sant Esteve church in Andorra la Vella is dated back to the 9th century
Credit: Getty
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The Caldea Thermal Center is the largest SPA complex in Southern Europe
Credit: Getty
Andorra la Vella is located 1,023m above sea level and covers only five square miles but has plenty to offer.
Tourists flock to the small city for its stunning scenery, duty free shopping and one of the biggest SPA complexes in Europe.
Andorra la Vella can be a perfect day trip destination while you stay in bigger cities in France or Spain.
The Andorran capital is a haven for shopaholics with a so-called Shopping Mile lined with department stores and duty-free shopping.
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Avinguda Meritxell offers a shopping scene with one of the lowest VATs across Europe which means luxury goods for cheaper prices.
The Caldea Spa, the biggest thermal spa in southern Europe, is the city's other major draw.
It was created in 1987 with the use of the area's naturally occurring hot springs.
There are hammams, saunas, and different kinds of baths inside, as well as an outdoor lagoon where you can unwind while taking in the breathtaking views of the mountains.
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Three hours of access is included in the basic package, which costs €30.50.
The city's Old Town is a must-see for anyone hoping to take in some of its charming architecture.
The European city with cheap UK flights, famous lagoon spas and summers where the sun never sets
Casa de la Vall, a stone mansion constructed in 1580 for a wealthy family and formerly the seat of Andorra's parliament, can be found here.
Although Casa de la Vall is currently closed for renovations, visitors can still view the General Council area from 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Meanwhile, history lovers could head to a pre-Romanesque church which dates back to the 9th century.
Adventure-seekers would love Andorra's hiking and cycling trails in the mountains, suitable for different ages and skill levels.
Summers in Andorra get hot with average temperatures of 24C but winters can get chilly with just 8C in January and February.
However, if you'd like to try local cuisine, especially the famous Escudella, it is best to come during Christmas time.
Escudella is Andorra's national stew made from seasonal vegetables, meats and local sausages.
You can find it in traditional "bordas," which are former storehouses converted into restaurants.
But to get to Andorra la Vella, visitors will have to switch multiple transport modes or hire a car.
Without airports or railway, the only way to the small capital is through
France
and
Spain
.
If you're travelling from France, the closest station to Andorra la Vella is Andorre-l'Hospitalet, just seven miles away from the country's border.
Those coming from Spain can take a high-speed train from Madrid or
A one-way journey from Madrid costs €75.75 and takes 2 hours and 8 minutes.
Once you reach these train stations, you can simply grab a taxi to the city centre.
Travellers from Barcelona also have an option of taking a coach from Barcelona Sants Coach Station directly to Andorra La Vella.
A one-way Flixbus coach costs just £27.41 and takes three hours.
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Andorra la Vella covers only five square miles which makes it one of the smallest capitals
Credit: Getty
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The city is known for its charming views and scenery
Credit: Getty

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Full list of transport updates & road closures over Bank Hol weekend as Forbidden Fruit Festival and marathon kick off
Full list of transport updates & road closures over Bank Hol weekend as Forbidden Fruit Festival and marathon kick off

The Irish Sun

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  • The Irish Sun

Full list of transport updates & road closures over Bank Hol weekend as Forbidden Fruit Festival and marathon kick off

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UK citizens face fingerprint checks each time they visit EU
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Irish Examiner

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  • Irish Examiner

UK citizens face fingerprint checks each time they visit EU

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Inside Man Utd's ‘stag do' Far East tour including clashes with fans, player protests and humiliating open-top bus trip
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The Irish Sun

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MANCHESTER UNITED endured a nightmare post-season tour in Asia including an embarrassing on-pitch display, a humiliating bus parade and unhappy players. Following the club's horror season, the decision to play two matches in the Far East to generate some extra cash was not a decision popular in the club. 9 Man Utd ended their post-season tour of Asia by lifting the Defining Education Challenge Cup Credit: Getty 9 The tour was a relaxed but sombre mood Credit: Reuters 9 The club's commercial activities saw them participating in a humiliating bus parade In fact, according to the Some of the squad were said to be outright "fuming" about having to go on the six-day tour after a 60-game season, though with commercial duties taking up much of the agenda the trip effectively became a four-day event. Players were said to be concerned about having to cancel holiday plans, including one who complained about being forced to cancel a family trip scheduled for the half-term week. Club chiefs made a concession by bringing the departure time of their Malaysia flight forwards to Sunday evening, hour following the final game of the season against However, the actual mood in the camp on tour was said to be a better than anticipated despite the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. Some commercial player events including fan meet-and-greets are said to have taken up to two hours to complete as the local supporters lapped up the chance to see Man Utd in the flesh, including on the humiliating open-top bus parade which happened in Kuala Lumpur before the first friendly against ASEAN All-Stars. Kit makers Adidas hosted a nocturnal poolside party at the W Hotel - where they stayed as part of their link with club sponsor, Marriott - following the 1-0 defeat to the All-Stars. Several guests are said to have attended the meeting, with many "admiring" the view of the Petronas Twin Towers in the background. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK That came after players were said to have been using gallows humour on the team bus back to the hotel, which had followed some booing from fans there. The rules on tour were more relaxed than a pre-season tour would be and players were given permission to head out on their first night in the city, with one star allegedly half-joking the trip would be "like a stag do". Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho show middle finger to fans during Man Utd's post-season tour in Malaysia However, while some were tempted to go out into the city to enjoy the night, a senior star instead advised them to stay in. Club staff were also able to let their hair down in the trip, with some enjoying drinks on the 14-hour flight to the Malaysian capital. On the eighth floor of the hotel itself there was a vending machine which dispensed £40 mini bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne. The second leg of the tour saw them go to Hong Kong, but they were barely in the country 36 hours following an early-morning flight which then saw them spend an hour in their second W Hotel for lunch before getting on the team bus for training. 9 The squad stayed at the W Hotel in Kuala Lumpur as part of the club's partnership with Marriott Credit: Instagram / wkualalumpur 9 The five-star establishment had a vending machine dispensing £40 bottles of champagne Credit: 9 Although Joshua Zirkzee is said to have not been too impressed with the room service options Credit: Instagram / wkualalumpur 9 Adidas arranged for a poolside party event Credit: Despite the glitz and glam of the 5-star establishment, things were sour away from the hotel with Amad later revealed he had been subjected to insults about his mother from some fans. Meanwhile, Garnacho - on the tour after being told to "pray" he finds a new club following a public dressing down in front of team-mates by The He was described as "surly" during the trip, with club staff shadowing him closely as he signed shirts and posed for pictures without ever breaking into a smile. 9 Alejandro Garnacho was in a 'surly' mood on the trip Credit: X 9 Amad Diallo was abused by fans who insulted his mother Credit: TikTok/@ahmdhakimi The Argentine was one of the last to board to team bus after the All Stars defeat and donned sunglasses as he ignored requests in the mixed zone. One eyewitness claimed he removed his shades after getting through the packed pen, while Amorim, 40, is said to have told a colleague about how exhausting the post-season tour had been, especially in the humidity of Malaysia. The club lifted the Defining Education Challenge Cup as a result of the win, but the trophy was so undervalued that a press officer carried it back to the dressing room. In the first game back in Kuala Lumpur, Man Utd stars had been delayed in collecting their silver medals when the referee and linesman had returned to the dressing room before being called back out. All in all the tour was estimated to generate around £10million for the club - which should at least leave the club's financial department a little happier- although you would imagine a post-season tour next year may not be on the cards. Read more on the Irish Sun After the break a pre-season tour in Chicago is next, which is when the real work begins. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford

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