Andorra - The Don'ts of Andorra (Oddest Placed Country in Europe)

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  • Опубліковано 30 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 139

  • @paradoxparade1
    @paradoxparade1 Рік тому +72

    Great video! Little known fact about Andorra is that it's one of the few countries in the world that doesn't have its own military. It basically relies on the French and Spanish military to help them out if someone dares to play music too loudly on the streets. 😄

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Рік тому +6

      exactly :)

    • @GringlesFacil
      @GringlesFacil Рік тому +5

      Costa Rica also makes that list

    • @cryptodeity
      @cryptodeity Рік тому

      @@GringlesFacil you beat me to it lol.
      And it’s ironic given that it’s bigger than El Salvador 🤷🏻‍♂️

    • @antitakt8196
      @antitakt8196 7 місяців тому +1

      Wow, we are very impressed by your knowledge.

    • @paradoxparade1
      @paradoxparade1 7 місяців тому +1

      @@antitakt8196 Thank you! I'm glad you learned something today, which, and I'm just guessing here, doesn't happen too often. 😀

  • @sl4193
    @sl4193 Рік тому +35

    So much information in 11 minutes 34 seconds.
    Another great, detail packed, travel video.
    Thank you once again, Mark.

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Рік тому +7

      I tried to give a lot of helpful information :)

  • @cathymeep
    @cathymeep Рік тому +16

    Andorra is SO beautiful! It was such a hidden gem when I visited. I definitely want to go back and explore more!

  • @AlexAlex-gj4jd
    @AlexAlex-gj4jd Рік тому +13

    My daughter and I got a cheap flight from Toulouse to Barcelona totally skipping Andorra because we didn't really know anything about the country! Now, it's a definite must on our next trip! Thanks for highlighting a little known principality that looks really interesting and cheaper than Switzerland is always a plus!

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Рік тому +3

      it is an easy day trip from Barcelona too if you don't have a lot of time

  • @gscott5062
    @gscott5062 Рік тому +6

    We spent a night in Andorra la Vella a while ago, and yes, the town has all the charm of your local shopping mall. But it's amazing how close some beautiful natural areas are - I got up at 6AM, drove 5 minutes from our hotel, did a via ferrata (a kind of cable-protected rock climb - if that Tibetan bridge scares you, so would this), arrived at a ruined chapel in a small deserted valley, and made it back to my hotel in time for the breakfast buffet.

  • @sams3015
    @sams3015 Рік тому +8

    I went to Andorra for funzees with my mother (who mainly wanted to go for duty free) & we were pleasantly surprised. It’s not as grey as it can look in video. You defo notice right away you’re not in the EU, the vibe is very different. The Main Street almost reminded me of a cruise port with all the duty free

  • @barvdw
    @barvdw Рік тому +15

    One little correction, while yes, the postal service is run by the Spanish and French postal services side by side, there are special stamps for Andorra by both companies, only for international post as internal mail is free, and you can choose whether it gets routed via France or via Spain, so be careful if you want to send a postcard to put it in the right letterbox, depending on the stamps you bought. The Spanish stamps will say Correus Espanyols, the French stamps will simply say Postes.

  • @itsme0206
    @itsme0206 Рік тому +9

    T-Mobile works perfectly fine in Andorra and unlimited text is free of charge. You can ask to stamp your passport so you can have a "souvenir" from your trip, otherwise they don't stamp your visit. Even when Catalan is their language, most people speaks Spanish, and also English.

  • @ParadiseChamp
    @ParadiseChamp Рік тому +7

    Hey Wolter, will you be happy to make informative travel videos about Hawaii and the Hawaiian culture?
    That would be very interesting for the viewers to learn about! 😀
    Thanks!

  • @theodoresmith5272
    @theodoresmith5272 Рік тому +9

    Man I grew up driving very hilly roads and creek roads, but nothing like the Pyrenees. Wow I'm glad I was driving..

  • @PaulPogbaFC
    @PaulPogbaFC Рік тому +18

    I went there a few months ago. I took a day trip from Barcelona and the bus ride was beautiful. I was traveling solo and felt like there wasn't much to do in the capital. I definitely recommend taking a few days to see the smaller towns and doing some of the hikes instead.

    • @adamcarson3871
      @adamcarson3871 Рік тому

      I’m thinking of going for a day or 2 when I’m travelling through Spain, what are the best parts because I don’t wanna go skiing and spa 😔

  • @SteveVeitch-jm9xz
    @SteveVeitch-jm9xz Місяць тому

    I spent one week in Andorra la Vella in Sept 2024 and absolutely loved it. I came to go cycling. Drivers were awesome. My legs hurt from all the climbing though. But, there's nothing like a nice beer on the patio after a good hard ride. I can't wait to return.

  • @edytam2750
    @edytam2750 Рік тому +1

    Thank you for this video, this is on our list to do for summer hiking for 3 weeks. Very informative :)

  • @adriannaconnor6471
    @adriannaconnor6471 Рік тому +4

    Hi! I really appreciate you doing these videos. Thanks!

  • @pushitsomewhereelse
    @pushitsomewhereelse Рік тому +6

    Been to Andorra in September of 2021 and it was an amazing time, great people, great bars😉 but most Andorrans speak Catalan so best to keep that in mind👍🏼

  • @Disasterpiece5150
    @Disasterpiece5150 11 місяців тому +1

    Channel's like this is why youtube exist

  • @m4x1k5guy
    @m4x1k5guy Рік тому +2

    Was in Andorra last year. Great place to visit and I did get my passport stamped. Just ask at the border, if their not really busy, they will stamp it.

  • @RichTechGuy
    @RichTechGuy Рік тому +2

    Visited Andorra back in June. Awesome country! Hope to come back during the winter time and go skiing.

    • @jb894
      @jb894 Рік тому

      Tough when it is 16 c

    • @Diego-to5jw
      @Diego-to5jw 4 місяці тому

      @@jb894 Spaniard here. Skiing in Andorra is actually amazing. The capital is quite warm even during the winter but smaller mountain villages are much chillier and up in the slopes the temperature is well below zero.

  • @WDH59510
    @WDH59510 Рік тому +3

    Great video as ever Mark. While you were down there, did you spend some time in Toulouse (I used to live there) ? It's a fascinating place and maybe overlooked by some tourists on the road from Paris to Barcelona.

  • @sandihepplewhite5257
    @sandihepplewhite5257 Рік тому

    When I was about 14 year's old I went on holiday with my parents to benidorm we had a coach trip to Andorra, the coach driver took us up into the mountains on tiny roads and we came to a beautiful monastery whilst there the childrens choir were singing so amazing I remember it well by the monastery there was a cliff lift going farther up the mountain what a treat I had ,then we went to a mountain village where the the woman were outside the cottage s with spingwheels off wool and table cloths of cotton for you to buy as we did a really wonderful memories I have of that beautiful country . Thank you for all your information. Regards sandi.

  • @SavannaBryant
    @SavannaBryant Рік тому +2

    Great video!!! New country to add to my bucket list !!!

  • @georgepayne6163
    @georgepayne6163 Рік тому +2

    One point to note is that while Andorra itself doesn’t have an airport you can fly to Andorra La Seu airport which is just across the border on the Spanish side. Iberia does a twice weekly flight from Madrid to that airport.
    Once you land in Andorra La Seu airport there is a shuttle bus to Andorra La Vella for €10

  • @paulkoza8652
    @paulkoza8652 Рік тому +4

    How timely. I'm headed to the south of France in a month. I had considered trying to get to Andorra, but it is just too far of a drive from Arles. Maybe on the next trip. Your video answered many of my questions. Thanks again.

  • @lizitaly3029
    @lizitaly3029 Рік тому +1

    Great video! I visited Andorra earlier this year and coincidentally matched most of your “don’ts”! I actually didn’t like my time there. I did a day trip to Andorra la Vella but it was rainy so hiking wasn’t something I wanted to do. Shopping for clothes wasn’t too fun because I had a hard time finding clothing that were bigger sizes (XL was tough to find). So it felt like unless you really liked to hike and were a size S/M, then there is more to do for you at the capital. I also didn’t like the food as much. But I would be willing to explore maybe another city in Andorra in the future

  • @flavianofloris4459
    @flavianofloris4459 3 місяці тому

    I love it 👍

  • @gabrielapaulinho1luv
    @gabrielapaulinho1luv Рік тому

    Love your video, Marc.❤❤❤ Oh, that comment about Dramamine while you're riding back 'n forth in the Pyrenees😵‍💫😵🤢 ... lol ... That'd be me, too: "Please don't engage me; I'm trying to keep down my lunch."
    I've been enjoying your and your family's travel videos for more than a decade.👍🏼And Marc, I still chuckle when someone in the comments addresses you as Walter.🤭 So charmingly, innocently hilarious. ¡Buen viaje!

  • @charmainelawrence9580
    @charmainelawrence9580 Рік тому +5

    Love you and your family!!! Your UA-cam channel is the best. The best travel advice! Keep up the great work. 😊❤️

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Рік тому +2

      that is really nice of you thank you

  • @brianbailey7128
    @brianbailey7128 Рік тому

    Very good info. Thanks!

  • @scotttheodore9732
    @scotttheodore9732 8 місяців тому

    Wolter . Hello from Texas , my name Scott . Another informative video from yourself . I really enjoyed your Greece Videos also. When r u going to be back in Greece ?

  • @sahilanant123
    @sahilanant123 Рік тому +10

    The issue is not that Andorra doesn't belong to the EU. Its the fact that its not in the Schengen area, which allows for border-free travels between countries. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein aren't in the EU either but since they are in Schengen no one checks passports.
    I did visit Toulouse and the French Pyrenees last year. Andorra was not far off from there. Some nice towns there near Toulouse such as Carcassone and Ax-les-Thermes (this one for access to the mountains). Well worth a visit.

  • @benjaperez
    @benjaperez Рік тому

    Great Video!

  • @KartoffelHundin
    @KartoffelHundin Рік тому +3

    If staying in the capital, a walk along the river to the town of La Massana is well worth it!

  • @brianinthedistrict
    @brianinthedistrict Рік тому +1

    There is an airport that serves Andorra- it’s Andorra La Seu d’Urgell airport. It’s about 20 mins from the border but located in Spain. Biweekly flights to Madrid and Palma on Iberia.

  • @PlanetaryCitizen
    @PlanetaryCitizen 5 місяців тому

    I'm going there later this month and a bit worried about the long coach journey from Barcelona so I'd better make sure I pack my motion sickness tablets!

  • @pietvisser8657
    @pietvisser8657 Рік тому +2

    Haha, after living in Andorra for 7 years, I know the drill! Although I have to tell you, some EU Telco carriers have deals with Andorra, like the Netherlands for example, where you can seamlessly use your phone and data plan with no extra charges.

    • @user-tz4tq8py2w
      @user-tz4tq8py2w Рік тому

      Do you still live in Andorra? If not, why did you leave, and would you recommend Andorra as a place to live?

  • @PlanetaryCitizen
    @PlanetaryCitizen 4 місяці тому

    I came here by coach from Barcelona and the border control was quite tight. Some of us got off the coach to have our passports looked at and stamped. I wasn't sure if I needed a stamp being a UK citizen, but they did it anyway. After we went back to the coach, two of them got on to check everybody else's passports or ID cards. They were quite thorough! I'm wondering if I will need to get the exit stamp when I leave here by coach tomorrow 🤔

  • @jamie123b
    @jamie123b Рік тому +2

    I’m going to stay with a friend in Toulouse for a 5 days in September. We might rent a car and go check out Andorra

    • @WDH59510
      @WDH59510 Рік тому +1

      It's a long climb but worth it. Make a day of it.

    • @jamie123b
      @jamie123b Рік тому +1

      @@WDH59510 what’s a long climb? You mean to drive there? I don’t mind if the car is doing the work 😛

    • @WDH59510
      @WDH59510 Рік тому +1

      @@jamie123b When I lived in Toulouse (80s) the car would take me about 2 and a half to 3 hours. I believe the roads have improved since then ! There's a station at L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre but I'm not sure how you'd get to Andorra from there. Oh and you'll love Toulouse BTW.

    • @jamie123b
      @jamie123b Рік тому

      @@WDH59510 ah I bet it’s a nice drive though? Hope so, Toulouse looks nice 😊

    • @WDH59510
      @WDH59510 Рік тому

      @jamie123b yes it's a great drive. I don't know if the Sunday Market around Saint Sernin is still there but if it is, it is worth your time. Even just walking around is a pleasure in itself.

  • @ronweasley1354
    @ronweasley1354 Рік тому +10

    Andorra is the only country where the one of the two rulers is voted on by another country. One of the two leaders used to be the king of France and now it’s the prime minister of France, who is of course voted on by the French citizens.

    • @annbsirius1703
      @annbsirius1703 Рік тому +1

      Isn't the other "prince " the pope or a cardinal of somewhere?

    • @barvdw
      @barvdw Рік тому +3

      @@annbsirius1703 the co-prince is the Bishop of Urgell in Spain, so close, but not quite.

    • @domitiennegegou5967
      @domitiennegegou5967 Рік тому +3

      Not the Prime minister... The President. But he is elected too, of course.

    • @ronweasley1354
      @ronweasley1354 Рік тому +2

      @@domitiennegegou5967 yeah it is the president my bad

    • @framegrace1
      @framegrace1 6 місяців тому

      And the other ruler is chosen by an absolutitst monarchy. The Bishop of La Seu, which is selected by the Pope.

  • @CesarFernandez-hn5hx
    @CesarFernandez-hn5hx Рік тому +2

    At a 10% flat tax rate and 0% for dividends of your own company, many youtubers and sportsmen from Spain have established their residence in Andorra.
    Andorra is also home to the year-round inhabited town at highest elevation in Europe, so some cyclists live there because they can train at altitude.

    • @j.kristineemmons
      @j.kristineemmons Рік тому

      Jajaja, I mostly know about Andorra, because of the athletes I know, that have lived there.

  • @Tramptraveller
    @Tramptraveller Рік тому +2

    Great video👏👏👏👏👏👏

  • @carbo73
    @carbo73 Рік тому +1

    "cabbage and potatos mixed together": that's TRINXAT, my friends, and it's delicious, specially in winter (not a dish for a hot summer day, not refreshing at all). And don't forget it should be allways toped with cansalada (bacon). Trinxat should be translated as "mashed".

  • @tobiojo6469
    @tobiojo6469 Рік тому +3

    Hey Mark, awesome video

  • @IonasalPreciel
    @IonasalPreciel 7 місяців тому +1

    If you have kids, make sure to go to a tourism office and give them the "Find the Tamarros" book and go explore the nature! There are many selfie spots, and each of the the spots where the Tamarros are located has a selfie point. You can also stamp your own book. Bring the completed stamps to the tourism office, and they will give out a gift for kids only. Be sure to rent a car, drive around, and explore. :)

  • @m420-nd1if
    @m420-nd1if 5 місяців тому +1

    Im in Andorra right now and it is basically a big mall 😂

  • @stevefoxg
    @stevefoxg Рік тому +2

    I see that Andorra is not in the Schengen zone. Is it an option for extending time in Europe Wolter?

    • @j.kristineemmons
      @j.kristineemmons Рік тому +1

      Apparently, yes. I stayed at a hostel there. There was a lady also staying there, from New Zealand. She maxed out her time in Spain, so she was spending three months there, before going back to Spain.

  • @j.kristineemmons
    @j.kristineemmons Рік тому

    Squeeeeeee! So glad I just came across this video! I was just here like two weeks ago!! 😄😄😄
    One of the reasons I chose Andorra (other than going to a new to me country), was the infrastructure and roads getting there. It was a relief to see roads big enough for the buses to get there, but I need new glasses, and it was a little scary driving there in the dark and rain (disappointed it didn't snow, but a little relieved at the same time).
    It's weird, cuz I lovvvve hiking, despite being a little afraid of heights. I wonder how different it is here.
    That "Melting Clock" is a famous sculpture by Salvador Dalí. There's actually a selfie stand right where Mark is sitting in the vid. It's funny traveling from Spain and not daring to not clutch any of your possessions for dear life, to being able to put your phone in a selfie stand in Andorra.
    ...I didn't really take any pictures of myself in Andorra, though.
    It was sooo strange driving in and out of Andorra, too. Both ways, the people at the booths weren't even looking, so I just stopped at the stop sign (they say "Stop" 🛑 in both Andorra and Spain), and continued through.
    Quite a "strange" (different) place this was, though. I couldn't escape Americans my whole trip (even smaller cities) in Spain, before visiting Andorra, but didn't come across any when I visited Andorra.
    I didn't know what to expect with the language and culture, but I was surprised to see lack of labeling other than Catalán, and English last (after French, actually, if at all). I embraced the Catalán, but it was just weird, since almost everywhere in the world you go, it will have English as the common language. Jaja, it's funny in Catalunya and País Vasco, too; English is listed second, and Spanish very last.
    I took a picture of one of those many shops with the weapons, too.
    I was shocked at how cheap Andorra was.
    I stayed right by that Casa de la Vell, too!!!!! In the Barri Antic. There's a really cool motorcycle bar called Barri Antic, too (shown in 7:41 on the vid). I stayed in the old town to actually get that European old charm, because the shopping area and rest of the capital were too modern. We have stone churches in Chicago, but I know very well that a lot of these are 500+ years old.
    It was such a nice break being here with the safety, too. Not worrying about bullets flying and armed robberies back at home, for a short bit.

  • @boodori1210
    @boodori1210 Рік тому +1

    "melting clock statue". You mean Dali's "Nobility of Time"!

  • @KenanTurkiye
    @KenanTurkiye 9 місяців тому +2

    roses are red, violets are blue
    there's trains and trams in my playlist two
    there ya go, that somehow rhymed :))

  • @HeidiRobinson-gs6ct
    @HeidiRobinson-gs6ct Рік тому

    I just watched a good thriller movie "Nick" filmed on location there in Andorra.

  • @theresaaanna
    @theresaaanna 11 місяців тому

    I saw this video a couple of weeks ago, yesterday I went to Andorra and now I rewatched it again and all I gotta say: this video is pretty much accurate and a good representation! 😊

  • @blindpanthervlogs
    @blindpanthervlogs Рік тому +3

    It is an interesting and quirky country.

  • @longliveavalon
    @longliveavalon Рік тому +3

    You look like Mario Batali! 😃

  • @mpcdejong
    @mpcdejong Рік тому

    Has anyone already commented on the thumbnail and that the reflection of the text is messed up? That's not how reflection works....

  • @AuthenticityAndPurpose
    @AuthenticityAndPurpose 7 місяців тому

    Another great video!

  • @dennissanchez4121
    @dennissanchez4121 Рік тому

    There is a secret way to get a passport stamp in Andorra. I got mine the last time I went there.

  • @garyrigby21
    @garyrigby21 Рік тому +3

    Hey fellow Scouser you finally reached Andorra

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Рік тому +2

      it took me some time but i got here :) hope all is well! miss me some Liverpool. Need to get back there

    • @garyrigby21
      @garyrigby21 Рік тому +1

      @@woltersworld Hope so! would be lovely to see you here again

  • @Fegga1955
    @Fegga1955 10 місяців тому

    👌🎉🎊

  • @AkagiRedSun
    @AkagiRedSun 9 місяців тому

    I thought Andorra was located in South Africa somewhere below Congo and Mumbambu

  • @RobMcDougall
    @RobMcDougall Рік тому +3

    Mountains, skiing, hiking, tax free shopping, and weapons.
    Andorra - the New Hampshire of Europe

  • @DiscipleOfHeavyMeta1
    @DiscipleOfHeavyMeta1 Рік тому +5

    Don't they speak Catalan in Andorra?

    • @Magic_beans_
      @Magic_beans_ Рік тому

      They do. He mentions that at 6:50 that you can probably get by with English, Spanish (Castellano), or French, but as always learning a few words of the local language is respectful.

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Рік тому +2

      yes they do

    • @WDH59510
      @WDH59510 Рік тому +2

      Pas de la Casa (first town over the border coming from Toulouse) is a place where you'll get by in French. The further south you go the more Spanish will come in handy (if that is you don't speak Catalan).

    • @CesarFernandez-hn5hx
      @CesarFernandez-hn5hx Рік тому

      Catalan is the official language in Andorra. It is pretty amazing that everybody in the capital, Andorra la Vella, speaks Spanish too.

    • @boodori1210
      @boodori1210 Рік тому

      @@CesarFernandez-hn5hx not that amazing. Most of the people you will engage with in stores are Spanish or latin american

  • @larryyeadeke2953
    @larryyeadeke2953 Рік тому +2

    Never even heard of it. Skiing, spas, and shopping. I'll pass.

  • @anacasanova7350
    @anacasanova7350 Рік тому +3

    Andorra tiene dos coprincipes Jefes del Estado el Presidente de Francia y un obispo español, catalan😂

  • @DSC800
    @DSC800 Рік тому

    I gotta say, Wolters talked me out of this one. My wife doesn't need more shopping. Lol!

  • @annmajek5203
    @annmajek5203 Рік тому

    I’d love to walk that Tibetan bridge!!

  • @HeidiRobinson-gs6ct
    @HeidiRobinson-gs6ct Рік тому

    Andorra is Beautiful, safe and affordable??!! Cool .... are they also a war neutral Country?

  • @scottreardon4011
    @scottreardon4011 Рік тому +5

    "Andorra - I visited, so you don't have to." - Rick Steves

  • @JJ_LL
    @JJ_LL 8 місяців тому

    Don't be scared of weapons. They won't possess you.

  • @JuanJoseB775
    @JuanJoseB775 Місяць тому

    Yes Andorra is a beautiful place, but what good is it if there is no justice system that respects your rights? A government with so many cases of corruption is not good, it is a known tax haven, in addition to its connections with corrupt governments. ahhh and scams against foreign businessmen is a delicate issue of injustices

  • @silasmedvedev8019
    @silasmedvedev8019 10 місяців тому

    Es diu "Gràcies" i no "Merci". Això es una francessada que ve de Barcelona

  • @moisesmartinez3134
    @moisesmartinez3134 Рік тому

    Alex's Jones lost brother.

  • @antitakt8196
    @antitakt8196 7 місяців тому

    Who can give me the adress and real name of that Youssef 16844?

  • @christianrokicki
    @christianrokicki Рік тому +2

    Seems like nudity would be frowned upon?

  • @anamarchon8159
    @anamarchon8159 9 місяців тому

    Rude people is all over. Neste as hell.

  • @davesmith5656
    @davesmith5656 11 місяців тому +2

    A bit too much of your face and not quite enough of Andorra.

  • @ograro
    @ograro 8 місяців тому +1

    Talk clearly. You're eating your words.

  • @dzung1969
    @dzung1969 8 місяців тому +1

    Don’t go. There’s nothing there to see

  • @antitakt8196
    @antitakt8196 7 місяців тому

    Sir, you are talking bullshit! Do not dare to compare Switzerland with Andorra unless you can overview and judge reality.

  • @didaresti9880
    @didaresti9880 Рік тому

    Today’s sad reality is that leaders of the Muslim world do not avoid Shirk nor raise awareness about this. Imam Mahdi Muhammad Qasim has seen that avoiding shirk is the only way to success and Allah’s help

    • @antitakt8196
      @antitakt8196 7 місяців тому +1

      Lord Jesus is your only Savior.