Tiny Spanish-speaking country is one of the cheapest European destinations year-round – and you may not have heard of it
WEDGED between France and Spain is a cheap year-round destination that is often overlooked by Brits.
Measuring only 468sqkm, the Spanish-speaking Andorra is mostly known for offering a cheap ski season between early December and late April.
However, the small destination also offers cheap hotels year round, especially in the summer.
Whilst December is one of the most expensive times of the year to stay in Andorra – as the ski season kicks off – the price of a hotel is still less than staying in other ski spots for the same time of year.
The average price for a hotel per night in Andorra in December is $217 (£162.23), but in comparison France would set you back on average $346 (£258.67), Switzerland $504 (£376.80) and Austria, a staggering $825 (£616.78), according to Go2Africa.
May offers the cheapest month to visit the landlocked country, costing around $83 (£71.37) a night – making it a cheap summer holiday destination too.
In addition, prices when eating and drinking out in Andorra are relatively cheap.
The average cost for a local beer is €2.60 (£2.24) and a mid-range three-course restaurant meal for two people costs around €44 (£37.84).
Visitors can also expect to pay around €6 (£5.16) for a glass of wine in restaurants or a bar.
In addition to great skiing, the summer months Andorra have a wide variety of outdoor activities on offer.
As the snow subsides, a number of hiking routes and mountain biking trails emerge with natural attractions like the Compapedrosa Valley National Park and the Estanys de Tristaina being popular spots.
In Compapedrosa Valley National Park, visitors can explore numerous different hiking routes, including one to Comapedrosa Peak, which is the highest point in Andorra at 2,942 metres.
Many of the routes include forests, small lakes and waterfalls and there are a number of high mountain refuges where a number of excursions take place, including an astronomy festival.
One route, Estanys de Tristaina, is of moderate difficulty but takes hikers four kilometres around the Tristaina lakes in approximately three hours.
There is also a car park where visitors can walk from and to the first lake it only takes around 40 minutes, making it the ideal route for families.
However, during the summer months access via road is not permitted and the only way to reach the area is via cable car, unless you cycle or walk.
Though, bathing is permitted in the area in the summer.
For those who prefer to explore history, Andorra la Vella is the capital’s old town, which boasts narrow winding streets, Romanesque architecture and many shops.
One building, Casa de la Vall, served as the seat of government for Andorra for centuries and Sant Esteve Church one of the region’s examples of Romanesque architecture.
For a slightly quirkier destination, head to La Noblesse du Temps – a museum dedicated to the history of timekeeping.
Alternatively, head to Tobotronc – the longest alpine slide in the world, which is open from late spring to early autumn.
There is also a Tibetan suspension bridge, which offers panoramic views of the Vall del Rui valley.
There currently aren’t any direct flights from the UK to Andorra and the easiest way to get there is to fly to Barcelona in Spain and then hop on one of the buses from the airport to Andorra, taking around two hours.
The cheapest months to fly to Barcelona are May and July, costing on average £28 return.
The Andorra direct bus runs 16 daily services between Barcelona Airport and Andorra la Vella, costing around €60 (£51.60) for an open return ticket.
Temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, but the hottest month to visit is July with average highs of 28C and the coldest months to visit are January and February, which the temperature sits around -2C.
The Sun’s Julia Atherley recently visited the ‘secret’ European ski resort that Brits often overlook with empty slopes and perfect snow.
Plus, the tiny European island where the sun doesn’t set for 69 days a year.