What to do and see in Santa Coloma, Andorra: The Best Places and Tips

October 16, 2017 Oliva Fomby

Discover the best top things to do in Santa Coloma, Andorra including Santa Coloma Church, Tobotronc, Illa Carlemany Shopping Center, Casa de la Vall, Museu del Tabac, Vallnord Pal-Arinsal, La Noblesse du Temps, Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, Centro Historico, Enclar Valley Trail.
Restaurants in Santa Coloma

1. Santa Coloma Church

Carrer Major, Santa Coloma AD500, Andorra
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 100 reviews

Santa Coloma Church

Open from 15 July to 15 September. [ING]This pre-Romanesque building houses a rectangular nave with a woodenframed ceiling and a quadrangular apse. The circular Lombard belfry wasadded in the 12th century and is one of the few examples of its kind in the Pyrenees.The building was decorated with 12th-century Romanesque mural paintings by the master painter of Santa Coloma. These paintings left the country in 1930,and were recovered by the Andorran Government in 2007.At present, only the Agnus Dei flanked by two angels and the geometricdecoration framing the overhanging arch remain in the church. The church preserves a polychrome wood statue of Our Lady of the Remedies (12th to 13th centuries) and a Baroque altarpiece (18th-century) dedicated to Saint Coloma, the church's patron saint.The church's location means visitors can enjoy Santa Coloma old town with its traditional buildings, as well as Els Russos tower, designed by Cesar Martinell, of modernist style an example of Andorra's granite architecture.

Reviewed By Luv2Travel7723 - Woodstock, Illinois

Stopped in Andorra when on a tour that originated from Barcelona. Took time to look at this beautiful church. The surrounding grounds and stonework are amazing. Something this old is always incredible to see. The little town of Andorra itself is full of shops and it even has an outlet mall, which brings lots of people because it's tax-free.

Sant Julia de Loria AD600, Andorra +376 844 962
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 466 reviews

Tobotronc

Reviewed By DarrenHenman - Bedfordshire, England

We visited the Naturlandia park in Andorra, just to visit this Alpine Coaster after hearing it was one of the longest in the world, and it was well worth it.
Everything about this alpine coaster is impressive.
At 5.30 km long (including the climb) it is the longest in the world, takes around 12 minutes to climb up using 4 lift hills!, and so long as you don't break or have to slow down because of slower riders in front of you then it is 5 minutes of excellent downhill speed. An average speed of close to 40Km/Hr.
Although the ride has been open since 2007, it is still reported amongst a lot of websites that the alpine coaster in Imst is the longest at 3.50 Km. Perhaps the authors of online articles haven't heard of Andorra, or perhaps its because the Andorrans don't like to brag about these things since they come from the 17th smallest country in the world by land area? Even the person operating the ride wasn't sure if this was the longest or not!
Either way if you like coasters and alpine coasters in particular then you will want to go on this.
And if you want to go as fast as possible make sure you tell the man at the top who releases the car, so that you can have the maximum amount of time between you and the car in front so you don't get slowed down.
Stay safe and enjoy the ride.
(I am not sure if you can ride Tobotronc on its own or have to buy a ticket for the Naturlandia park as we brought our ticket to include Naturlandia. Either way its worth it.

3. Illa Carlemany Shopping Center

70 Avinguda Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany AD700, Andorra +376 892 000
Excellent
25%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 298 reviews

Illa Carlemany Shopping Center

Shopping center: fashion shops, restaurants, cinema, supermarket, pharmacy, gym, services establishments , Parking opens 365 days/24 hours, car rental and coffee shops. Free wifi service. The shopping center opens 365 days a year, but on 1st January, 14th March, 8th September and 25th December fashion shops are closed.

Reviewed By barcaranger - Andorra la Vella, Andorra

If you like shopping it’s pretty good . It’s a small modern shopping mall in the middle of the main shopping trip. Andorran prices are pretty keen compared to Spain or France but do not have the great sales you have twice a year in...MoreThanks for you kind review and your visit. We are glad to hear you enjoyed your visit in illa Carlemany Shopping Center. We work hard, day by day making an enjoyable experience to all our visitors. It'll be a pleasure to receive your visit again.

4. Casa de la Vall

C/ de la Vall, 9-11, Andorra la Vella AD500, Andorra +376 839 760
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 354 reviews

Casa de la Vall

[ING]Casa de la Vall is the ancient seat of the General Council: Andorra'sparliament. The building is emblematic for its historicalignificance. In 1419, an inter-parochial organization known as the Land Council wasratified. This was subsequently to become the General Council of theValleys of Andorra.The house was built in 1580 by the Busquets family. It was acquiredin 1702 by the General Council. The layout of the building is quadrangular with three galleries, in the style of the country houses of Catalan noble families. The main facade has both the current coat of arms of Andorra and the old one (from after the 14th century) and some interesting defensive features: embrasure, tower and machicolations. The building was restored in 1962.The Gardens have a dovecot tower, a boundary cross and contemporary commemorative sculptures.[ESP]La Casa de la Vall es la Antigua sede del Consell General: el parlamento de Andorra. Se trata de un edificio emblematico por su significacion historica. En 1419 se ratifico una organizacion interparroquial,denominada Consell de la Terra, que se convirtio posteriormente en elConsell General de les Valls d'Andorra.La casa se construyo en 1580, pertenecia a la familia Busquets yfue adquirida en 1702 por el Consell General. El edificio es de plantacuadrangular con tres crujias, siguiendo la tipologia de las masias senoriales catalanas. En la fachada principal se exhibe el escudo actual de Andorra y el antiguo (posterior al siglo XIV) y destacan algunos elementos de defensa: canonera, torre y matacanes. El edificio se restauro en 1962.En los jardines encontrareis el palomar de la torre y esculturas conmemorativas contemporaneas.

Reviewed By Manuela L - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Casa de la Val is an old stone construction, here was the parlement, you can visit this very authentic building; nice illuminated in the evening.

5. Museu del Tabac

17 Carrer Doctor Palau, Sant Julia de Loria AD600, Andorra +376 741 545
Excellent
54%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 70 reviews

Museu del Tabac

The Museum is an emblematic building from the beginning of the 20th century, which housed the old Reig tobacco factory in Sant Julià de Lòria, that ran from 1909 until 1957, period where the tobacco crop and manufacture were fundamental to people and villages of Andorra. With a multimedia system, the visitor is guided trough the factory where the different work techniques with tobacco, the products manufacture and commercialization are explained. The museum contains tools, devices, machines, furniture and aromas, which were used in the factories in the first half of the 20th century. The Tobacco Museum is an initiative of the Fundació Julià Reig.

Reviewed By Michelle E - Penzance, United Kingdom

Really great displays, personally tailored and any questions answered by friendly guide. Very interesting.

6. Vallnord Pal-Arinsal

2 - Edf Casa Casa Ferre Avinguda El Traves, 10, Arinsal AD400, Andorra +376 736 350
Excellent
53%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 749 reviews

Vallnord Pal-Arinsal

Reviewed By AJerseyBean - Jersey, United Kingdom

We visited during half term, very busy, but we all had a fab time. Three skiers and one non skier and we all enjoyed ourselves. I utilized the Spa at our hotel, walked and popped up the mountain to watch, hubby and kids enjoyed their lessons. Staff at The ski school were very helpful, it turned out to be great for beginners. The village is compact, with some nice restaurants, just wish Andorra itself was a little easier to get too.

7. La Noblesse du Temps

Placa de la rotonda, Andorra la Vella AD500, Andorra
Excellent
44%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 232 reviews

La Noblesse du Temps

Reviewed By WImom - WI

The sculpture by Salvatore Dali, sometimes called the "Stillness of Time" was executed in 1975. It is located in the Placa de la Rotonda, at one end of the shopping district. It located, near the Valira River. What makes a great photo is the bridge with the words "Andorra La Vella" right beyond this sculpture.

8. Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley

Escaldes-Engordany AD700, Andorra
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 42 reviews

Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley

Reviewed By davidtova - Afula, Israel

Accompanying the streams, and water falls, the rock formations, the sights of lichen and moss make this climb delightful. Destination signs however are misleading. Starting from Escaledes the sign indicated 1 hr. 50 minutes and it certainly was longer. In fact I did not make it to the final destination due to lack of time and not having the strength for the last steep climb to Perafita. Check out an easier, downhill route via Claror -- thus I gathered speaking with trekers coming from that side. The view towards Coma Pedrosa, the highest peak in Andorra, is awe inspiring. After backtracking I hiked to Ramio; greener, less rocky, but less to see there.

9. Centro Historico

c. De la vall, Andorra la Vella AD500, Andorra
Excellent
37%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 134 reviews

Centro Historico

Reviewed By WImom - WI

I loved taking a photo of the bridge near the Placa de la Rotunda that had the name of this capital city, Andorra La Vella, on the front. Salvadore Dali's sculpture "La Noblesse du Temps" is also in the Placa de la Rotunda. Had a beautiful ride with the snow falling in the Pyrenees Mountains prior to arriving here. There are lots of shops-mostly perfume, cameras. clothing and many eateries. The prices are reasonable for the perfume but I could get a better deal online in the US. There is duty-free shopping here.

10. Enclar Valley Trail

Carrer dels Barrers, Santa Coloma AD500, Andorra
Excellent
0%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
16%
Overall Ratings

3 based on 6 reviews

Enclar Valley Trail

Reviewed By barcaranger - Andorra la Vella, Andorra

alledgedly a one and a ten minutes walk up and an hour back and very easy. we gave up after 2 hours walking as the path got steeper and steeper, even the walk down took one and a half hours. i actually like the walk as it was very lord of the rings enchanted forest like but felt the last bit was far steeper than expected. No idea whats at the top we i will do it again and tell you.

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