Andorra, a Tiny Shopping Paradise

Andorra is one of the smallest countries in the world, located in the northeastern part of Spain. It takes about three hours by bus from Barcelona to Andorra. The bus station is about a 15-minute walk from the city center of Andorra, and the small streams along the way are beautiful. Andorra is duty-free, making it a shopping paradise. Even someone like me, who rarely shops, ended up buying the hair care products I wanted. What impressed me the most was the patience of the shop assistants here; they take their time to explain everything to the customers. In my opinion, there aren't any must-see places in Andorra because the city is small, and you can see everything just by walking around. The city center is basically filled with shops selling everything: clothing, outdoor gear, skincare products, luggage, household items, food—you name it. However, most shops don't open until around 11 AM. So, before the shops open, I went to a slightly higher part of the city to take photos and then went to the post office to buy stamps. Although Andorra la Vella has many tourists, it doesn't feel overcrowded because many European tourists come to Andorra for skiing in the mountains and don't stay or shop in the city. After shopping and eating, I took the bus back. Remember to bring your passport when going to Andorra, as it will be checked before you board the bus for the return trip. Note that SIM cards that work in the EU might not roam in Andorra because Andorra is not part of the EU. Make sure to check with your telecom company before you leave. It's said that many Spaniards come here to buy cigarettes because they are duty-free, so customs may sometimes check if you have exceeded the allowed quantity. I didn't buy any and didn't encounter any checks. If you visit Andorra in winter, dress warmly because it's much colder here than in Spain due to the mountainous terrain.