Cities, villages, and parishes of the Principality of Andorra

Small country located in the heart of the Pyrenean chain between France and Spain, the Principality of Andorra stretches over a surface area of 468km2. Counting around 85 000 inhabitants, its mountainous territory is divided in 7 administrative and geographic districts, the parishes, within which several villages and cities, such as the capital Andorra la Vella, are established.

The parishes, cities and villages of the Principality of Andorra

The Principality of Andorra is divided in 7 parishes: Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino and Sant Julia de Loria.

Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany

Located in the South of the country, the parishes of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany give form to the principal urban area of the country.

The capital, Andorra la Vella, the most important city in the country

Composed of 22 250 inhabitants, Andorra la Vella is the capital city of the Principality and the principal city of Andorra. It is located in the South-West of the country, in the valley of the Valira. Its altitude of 1 013 meters makes it the highest capital in Europe!

Focal point of the country, Andorra la Vella gathers the majority of services (education, health) and institutions of the Principality of Andorra, including the Government of the country. The major Andorran city is also known for its astounding reception conditions, its many hotels and restaurants, as well as its unmatched shopping conditions.

Political and economic capital of the country, it was, until 1978, the home to the Andorran city Escaldes-Engordany, which is now a parish of its own. Actually, Andorra la Vella is now the smallest parish on the Andorran territory, but not the least populated!

Let us precise that this parish of Andorra la Vella also welcomes the very lovely villages of La Margineda and Santa Coloma, with its sumptuous church, gem of the Andorran art.

Escaldes-Engordany

Stretching over 47 km², the parish of Escaldes-Engordany contains another important city of the Principality of Andorra, Escaldes-Engordany, formed originally by the villages of Escaldes and Engordany.

The parish rises up to 1 050 meters in height and gathers around 17 000 inhabitants called the “Escaldencs”. The Andorran villages of Vilars d’Engordany, Engolasters and El Fener are built on its territory, also known because it is the home to the splendid wild valley of Madriu, with its preserved fauna and flora, and Roman churches of Sant Roma dels Vilars and Sant Miquel d’Engolasters.

The thermo-recreational center Caldea, unic thermal facility in Andorra gathering health and entertainment devices, also constitutes a major attraction of Escaldes-Engordany.

The other parishes, cities and villages of the Principality of Andorra

Canillo

Of an average altitude of 1 530 meters for a surface area of 121 km², the parish of Canillo stretches in the North of the Principality of Andorra. Its inhabitants are called the “Canillencs”.

The Andorran village of Canillo is the major village of the parish, that also contains the villages of:

• Soldeu,
• Incles,
• El Tarter,
• Ransol,
• Meritxell,
• L’Aldosa,
• Prats,
• Els Pons,
• El Forn.

There are many interest points: on a leisure level, the motorcycle museum and the Ice Palace are commendable, while the Meritxell Sanctuary and the Vall d’Incles will please the lovers of History and nature.

La Massana

Rising up at 1 230 meters of height in the South of the country, La Massana is one of the major cities in the Principality of Andorra. The parish of the same name unveils lovely Andorran villages sheltering the “Massanencs”, the 10 000 inhabitants gathered in this district.

Let us mention the villages of Pal and Arinsal, well known to the skiers and winter sports’ lovers and regular visitors of the Vallnord station, as well as Erts, Sispony, Anyos, L’Aldosa, Escas, Xixerella, El Pui, Puiol del Piu or Mas de Ribafeta.

The Pic of Coma Pedrosa (2 942 m), summit of the Principality of Andorra, is located in this parish.

Encamp

The 14 000 “Encampadans” are the inhabitants of the parish of Encamp, of which the city of the same name is important in Andorra. This mountain territory of an average altitude of 1 250 meters also welcomes gorgeous Andorran villages: Le Tremat, Las Mosquera, Les Bons, Vila, and Grau Roig.

Renowned for its advantageous prices on many merchandises and the interesting investment possibilities it offers, the Andorran border-village El Pas de la Casa is also part of the parish of Encamp. It is an inevitable passage for the people coming from France via the famous Port d’Envalira.

The parish of Encamp also offers a great part of the skiing area of Grandvalira, the largest in the Pyrenees!

Sant Julia de Loria

Almost 10 000 inhabitants called the “Lauredians” populate the Andorran city of Sant Julia de Loria and the villages that form the parish of the same name: Auvigny, Bissisarri, Certers, Fontaneda, Juberri, Nagol.

There are many points of interest: Aixirivall, Aixovall, Llumeneres, the churches of Sant Cerni de Nagol and Sant Marti de Nago, as well as the Canolich Sanctuary are open to visit!

The parish of Ordino and its villages, typical of the Principality of Andorra

At almost 1 300 meters of height, Ordino is the most important village of the parish located in the North-West of the Principality of Andorra, in which live the “Ordinencs” (4 000 inhabitants). The villages dispersed on the surface area (Segudet, Sornas, Ansalonga, La Cortinada, Arans, Llorts, Les Salines, El Serrat) are, for most of them, overlooked by the imposing Pic de Casamanya (2 752 m).

The Museum of Miniature, the church of Sant Marti de la Cortinada, the Postal Museum of Andorra and the natural Park of Sorteny are of great interest.

Here you go for the cities, villages and parishes of the Principality of Andorra. If you are thinking about moving in the country, do not forget that Set Up, Private Concierge Service, expatriation specialist, will accompany you in your different steps (administrative, financial, accommodation, etc.). See you soon for new topics!