Not to miss

Andorra la Vella

Andorra la Vella, the capital of the principality and its largest town, sits at an elevation of just over 1000m (3280ft). It's surrounded by mountains up to 2400m (7870ft) high. Unfortunately, the town itself is given over almost entirely to the retailing of duty-free electronics and luxury goods.

While it's more likely to recall the clang and clatter of a bustling Asian marketplace than it is the grace and elegance of Europe's grand old capitals, happily not all the vestiges of its 1100 year history have succumbed to the jackhammer.

The pride of the Barri Antic is the Casa de la Vall (House of the Valley), which has served as Andorra's parliament building since 1702. The three-storey stone structure was built in 1580 as the private home of a wealthy family; the Andorran coat-of-arms over the door dates from 1761. Downstairs is the Sala de la Justicia, the only courtroom in the whole country. Upstairs is the Sala del Consell, where the parliament still convenes.

La Seu d'Urgell

The lively Spanish town of La Seu d'Urgell is the Spanish gateway to Andorra and a great place to spend a night. Since the early 9th century, La Seu has been the seat of the bishops and counts of Urgell, the Spanish halves of Andorra's co-princes.

Looming on the southern side of the central Plaça dels Oms, the 12th-century Catedral de Santa Maria is one of the most outstanding Romanesque buildings in Cataluña, despite having undergone various remodellings and facelifts over the centuries.

Inside the cathedral is the Museu Diocesà which is brimming with murals, scriptures and altarpieces, plus a rare 10th-century Beatus (an illustrated manuscript of the Apocalypse).

La Seu d'Urgell is 9km (6mi) south of Andorra along the CG1, and the two are connected by frequent buses.

Església de Santa Coloma

Mentioned in documents from the 9th century, the pre-Romanesque form of the Church of Santa Coloma is Andorra's oldest. The church's tall, freestanding 12th-century bell still stands intact, whereas most of the remainder has been much modified over the centuries.

All the church's 12th-century Romanesque murals, except one entitled Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), were taken to Berlin for conservation in the 1930s and still languish there.

Plaça del Poble

This large public square occupies the roof of the Edifici Administratiu Govern d'Andorra, a modern government office building. Affording romantic views of the valley and mountains, it's a popular local gathering place, especially in the evening.

Museu Nacional de l'Automòbil

A trip to the National Automobile Museum will have the classier revheads wishing they could take one of the 80 vintage cars or numerous antique motorcycles for a spin through the Pyrenees. Also on display are over 100 bicycles, from old bone-rattlers to sleek racers.