When we think of Andorra in summer, it’s easy to picture mountains, lakes and active outdoor pursuits. But there’s a more authentic way to discover the country. And staying in holiday apartments in Andorra gives you the freedom to join in with these very activities and experience Andorra like a local.
This summer, step off the beaten track and dare to see the Principality through different eyes.
1. Go to a local festival and stay until the end
From June to September, Andorran villages celebrate their local festivals, with music, dancing, family activities and open-air concerts. They are one of the best ways to soak up the local atmosphere unfiltered. The Soldeu local festival is usually held on the second weekend of July, whilst Canillo’s takes place around 20 July. If you fancy soaking up the atmosphere of the three biggest festivals, those in Escaldes and Sant Julià take place on 25 and 26 July, and Andorra la Vella’s on the first weekend of August.
It’s worth checking the calendar for the exact dates.
2. Let yourself be swept away by concerts and culture under the stars
Not everything takes place in large concert halls. Many events are held in streets, squares and open spaces. For example, the Escaldes-Engordany International Jazz Festival and ClàssicAnd offer free open-air concerts. The same goes for the various music festivals that take place in summer.
Another unmissable experience that can only be enjoyed in the warmth of the evening is a night-time visit to a museum, which are sometimes dramatised.
Check the programme, choose your activity and arrive in good time to have dinner nearby. That’s what it’s like to experience Andorra like a local. Take your time, bring a light jacket in case it gets chilly, and be ready to make the night last 😉.
3. Buying local produce and cooking it in your apartment
One of the advantages of staying in apartments in Andorra is being able to prepare meals to your own taste. And for that, there’s nothing better than visiting markets, such as the Mercat de la Vall in the old town of Andorra la Vella, which takes place every first Saturday of the month, or local shops. And buying cheeses, cured meats, honey, jams, or seasonal produce can turn a simple meal into a gourmet experience.
What’s more, cooking in your apartment allows you to share the experience with family, as a couple, or with friends, without always having to rely on restaurants.
4. Strolling through charming villages
The real summer experience in Andorra can also be found whilst strolling through the historic centres of the villages. Pal, Ransol, Ordino, Llorts and Les Bons all have corners full of character, with small squares, churches and traditional houses. There’s no need to pack the day full of plans: simply walking around and having a drink on a terrace is enough. That is, more often than not, the true luxury of travelling.
5. Joining in with summer traditions
The festivals of San Juan and San Pedro mark the start of summer with bonfires, music and popular celebrations. In Andorra, the tradition of the fallas holds special significance and forms part of the solstice celebrations, a perfect opportunity to experience the country’s culture from the inside.
Cultural tourism is best enjoyed when you understand that every festival has its own history, community and unique way of being celebrated.
Experience Andorra like a local, as if it were your own home
This summer, Andorra invites you to look beyond the usual plans. Local festivals, culture and traditions reveal a country full of life.
Staying at Els Llacs Mountain Apartments, located in Bordes d’Envalira, gives you the freedom to be spontaneous, rest when you need to and feel that, for a few days, you are part of the place. Book your holiday apartment and start filling your diary with the best plans.
