The Best Place To Live In Andorra

Let’s be real for a second, every country in the world is going to have great areas and some less desirable ones. However, what you might consider the perfect spot to settle in Andorra may seem awful to someone else. Luckily, the principality boasts plenty of excellent options; from small charming villages to upscale urban areas with bustling shopping centres.

With that said, it’s difficult to know exactly where in Andorra is right for you until you’ve lived here for a while. That means moving here generally requires a bit of trust and some home-based research. Without setting foot in each village or town, how can you ensure you’re finding the right spot for you? Well, before you move to our idyllic country, let us show you the ins and outs of every region worth calling home.

The principality has a lot to offer, but not every city or town is going to check all of your boxes. What may feel like home sweet home to some, might not suit another. Below, we’ve rounded up the most populated regions in the country (those with a higher population and more amenities) and the most sought after villages and towns. At the end of this article, we hope you'll feel more secure about moving to our part of the world.

Regions més poblades

Andorra la Vella

Despite being the smallest parish in the principality, it is also Andorra’s most populated and busiest city. Many expats and visitors find it an attractive option because it has everything you need in one area. If you’re someone who is coming from a large, crowded city, Andorra la Vella is the closest you will find to a modern hub.

Even so, Andorra la Vella is not going to have the same hustle and bustle of a city like Paris or Barcelona. It is quite peaceful and rather quiet most of the time. Only during certain seasons or on high-tourist days will the city actually become very busy. Still, if you crave the amenities of a city and more options for entertainment, Andorra la Vella might be right for you.

It is worth noting that if you want to buy property in Andorra la Vella, you’re mostly going to find apartments, townhomes, and condos. Of course, some villas and chalets are available, but they tend to go for a higher price. If you’re happy with renting, there are a myriad of options. Many even have their own mountain views!

Where To Live In Andorra la Vella

Viure al centre de la ciutat és una bona opció si busca més emoció i accés a bars o restaurants. Tanmateix, si vol beneficiar-se de les comoditats de la ciutat mentre porta una vida més tranquil·la, us recomanem el nord de la ciutat. Aquesta és una zona més tranquil·la amb unes vistes magnífiques a la ciutat i un ambient més relaxat.

Why People Love Andorra la Vella

Tot i les seves petites dimensions, és una ciutat força moderna amb botigues, bars, restaurants, etc.

La ciutat és molt transitable, el que significa que no necessitarà sovint utilitzar el transport públic o el seupropi cotxe.

Amb molts festivals i esdeveniments al llarg de l'any, mai s'avorrirà ni li faltarà la participació de la comunitat.

Things To Be Aware Of

L'estacionament/garatge pot ser una molèstia, així que asseguri's d'obtenir un lloc d'estacionament quan llogui o compri una casa.

La ciutat pot estar plena i ocupada durant la temporada turística.

Escaldes-Engordany

Donada la seva proximitat a Andorra la Vella, molts pensen que Escaldes-Engordany és només una extensió de la capital. En realitat, és una parròquia per si sola. Si li agrada estar envoltat de natura i bellesa paisatgística, aquest és el lloc perfecte per viure.

Escalade-Engordany actually has a world cultural heritage nature park, with some 40,000 hectares of protected land. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a region offering more natural charm or beauty, while still offering access to a larger city. What makes this comu so great is that you feel connected to nature while still sharing a border with Andorra la Vella. That means plenty of options for employment, shopping, medicine, and entertainment.

Best Destinations In Escaldes-Engordany

Com que aquesta parròquia està tan entrellaçada amb la natura, a Escaldes-Engordany no hi ha llocs dolents per viure. Els Vilars és una zona especialment popular, mentre que la Plana ofereix opcions molt assequibles. Totes dues ofereixen unes vistes increïbles i estan a prop dels serveis de la ciutat. Si vol el millor dels dos mons, provi els dos llocs.

Why People Love Living In Escaldes-Engordany

Proximitat a la natura i als serveis de la ciutat.

Tots els avantatges de la vida a Andorra la Vella, sense el bullici.

No falten esdeveniments i festivals per entretenir-se durant tot l'any.

Sentit de comunitat i respecte per la natura.

Things To Be Aware Of

És possible que experimento l'alt nivell de trànsit d'Andorra la Vella durant els períodes turístics de màxima intensitat.

Parking can be problematic here as well.

View of Main Street in downtown Escaldes-Engordany

La Massana

És vostè una persona activa a la qual li agrada gaudir d'activitats a l'aire lliure? Si és així, el municipi de la Massana podria fer del seu trasllat a Andorra un somni fet realitat. La Massana és un centre d'oci, en gran part gràcies a la seva proximitat a Vallnord, important estació d'esquí i ciclisme. No li agraden les activitats a l'aire lliure? Cap problema, també hi ha molta cultura i diversió en aquesta concorreguda ciutat. Ja sigui que desitgi passar un dia en un museu o asseure's a gaudir d'un excel·lent menjar en un restaurant exclusiu, La Massana ofereix totes dues opcions.

Additionally, La Massana has a large English-speaking community. It is not unusual to hear people speaking English throughout the town, which can make it the best place to live in Andorra for expats from America or other English-speaking countries, since it makes for a much easier transition.

Best Locations To Live In La Massana

The ideal location in La Massana will of course vary based on what you’re looking for. If English is your native language, Arinsal in the north has a fantastic English community. However, if that’s not important to you, Sispony or Escas are both close to the city centre while still being far enough away from any tourism traffic. If you’re mostly into cycling or hiking, Anyos is a great location to rub shoulders with the pro cycling community and have access to great rides and trails.

What People Love About La Massana

Large English speaking community for expats from the UK and further abroad.

Moltes activitats a l'aire lliure com esquí, bicicleta, senderisme, etc.

Unes instal·lacions modernes que rivalitzen amb els pobles d'esquí europeus més coneguts.

La ciutat és segura i neta.

Things To Be Aware Of

El poble no ofereix un entorn de tipus "carrer principal", si això és el que està buscant.

De vegades, el trànsit pot ser un problema, sobretot al final d'un dia d'esquí intens.

Sant Julià de Lòria

Not very keen on cooler temperatures? If it is a warmer-weather haven you crave, look to the southern comu of Saint Julià De Lòria. Unlike its northern counterparts, this comu has warmer weather due to a lower elevation. It is also a mecca for those who love to shop, with some of the largest hypermarkets in the country.

Si busca una bona educació for your children, Sant Julià de Lòria has some of the best schools in the country. The public school is very progressive and the local community is quite welcoming to new residents. Additionally, families enjoy the adventure park of Naturland, which has sports and activities for people of all age ranges.

Best Destinations In Sant Julià

Where you choose to call home is going to depend on your needs and wants. With that said, we tend to recommend two quieter spots: Aubinyà and Aixirivall. Both are very quiet and idyllic nature-rich locations, perfect if you crave a simpler kind of life.

The locations also offer something that can be difficult to find elsewhere in Andorra: space. The land parcels are much larger here. Though you’ll need a car to get around, neither is more than five minutes drive from the centre.

Why People Love Sant Julià

Una escola excel·lent i una comunitat acollidora.

Borders Catalonia, which means closer proximity to Barcelona.

Close to the University of Andorra (something to keep in mind for when the kids grow up).

És molt fàcil fer les teves compres grans a prop.

Things To Be Aware Of

Caldrà un cotxe per moure's per la majoria de zones de la ciutat.

Aquí es parla menys anglès.

Best Areas In Andorra for a “Village” Lifestyle

Les zones bastant poblades amb grans centres urbans poden ser un somni per a alguns. No obstant això, si prefereix un entorn amb més encant o una vida més tranquil·la, desitjarà descobrir aquestes regions amb un ambient una mica més "rural". Hem reunit alguns dels nostres millors llocs per a viure aquí. Els descobrirem a continuació.

View of stone houses on hillside in Andorra. Something you will enjoy when you get residency in Andorra

Ordino

Craving a quieter kind of life? If you want natural views, down to earth residents, and historical buildings, look to the village of Ordino. It's a charming place to live, with beautiful lakes and plenty of opportunities to get outside. Ordino boasts a tranquil way of life, rich with rural tradition and minus all of the hustle and bustle of city life.

With that said, living in Ordino does not mean missing out on great restaurants or entertainment. You’ll find plenty of bars, bakeries, a gym and so much more. There are also three great schools offering both French and Andorran education systems. The only true downside is the lack of supermarkets. You will have to drive to La Massana for that.

Best Places To Live In Ordino

Ordino is a beautiful place to call home no matter which region you choose. If you’re looking for cheaper properties without sacrificing views, look to Arans and El Serrat. Just keep in mind that it does get quite cold in that valley during the winter months.

La Cortinada is another interesting pocket of Ordino and boasts a small but beautiful little golf course. Central to Ordino, it is extremely convenient but current prices are much higher, and rentals can be difficult to find.

Why People Love Life In Ordino

Bellesa natural dels paisatges.

Excel·lent patrimoni cultural i sentit de pertinença a una comunitat molt unida.

Molts pobles petits per la zona.

Excel·lents escoles, alguns bons restaurants i bars.

Things to be Aware Of

Fa molt fred durant els mesos d'hivern.

No hi ha supermercat.

Canillo

Malgrat ser una població relativament petita, Canillo és el municipi més gran d'Andorra. Donada la seva extensió i l'escassetat d'habitants, és un lloc tranquil. Amb tanta naturalesa, podria pensar que ha de sacrificar les comoditats. Però no és així, ja que hi ha un gran poble en el centre de la parròquia que ofereix excel·lents serveis, la qual cosa el converteix en un dels millors pobles andorrans.

Canillo és un lloc que ha sabut trobar un excel·lent equilibri entre turisme, agricultura i patrimoni. Aquí trobarà el millor de tot el que Andorra té per a oferir. L'accés a la naturalesa és il·limitat, però sempre hi ha moltes activitats a la ciutat per a mantenir-li ocupat. Així que si busca un poble que tingui una mica de tot, Canillo pot ser el lloc indicat.

Best Places To Live In Canillo

Canillo està ple de llocs on es viu molt bé. La Vall d'Incles és probablement un dels llocs més idíl·lics, la qual cosa ha provocat que els preus es disparin. Ransol i Prats són també llocs on un pot trobar la solitud sense perdre la comoditat d'estar a prop de la societat.

Why People Love Canillo

Moltes activitats turístiques per garantir l'interès dels visitants.

Accés en telecabina a una gran estació d'esquí per l'oci a l'aire lliure.

Una excel·lent combinació de natura i serveis.

Preus de propietat raonables i vistes panoràmiques.

Things to Be Aware Of

El trànsit pot ser un problema durant la temporada turística.

There are some especially cold pockets in Canillo.

Encamp

Encamp has a higher population than the other two towns and villages mentioned on this list. However, it still has a small-town feel and is commonly seen as a more “working class” commune. Because of this, the cost of living is typically lower here than other regions of Andorra. Even better, Encamp is a border parish with France and offers significant access to the Grandvalira ski resort.

Of all the Andorran villages, Encamp can offer you a nice comfortable life without sacrificing natural splendour or opportunity. If you want a more humble way of life and a great community feel, Encamp could be the right place for you. We do consider it one of the best places to live in Andorra due to price, amenities, and overall access to recreation.

Els llocs més bonics d'Encamp

Without question, the top spot to hang your hat in Encamp is Vila. It receives direct sunlight all day long, which can greatly reduce heating costs. With easy access to nature nearby, it’s a nice spot to put down roots. Getting around is easy, even in the winter months and although it is a premium location in Encamp, it’s still more affordable than other areas in the country.

El que la gent aprecia a Encamp

Accés en telecabina a l'estació d'esquí de Grandvalira.

Frontera amb França.

Una comunitat acollidora i l'encant de poble.

Serveis de qualitat: escoles, gimnasos, supermercats i bancs, tot a un preu assequible.

Things To Be Aware Of

Els pobles d'Encamp i Pas de la Casa sovint poden estar molt concorreguts a causa de la seva gran població.

No té l'encant històric de molts altres pobles d'Andorra.

Trasllat a Andorra

Choosing to make a move to Andorra can be a big decision. Knowing what you will want from a parish long term can be even more difficult. Hopefully, you’ll find somewhere to settle down comfortably without making huge compromises. In recommending our favourite places to settle in the principality, we tried to find something for everyone.

Even if you choose to go with one of Andorra's smaller villages or towns, you’re never far from a more urban area. That’s the beauty of this place. Since it is such a small country, you can have access to peace and tranquillity without sacrificing the amenities of living near a city. Additionally, there are plenty of work opportunities because the country has some of the best internet speeds in Europe, even in rural areas.

This means you can choose to work from home or be self-employed. No matter where you choose to settle, we know you’ll find the experience unique. This is a country with so much to offer and plenty to explore. Whether you go with a larger modern city or a quaint historic town, you simply cannot lose.

Wondering Where to Settle in Andorra?

Let us help! We’re dedicated to helping you find the perfect area to live and work in Andorra. Contact us today for more information.