Andorra is a different country in the summer. The same territory that is measured in centimeters of snow during winter transforms, between June and September, into a destination featuring cool waters, terraces at an altitude of 1,300 meters, open-air festivals, and mountain landscapes that invite you to spend the day outdoors. While the heat intensifies at lower elevations, the mild temperatures here allow you to enjoy the summer outdoors from morning till night.
Another advantage is the scale. You can travel from one valley to another in minutes, so you can start your morning in the mountains, have lunch in a different parish, and still arrive in time for a show in the capital. Here are five summer getaways that let you make the most of every day, whether you are visiting for the weekend or staying the whole week. Each one works as a standalone trip, yet they can all be combined while staying in the same base location.
Do you know yet when you’re coming? Book your getaway to Andorra at Hotel Coma, in the center of Ordino.
1. A getaway featuring water, pools, natural pools, and thermal springs.
Let’s start with something hardly anyone expects from a mountain destination: in Andorra, summer can also be enjoyed in the water. Many high-mountain lakes offer a chance to cool off after a hike—a rare experience in the Pyrenees and one of the best ways to take in the scenery on warmer days.
If you prefer water without the hike, the outdoor summer pools—such as the one in Llorts (just minutes from Ordino) or those in Canillo and La Massana—are a very convenient alternative. Rivers offer another way to beat the heat, with pools and small waterfalls along the Valira or the Incles River. And for those looking to relax, Caldea in Escaldes-Engordany remains the Principality’s premier thermal spa center and a perfect choice at any time of year.
Before going for a swim, it is always advisable to check the signage at the location. Some areas have restrictions due to environmental or safety reasons, so it is important to verify which spots allow swimming at the time of your visit.
2. A family getaway: Andorra in summer with children
Within just a few kilometers, Andorra packs in more adventure parks than many entire regions. In Sant Julià de Lòria, Naturland features the Tobotronc—the world’s longest alpine coaster, offering a 5.3-kilometer descent through the forest—as well as zip lines, treetop obstacle courses, and an animal park.
In Canillo, you reach the Mon(t) Magic Family Park by gondola—an excursion in itself—while Pal Arinsal offers a ropes course, tubing, and activities for younger children. If a water-based plan is preferred, Caldea has a dedicated area for children aged 3 to 8, supervised by staff. And for those afternoons with thunderstorms—so common in July—the Palau de Gel in Canillo provides the perfect indoor alternative.
3. The romantic getaway: viewpoints, thermal baths, and silence
For a couple, Andorra is at its best when it is quietest. The Roc del Quer viewpoint in Canillo—with its walkway suspended over the void—offers the picture-perfect scene everyone seeks at sunset, while the area’s Tibetan-style bridge adds a thrill of vertigo to the afternoon.
Afterwards, Inúu—the adults-only thermal spa area within the Caldea complex—offers the perfect way to wrap up the day without needing any further plans. And if you prefer something more low-key, dining in a mountain village and going for a walk as the lights dim is, quite simply, a unique experience. What’s more, in August, the sky over Ordino fills with stars the moment you step just a hundred meters away from the town square—an activity that costs absolutely nothing.
A romantic getaway to Andorra requires a good base. Hotel Coma is located in Ordino, away from the noise and close to everything.
4. La escapada cultural, el verano de los grandes eventos
Summer is also one of the best times to discover Andorra’s cultural offerings. Each season, the country hosts international shows, music festivals, open-air concerts, and cultural events that bring the streets of Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, and Ordino to life. Events such as Cirque du Soleil, the Escaldes-Engordany International Jazz Festival, and ClàssicAnd have established themselves as highlights of the summer calendar, turning any getaway into an opportunity to enjoy culture in the open air.
Complementing this schedule of events is a rich historical heritage well worth visiting at any time during the summer. Casa d’Areny-Plandolit, located in the center of Ordino, offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of one of the country’s most influential families and is a must-see attraction in the parish. In Andorra la Vella, Casa de la Vall provides a journey through the Principality’s institutional history, while the Carmen Thyssen Andorra Museum in Escaldes-Engordany houses a carefully curated art collection that perfectly rounds off an afternoon stroll through the capital.
5. The gourmet and shopping getaway
Andorran high-mountain cuisine has come into its own, and Andorra Taste—the gastronomic event dedicated precisely to these high-altitude recipes—is the perfect excuse to sample it with a discerning palate. *Trinxat*, local meats, *borda* cheeses, and seasonal menus that change from month to month at many of the country’s restaurants.
And then, of course, there is the shopping. Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany are home to the country’s main retail offerings, and a morning spent shopping pairs perfectly with an afternoon at the spa or a museum. It is also the best option when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
How to plan 5 days in Andorra in summer
Day 1: Arrival, a stroll through Ordino, and a quiet dinner.
Day 2: Mountain activities in the morning, followed by a pool or natural swimming hole in the afternoon.
Day 3: Family adventure park, or the Roc del Quer viewpoint if traveling as a couple.
Day 4: Caldea and shopping in Escaldes-Engordany and Andorra la Vella.
Day 5: Museums, a market, and a show or closing concert.
If you are only visiting for the weekend, stick to Day 2 and Day 4: they best capture the essence of an Andorran summer.
Ordino, the base for your getaway to Andorra
Staying in Ordino means sleeping in a genuine mountain village while having the rest of the country just over fifteen minutes away: Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany are about a fifteen-minute drive, Canillo is around twenty minutes, and Sant Julià de Lòria is half an hour away.
Hotel Coma has been welcoming summer guests to this valley for over ninety years. If you’re interested in hiking, the blog features a guide to Ordino trails categorized by difficulty level; if you’re bringing a bike, there’s an article on cycling in Andorra. And to get a feel for the village before you arrive, the Ordino page covers everything in the area surrounding the hotel.
Your summer getaway to Andorra starts here.
Book directly on the website, with no commissions and the best price guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions about Andorra in summer
What to do in Andorra in summer if it’s your first time?
Combine a day by the water, a day in the mountains, and a day of culture or shopping. It is the formula that best encapsulates the country in a short amount of time.
Where can you go swimming in Andorra in the summer?
In outdoor parish pools, river pools, and lakes where there is no signage prohibiting it. Caldea is the thermal option available all year round.
What to see in Andorra in summer with children?
Naturland and its Tobotronc, the Mon(t) Magic Family Park in Canillo, and the activities at Pal Arinsal fill several days without any need for repetition.
How many days are needed for a getaway to Andorra?
Three days are enough to see the essentials. Five allow you to visit a different valley each day without having to rush anywhere.
Is it hot in Andorra in the summer?
Less so than in the lowlands. In Ordino, at an altitude of 1,300 meters, the days are mild, and the outdoors can be enjoyed at any time—even in the height of August.
Do you need a car to get around Andorra?
It is very helpful for reaching trailheads and parks, although bus lines connect the parishes year-round and offer a convenient alternative for days spent in the capital.
Where to stay for a summer getaway to Andorra?
In Ordino: it is the quietest parish, and the entire country is less than half an hour away.
