1. Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, is a tiny country wedged between France and Spain. Legend has it that Charlemagne granted independence to its people in gratitude for their support against the Moors. That gift later sparked a dispute between his successors, the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix, who eventually agreed to share power as co-princes. The arrangement still exists today. Since the Count’s title eventually passed to the French head of state, the President of France is technically a co-ruler of another country. The role is mostly ceremonial now, as Andorra became a parliamentary democracy in 1993. 

2. Andorra is reachable only by road. The drive itself is scenic, winding through mountain passes with glimpses of the Pyrenees’ peaks. Buses connect it efficiently to France and Spain, and the country is divided into six parishes. Canillo is the largest and home to Grandvalira, the main ski resort. Tourism drives the economy, shifting between ski season and shopping season throughout the year.

3. Andorra la Vella, the capital and most populous city, feels more like an overbuilt ski town. Shiny new apartments fill the narrow valley, and much of the city resembles a sprawling open-air shopping mall. Still, there’s an undeniable buzz on Friday and Saturday evenings when people pour in from nearby border towns to take advantage of Andorra’s duty-free status. Most shops focus on luxury apparel, cosmetics, alcohol, or tobacco.

4. The old town of Andorra la Vella is small but worth a short wander. The stone Sant Esteve church and Casa de la Vall hint at an older Andorra beneath the modern facades. For a quick escape into nature, Roca de Solà offers a pleasant 4 km round trip with lovely valley views, while Mirador Roc del Quer near Ordino, about 30 minutes away, offers an even better panorama.

5. The official language of Andorra is Catalan, making it the only country in the world where that’s the case.I noticed it at a local bakery where the entire menu was in Catalan. It’s a small detail but one that stands out, showing how this tiny nation manages to keep its distinct cultural identity between two much larger neighbors.