Photo Credit: Thierry Ilansades

Almost as many tourists arrive in Andorra for its huge selection of duty-free shopping options as for the principality’s superb skiing and natural magnificence. Duty-free stores are located all over, with the largest concentrations found in the capital and small towns close to the Spanish and French borders. There is a huge variety of items to be found, although many of the shops offer exactly the same selection as their neighbors on the same street.

El Pas de la Casa on the French border is a favorite Andorran shopping hub for day-trippers, as well as for longer-stay holidaymakers for its seemingly endless choice of alcoholic drinks, perfume, and tobacco products. Almost every street in town is packed with shops, but the best are found on Carrer de Sant Jordi, Carrer Major, and Avenida d’Encamp. Perfume and jewelry are great buys, and fashion fiends can choose from labels such as Mango, Pepe, Quicksilver, and many more. Electrical goods and technology are cheaper here than in neighboring countries, as well with all the popular brands in digital cameras, MP3 players, and computers represented.

Retail therapy gets even cheaper in Andorra la Vella, especially during the regular clearance sale weeks. Of the over 2,000 shopping venues in the country, the largest concentration is found in the capital. Most of the stores charge the same prices as the shop next door for whatever they’re selling, and the recently introduced a four percent sales tax which still hardly dents the 25 percent discount for the same items in many European countries.

Click here to learn about Andorra's Transportation