Visiting Pas de la Casa - Andorra Ski Resort
Posted: May 8 2024 | Tagged: Andorra
I wanted to explore Andorra. I wanted to visit a different town in this mountainous landlocked country every day.
And one of the many places I went to, during my 10-day stay in Andorra, was Pas de la Casa, just 25km from Andorra Escaldes-Engordany.
And one of the many places I went to, during my 10-day stay in Andorra, was Pas de la Casa, just 25km from Andorra Escaldes-Engordany.
There are only two roads into Andorra. The one coming from Spain, at Sant Julià de Lòria and the one coming from France. The border town is Pas de la Casa. And I was keen to go check it out.
You can get to Pas de la Casa from Andorra la Vella or Escaldes-Engordany, which is where I was staying at the Alberg Els Andes hostel, on the L4 bus.
I hadn't been able to find any info about the fares and ticketing on the local buses within Andorra. But, Pablo at the hostel gave me all the details. Locals get free transport in Andorra and for us tourists, we just pay the driver in cash. You can get single tickets but return tickets work out a bit cheaper. So after a coffee and a sweet croissant at the café/bar across the street, I grabbed my daypack and rain jacket and hopped on the bus.
You can get to Pas de la Casa from Andorra la Vella or Escaldes-Engordany, which is where I was staying at the Alberg Els Andes hostel, on the L4 bus.
I hadn't been able to find any info about the fares and ticketing on the local buses within Andorra. But, Pablo at the hostel gave me all the details. Locals get free transport in Andorra and for us tourists, we just pay the driver in cash. You can get single tickets but return tickets work out a bit cheaper. So after a coffee and a sweet croissant at the café/bar across the street, I grabbed my daypack and rain jacket and hopped on the bus.
Escaldes-Engordany to Pas de la Casa bus ticket:
As I rode the bus, the bus company emailed me. A one-way ticket is 4.80€. A return is 7.30€. Good to know for further escapades. Cards are NOT accepted. You need to pay with cash. The MoraBanc and Andbank both have free withdrawal charges.
Arrival in Pas de la Casa was after 30 minutes. It is a ski resort 2085 m asl, so about 1000 m higher than Escaldes-Engordany and the temperature was about 10 degrees cooler.
Arrival in Pas de la Casa was after 30 minutes. It is a ski resort 2085 m asl, so about 1000 m higher than Escaldes-Engordany and the temperature was about 10 degrees cooler.
I went down the road towards France just to get the Andorra sign photo:
Andorra is a tax-free shopping destination. And here on the border with France, there are hypermarkets everywhere. Check out these insanely low prices.
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Maybe I should have bought a bottle!
The tourist information office has brochures covering Andorra in many languages, with flags, postcards and fridge magnets for sale:
The tourist information office has brochures covering Andorra in many languages, with flags, postcards and fridge magnets for sale:
There was even a Yellow Jersey from the Tour de France, signed by Tadej Pogačar who won the GC. Stage 15 had finished in Andorra la Vella and stage 16 had started in Pas de las Casa:
There is one church, Esglesia de Sant Pere in the centre. Worth a look:
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Some other random photos from the town:
Andorran flag hanging from a building:
The postal system in Andorra is very unique. There is no Andorran postal service. It is operated by both La Poste from France and Correos from Spain. And you'll find 2 post boxes side by side, the French one on the left and the Spanish one on the right:
There are many restaurants in Pas de la Casa. How to choose?
At the La Residencia I gaily chose the Lasanya Vegetariana. I wasn't disappointed.
At the La Residencia I gaily chose the Lasanya Vegetariana. I wasn't disappointed.
I needed a walk, but the weather was crap. But undeterred, I saw on the map, a small lake, Estany de les Abelletes. I went to take a look.
I first followed the ski runs out of town and then found the footpath markers. The snow was soft, so completely un ideal but what the hell.
After 25 minites I arrived at the small lake:
I first followed the ski runs out of town and then found the footpath markers. The snow was soft, so completely un ideal but what the hell.
After 25 minites I arrived at the small lake:
These selfie posts are great for sole travellers:
Not too much to see and I didn't stay long as the weather closed in a bit. 20 minutes later I was back in town and I rode the L4 bus home again.
A perfect little excursion.
A perfect little excursion.
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