Backpacking in Andorra: Escaldes-Engordany

Posted: May 12 2024 | Tagged: Andorra

Escaldes-Engordany is formed of 2 previously separate urban centres. Engordany is the older of the two and is where you will find most of the historical sights and Escaldes is the more modern part, given over to high street shopping and the biggest spa in Southern Europe, the Caldea Spa.

Caldea Spa in Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra

I stayed at the Andes Hostel in Escaldes-Engordany:

with the owners of the Andes hostel in Andorra

Top Sights in Escaldes-Engordany:

1. Font del Roc del Metge

I based myself at the Alberg Els Andes, the Andes Hostel for my stay in Andorra. Within 50 metres you can find the Font del Roc del Metge, a hot water spring, said to be one of the hottest fountains in Europe. The waters go up to 70 degrees C:

2. Pont de la Tosca

The La Tosca bridge dates from 1820 and was declared a historical monument in 2003. It is 10 meters high, made entirely of stone and features a semi-circular arch and features on the Escaldes-Engordany parish flag:

3. Pont d'Engordany

A second bridge nearby is the Engordany Bridge. This one dates from 1785 and replaces the previous bridge, destroyed by floods in 1772. What is interesting is that its ends are asymmetrical, due to the difference in level on both sides of the viaduct:

4. Cross of Santa Anna

At the Plaça Santa Anna, Santa Anna Square you can find a reproduction of the Santa Anna cross, which was placed there in 1995. The original 17th-century cross is in the Escaldes-Engordany Art Centre (CAEE) for conservation purposes. It marks the road connecting Escaldes and Engordany:

Santa Anna Cross in Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra

5. Saint Peter the Martyr de les Escaldes

The Church of Sant Pere Màrtir was built in a Neo-romanesque style with a bell tower and dates back to 1956 and is made with granite stone.

Saint Peter the Martyr de les Escaldes interior

6. Caldea Spa

So I splashed out and relaxed and enjoyed the evening at the biggest spa in southern Europe, The Caldea Spa. I even had a facial. No, not that type of facial. One that involves creams and things like slices of cucumbers being placed on the eyes. A truly wonderful experience. I don't have too many photos from the spa because my phone is sadly my lifeline. My whole world is managed by the damn thing, I wish it wasn't but it is. Without it, I can't manage my money, booking, get photos for this blog. And dropping my phone in the water would be a disaster.