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. Escaldes is the more modern part, given over to high street shopping and the biggest spa in Southern Europe, the Caldea Spa.
I took the DirectBus from Barcelona to Andorra:
I stayed at the Alberg Els Andes Hostel in Escaldes-Engordany:
Top Sights in Escaldes-Engordany:
I spent 10 nights in Andorra. Loved every minute of my stay there. I’d take a coffee at the Two Shots Espresso Bar in Andorra, next to the hostel, and do some blogging too, before going backpacking:
1. Font del Roc del Metge
Within 50 metres of the Andes Hostel, you will 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, dating back to 1820, was declared a historical monument in 2003. 10 meters high, made entirely of stone, it features a semi-circular arch and is featured 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:
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.
6. Caldea Spa
So I splashed out and relaxed and enjoyed the evening at the most famous spa in Andorra: 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.
7. Avenguda Carlemany
This is the main drag in Escaldes-Engordany. A great place to pick up a few souvenirs, and for me that means a Andorran flag:
8. Quirky Statues in Escaldes-Engordany
There are quite a few dotted around. And I’m sure there are some that I missed. Just enjoy. Be inspired. Andorra rocks.
La Puntaire:
Escultura la mirada eterna:
Arnaldeta de Caboet:
Escultura La Mola:
Nu de joventut:
Escultura Tan sols Tu:
Just different:
