There is so much to do during a holiday in Andorra, and that includes shopping! In between exploring the microstate’s famous ski slopes or mountain bike trails, it’s worth setting aside some time for some cheap shopping in Andorra.
If you’re not quite sure where to begin with shopping in Andorra, then don’t worry. In this blog post, we’ll outline a quick and simple beginner’s guide about the best shopping in Andorra and what is good to buy in Andorra.
Why shop in Andorra?
First things first, is shopping in Andorra worth it? Yes, absolutely yes. And that’s because of the cheap prices in the microstate. No matter where you’re visiting from, it’s possible to benefit from some very cheap shopping in Andorra, thanks to the country’s low tax regime. These low tax policies lead to significantly reduced prices on many goods, especially luxury items and electronics. So, whether you’re a bargain hunter or a fan of exclusive labels, shopping in Andorra la Vella – the capital city – is a unique experience and a lucrative one.
Top shopping centres and districts
If you’re excited to explore the shops of Andorra, you’ll want to know where exactly you can find the best shopping in Andorra. As much as there are lovely stores and outlets dotted across the principality, the clear answer is the capital city of Andorra la Vella.
In Andorra la Vella, you’ll even find shopping centres and dedicated shopping districts, the best of which we’ll discuss in some more detail below.
Pyrénées, Illa Carlemany and more
The heart of shopping in Andorra la Vella revolves around its main streets, especially Avinguda Meritxell and Avinguda Carlemany, as these are packed with adorable shops, luxury boutiques and large department stores.
There is actually an “Andorra la Vella Shopping Mile” in this part of town. Defining its boundaries will depend on who you ask, but it’s generally considered to be the area which runs from Avinguda Meritxell to Vivand. Making this such a popular shopping district is the fact that most streets around here are pedestrianised.
As for shopping centres, Illa Carlemany is one of the standout shopping malls in the principality. This modern shopping centre is packed full of a wide range of stores, but is particularly renowned for providing the top clothes shopping in Andorra. Moreover, the Illa Carlemany centre also has a food court and cinema, making for the ultimate shopping experience.
A short walk to the west is the Pyrénées Andorra department store, which is one of the ultimate destinations for luxury shopping in Andorra. They are all about offering exclusive items, so this is the place to be if you have a little money to spend.
What to buy: Fashion, electronics, cosmetics…
If you’re wondering what makes the most sense to buy in Andorra, in order to make the most of the tax-related discounts, clothing and electronics are both up there in terms of categories which have significantly knocked-down prices. Cosmetics and perfumes are also extremely popular, with a wide selection of international brands at lower-than-average prices.
As for the question of “What can I bring back from Andorra?”, there are some limits on how much of certain items, such as tobacco and alcohol, you can take from one country to another. This may also depend on which country you’re travelling back to, so be sure to research the exact customs rules for the country you’ll be returning home to.
In the meantime, you can start getting excited about all the shopping in Andorra possibilities. And, keep in mind that Andorra shopping online has grown in recent years too. Some of the bigger retailers and malls now offer e-commerce services, allowing you to browse and even reserve products before entering the store!