VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Andorra
In order to get to Andorra, you need to apply for a Schengen visa. There is no embassy of the country in Russia, so you will have to get a visa at the embassy of Spain or France. In order for you to be issued a double-entry Schengen visa, you must provide the following documents:
– a passport valid for 4 months from the end of the intended trip;
– 1 photo 3×4;
– a completed application form;
– a photocopy of all pages of a civil passport;
– the original or a notarized photocopy of the birth certificate (for children under 18);
– certificate of currency exchange in the amount of 50 US dollars per day of rest;
– certificate of employment on the position and salary.
If a child under 18 travels with or without one of the parents, then the Embassy will require a notarized permission from the parents with the obligatory presence of the “apostille” (special stamp) approved by the Hague Convention. Residents of Moscow can affix it to the address: st. Novy Arbat, 15, 3rd floor, room 302, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm daily except Saturday and Sunday.
Import and export of currency to Andorra is not limited. It is forbidden to import drugs and narcotic drugs, weapons and ammunition without appropriate permits. Duty-free export is allowed no more than 1 kg of coffee, up to 200 g of tea, no more than 4 kg of cheese, no more than 5 kg of confectionery, up to 75 g of perfume and 375 ml of cologne, as well as alcohol with a strength of more than 22% – up to 1.5 l, up to 22% – up to 3 liters, table wine – up to 5 liters, up to 300 cigarettes or 150 thin cigars or 75 thick cigars and up to 400 grams of tobacco. The rest of the goods are imported at the rate of slightly more than 504 Euro per adult and 259 Euro per child. It is forbidden to export objects and things of historical or artistic value without special permission.
In the capital of Andorra la Vella, tourists will be interested in the old district of Barri Atik with ancient stone houses and cobbled streets. Here is the residence of the government “House of the Valleys”, which was finally built by 1702, and before that in 1580 it was conceived as a palace for one of the local wealthy families. Nearby you can see the only court building – Sala de la Giusticia, Sala del Consell – the Parliament building – where the Philatelic Museum is located. In the cultural center of the city – Plaza la Noble – all kinds of festivals and cultural events are held. The State Theater and the Academy of Music are also located here.
Not far from the capital is the village of Ordino with the ethnographic house-museum of the Areni-Plandolit family. In the town Encamp is worth visiting the National Automobile Museum with vintage cars of the 19th and 20th centuries, motorcycles and bicycles, as well as the ancient district of Eglesia San Roma de les Bons with ancient Roman architecture, where you can see frescoes from the 12th century.
Excursions to Spanish and French cities are interesting. One of them is the Spanish city of Seo de Urgell (9 km from Andorra), where the bishop-co-ruler of Andorra lives. Here you will find the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Mary, which was built in the 12th century. Inside it is a museum with a collection of frescoes, bibles, altarpieces and a rare exhibit – the thousand-year-old “Beatus” – an illustrated handwritten manuscript describing the Apocalypse.
180 km from the capital of Andorra the French student city of Toulouse is located. On the main town square is the 18th century town hall and the Theater du Capitole opera house. Be sure to stroll through the quiet Old Quarter with the majestic Cathedral of St. Sernin, which was built in the 11th century, the Cathedral of Our Lady, made in the Gothic style, and the Jacobin Church, where the remains of St. Thomas Aquinas are kept.
Near the village of Llorts there is a group of lakes Estanis del Angonella, the peak of Borda de Sorteni with a height of 1970 m and the peak of del Estany with a height of 2915 m.
Embassy in Andorra
Andorra, embassy in Moscow
Embassy of France:
Metro “Oktyabrskaya”, Bolshaya Yakimanka, 45.
Tel: 937-1500, Fax: 937-1446.
Embassy of Spain:
Metro “Arbatskaya” or “Barrikadnaya”, st. B. Nikitskaya, 50/8.
Andorra, Russian Embassy in the country:
There is no Russian Embassy in Andorra.
Contact in Andorra
You can make an international call from any street pay phone, and it will cost less than a call from a hotel. Reduced rates apply at night, on weekends and public holidays.
In order to call Andorra, you need to dial 8 – 10 – 376 – area code – subscriber number.
Emergency Phones in Andorra
Police – 110
Ambulance – 116
Fire Service – 118
National Telephone Information – 111
Mountain Rescue Service – 112
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
Official holidays:
January 1 – New Year
March 14 – Constitution Day
May 1 – Labor Day
June 24 – St. John’s Day (patron saint of Andorra)
First Saturday of August – Andorra la Vella Holiday
September 8 – City Day
November 1 – All Saints
‘ Day November 4 – St. Charles Borromean
Day December 21 – St. Thomas Day
December 24-26 – Christmas
A large number of festivals are held in Andrey throughout the year. Among tourists, the national festival “Mare de Du de Meritsel” – the festival of the Virgin Mary, held on September 8 in Meritsel, is popular. Summer music festivals are also interesting.
USEFUL THINGS
Andorra is one of the safest countries in Europe. All residents are law-abiding, so after 3 o’clock in the morning it is better not to make noise, otherwise they may call the police.
SHOPS
According to lawschoolsinusa, shops are open on weekdays from 9:30 to 20:00, lunch break from 13:30 to 16:30. Andorra is a duty-free zone, so many tourists come here to shop and buy quality goods at low prices, 25-40% cheaper than in Spain or France. Mass sales are held in spring and autumn, where discounts apply. Mostly tourists buy alcohol, perfumes, cosmetics, watches and ski equipment.
Tipping
Tips are usually already included in the bill, but it is customary for waiters and receptionists to tip 10% of the bill.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Spanish and French national characteristics are mixed in the country’s culture. The entire population is brought up in strict Catholic traditions, so defiant behavior is unacceptable.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH CARE
No special vaccinations are required to enter the country. Be sure to take out medical insurance when you travel. Medicine in Andorra is paid, first aid will be provided free of charge.
