The UK is packed with airports, making it easy to get around Europe and the wider world, but not every country is as connected.
In the heart of the Pyrenees mountains lies Andorra – a small nation without airports, train stations, or even a military. But that’s not the only thing that makes Andorra stand out.
The country’s capital, Andorra la Vella, holds the title of the highest capital city in Europe, sitting at 1,023 metres (3,356 feet) above sea level.
And despite its remote location, around 22,000 people live there, and the wider urban area is home to more than 40,000 residents.
Surrounded by mountains, Andorra is a landlocked country sandwiched between France and Spain, covering just 180 square miles – about a third the size of Greater London.
To visit, tourists must rely on nearby airports in France and Spain, before completing the final part of the journey by road.
The closest train station to Andorra is 15 miles away in L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre, France.
Despite all of that, tourism is a key part of life in Andorra. The country welcomes around 8 million tourists every year, who are drawn by its world-famous ski resorts, hiking trails, and tax-free shopping.
Andorra la Vella itself also has plenty to offer, inviting tourists with cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and plenty of cultural sites to explore.
The old town, Barri Antic, is home to centuries-old landmarks like Casa de la Vall, the country’s old parliamentary house and the Romanesque-style Església de Sant Esteve church, built in the 11th century.
Nearby, the Church of Santa Coloma, believed to date back to the 9th century, is another must-see.
Andorra la Vella’s history stretches back to the time of Charlemagne, with the settlement protected as part of a defensive buffer against Moorish expansion.
The country also has a modern form of government, known as a co-principality, which dates back to 1278 and involves two heads of state: the President of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell.
Andorra is also one of the few countries without a standing army.
Instead, it relies on agreements with France and Spain for defence, although it has a small ceremonial army and a special police unit trained in counter-terrorism.
