Shopping in Andorra la Vella (Avenue Meritxell + What I Found)
Why Shopping in Andorra la Vella Is So Popular
Andorra is often considered a low-tax shopping destination for people visiting from Spain and France because the standard IGI (VAT) rate on many purchases is 4.5% (with other rates applying to some categories). With such low taxes, shopping in Andorra la Vella can be an all-day activity for serious shoppers.
There are so many different types of stores selling everything from expensive watches, sunglasses, and jewelry, to electronics. Although I did not come to Andorra to go shopping, I did spend a few hours walking around Avenue Meritxell, which makes up a large part of the area known as Andorra’s Shopping Mile.
At a Glance: What Shopping Looked Like for Me
Main area I walked: Avenue Meritxell (Andorra’s Shopping Mile)
Other shopping area I visited: Carlemany Street + Centre Comercial Illa Carlemany
Things I saw most often: watches, sunglasses, perfume, and electronics
Best fit for this page: travelers who want a quick, visual feel for shopping in Andorra la Vella
Is Shopping in Andorra la Vella Worth It?
For travelers looking to buy high-end items, I think shopping in Andorra la Vella is worth it because the tax savings can add up, especially compared to nearby countries with higher VAT rates. It was also fun just to browse, since Avenue Meritxell feels like a giant outdoor mall with one storefront after another.
At the same time, if I were only traveling to Andorra to shop, I’m not sure I would make the trip just for that. But when you’re already exploring the other sights Andorra la Vella has to offer, shopping along Avenue Meritxell is definitely worth it as part of the visit. The low taxes also make the whole area feel like a version of tax-free shopping (or low-tax shopping), which is one reason the duty-free stores didn’t seem necessary to me.
Luxury Brands I Noticed
While I took photos of storefronts that stood out, I did not write down every store name during my visit. Looking back at my photos later, I recognized brands like Cartier, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, BVLGARI, RIMOWA, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors.
I’ve also noticed that many people search for specific luxury brands in Andorra (for example, YSL), but since I didn’t keep a full store list at the time, I’m only mentioning brands here that I could confirm from my own photos.
Shopping in Andorra la Vella (Avenue Meritxell + What I Found) - Table of Contents
- Why Shopping in Andorra la Vella Is So Popular
- Avenue Meritxell (Andorra’s Shopping Mile)
- Shopping for Watches
- Shopping for Sunglasses
- Shopping for Perfume
- Shopping for Electronics
- Shopping for Handbags and Luggage
- Shopping for Clothing
- Shopping for Jewelry
- Shopping for Accessories
- Other Stores
- Restaurants in Andorra la Vella
- Andorra La Vella Tours and Packages
- Related Content
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Avenue Meritxell (Andorra’s Shopping Mile)
The best shopping is along the pedestrian-friendly part of Avenue Meritxell, which starts near Salvador Dalí’s La Noblesse du Temps (the large clock statue).
During my shopping experience, one of the shopkeepers who spoke English told me that Icelanders come to Andorra with empty suitcases. Icelanders then purchase hundreds of Euros worth of goods and bring them back to Iceland. Iceland’s VAT is 24%, which is much higher than Andorra’s standard IGI rate.
When I visited Andorra, it was before I decided to have a travel website. I took pictures of a bunch of storefronts that caught my eye but did not note the names of the stores. Years later, through the use of Google Street View, I was able to identify most of the storefronts. I hope this page is helpful for those interested in shopping in Andorra.
Shopping Malls in Andorra la Vella
There are a few malls in Andorra la Vella. The only one that I went to was the Centre Comercial Illa Carlemany. This shopping mall is on Carlemany Street, which is another street that is full of shopping opportunities.
Shopping for Watches in Andorra la Vella
One of the items that is featured in many storefronts is watches. There are watches made by various manufacturers, including the Swiss manufacturer TAG Heuer, all the way up to Rolex.
If you are looking to buy a watch, you will have a great selection to choose from in Andorra. Cartier seemed to have the best selection of high-end watches. Their store is located just across the river near the Salvador Dalí clock statue.
Shopping for Sunglasses in Andorra la Vella
Another very common item is sunglasses. Most places have a similar setup featuring brands from all over the world. Some stores, such as Optica Pasteur 6, only sell sunglasses. Others, like Quars Accessory Shop, sell many different items, including sunglasses.
I also noticed familiar brands like Ray-Ban in storefront displays.
Shopping for Perfume in Andorra la Vella
The third most popular item seems to be perfume. Almost every block, there is either a Julia Perfumeria or a Gala Perfumeria. You will have no trouble finding a place to purchase perfume during your shopping trip to Andorra la Vella.
Shopping for Electronics in Andorra la Vella
There are almost as many electronic stores as there are perfume stores. The electronic stores sell a wide variety of items, including cameras, drones, cell phones, computers, and tablets.
In storefront displays, I also noticed brands like Apple, Sony, and Canon. A few different stores sell Apple products, but I do not believe that any of them are an Apple-owned official Apple Store.
Shopping for Handbags and Luggage in Andorra la Vella
If you purchase so many items that they will not fit in your suitcase, do not worry. There are many places to buy high-end handbags and purses, as well as suitcases.
One of my favorite stores was Roca & Ribes. Although the luggage was out of my price range, it was fun to look at the beautiful suitcases.
Shopping for Clothing in Andorra la Vella
I did not go into any clothing stores but wanted to highlight a few examples of what types of stores can be found in Andorra la Vella. Dutch clothing store G-Star RAW features clothing from many different brands. Escales Paris is a French clothing store that is found on the opposite side of the river on Avenue Meritxell.
I did buy a Hard Rock Andorra shirt at the Hard Rock Cafe Rock Shop. It was the only clothing item I bought as I figured it would be one of the less common Hard Rock shirts.
Shopping for Jewelry in Andorra la Vella
There are only a few jewelry shops that don’t specialize in watches. di Milano was the one jewelry shop that I went inside.
Shopping for Accessories in Andorra la Vella
My favorite shop was Quars Accessory Shop, which is mentioned earlier in the sunglasses category. Quars is a one-stop place for watches, sunglasses, purses, jewelry, and small electronics. I definitely recommend checking it out if you have time.
Other Stores in Andorra la Vella
There are pharmacies on every corner in Andorra la Vella. I did not go into a pharmacy during my time in Andorra la Vella, but the exterior of Pharmacia Guerrero did catch my eye.
Casa Canut Botiga is a store that sells many unique and expensive items. If you have time, walk through it carefully to ensure you don’t accidentally break anything. It is too bad the green gorilla is out of my price range. It would look great in my living room.
The duty-free store did not seem necessary to me as the standard IGI (VAT) rate is only 4.5%. There are multiple duty-free stores, so they must be a need for them.
Restaurants in Andorra la Vella
If you are looking for a great sit-down meal, I highly recommend Restaurant Mama Maria. I ordered a steak that was cut into strips, which I cooked myself, over a grill. Included with the steak were bread, a large red sweet pepper, and a potato.
There are plenty of fast food options as well, including McDonald’s, Burger King, and Subway.
Andorra La Vella Tours and Packages
In my opinion, a tour of Andorra is not necessary if you are staying in Andorra la Vella. The main sights are walkable and easy to navigate independently. However, if you want to venture deep into the Pyrenees Mountains, a tour may be helpful. Some tours depart from Barcelona and continue into France.
I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.