Climate in Andorra: fresh air, four seasons and exceptional quality of life

Reading time: 8 minutes

🏁 Living well starts with the environment

Beyond taxes, safety or legal stability, many people choose Andorra for a much simpler reason: it is a genuinely pleasant place to live. Climate is one of the elements that shapes this feeling of wellbeing.

Andorra offers clean air, four distinct seasons and an altitude that brings freshness in summer and a typical mountain winter —yet far more moderate than one might expect.

Learn more about life in the country in our article Living and working in Andorra: what you need to know before moving.

🏔️ A mountain climate… surprisingly moderate

Although Andorra lies in the heart of the Pyrenees, the inhabited areas do not experience an extreme climate. In winter, temperatures usually range between –2 °C and 8 °C (depending on the parish and time of day), while summers remain mild, with highs of 22–26 °C.

To better understand the country’s territorial structure, read our article The parishes of Andorra: structure, functions and territorial characteristics.

This balance is strengthened by a key factor: over 300 days of sunshine per year and very low humidity. As a result, winters feel milder than in humid coastal areas, and summers are particularly pleasant.

You can also discover Why so many entrepreneurs relocate to Andorra in our dedicated article.

🌿 Four clearly defined seasons

Andorra is one of the few places where the four seasons are experienced unmistakably:

• Winter: snow at mid and high altitudes, ideal for alpine sports.
• Spring: mild temperatures and green mountains perfect for hiking.
• Summer: temperate climate, free from extremes, ideal for enjoying the outdoors.
• Autumn: golden and red landscapes that change week by week.

This natural cycle allows for an active lifestyle all year round, with sports ranging from skiing, cycling and hiking to mountain motor sports.

🌤️ Mild and pleasant summers: an increasingly sought-after advantage

Andorran summers have become a major attraction. While many European cities easily surpass 35–40 °C, in Andorra:

• nights remain cool,
• daytime temperatures are moderate,
• and sleeping without air conditioning is entirely normal.

For this reason, summer is also high season —both for sports and family tourism, and for those escaping extreme heat without giving up shopping, gastronomy, leisure and urban comfort.

❄️ A genuine winter… but comfortable for everyday life

Winter in Andorra brings snow, but it is far from being a “harsh” or difficult winter. Temperatures are cold but manageable, and the combination of sunshine, dry air and excellent road management ensures that daily life continues as usual.

Winter is also a high tourist season, thanks to skiing, snowboarding and alpine tourism.

🚗 Snow on the roads: how Andorra really manages it

Snow does not paralyse Andorra. In fact, winter road management is one of the country’s strengths:

• Road clearing begins between 4 am and 7 am.
• Regular salting and de-icing on the busiest roads.
• Mandatory equipment (winter tyres or chains) on designated days.
• Wide, well-maintained roads, even in higher areas.
• Operational planning designed to avoid disruption to economic activity.
• Very few days per year where snow significantly affects mobility (around 4 to 7 days).

Even on heavy snow days, it is common for main roads to be fully passable early in the morning, with snowplough systems operating efficiently throughout the day.

🏞️ Air quality: a country that is 90% nature

More than 90% of Andorra’s territory is forest, mountains or natural space. There is no heavy industry and virtually no pollution.

This results in:

• clean, dry air,
• fewer allergies than in major cities,
• better respiratory comfort,
• a constant sense of physical wellbeing.

Living just minutes away from nature is not a luxury —it is everyday life.

🗻 Real differences between parishes and altitudes

Altitude significantly influences temperature, snow frequency and lifestyle. In Andorra:

🔸 Lower areas (900–1,100 m)

Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Sant Julià de Lòria

• Milder temperatures.
• Less snow in urban centres.
• Less wind.
• Ideal for people used to city climates.

🔸 Mid-altitude areas (1,200–1,400 m)

La Massana, Ordino

• Fresher, drier air.
• Cold but stable winters.
• Exceptionally pleasant summers.
• Highly appreciated residential environments.

🔸 Higher areas (1,500–1,700 m)

Encamp, Canillo

• More snowy days in winter.
• A fully alpine environment.
• Ideal for mountain and nature enthusiasts.

🔸 High-mountain zone (around 2,000 m)

Pas de la Casa

• Alpine climate.
• Frequent snowfall.
• Permanent freshness, even in August.

Each parish has its own climatic personality, allowing residents to choose the type of winter and summer that suits them best.
It is surprisingly how, within just 50 km, the climate can vary so much.

To learn more about housing in Andorra, you can read our article The Andorran real estate market (2019–2025): prices, new developments and access to housing.

🌅 Microclimates across the country

Despite their proximity, the parishes show surprisingly different climates. In summary:

• La Massana: stable climate and less wind.
• Ordino: very clean, dry air; sunny winters.
• Andorra la Vella: mild temperatures and an urban environment.
• Sant Julià de Lòria: the warmest parish, roughly 5 degrees above the national average.
• Encamp and especially Canillo: alpine climate with more snowy days.
• Pas de la Casa: prolonged winter and cool temperatures most of the year.

Beyond internal differences, historical evolution also plays a role. Explore this in our article Andorra’s international evolution: from tradition to a global landscape.

🌍 A lifestyle shaped by the environment

The country’s climate and scale translate into a more balanced daily life:

• Short, stress-free commutes.
• An educational offer available in four languages.

Learn more in Andorra’s educational models: a unique trilingual coexistence system.

• The possibility of walking to many places, especially in parish centres.
• An unparalleled leisure and gastronomic scene, adapted to high tourism levels.
• Access to any European goods, often at lower prices.

Read more about this in our article on the Customs Agreement between Andorra and the European Union and in Taxation in Andorra.

• Nature just minutes from home, with hundreds of routes leading to lakes, peaks, ridges and iconic landscapes.
• A constant sense of physical wellbeing.
• Calm and safety, with fast connections to Barcelona and Toulouse.

The climate accompanies an active, healthy lifestyle —very different from that of major European cities. Here, nature plays a central role.

If you are considering living in Andorra, we recommend reading Administrative residence and tax residence in Andorra: key differences and Types of residence in Andorra: all administrative categories.

In summary

Andorra’s climate combines manageable winters, mild summers, clean air and a natural environment that encourages movement and wellbeing. Here, the real luxury is not only fiscal: it is a way of life.

If you are evaluating whether Andorra fits your personal or family project, ELYSIUM can guide you with clarity and sound judgement at every step.
👉 Request your confidential meeting with our experts just below or via the contact form.

Last review date: November 2025.