The country in Europe that doesn’t have a single airport or train station

The UK has more than 40 airports some of which are among the busiest in the whole of Europe.

But the tiny principality of Andorra is one of the few countries in Europe which doesn’t have an airport.

Other European countries without an airport are Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.

Andorra itself is a landlocked country in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, covering 180 square miles, less than a third of the size of Greater London.

The nearest airports to Andorra in Spain are Andorra-La Seu d’Urgell in Catalonia, Lleida-Alguaire in Alguaire and Girona-Costa Brava.

Carcassonne Airport and Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport are the nearest to Andorra in France.

Not only is Andorra without an airport, but it also lacks a railway station, with the closest at L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre in France, about 15 miles away.

Despite the challenges in getting to the country by air or train, Andorra is still a location popular with travellers.

Figures for overnight and day visits to Andorra published by Statista show over five million were made in 2021, the latest year for which such data is shown.

The country has been a principality since the Middle Ages, led by two heads of state – the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France.

It has a parliament, where 28 members are elected every four years to represent seats in a country with a population of little over 85,000 people.

Tourist highlights include the Mirador del Roc del Quer lookout point, where visitors can admire the Pyrenees landscape, as well as the seat of Andorra’s parliament, Casa de la Vall.

Thrill-seekers may want to visit Tobotronc, an alpine slide measuring 3.3 miles which winds its way through a forest. Ski fans might head to the resort of Soldeu, which is said to have an excellent ski school.

There are also several walking trails to consider, including Tristaina Lake Trail at the border with France, Valle de Incles and Sola Irrigation Canal Trail.

Accommodation options include Andorra Park Hotel, Hotel Eurostars and Hotel Grand Plaza, which are all in Andorra la Vella.

To get to Andorra by car from Spain take the N-145 from La Seu d’Urgell. From France, use the N-22, N-20 and N-320, Coll and Puymorens tunnel.