Supermarkets in Andorra, from the ski-flat shop to the drive home

People look up supermarkets in Andorra for one of two reasons. Either they’ve rented a flat for a ski week and need to fill the fridge, or they want to see what’s worth taking home. The answer to the first is easy. The second is where British rules make things very different from what a Spanish or French visitor can do.

Supermarkets in the capital and Escaldes

In the centre, almost everything is under one roof. Illa Carlemany, between Vivand and Avinguda Meritxell, has a Caprabo on the ground floor with a butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, drinks, household goods and even a small counter making fresh sushi, according to its tourist board listing. Uailo Department Store, right in the middle of Andorra la Vella, includes a Super U with fresh food and groceries.

The Pyrénées department store has its own food hall, and it’s the one I’d make a point of seeing. The tourist board mentions cheeses from around the world, seasonal fruit and vegetables from Ametller Origen and gourmet products. It isn’t where I’d do the weekly shop, but it’s where I’d buy something for a special dinner. The story behind each big store is in Andorra shopping centres.

Sant Julià and Encamp, for the big shop

Coming up from Spain, River is the first thing you’ll see. The tourist board describes a hypermarket of more than 20,000 m² on the outskirts of Sant Julià de Lòria, with butchery, fish, bakery, frozen food and international products downstairs, an organic range called EcoRiver, a pharmacy and perfumery with their own outside entrances, and over 500 parking spaces. It also delivers and runs a monthly catalogue of offers.

Nearby, Epizen has Family Cash supermarkets over two floors. In Encamp, River Encamp covers 1,400 m² and bills itself as the village’s largest supermarket, with fresh food, wine, household goods, a Granier bakery, a pharmacy and free parking with electric charging points. If you’re staying in Encamp to ride the Funicamp up to the slopes, it’s the easiest shop you’ll find.

And up in the resorts?

The higher parishes have supermarkets too, on a smaller scale. The tourist board says traditional shops and supermarkets in Canillo and Soldeu cover everyday needs and sell local products, such as the cured sausages from Cal Jordi, made in Ransol. In Pas de la Casa, the hypermarkets and department stores sit at the entrances to the village, and Pyrénées Pas de la Casa has a food section with fresh produce.

La Massana and Ordino work the same way. The tourist board describes local shops selling everyday groceries alongside products from the parish, such as Casa Raubert cheese in La Massana and Casus Belli wine in Ordino. They’re fine for bread, fruit and the day’s needs, but for a week’s stock I’d drive down to Andorra la Vella first. My advice for a self-catering week is to do the big shop in the valley before you head up. You’ll find the essentials higher up, just with less choice.

What you can take home to Britain

This is where a British visitor needs to be careful. gov.uk says that from countries outside the EU group (the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland), you can’t bring meat, meat products, milk or dairy into Great Britain. Andorra isn’t in the EU, so that cured ham, the mountain cheese and the butter all stay behind. Honey is fine up to 2 kg per person, and bread, biscuits and chocolate have no restriction.

Drink is far more generous. gov.uk allows 42 litres of beer, 18 litres of still wine and either 4 litres of spirits or 9 litres of drinks up to 22% per adult, from age 17. The details are in Andorra alcohol allowance and the full list in Andorra duty free allowance.

What I’d pick up

Given the rules, I’d bring home what travels legally and tastes of the place. A few bottles from Andorra’s five wineries, a jar of mountain honey from Naturalis, Casa Folch, Autèntic or Le Souffle d’Adore, and some Xocland chocolate. The cheese and charcuterie I’d enjoy there, in a borda or on the balcony of the flat. What each local product is and where it comes from is in Andorran food.