As part of OLLD25, five unique site visits will take place on Friday, 3 September 2025, offering conference participants the opportunity to explore some of Andorra’s most iconic landmarks. Each visit is centered around a key theme – culture, adventure, nature, or art – providing diverse experiences to suit different interests. Site visit registration is completed through the registration platform when purchasing a ticket to the conference. Please note that site visits are only available to participants who purchase an ‘All Days’ ticket.
The planned site visits are:
- Culture: Guided tour of the historic old town of Andorra la Vella (walking tour)
- Adventure: Excursion to the Tibetan Bridge and Roc del Quer (transport by bus)
- Nature: Scenic tour to emblematic natural sites, including Engolasters Lake (transport by bus)
- Nature: Visit to the Marteloscope forest site (transport by bus)
- Art: Guided visit to the Thyssen Museum, Romanesque Church of Santa Coloma, and Espai Columba (walking tour)
Site Visit descriptions
Culture: Visit of the Andorra la Vella old town
Location: Andorra La Vella
Capacity: 30 pax
Date: 3 September 2025
Start time: 10:00 CEST
End time: 12:00 CEST
Meeting point: Plaça del Poble – Andorra la Vella (entrance OLLD venue)
Mode of transportation: Walking
Site visit description:
Andorra la Vella’s old town centre is the heart of the Principality of Andorra’s capital. It is home to historic buildings, including Casa de la Vall (which formerly housed the Consell General, the Parliament of Andorra), the church of Sant Esteve, the houses of the Guillemó, Molines and Cintet families, and an old underground dungeon from the XIV century.
In this activity we will discover an important piece of the history of this tiny country; a place where, for many centuries, the inhabitants of these valleys gathered, discussed and made Andorra what it is right now. We will visit “La Casa de la Vall” or “The House of the Valley”, a magnificent building erected in 1580 and used as a parliament since 1702, that has a particular architecture, and where many secrets are kept in its stones. In this journey you will see the old room where the “consellers” traditionally met, the cabinet where the important documents where stored under a special security system, or the place devoted to think before making important decisions. This visit will show us how Andorra kept its independence since 1278 despite being surrounded by empires and years of wars and difficulties. We will also visit the new building of the “Consell General”, the Parliament of Andorra, and we will discover how its members are elected, and how the legislative branch works. Finally, we will have a walk in the historical center of Andorra la Vella to discover many other interesting stories about its capital.
Adventure: Tibetan bridge and Roc del Quer viewpoint
Location: Canillo, Andorra
Capacity: 35 pax
Date: 3 September 2025
Start time: 9:00 CEST
End time: 12:30 CEST
Meeting point: Plaça del Poble – Andorra la Vella (entrance OLLD venue). From this point, we will go to the bus.
Mode of transportation: Bus (about 20 min drive)
Site visit description:
This adventure-packed visit takes you to one of Andorra’s most spectacular landmarks—the Tibetan Bridge of Canillo. Suspended 1,875 metres above sea level and stretching 603 metres in length, the bridge offers a thrilling walk with breathtaking views over the Vall del Riu. At just one metre wide, it accommodates foot traffic in both directions along the same route, making for a truly immersive experience.
The visit also includes a stop at the Roc del Quer Viewpoint, a dramatic platform that extends over the valley, offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and landscape. A perfect blend of adrenaline and awe-inspiring scenery.
Nature: Engolasters lake and emblematic points of Andorra
Location: Encamp, Andorra
Capacity: 45 pax
Date: 3 September 2025
Start time: 9:00 CEST
End time: 12:00 CEST
Meeting point: Plaça del Poble – Andorra la Vella (entrance OLLD venue). From this point, we will go to the bus.
Mode of transportation: Bus (about 20 min drive)
Site visit description:
The Engolasters route is a scenic and accessible hiking experience, ideal for those looking to enjoy a walk in the Andorran mountains. This short, linear trail stretches over 2 km with a mild elevation gain of 408 metres, making it a manageable option for all fitness levels.
The full walk takes approximately two hours—around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the endpoint, followed by a 45-minute return downhill. Located in the parish of Encamp, the trail winds through picturesque landscapes rich in local flora, including the Dianthus hyssopifolius, also known as the fringed pink.
Along the way, you’ll also encounter examples of traditional Andorran architecture, such as the Cresper borda, a classic mountain cabin that adds cultural charm to the natural surroundings.
Nature: Marteloscopi
Location: La Massana, Beixalís
Capacity: 45 pax
Date: 3 September 2025
Start time: 9:00 CEST
End time: 12:00 CEST
Meeting point: Plaça del Poble – Andorra la Vella (entrance OLLD venue) from this point, we will go to the bus.
Mode of transportation: Bus (about 15 min drive)
Site visit description:
Open space for virtual forestry practices to test different types of management and see their impact on the ecosystemic processes of the forest.
Along these lines, Andorra Research + Innovation is leading, in collaboration with La Massana and the support of Integrate+, the implementation of the first forest marteloscope in the country. The first marteloscope in Andorra is a square area of red pine forest, where all the trees are measured, identified and mapped, as well as integrated in the Integrate software I+ Trainer that allows virtual forest management practices and training using mobiles or tablets.
Step into the forest, tablet in hand, and become the manager! Try different scenarios, make your own decisions, and see how your choices shape the future of the forest – all in an immersive and fun environment!
Art: Thyssen museum, Romanesque Church of Santa Coloma, and Espai Columba
Location: Escaldes and Andorra La Vella
Capacity: 45 pax
Date: 3 September 2025
Start time: 9:30 CEST
End time: 12:30 CEST
Meeting point: Plaça del Poble – Andorra la Vella (entrance OLLD venue)
Mode of transportation: Walking
Site visit description:
The Thyssen Museum in Andorra la Vella offers a dynamic and engaging cultural experience. As an open, inclusive, and participatory space, the museum plays an active role in the country’s cultural and social life. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a rich selection of artworks while gaining insight into Andorra’s commitment to the arts and cultural dialogue. After this visit, we will visit a jewel of the Romanesque period, the Church of Santa Coloma, from the VIII century, with its stone walls and its round-shaped bell tower. The Espai Columba, located close-by to the Church, will help us to understand this period of the history, along with the projection of a mapping that reproduces the vibrant paintings that were displayed in the Church in the past and that were removed in the late XIX century.