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Museums & Galleries in Escaldes-Engordany
Andorra's second town, joined to the capital along the Valira riverfront, built around the hot springs that give it its name and home to the Caldea thermal complex, the Carmen Thyssen museum and a long-running summer jazz festival.
Why here
The Museu Carmen Thyssen Andorra is the country's most serious art address, set on the shopping spine of Escaldes-Engordany in the granite Hostal Valira building. It shows the private collection of Baroness Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, one of the largest private art holdings in the world, and rather than a fixed hang it stages a new themed exhibition each year drawn from that collection, moving through nineteenth and twentieth century European painting from Impressionism to the modern. It was shortlisted for the European Museum of the Year in 2018. A short walk away, Escaldes also has the Caldea thermal spa, so a museum morning and a hot-spring afternoon pair naturally in the same town.
Best months
The museum is open year-round with a single themed exhibition running most of the year, so the show you see depends on the season; check the current programme before visiting. It is compact and walkable in an hour or two, and English labelling and guided visits are available. Escaldes is busiest in the ski and summer holidays.
Getting there & around
The museum is on Avinguda Carlemany in Escaldes-Engordany, a few minutes' walk from central Andorra la Vella and served by local bus. There is no train or airport in Andorra, so arrival is by car or coach from Barcelona or Toulouse. Tickets are sold at the door or online, and the museum sits among the town's shops, spa and restaurants for an easy half-day.
Skill levels: beginner
Schools & guides (1)
Museu Carmen Thyssen Andorra
OrganizerThe Museu Carmen Thyssen Andorra opened in 2017 on Avinguda Carlemany in Escaldes-Engordany, in the granite Hostal Valira building, showing works from the private collection of Baroness Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza. Rather than a permanent hang, it stages a new themed exhibition each year drawn from the collection, spanning nineteenth and twentieth century European painting. It was shortlisted for the European Museum of the Year award in 2018 and runs a schools programme, EduCarmenThyssen.