Who says size matters? Europe's tiniest countries prove that great things can come in small packages
As a collector of passport stamps and an obsessive counter of “countries visited” ( 95! ), I am always looking for the opportunity to increase my totals.
Luckily, Europe offers a host of tiny countries that can be visited on a day trip, overnight or long weekend. If you are able to squeeze a few of them into your itinerary you’ll watch your country count climb quickly. I’ve discovered that most of these small countries have a lot more to offer their visitors beyond bragging rights. They are destinations with as much rich history and natural beauty as other European countries many times their size.
1. VATICAN CITY
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world (population - 764)
However, this micro state punches well above its weight. The Holy See is where you’ll marvel at the artistic treasures of the Catholic Church. It’s here you’ll find St. Peter’s Basilica which is not only the largest church in the world, but arguably the greatest and most glorious. The Vatican Museum and adjoining Sistine Chapel will take your breath away. Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome, so visiting this country on a trip to Italy is a no-brainer. As an added bonus there’s always the possibility of a Pope sighting.
2. MONACO
Claiming the number two spot on the world’s smallest countries list is Monaco.
Located in the south of France, visiting Monaco is an easy day trip from Nice or any other French Riviera hotspot. Take a stroll around Monte Carlo’s wonderful old town and palace grounds, visit its truly amazing aquarium, or gamble at one of the most famous casinos in the world - just a few of the unforgettable experiences a visitor can have in Monaco. If you are interested in Formula One car racing, Grace Kelly or luxury everywhere you look, this is a don’t miss destination.
2. SAN MARINO
3rd smallest in Europe, 5th in the world.
San Marino was the small nation that surprised me the most. There was a general lack of information about San Marino when I was planning my visit (Lonely Planet only gave it a single paragraph in their Italy guide, while Rick Steves totally blanked it). I was able to get a bit more information from the internet, but the overall vibe I got was that enthusiasm for San Marino was low. I figured there wasn’t much there to hold my interest. It turned out I was wrong. I was enchanted by this mountaintop capital. The fairytale-like Three Towers of San Marino (connected by “The Witches Path”) are reason enough to visit, but I found the entire historic center totally charming. I stayed overnight and after the day trippers left I had the whole place to myself which was magical. Visit San Marino and let yourself fall under its spell.
4. LIECHTENSTEIN
4th smallest in Europe, 6th in the world.
I popped over to Liechtenstein as part of a longer trip to Switzerland. I very much enjoyed my time in the capital of Vaduz. I wandered around the old city and then hiked up to Vaduz castle which sits on a hilltop high above, looking out over Liechtenstein. I didn’t see the prince (he must have been out that day) but otherwise the views were great. Liechtenstein is an easy day trip from San Moritz and got me up to 62 countries!
5. MALTA
5th smallest in Europe, 10th in the world.
I just returned from a visit to this excellent Mediterranean island nation. There’s way too much to see in Malta to list everything in a quick blurb, but they include: prehistoric sights, forts, harbors, famous filming locations, cliffs, water activities, balconies, blue lagoons, salt pans, colorful fishing boats, walled cities, knight lore, magnificent churches, Game of Thrones stuff, sunshine, seafood... I loved it.
6. ANDORRA
6th smallest in Europe.
Andorra is a small landlocked country located in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. There are no airports or train stations in Andorra, so you'll need a vehicle to visit (or you can take a bus like I did - an easy trip from Barcelona). I spent most of my time in the capital city of Andorra La Vella. It is a lovely town, surrounded by mountains that offers a good combination of old and new. There is a well preserved historic area to explore in addition to all of the modern spas, museums, and shopping options. If you need an adrenaline fix the nearby town of Canillo has a Tibetan Bridge and mirador that will test your fear of heights while offering stellar views.
7. LUXEMBOURG
7th smallest in Europe.
I visited Luxembourg on a side trip from Belgium. Luxembourg City is a great place to spend the day or overnight. The easy to explore old quarter is a UNESCO-listed delight. Luxembourg City is filled with historic squares, churches, a palace and the Corniche (which is called “the most beautiful balcony in Europe” in almost every book I read about it). If you’re visiting Belgium, add a stop in Luxembourg to see the world’s only remaining grand duchy (and increase your country count!)
10. MONTENEGRO
10th smallest in Europe.
Even the quickest visit to Kotor would make a trip to Montenegro worth your effort. Kotor is a historic, walled city. What makes it so special is its gorgeous setting. It is situated between the mountains and the fjord-like Bay of Kotor. When I was visiting Dubrovnik I took a full day trip to Montenegro that included a nice long stop in Kotor as well as the seaside city of Budva. Both places were exceptional as was the scenery on the drive down.
Of course it was only enough time to get a little taste of this young country. Stay longer if you can. Montenegro may be relatively new and relatively small by comparison to other countries, but it has so much to offer.
That’s the end of MY list, but don’t forget...
There’s also Cyprus (8th) & Kosovo (9th) to add to the small European country “To Do” list. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit these mini nations yet, but they are in my plans. Sure, they’ll ultimately help me achieve my goal of getting to 100 countries visited. More importantly, these places will end up surprising and delighting me. They will capture my imagination with their unique histories or enthrall me with their natural beauty. These micro states will provide me with wonderful memories and a longing to return. While all of these small countries may seem insignificant on a map, they end up living large in my heart and mind, especially after I’ve returned home from my travels. Do yourself a favor and don’t skip the small stuff.
