The Smallest Countries in Europe and Why You Should Visit Them

Do you experience FOMO (fear of missing out) when traveling? The anxiety that you haven't seen everything, haven't been everywhere, haven't managed to do everything. Then choose smaller countries for your trip! Europe has several such places. A microstate can be explored and walked through from end to end in just a week. We tell you which small countries are found in Europe and what is worth seeing in them.

Vatican

Italy is a kind of matryoshka country (or a Trojan horse country, haha): it has another state within its capital. The smallest in the world is Vatican City. Despite about half of its area being occupied by gardens, the city has a bank, a power station, a radio station, a railway, and a train station. The residence of the Pope has about 800 residents, but many more tourists come here. You can also join them if you buy tickets to Rome.

Area: 0.44 km² (like two Red Squares).

Population: about 800 people (mainly clergy, guards, and other employees).

Official language: Italian.

What to see in Vatican City?

The main attraction of the country is St. Peter's Basilica. In front of it is the famous elliptical square, which appears in seemingly all photographs of the Vatican. Inside, there is luxurious decoration with Renaissance and Baroque elements. The best masters of their time worked on the cathedral's appearance – Raphael Santi, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini. Beneath the cathedral is the Vatican Necropolis, where Roman Popes are buried.

Sistine Chapel. Even people far removed from painting and architecture have heard this name. It is famous for its frescoes painted by Michelangelo, including “The Creation of Adam” and “The Last Judgment.” The themes and even the arrangement of the frescoes are significant, so it's best to consult art historians' materials during your visit. By the way, photography inside the Sistine Chapel is prohibited.

Vatican Museums house an invaluable collection of artworks, archaeological finds, and historical artifacts collected by Roman Popes over centuries. These include the Gregorian Etruscan Museum, the Pio-Clementino Museum, the Pinacoteca with Byzantine and European painting from the 11th-19th centuries, and the Chiaramonti Museum. Enough for a whole week of exploration.

Monaco

Luxury, casinos, Formula 1 – these three words describe the European microstate on the Ligurian Sea. Here, incredibly expensive yachts dock at the piers, movies are occasionally filmed on the streets, and the country is headed by a prince (currently Albert II). Although Monaco's area is tiny, nearly 39,000 people live here, making it the most densely populated state in the world. The country does not have its own airport, so you need to buy tickets for the Moscow – Nice route.

Area: 2.02 square kilometers (smaller than Central Park in New York).

Population: about 39,000 people.

Capital: Monaco.

Official language: French.

What to see in Monaco?

Prince's Palace – the official residence of the Grimaldi family, located in the old town (Monaco-Ville). Here you can visit the palace apartments (if the prince is away) and witness the changing of the guard. For this, you need to be near the palace exactly at noon (or preferably a little earlier, so as not to be late).

The Formula 1 race track runs right through the city streets. One of its most spectacular sections (and most challenging for drivers) is the “Hairpin” turn on Avenue Princess Grace: here, the speed of the cars drops to 45 km/h.

Even if you don't gamble, Monte Carlo Casino is worth visiting to admire its magnificent architecture. From 9 AM to 1 PM, the Beaux-Arts style building operates as a museum. It features an Opera House, a suite of gaming rooms, and several restaurants. In the evening, admission will be charged, and beach shorts are recommended to be swapped for “presentable attire.”

San Marino

Italy again. Not as small a state as the Vatican, but the oldest in Europe: it appeared in 301 AD and continues to exist within its borders to this day. It has no access to the sea, but it does have the Monte Titano mountains. The historic center of the capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The easiest way to get to San Marino is if you fly to Rimini.

Area: 61 km² (41 times smaller than Moscow)

Population: about 33,000 people.

Capital: San Marino.

Official language: Italian.

What to see in San Marino?

First of all, you need to visit the three medieval towers on the mountain top: Guaita, Cesta, and Montale. From the top, the best views of San Marino (and Italy) open up. Guaita and Cesta are open to visitors. The first now houses the Guard Museum and the Artillery Museum, while the second houses the Museum of Ancient Weapons.

Basilica of San Marino, of course, is significantly smaller in scale than the Vatican cathedral. Here, beneath the main altar, rest the relics of Saint Marinus, the founder of the state. The building is designed in a neoclassical style, the portico is adorned with Corinthian columns, and the interior is decorated with paintings by various masters.

Tourists are also attracted by the Palazzo Pubblico – the residence of San Marino's government bodies. Although the building with its Gothic lancet windows is not without charm itself, the changing of the guard ceremony nearby is of greatest interest. Firstly, it takes place every hour from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM (but only during the summer months), and secondly, the guards' uniform – a green jacket, red trousers, and a kepi with a red pompom – makes quite an impression.

Liechtenstein

Another principality on the list, but this time mountainous, alpine, and located between Switzerland and Austria. Here, it's all about money: Liechtenstein is an offshore zone, taxes are low, so the country earns primarily not from tourists, but from finance, mostly foreign. This is reflected for travelers in the country's significant investment in infrastructure for them, specifically in ski resorts. There was no space (or desire/need to build one) for its own airport in the country, so tourists most often take tickets to Zurich.

Area: 160 km² (slightly smaller than Kaluga).

Population: about 39,000 people.

Capital: Vaduz.

Official language: German.

What to see in Liechtenstein?

Above the capital rises Vaduz Castle – the official princely residence. You won't be able to see it from the inside, but from the outside, you can appreciate the full might of the fortification – sturdy stone walls and a strategic location on a hill. A paved path leads to the castle from the old town center; the walk will take about an hour.

Malbun – Liechtenstein's ski resort with 23 slopes. This alone is worth a visit if mountains are your everything. 20 km of trails, schools for beginners, hotels of all kinds, including hostels and trendy eco-tents for young people, and most importantly – the Alps!

Although the country is small, there was room for wineries. The most famous – Hofkellerei of the Prince of Liechtenstein – belongs to the ruling dynasty. Besides it, there are at least three more – Weingut Castellum, Harry Zech Vineyard Cantina, and Weinbau Hoop. And tourists are welcomed everywhere for tastings.

Malta

Both a state and an island. More precisely, three islands – Malta, Gozo, and Comino. This tiny but independent country is part of the EU, so the entry rules for Malta are the same as for other Schengen area countries – you will need a visa. You certainly can't see the whole island in one day, but in a couple of weeks, it's quite realistic to see all the main sights, and also relax on the beaches and go scuba diving.

Area: 316 km² (exactly like Lake Lembolovskoye in the Leningrad Oblast).

Population: about 530,000 people.

Capital: Valletta.

Official languages: Maltese and English.

What to see in Malta?

First, upon landing at Malta's airport, head to explore the capital – Valletta. Here you'll find the impressive St. John's Co-Cathedral in local Baroque style, and within it, Caravaggio's painting “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.” Next, visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens – a wonderful city park with fountains and an arched colonnade built by Knight Balbani.

Many scenes from “Game of Thrones” were filmed in Malta, so on flights to Malta, it's worth rewatching a couple of episodes. Then head to Mdina, the island's ancient capital, St. Dominic's Monastery, Fort Manoel, and Fort Ricasoli. However, the “Azure Window,” which served as the backdrop for the Dothraki wedding, was unfortunately destroyed by a storm.

You've enriched your culture, seen filming locations, now it's time to dance. For this, head to the town of St. Julian's, to the Paceville district. It is called Malta's nightlife capital due to the abundance of bars, clubs, and discos. During the day, it's quiet and boring, but at night, all the blocks turn into one huge dance floor.

Andorra

Let's move back to the continent, to the Pyrenees between Spain and France. Here lies Andorra – the largest country among the smallest. Essentially, mountains are the main reason tourists come here. Snow-capped peaks, ski resorts, and nearby spa centers with thermal springs – the vacation turns out to be rich and great, without tiring trips from one location to another, as the country is tiny! The mountainous terrain leaves its mark on tourism, so you'll first have to fly to France (Toulouse) or Spain (Barcelona), and then travel to Andorra from there.

Area: 468 km² (like one and a half Ulyanovsk cities).

Population: about 80,000 people.

Capital: Andorra la Vella.

Official language: Catalan.

What to see in Andorra?

This microstate boasts the largest thermal entertainment complex in Europe – Caldea. Surrounding it are pastoral mountain landscapes, while inside you'll find jacuzzis, hydromassage, steam rooms, and even an exotic Icelandic bath. From the outside, the building resembles a mosaic of sharp ice shards made of sun-glittering glass.

Vallnord and Grandvalira – two ski resorts with areas for cross-country skiing, half-pipe, freestyle, and snowboarding. In total, there are over 300 km of slopes, which is more than enough for a couple of weeks. In winter, we recommend visiting the futuristic restaurant Coll Blanc KSB on the slope near the village of Pas de la Casa, which offers excellent views of the Carlit mountain range and the Spanish Pyrenees.

The village of La Cortinada has a very modest population even by Andorra's standards – about 700 people. However, it boasts a rather immodest golf course. Among the attractions, we also highlight the 12th-century church of Sant Martí de la Cortinada.

Although the countries are small, a vacation in them will be very rich and eventful!