Matador's Ultimate Guide to the Smallest Countries in Europe

Small countries, big fun ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [ Liechtenstein]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to the Smallest Countries in Europe Hi all, Good things come in small packages, and that includes your next European vacation destination. The Old Continent’s smallest countries might have minute footprints, but their size are in no way proportional to what they have to offer. After all, the largest church in the world is located in the smallest country on the planet (the Vatican); Europe’s 10th-smallest country has some of the most beautiful beaches around ([Montenegro]( and several of the richest countries out there are also the tiniest (Luxembourg, Monaco). Bigger is not always better, and the smallest countries in Europe are here to prove it. [START WITH THE SMALLEST]( Get Inspired [Vatican City]( The Smallest Country in the World Has Only One Dog and the World's Largest Church It has a very small population that averages five deaths and one birth per year; it has only one pet, a dog; it is packed with priceless art and stunning architecture; the entire country is a UNESCO World Heritage site; and its nickname is “The Holy See”. [READ MORE]( [Monaco]( Monaco Is More Than a Millionaire’s Playground. Here's How To Visit on a Budget. Fast cars and A-listers who yacht in for the day are par for the course in Monaco. The little principality on the French Riviera holds the record for the most millionaires per capita, due to its status as a tax haven. Signs of wealth are everywhere: Lamborghinis and Ferraris are parked outside Monte Carlo’s famous casino and the posh Hôtel de Paris. But, if you know where to look, there's a lot of charm and authenticity to be found in what can seem like a paradise of artifice. [READ MORE]( [San Marino]( A Persecuted Saint Founded This Tiny European Country 17 Centuries Ago Dominated by a 2,425-foot-tall mountain, Mount Titano, San Marino is the third-smallest county in Europe and the fifth-smallest in the world. The 1700-year-old landlocked enclave surrounded by Italy used to be the least-visited country in Europe, but today, its uniqueness, beautiful architecture, UNESCO-listed attributes, and peaceful countryside a stone’s throw away from the glittering waters of the Adriatic Sea attract visitors from all over the world. [READ MORE]( [Luxembourg]( In This Small and Very Rich European Country, All Public Transport Is Free One of the richest countries in the world is a small European nation that very few people put on their bucket list: Luxembourg. Or as it is officially known: The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The country of much less than one million inhabitants and smaller than 1,000 square miles, is a mysterious one for many. The head of state is a Grand Duke, there are three official languages, and all public transports are free. [READ MORE]( [Liechtenstein]( The Fourth-Smallest Country in Europe Has a Ski Resort and Is Ruled by a Prince The fourth-smallest country in the world is a landlocked nation whose name most of us can’t pronounce or spell: Liechtenstein. Located in the Alps and being the second-richest country in the world, you'll easily find luxurious accommodations from ski resorts to summer chalets with plenty of things to do. [READ MORE]( [Kosovo]( Why You Shouldn’t Overlook Kosovo on Your Balkan Trip The Republic of Kosovo is Europe’s youngest country. It broke from Serbia on February 17, 2008, and in 2010 the International Court of Justice declared it a sovereign nation. A trip there offers both a glimpse into a country working to build a future of its own making and a window into understanding how today’s Balkan states came to be. Here, everything from the cafe culture to the nightlife to the tourist attractions has a strong Balkan — and also uniquely Kosovan — flavor, making a Balkans trip without experiencing Kosovo incomplete. [READ MORE]( [Nicosia, Cyprus]( What It's Like Visiting Nicosia, Cyprus, the Last Divided Capital on Earth When thinking of divided cities, Berlin is the best known. But the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 did not signal the end of the world’s divided capitals. Nicosia, on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, remains a divided capital city to this day. The wall, known in the city as the “Green Line,” runs 120 miles across the island, effectively splitting it in two. The island’s capital is a highly unique tourist destination for history buffs, adventure seekers, and those in pursuit of complicated pasts and undetermined futures. [READ MORE]( [Monte Carlo]( The Ultimate Guide To Vacationing in Monte Carlo Like James Bond James Bond movies have always been about the setup more than the payoff. Out of all the places to find danger and romance, Monte Carlo seems to be the one that suits James Bond best. So channel your inner spy and plan a trip to Monaco, a small self-governed principality, in which Monte Carlo is just one of several quartiers or wards. It’s not easy to be James Bond, but by planning carefully, you can fill the shoes of Ian Fleming’s iconic character on the ultimate vacation that’s shaken, not stirred. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Mullerthal Trail]( Luxembourg’s Mullerthal Trail Is the Most Underrated Hike in Europe Everyone knows about the Camino de Santiago, the Amalfi Coast, and the various routes through French wine country, but one of the best hikes in Europe is actually in one of its tiniest countries. Luxembourg’s Mullerthal region is nicknamed “Little Switzerland” for its craggy terrain, imposing rock formations, lush forests, and streams reminiscent of a Swiss landscape. It’s also home to the 70-mile Mullerthal Trail that offers some of the best hiking and cycling in Europe. [READ MORE]( [Malta]( The Montenegro Express Is the Ultimate Fall Train Route Through Europe The Montenegro Express not only provides an exhilarating aerial train ride, but come mid-October, and midway through the precarious journey up the mountainsides, you'll find an autumnal display like few others in the world. [READ MORE]( [Malta]( 5 Walks With Beautiful Ocean Views To Do in Malta This Summer The Mediterranean archipelago of Malta, just over 400 miles off Italy’s southern coast, encompasses multiple worlds. To visit here is to stroll alongside European, African, and Middle Eastern culture and heritage, typically in the same town and often on the same block — and all within just 122 square miles of land. The countryside is peaceful and colorful, especially in spring and early summer when nature is in bloom. The coastline is picturesque, offering paths that lead to historic cities, towns, and villages. [READ MORE]( [Budget ski in Andorra]( How To Plan a Budget Ski Trip To Andorra Skiing in Andorra is an unforgettable experience. With its breathtaking mountain scenery and a wide variety of ski resorts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Pyrenees mountains provide the perfect backdrop for skiing in Andorra. If you’re looking for an affordable ski trip, Andorra is a great option. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [Phil Good Travel]( The First Black Man to Stand in the San Marino Parliament Tower? This tiny country is situated completely within Italy — one of only three countries in the world to be completely surrounded by another country — and it’s also one of the world’s oldest republics. Follow Phil Good Travel's adventures through San Marino from Guaita Tower to the Parliament Tower. [READ MORE]( [kleftiko]( In This Small Village in Cyprus, ‘Thief’s Kebab’ Unites Everyone The kleftiko in Greek or hirsiz kebabi in Turkish means “stolen” and “thief’s kebab” respectively. This iconic dish is widespread in Greece, but in Cyprus, where many different Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ethnic identities intermingle, kleftiko is just as popular. In a small village called Kormakitis, you can have the best kleftiko in Cyprus. [READ MORE]( [Montenegro Cafe]( The Most Beautiful Views in Montenegro Are Tucked Away at This Hilltop Cafe The standout feature of the restaurant and bar is its observation deck, which overlooks the Dinaric Alps and UNESCO-recognized Bay of Kotor on the Adriatic Sea. The location is so spectacular, some couples have even visited Horizont Cafe to stage wedding photos there. [READ MORE]( [Ice Cream]( The Best Places Near Vatican City To Eat, Drink, and Recharge Once you’ve enjoyed the art and history of the Vatican museums, take a moment to wander, eat, and relax in one of the most romantic parts of Rome: the Borgo Pio neighborhood, just adjacent to the Vatican border. Leaving behind Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” can be hard, but so is finding a quiet place to eat near the Vatican that isn’t a tourist trap. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Athens places to stay]( [Athens places to stay]( [Athens places to stay]( [Athens places to stay]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [Custom]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2023 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States