Inspiration

What to Do in Europe's Smallest Countries

From Vatican City's artistic masterpieces to the pristine beauty of the Faroe Islands, Europe's smallest countries have a wealth of experiences to offer the traveler who's seen it all.

By Elizabeth Stark and Brian Campbell

January 28, 2015

Andorra
Nestled between France and Spain in the Pyrenees, Andorra enjoys one of the world’s highest standards of living thanks to a booming economy based mainly on tourists who come to enjoy its splendid mountain views, ski resorts, spas, and duty-free shopping. Its other major source of income is providing financial services to wealthy individuals who use Andorra as a tax haven. Because of this, Andorra’s capital Andorra la Vella is also a hotbed of luxury shopping.
If skiing and shopping aren’t your cup of tea, Andorra also offers plenty for the traveler looking for new experiences. The ski resort Grandvalira, east of Andorra la Vella, offers dog sled tours, while Naturalandia Adventure Park in the south has everything from a 5 km ride through the woods on an Alpine coaster to archery to a terrifyingly high skytrail where you can pit your sense of balance against your sense of fear.

Faroe Islands
About halfway between Norway and Iceland, the Faroe Islands are a self-governed country within the Kingdom of Denmark. The Faroese, descended from the 9th century Norse settlers, have long made their living from the sea, and visitors will find many opportunities to take to the waters on fishing expeditions, whale watching trips, and birding tours. On dry land, take a hike to view puffins or pay a visit to a traditional farm or blacksmith.
One of the Faroe Islands’ truly special experiences is heimablídni (home hospitality). Throughout the islands, you can arrange to have a traditional Faroese meal at home with a Faroese family, sometimes featuring ingredients from their own farm. It’s an incredible opportunity to take in the local cuisine and culture with the natives. The islands' tourist board maintains a list of hosts along with instructions for arranging a visit.

Malta
Malta, an archipelago about 50 miles south of Sicily, draws 1.2 million visitors annually, about three times the country’s population. Many come for the sandy beaches; Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa on the northeast coast of the main island are two of the most popular. Don’t miss the beaches on Gozo and Comino, the nation’s other large islands –– they’re just as beautiful and generally less crowded.
Malta’s unique history –– it’s been ruled at various points by the Phoenecians, Romans, Normans, Moors, Italians, and British, among others –– have left it with a cultural and architectural heritage that stands alone in Europe, and the former capital Mdina is the perfect place to explore this mix of cultures. Some of the limestone homes lining the narrow streets date back to the period of Arab rule from 870-1091, and circa-1697 Mdina Cathedral is a stunning example of Baroque architecture.

Liechtenstein
A tiny principality on the Swiss-Austrian border, Liechtenstein's largest town, Schaan, is an important banking and commerce center. But for tourists, the biggest draws are in the countryside, where there is spectacular hiking and skiing. The Malbun Resort in particular offers great skiing and snowboarding at a bargain price compared to Switzerland and Austria.
Even in summer, Malbun is still worth a visit for the Eagle Adventure Hike. Visitors take the lift to the top of the mountain where a falconer releases a golden eagle. As the group descends the mountain, the falconer provides a stunning demonstration of the eagle's skills. For a slightly more urban experience, check out the capital city of Vaduz, which features the gorgeous Vaduz Castle, home to the prince of Liechtenstein, as well the impressive Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, which houses works by RIchard Serra, Jessica Stockholder, and Donald Judd.

San Marino
A landlocked enclave within Italy, San Marino is a popular day trip for visitors to the famous beaches of nearby Rimini. Most travelers come to take in the sites of the historic center of the capital city, also named San Marino. Chief among those sites are the neoclassical Basilica di San Marino and the Palazzo Pubblico, the country’s government building, which is a small-scale version of Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio.
Åland Islands
The Åland Islands, a Swedish-speaking autonomous region of Finland located between the two countries, is blessed with more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Scandinavia, gorgeous meadows and forests, and sandy beaches. The islands are popular with vacationing Finns and Swedes: Many overnight ferries going between Stockholm and Helsinki will make a stop in Åland's capital, Mariehamn.

The Åland Islands have plenty of charming rental cottages, which range from luxurious beachside homes to quaint rustic cabins. Travelers who want to visit museums and go out dining and dancing should stay on Fasta Åland, the main island and home to 90 percent of the population. For a quiet summer idyll, rent a place on one of the dozens of smaller islands.
Vatican City
Vatican City is also the world’s smallest sovereign state, at just 110 acres surrounded entirely by Rome and with 800 residents (only 450 of whom are citizens). In spite of that small size, there’s a wealth of things to see and do. Since there are no tourist lodgings available inside the Vatican, this is strictly a day trip.

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It's unlikely that you'll find a hidden gem at the Vatican, so instead take in some of the greatest masterpieces of Western art in the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Vatican Museums house works from Da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio, and others, as well as an impressive collection of Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian antiquities.
Monaco
The second smallest country in the world, Monaco packs a lot into 0.78 square miles. The Monte Carlo casino, opened in 1858, and the Monaco Grand Prix, first raced in 1929, have cemented Monaco as a mainstay of luxury travel and, along with the gorgeous Larvotto Beach, remain its biggest draws today.

Beyond the casinos and beaches, though, Monaco has a great deal to offer visitors. Racing fans will want to check out the Prince of Monaco’s personal collection of rare and unusual antique automobiles. If you need a quiet break from the excitement of the casino and the luxury boutiques, the Jardin Exotique de Monaco boasts over 1000 plants from around the world as well as a Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology which displays artifacts of the earliest inhabitants of the area.

Andorra

Faroe Islands

Malta

Liechtenstein

San Marino

Åland Islands

Vatican City

Monaco

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