Europe is a fascinating continent, with a rich history spanning a wealth of cultures, languages and epochs. Some of the world’s most popular destinations for visitors include France, Italy, Spain and Greece. But there are also many fantastic small countries in Europe, that are wonderful to explore. Here’s some great tips, based on personal experiences, covering Malta, Montenegro, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and San Marino!
Malta
Malta is among the smallest of the 27 European Union countries. The small group of 5 islands, 3 of which are inhabited, are located between Sicily and North Africa. The islands are home to around 563,000 residents. It’s a picturesque destination packed with historical sites, sandy beaches and a variety of flavorful dishes reflective of its geographic location.
For a romantic getaway in a historic town, base yourself in Valletta. Malta’s capital is a charming destination dotted with striking architecture, elegant restaurants, cozy cafes and boutique shops. It’s also a central spot for day trips to must visit destinations like Mdina, the fortified former capital of Malta from antiquity to the medieval period.
Catch a ferry to the lovely nearby islands of Gozo and Comino, which offer a lovely journey across Malta’s archipelago. Comino is idyllic for swimming in the sea and enjoying cocktails sipped from freshly cut pineapples. Gozo offers another perspective of Malta, with historic sites and a variety of lovely restaurant terraces and casual eateries to enjoy dishes like Stuffat tal-Fenek (rabbit stew) or simply a delicious takeaway arancini.
In addition to Valetta, one of the three lovely Grand Harbour towns of Birgu, Senglea or Cospicua offers a charming and central spot to enjoy Malta. It’s just a 10 minute ferry ride from the harbor to Valleta. St. Julian’s is the nightlife capital of the island, with luxury resorts and a cosmopolitan dining scene.
Malta is a unique destination that’s home to a fusion of cultures. Historic sites span over 4,000 years of history, covering the reigns of Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. We spent 10 days in the country and covered it extensively in this Malta travel guide, which is packed with great tips!
Montenegro
Montenegro is one of the most beautiful small countries in Europe. The seaside country offers a vacation paradise in the heart of the balkans. Culinary highlights include excellent grilled seafood, meats, pastas and pizzas. A fun fact about the country is that while it is not part of the European Union, Montenegro uses the Euro as its currency.
Kotor, Montenegro features a charming medieval center surrounded by striking mountains that hug the coast. This unique combination has made Kotor a popular cruise ship destination, as it’s one of the most strikingly beautiful towns in the world. Try and visit in spring or fall for the best value and to beat the hordes of tourists. It’s a romantic destination filled with ample loving cats, which is wonderful for animal lovers.
Budva, Montenegro is another lovely seaside town. While not quite as dramatically beautiful as Kotor, there are many delicious seaside restaurants and an abundance of nightlife. Young couples and solo travelers who like to party should add Budva to their list. There are also many small boat tour operators, where you can book a last minute tour to enjoy the stunning Montenegrin coastline from the sea.
Visitors can reach Montenegro by ferry, car, bus or by plane via Podgorica Airport. When we visited we caught a bus from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Kotor, which takes around 2 hours. We then flew out of Montenegro to Warsaw, Poland from Podgorica Airport. Montenegro is a country we would happily re-visit. It offers some of the best value for money among Europe’s beautiful destinations.
San Marino
One of the world’s oldest and smallest republics can be found tucked away within northeast Italy, near the Adriatic Sea. San Marino is a wonderful destination for exploring charming pedestrian-only cobblestone laneways. While not a foodie destination by Italian standards (most restaurants cater primarily to tourists), its eateries and cafes offer some of the most gorgeous vantage points overlooking the Apennine Mountains and the neighboring Italian countryside.
Cultural highlights include three impressive towers perched atop Monte Titano, with Guaita dating to the 11th century. They offer dramatic views across the horizon, extending to the Adriatic Sea. The tiny enclave is surrounded by the picturesque Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, a culinary haven of the country thanks to ample farms that dot the landscape.
If you visit San Marino on a day trip from Florence or Bologna, it’s quicker if you rent a car. Parking is available just outside the historic center of San Marino. The best public parking lot is Piazzale Cava Antica, as it’s just outside the city walls and the closest lot to the towers.
Nearby Rimini, Italy
If you travel to San Marino by train from somewhere in Italy, you’ll need to transfer to a bus in the seaside resort town of Rimini. Walk across the street from Rimini train station and catch a Bonelli Bus. Bus tickets can be purchased from the driver at the time of boarding or in the tobacco shop. It’s a 40 minute bus ride between Rimini and San Marino. Rimini (and nearby San Marino) are also served by its international airport, Federico Fellini.
Rimini is a popular seaside holiday destination lined with a wide variety of resorts and hotels along its long stretch of sandy beach. It’s not somewhere on the radar of most Americans, but Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a sister city. Imagine a more inexpensive version of Fort Lauderdale, with delicious Italian food and historic sites. This combines to make a vacation in Italy and San Marino an idyllic slice of La Dolce Vita – “the sweet life.”
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. It’s also one of the smallest nations in the European Union. This means visitors can experience many highlights during a short visit.
Luxembourg is a romantic destination filled with lovely castles, cozy restaurants and cafes. Ample shopping opportunities span everything from luxury brands to some great mid range options. While on the pricy side, Luxembourg is not strictly for luxury travelers. Budget travelers can find value in visiting the country in the off-season.
A major perk is that all public transportation in Luxembourg is free for everyone! If you want to jump on a tram in Luxembourg City or catch a train to a nearby castle, you can hop on and off without worrying about payment. Just be sure it’s not an international train heading to France, Belgium or Germany.
There are ample opportunities to visit Luxembourg, either by plane, train or bus. If you book in advance, you can find a great deal to this fascinating and wealthy small nation. Luxembourg was the last of the 27 European Union countries that I ticked off my travel list two summers ago (which included a frustrating two day weather delay changing planes in Munich).
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is one of the smallest and least visited countries in Europe. But the unique monarchy, nestled in a charming slice of the Alps, bordering Switzerland and Austria, is a lovely destination. Liechtenstein’s capital of Vaduz features gorgeous views of the Alps and features elegant restaurants where visitors can indulge in local cuisine like fondue, featuring fresh high quality ingredients.
Vaduz Castle (Schloss Vaduz in German) is the palace and official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. Originally constructed as a fortress in the 12th century, the castle has been owned by the House of Liechtenstein since 1712. As the prince resides in the castle, Schloss Vaduz is not open to the public.
Especially during a short visit, it’s a good idea to catch the CityTrain. The 35 minute minute trip travels through Vaduz highlights and offers cultural insights, including historical information regarding Schloss Vaduz. They provide headsets and you can adjust the language to English or many other languages. The Vaduz CityTrain costs 12 Swiss Francs ($14.50 USD).
Liechtenstein uses the Swiss Franc as its currency. Its border with Switzerland has historically been open (the checkpoint with Austria was not in operation during my April 2025 visit, perhaps since Switzerland currently has a Schengen border with European Union countries). It’s possible to visit Liechtenstein on a day trip from Zurich, but be sure to leave early to allow yourself enough time.
Liechtenstein is a great stop when traveling between Austria and Switzerland. There is not an overwhelming amount of things to do there, so most visitors will be content spending just a day. But there are some wineries, cozy cafes, chic restaurants, boutique shops and luxury hotels, so couples or families can enjoy a quiet and relaxing couple days in the area.
Feldkirch, Austria offers a Great Base to Visit Liechtenstein
You can can also base yourself in the lovely town of Feldkirch, Austria, which I really enjoyed basing myself for three days. Feldkirch is also handily located on the train route from Zurich, Switzerland to Budapest, Hungary, with stops in great destinations like Vienna and Innsbruck. From Feldkirch you can catch a train or bus to the capital of Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Feldkirch is equally charming and much less expensive for comfortable accommodation, delicious food and drinks compared to Liechtenstein.
Recap
Travel opens doors of discovery and wonder. While it’s exciting to visit Europe’s most popular destinations, it can be equally fascinating to visit Europe’s impressive small countries. Some of these destinations are still quite touristy, but they tend to draw a wide mix of international travelers, with no particularly dominant groups. They offer a refreshing experience from major destinations like London, Paris, Barcelona and Santorini. Happy travels!
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