When most people dream about Europe, they picture the grand capitals: Paris with its glittering boulevards, Rome with its ancient ruins, Madrid with its royal palaces. But tucked between those giants are countries so small you could walk across them in less time than it takes to finish a Netflix episode.

Welcome to the microstates of Europe. They may be small on the map, but their histories, economies, and quirks are anything but tiny. These are places where medieval towers sit beside Formula 1 racetracks, where tax laws rival fairy tales, and where identity runs deeper than territory.

I’ve walked their cobblestones, climbed their fortresses, and even stood in line for their passport stamps. And trust me—skipping them would be a mistake.

At its simplest, a microstate is a fully sovereign country with a very small land area and population. Some measure less than one square mile—smaller than Disneyland’s parking lot. And yet, they issue passports, mint coins, run governments, and punch far above their weight on the world stage.

They survive thanks to clever diplomacy, unique economies, and, in many cases, centuries of stubborn independence. Think of them as history’s underdogs who never gave up their seat at the table.

So why visit? Well, because they offer all the magic of Europe—castles, culture, cuisine—without the crushing crowds of their bigger neighbors.

Perched on Mount Titano inside Italy, San Marino is the world’s fifth-smallest country and possibly the oldest republic still in existence. Founded in 301 AD by a Christian stonemason escaping Roman persecution, San Marino somehow managed to resist conquest through empires, wars, and even Napoleon.

Today, it’s a postcard come to life: three medieval towers standing proudly on a mountaintop, narrow lanes that feel frozen in time, and views stretching across the Italian countryside.

Highlights:

San Marino may not offer Monaco-style glamour, but it delivers alpine charm and history for travelers who love to dig deeper.

Wedged between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is only 25 kilometers long, but it’s a financial titan. With more companies than citizens, this constitutional monarchy has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world.

It’s also absurdly safe. The prison population is often in the single digits. The prince still lives in his clifftop castle, overlooking Vaduz, and yes—you can mail your passport to the museum to get a quirky Liechtenstein visa stamp.

Fun fact: In 2007, Switzerland accidentally invaded because of a GPS error. No one noticed. That’s how chill Liechtenstein is.

At just over two square kilometers, Monaco is the ultimate playground for the wealthy. One in three residents is a millionaire. The country has no personal income tax, no wealth tax, and no capital gains tax—making it irresistible to the ultra-rich.

But Monaco isn’t just about money. It’s about spectacle:

Tourist tip: You can walk across the entire country in under an hour—but linger long enough to soak up the Riviera’s most glamorous views.

Tucked high in the Pyrenees, Andorra is a country with two heads of state—the president of France and a Spanish bishop. Strange? Sure. But it works, and it has for centuries.

Andorra thrives on three things:

Pro tip: Hunt down its romanesque stone churches—tiny, timeless, and far from the crowds.

At less than half a square kilometer, Vatican City is the world’s smallest sovereign state—but its influence stretches worldwide. Home to the Pope, it runs as a theocracy with its own post office, currency, and even citizenship (reserved for clergy and guards).

It’s also a cultural treasure chest: the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and museums overflowing with Renaissance masterpieces.

But here’s a twist: Vatican City technically has the highest crime rate per capita in the world, only because so many tourists cram into such a tiny space. Most of it is pickpocketing, not papal conspiracies.

Traveler tip: If you want to see the Pope, book free tickets online for the Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square.

These countries may be small, but they know exactly who they are:

Together, they prove that size doesn’t determine importance. Identity does.

So the next time you plan a Eurotrip, consider skipping the endless lines at the Colosseum or Eiffel Tower and spend a day—or three—in these overlooked gems. You’ll come home with stories no one else at the dinner table has.