Vatican City – 0.5 km²
You can’t visit Rome without entering the center of the Catholic Church. That’s right – the Vatican is technically a country in and of itself. In fact, it’s possible to walk from one end of the holy city to the other in under 20 minutes!
The Vatican City is laden with important sites to marvel at. These include St. Peter’s Square, which is home to the colossal Basilica of the same name. But most people can’t wait to work their way through the city’s impressive art collection, with the Sistine Chapel waiting at the end of it.
Liechtenstein – 160 km²
This tiny German-speaking country is special because it’s the only nation that is entirely located in the Alps. Nestled between Austria and Switzerland, this beautiful land stakes the claim as the sixth smallest country on the planet!
With no airport, Liechtenstein can be quite difficult to reach. But it’s definitely worth reaching. Visitors can stare in awe at the beautiful villages that rest on the mountains. And there are plenty of ruins of the Holy Roman Empire to see. But of course, skiing is the most popular pastime in this region.
San Marino – 61 km²
Make no mistake about it – San Marino is not simply a tiny version of Italy. This landlocked country is a two-hour drive away from Bologna and is well worth the trip. Claiming to be the world’s oldest medieval republic, San Marino depends on tourism for its economy to keep going.
Here, you can visit all kinds of cool sites. These include the beautiful Palazzo Publico and Piazza della Liberta. The Basilica of San Marino is also a sight for sore eyes. And, you can get some incredible views from Mount Titano.
Monaco – 2 km²
Although it’s entirely located in France, the small state of Monaco has its own unique culture that is worth experiencing. Popular among the rich and famous as it’s a tax-free haven, Monaco is a place for lavish living and high-spending.
With plenty of big casinos, high-end restaurants, and the very best events (including the Monaco Grand Prix), you might need to save up a little before you decide to come.
Honorable Mentions
While they’re bigger than the ones above, the following countries also deserve a visit at least once: St Kitts and Nevis (261 km²), The Maldives (300 km²), Grenada (344 km²), Malta (316 km²), Andorra (468 km²), and Palau (458.4 km²).