Top 10 Beautiful Small Countries in Europe That Most Travelers Overlook

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Europe is one of the most visited regions in the world, and it is easy to see why. Countries like France, Italy, and Spain draw millions of visitors every year. But in all that movement, plenty of beautiful small countries end up getting skipped entirely.

These beautiful small countries offer something the bigger ones rarely can. You can cross an entire border in an afternoon, explore a medieval old town without any crowds, or find a quiet coastline that still feels off the beaten path.

If you want to explore this beautiful continent beyond the famous countries, you are in the right place. Here are the ten beautiful small countries in Europe that are worth to visit on your next trip. Let's check them out.

Three islands in the Mediterranean, and yet Malta manages to fit in more history than most countries twice its size. The walled city of Valletta is a good starting point, with its grand churches, fortified walls, and harbor views. From there, the ancient temples of Hagar Qim and the colorful fishing harbor of Marsaxlokk are both easy day trips. If you enjoy history and coastal scenery in one place, Malta is genuinely hard to beat.

Montenegro does not get nearly as much attention as its neighbors, but it is hard to argue that it deserves to be overlooked. The Bay of Kotor alone is worth the trip, with its calm waters, mountain backdrop, and cluster of medieval towns along the shore. Head inland, and you will find Durmitor National Park, with deep river canyons, glacial lakes, and trails that most tourists never reach. For a small country, it covers a lot of ground.

Not many people think of Slovenia when planning a European trip, but those who do tend to come back. Lake Bled, with its island church and clifftop castle, is the most photographed spot in the country, and it earns that reputation. The Soča River valley has some of the clearest turquoise water in Europe, and the capital Ljubljana is compact enough to explore on foot, with a relaxed riverfront and a castle hill that is easy to climb.

Perched on top of Mount Titano and completely surrounded by Italy, San Marino is one of the smallest and oldest republics in the world. The three medieval towers on the ridge are its most recognizable landmarks, and from up there you get wide views over the Italian countryside below. The old town is small but genuinely well preserved. If you are already traveling through northern or central Italy, a day trip here adds something quite different to the itinerary.

Squeezed between Belgium, France, and Germany, Luxembourg is easy to overlook on a map, but its capital has a well-preserved old town that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chemin de la Corniche follows the cliff above the lower city and gives you some of the best views in the country. Outside the capital, the Müllerthal region is worth a half-day at least, with its mossy rock formations, forested valleys, and quiet hiking trails.

If a luxurious escape is what you are after, Monaco delivers in a way that few places in Europe can. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, the harbor lined with yachts, and the winding streets of the old town all make for an interesting day of exploring. The Prince's Palace and the Oceanographic Museum, both sitting high above the sea, offer a slightly quieter side of the city and are worth a visit even if the glamour is not really your thing.

Most people picture Iceland as remote and difficult to reach, but it is actually one of the more accessible unusual destinations in Europe. The Golden Circle route alone covers geysers, powerful waterfalls, and a rift valley where two tectonic plates pull apart. Come in winter and you have a real chance of seeing the northern lights from a dark field outside the capital. Come in summer and the midnight sun keeps the sky bright and the days feeling endless.

Sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is one of just two doubly landlocked countries in the world, and most travelers pass through without stopping. That is worth reconsidering. The capital Vaduz has a hilltop castle that looks over the whole town, a handful of good museums, and a calm pace that makes it easy to spend a few hours without any real plan. The Rhine Valley and the alpine trails above the towns are also good for a half-day walk.

Georgia sits at the point where Europe meets Asia, and that position shows in everything from its architecture to its food. The cave city of Uplistsikhe, the cliff-carved monastery of Vardzia, and the ancient stone towers of Svaneti are all genuinely striking and unlike anything you would find further west. Back in the capital, Tbilisi has one of the most distinctive old towns in the region, full of wooden balconies and layered architecture from several very different eras.

If the Greek islands appeal to you but you would rather avoid the peak-season crowds, Cyprus is worth adding to your shortlist. The Roman mosaics at Paphos are among the best-preserved in the eastern Mediterranean and easy to spend a morning at. The old city of Nicosia, still divided by a buffer zone, is also worth a walk for a very different kind of history. Further inland, the Troodos Mountains bring cooler air and wine villages that most beach visitors never see.