Vatican City, the epitome of the idea that tiny is mighty.Credit: iStock
If you stepped over the border into the Vatican City and started running as fast as you could in a straight line, you would probably be out the other side of the country in four or five minutes. That’s it. You could sprint across an entire nation in the time it takes to make a cup of tea.
The Vatican is only 850 metres wide at some points and the country covers a total area of 49 hectares. You could fit four Vatican Cities into Sydney’s Centennial Park, 3½ into Melbourne’s Royal Park. This is a tiny country.
And yet inside the Vatican you have the world headquarters of Catholicism, not to mention priceless works of art, some of the most spectacular architecture on the planet and Swiss Guards in jaunty uniforms.
This nation is the epitome of the idea that tiny is mighty – that you can have incredible travel experiences in some of the world’s smallest countries.
To Sua Ocean Trench in Samoa.Credit: iStock
It’s not just the big-hitters, either. You don’t have to be the seat of a global religion to be an attractive, small destination. Tiny countries such as Grenada, Samoa, Singapore and Bahrain offer visitors the rare chance to take in an entire nation on a single trip.
You can experience every cultural quirk, visit every historical site and probably meet a fair percentage of the population, too.
There’s much to be said for giving these tiny nations a go, not just for the joy and the fascination of the experience, but the simplicity, too. Getting around is easy. Deciding what to do is easy. And more often than not, when you depart the country you will find yourself somewhere equally amazing.
Here’s a selection of Traveller’s favourite pint-sized principalities, our big-hitting small-fries, just waiting to be discovered.
Luxembourg
Try this for size The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a landlocked nation bordering Belgium, Germany and France, and one that, at 2586 square kilometres, is about half the size of Kangaroo Island. A mere 660,000 people call Luxembourg home.
Luxembourg City has a fairy-tale vibe, historical sights and a diverse dining scene. Credit: iStock
Why go If you could distil the essence of Western Europe into one small place, capture its history, its nuances, its languages and traditions, you might have somewhere like Luxembourg. The world’s only grand duchy is a multicultural place that attracts business-minded migrants from across Europe; it boasts a medieval capital city while still having space for wilderness, wine production and a smattering of villages.
See + do Luxembourg City is the natural base here, and it’s worth a few days to explore the likes of the Bock Casemates, an ancient network of tunnels and fortifications, and walk up to Chemin de la Corniche. Evenings can be spent exploring Luxembourg’s diverse dining scene, with everything from Germanic-style pubs to ultra-modern restaurants.
Don’t miss Head out to the Moselle Valley, Luxembourg’s premier wine region, where wineries offer tastings of local riesling, chardonnay and gewurztraminer. It’s about 45 minutes on the train from the city.
Make it happen Luxembourg is best from May to September. It’s easily accessible by train from Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris. See visitluxembourg.com
Singapore
Try this for size Singapore is small, area-wise. It’s smaller than Mornington Island in Queensland, about half the size of Oahu in Hawaii. And yet this island just south of Malaysia is home to almost 6 million people, and countless cultures and traditions.
Why go Plenty of Australian travellers are already familiar with Singapore’s charms, given its prime location and access as a transport hub. Singapore is a gourmand’s dream, with some of the finest cuisine on the planet; it’s also a shopper’s paradise, the accommodation is varied and high quality, and it’s safe, clean and predictable.
Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s most impressive tourist sites.Credit: iStock
See + do Hit the hawker centres: our favourites are Old Airport Road, the Tekka Centre and Adam Road. Bring your credit cards for a shopping spree on Orchard Road. Visit the impressive Gardens By the Bay. And don’t miss Jewel, the shopping mall at Changi Airport that is an attraction in itself.
Don’t miss Take a break from big-city life at Pulau Ubin, a sleepy island near Changi that is something of a time warp, offering a glimpse of the way Singapore used to be.
Make it happen Singapore is a year-round destination – it’s always hot and humid, with the occasional downpour. It couldn’t be easier to access, with direct flights from Australian hubs via Singapore Air. See visitsingapore.com
Monaco
Try this for size Pretend Carlton, the inner-city suburb in Melbourne, had a population of almost 40,000 (Carlton’s is actually 15,000), a per-capita GDP of $375,000 (five times that of Carlton) and hosted its own grand prix, and you would understand Monaco, the tiny principality wedged between France and Italy.
Why go We can all dream, can’t we? And that’s what Monaco is about. This country is home to the rich and famous, a glamorous place of sports cars and superyachts, high-rollers and high-flyers. It’s also naturally beautiful, and worth at least a day or two of exploration.
The Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco offers gaming, dining and bars.Credit: iStock
See + do You can dream as you walk the streets, stroll through the Casino de Monte Carlo and resist the urge to spend all your euros, visit the Prince’s Palace, have a drink at Cafe de Paris, drool at the boats at Monaco Yacht Club and enjoy the beauty of Monaco Cathedral.
Don’t miss Visit the Private Cars Collection of HSH Prince of Monaco, an amazing showroom of more than 100 classic vehicles made by Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and more.
Make it happen Monaco is a year-round destination, though it’s busiest – and most expensive – in summer. The principality is accessible by train or car (or helicopter) from Nice in France. See visitmonaco.com
Vatican City
Try this for size Vatican City is misnamed in some ways because the entire nation is nowhere near the size of a city. At 49 hectares, it’s less than half the area of Bondi. It’s also surrounded by Italy, and is home to a mere 825 people.
Why go There’s nowhere on Earth like the Vatican City: the seat of the Roman Catholic Church; the home of one humankind’s most impressive artistic achievements, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; the place the Pope calls home. This is the smallest nation on the planet.
There’s nowhere on Earth like Vatican City.Credit: iStock
See + do The Sistine Chapel is the main drawcard, accessible via a walking tour through the Vatican Museums, which feature works by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio and van Gogh. St Peter’s Basilica, designed in part by Michelangelo, with fittings by Bernini, is also an architectural wonder.
Don’t miss Most visitors purchase a unique souvenir: a postage stamp. The Vatican has its own postal system and stamps are highly prized.
Make it happen You can visit the Vatican year-round, though the Sistine Chapel is closed over Easter and Christmas, and there are long queues in high summer. The Vatican is easily accessible from Rome, with no border checkpoints. See vatican.va
Maldives
Try this for size The land portion of the Maldives occupies almost the same amount of space as the Whitsunday Islands, at 298 square kilometres. The country is in the heart of the Indian Ocean, south-west of Sri Lanka, and home to 520,000 people.
Why go If “island paradise” truly is a thing, then the Maldives is the best example. White-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, swaying palm trees, tasteful, luxurious resorts, overwater bungalows, salty hair and sun-kissed skin – you get the idea.
A stay in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives is the ultimate recipe for relaxation.Credit: iStock
See + do One of the biggest drawcards here is lounging around at your resort and enjoying the tropical good life. On the off chance you get bored with that, you could go scuba diving, surfing, swim with manta rays or experience local culture.
Don’t miss The resorts here are justifiably famous, but visitors should make time for a live-aboard boat trip in the Maldives. Many of these specialise in scuba diving, though there are also surf charters, luxury pleasure cruises and more.
Make it happen The prime time to visit is between November and April. The Maldives are best accessed via Sri Lanka, on SriLankan Airlines. See visitmaldives.com
Andorra
Try this for size At 468 square kilometres, Andorra is relatively large – you could fit all of Monaco, San Marino and Lichtenstein inside it. The mountainous country is landlocked between Spain and France and is home to 80,000 people, most of whom live in the capital, Andorra la Vella.
The view from the top of Madriu-Perafita-Claror, a glacial valley so pristine it is UNESCO heritage-listed.Credit: iStock
Why go If you love Spain and you love France, there’s a good chance you will also enjoy the Principality of Andorra, a country probably best known for its family-friendly ski resorts, though there’s also excellent hiking, biking and horse-riding in the warmer months.
See + do It might be a surprise to find that such a small country has an abundance of wide open spaces, such as Madriu-Perafita-Claror, a glacial valley so pristine it’s UNESCO heritage-listed, not to mention Escaldes-Engordany, with its thermal springs, and Ordino, the heart of the Pyrenees.
Don’t miss In Andorra la Vella, take a deep-dive into traditional Andorran cuisine, which takes influence from French, Spanish and Catalan cooking, at El Raim, a classic restaurant.
Make it happen Andorra is a year-round destination. Visit in winter to ski and other seasons for outdoor activities. The country has no train station or airport, but it is accessible by road from France or Spain. See visitandorra.com
Bahrain
Try this for size At 786 square kilometres, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s footprint is smaller than Melbourne, and about half the size of Sydney. This island nation is nestled between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and has a population of almost 1.5 million.
Why go Bahrain comprises 33 islands, an archipelago that stretches out in the Persian Gulf like a pearl necklace, is a place of natural beauty, not to mention history, traditional and modern architecture and has a buzzing capital city.
Al-Fateh Mosque in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, is an example of traditional Arabian architecture.Credit: iStock
See + do For history buffs, the UNESCO heritage-listed, 16th-century Bahrain Fort is a must. For traditional Arabian architecture, visit Al-Fateh Mosque, and to experience a spectacular example of modern architecture, see Bahrain National Theatre. Finally, Gold City in the capital, Manama, is perfect for those with a little money to spend.
Don’t miss Be sure to get out of the city for a day: there are plenty of tour companies offering short trips into the desert, including visits to camel farms, oil wells and more.
Make it happen December to March is the best time to visit, when the weather is at its coolest. The country is accessible via Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. See visitbahrain.bh
Grenada
Try this for size Grenada is small, even for the Caribbean – about the size of Hinchinbrook Island in Queensland. It’s home to 125,000 people, nestled in warm waters midway between St Lucia to the north, and Trinidad and Tobago to the south.
Why go Grenada is the epitome of Caribbean beauty, a volcanic island with lovely beaches, forests, waterfalls and plenty of hiking trails to explore. It’s not a place with any well-known attractions, but rather an island on which to lose yourself in tranquility.
St George’s, the capital city of the Caribbean island of Grenada.Credit: iStock
See + do St George’s is the closest you will get to a city in Grenada, and is a lively hub in the south of the island with good markets and restaurants. The capital is also the home base for companies that provide adventure activities such as hiking, sailing and snorkelling.
Don’t miss Take a full-day excursion with Henry Safari Tours. These trips visit waterfalls, lakes and natural reserves in the island’s interior, as well as a chocolate factory, a rum distillery and even a spice processing station.
Make it happen The dry, cool months between December and April are best for a visit. Get to Grenada via the US – it’s about a four-hour flight from Miami. See puregrenada.com
San Marino
Try this for size You think Grenada is small? You could fit five San Marinos into Grenada and still have room for a few football pitches. The Most Serene Republic of San Marino is only 61 square kilometres in size, home to 35,000 people and a country surrounded by the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.
Why go Part of the attraction is just to say you’ve been. To chalk up another country. San Marino: how many people actually go there? Upon arrival, you will find a pleasant, peaceful and tiny nation highlighted by its capital, also called San Marino, a fortified citadel that oozes old-world charm.
One of three towers overlooking San Marino, a landlocked country in Italy.Credit: iStock
See + do In the walled city of San Marino, visit the famed three towers, which are actually small castles that command amazing views of the surrounding territory; one tower contains the Museum of Archaic Arms. Most visitors also check out the Basilica di San Marino, a 19th-century church, and the pleasant Piazza della Liberta.
Don’t miss Is it even worth visiting a new country if you don’t get your passport stamped? Probably. Still, you can have this done, with a visa tax sticker and an entry stamp, at the post office in San Marino city.
Make it happen San Marino is great to visit year-round. The country is only accessible by car or bus and is a half-hour drive from Rimini; 1½ hours from Bologna. See visitsanmarino.com
Samoa
Try this for size Samoa is small, even by Pacific standards: it’s about one-sixth the size of Fiji, itself not exactly a colossus. Samoa is east of Fiji and north of Tonga and home to 222,000 people.
Why go Samoa is a breath of fresh air – literally, but also in the sense that this is the nation mass tourism forgot. There are a smattering of traditional beach resorts here, but for the most part, Samoa is old-school, no-frills, always friendly and impossibly beautiful.
See + do The two main islands of Samoa, Savai’i and Upolu, are all about exploring the wonders of nature, from the lush swimming hole at To Sua Trench, to the lava fields by the ocean, to waterfalls at Afu Aau and Sopoaga. There’s great snorkelling, too.
Lalomanu beach in Upolu has views of Samoa’s other islands.Credit: iStock
Don’t miss Leave time to experience the various accommodation options in Samoa, from upscale beachside resorts, to no-frills “fales” (open-air villas), to homestays with locals.
Make it happen Flights from Australian ports to Samoa generally connect through Auckland in New Zealand, or Nadi in Fiji. High season here is April to October. See samoa.travel
Five tiny but mighty cities
Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Vaduz, the capital city of Liechtenstein.Credit: iStock
The capital of Liechtenstein is home to just 5700 people and is the sort of city you can explore in a day. Vaduz Castle is the most popular attraction, though you can’t go inside because the royal family still lives there. You can, however, get your passport stamped at the local tourism office. See turismus.li
Funafuti, Tuvalu
St Davids Cathedral in Wales.Credit: iStock
The capital of Tuvalu is bigger than Vaduz, with 6300 residents, though still tiny by world standards. Here you can visit the handicraft market, go for a swim or snorkel, eat at a local restaurant, and … well, that’s about it. There are World War II sites outside the main centre. See timelesstuvalu.com
St Davids, Wales
An old stone street in the city of Hum, Croatia.Credit: iStock
Here’s how things used to work in the UK: if you had a cathedral, you got to be a city. And so in the year 1131, when St Davids Cathedral was consecrated, the settlement of the same name became a city. That status was stripped in 1888, though re-awarded in 1994, and thus we have a Welsh city with 1750 inhabitants. See visitbritain.com
Hum, Croatia
Hum: both a meditative murmur and the smallest city in the world. In 1552x, the tiny Croatian settlement built a watchtower and a bell, which conferred upon Hum the status of city. These days it’s home to just 52 people, which means it’s barely a village, but we won’t let that bother us. See croatia.hr
Ngerulmud, Palau
A grand total of 318 people live in Palau’s capital, a city that was built from scratch in the early 2000s thanks to a $US20 million loan from Taiwan, in exchange for diplomatic recognition. Ngerulmud has a few government buildings and little else for visitors, who mostly stick to the former capital, Koror. See pristineparadisepalau.com
correction
An earlier version of this article said Samoa is west of Fiji.