10 TINY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES TO VISIT NOW

The tiniest countries in the world are little jewels -- many of which you probably never even heard of! We’ve curated a collection of that are worthy of your travel bucket list.

From little island nations in remote regions of the South Pacific, to teensy sovereign states in the middle of Europe, near places we know so well, to small countries carved out by ancient rulers, they are diminutive in size, but big in beauty.

Consider a tiny beautiful escape to a pristine coral atoll. Revel in histories you never knew happened at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore unique land masses and pockets of biodiversity. Enjoy natural landscapes that will take your breath away.

Although they are all small enough to see on your own, we’ve offered some suggestions for tour companies and other resources for each. Check them out below.

1. NIUE

Niue is a tiny island state in Oceania, northeast of New Zealand, east of Tonga, south of Samoa, and west of the Cook Islands. It offers incredible views and access to the warm waters and reefs of the South Pacific.

Though small as a country, about 101 square miles (261 km2), Niue is one of the world’s largest coral islands. Steep limestone cliffs rise up about 60 meters from the sea, some of which are carved out into dramatic caves.

Beyond the natural treasures here, there’s not much else. The capital “city” is really small village. There’s one tiny airport. And there’s one food market. That’s it. But that’s plenty! Find out more about traveling to Niue here.

2. PALAU

The Republic of Palau sounds big -- it consists of more than 340 islands -- but it is a tiny country, with an area of on 180  square miles (466 km2). Its lush rainforests are brimming with unique plants and animals. Over 130 threatened species of shark swim in its waters.

The Palau islands form the western chain of the Caroline Islands, in Micronesia. It shares maritime boundaries with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

One of the most special features of Palau is the Jellyfish Lake (aka Ongeim'l Tketau, "Fifth Lake"), a marine lake located on Eil Malk island in the Southern Lagoon. It is filled with over 2 million golden jellyfish (Mastigias cf. papua etpisoni). You can swim among them -- they don’t sting! It’s like swimming through a dream!

Find out more about traveling to the pristine paradise of Palau here.

3. ANDORRA

Andorra may sound like a mythical land, but it’s very real mini sovereign state landlocked and nestled in the Pyrenees mountains, bordering Spain and France. Andorra covers only 181 square miles (468 km2).  

Known as a principality, Andorra is co-ruled by two Co-Princes, the Catholic Bishop of Urgell, in Spain, and the President of France. The official language is Catalan, but Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also spoken here.

Andorra la Vella is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 metres (3,356 feet) above sea level. The country’s panoramic mountaintop views are breathtaking. Its resorts are delightful in any season.

Beyond its natural beauties, the whole country is duty-free, so shop, shop, shop!

Find out more about travel to Andorra here.

4. SAN MARINO

San Marino, (aka the Most Serene Republic of San Marino) is an enclaved microstate enveloped by Italy, situated on the Italian Peninsula. This tiny beautiful country covers only 24 square miles (about 61 km2).

The hilly San Marino is surrounded with the beautiful Apennine Mountains. Check out the nearby Romagna riviera along the Adriatic coast.

Find out more about travel to San Marino here.

Founded originally as a monastic community in 301 AD, San Marino is the oldest extant sovereign state as well as the oldest constitutional republic. Check out its ancient architectural attractions. The San Marino: Historic Centre and Mount Titano are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

5. NAURU

Nauru is the smallest independent republic and the smallest island state in the world, spanning just 8 square miles (21 km2)

Formerly known as Pleasant Island, Nauru is an island country in Micronesia in the Central Pacific, just south of the equator, northwest of Tuvalu (another tiny beautiful country… see story below), north of the Solomon Islands, and east-northeast of Papua New Guinea.

Nauru is surrounded by a coral reef, which is exposed at low tide. Coral cliffs surround its central plateau, with the highest point, Command Ridge, sitting at 233 feet (71 metres) above sea level.

Find out more about travel to Nauru here.

6. LUXEMBOURG

Tiny beautiful Luxembourg spans just 998 square miles (2,586 km2). It sits in the midst of lush forests, surrounded by mountains, between Germany and France. Here, you’ll find a fusion of French and German culture, where natives speak French, German and Luxembourgish.

Come for the gorgeous landscapes and historic castles, is treasured Moselle vineyards, and its fascinating museums.

The City of Luxembourg with its old quarters and fortifications is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Find out more about travel to Luxembourg here.

7. TUVALU

Tuvalu is an island nation located in the south central Pacific, between Australia and Hawaii. It is a volcanic archipelago made up of three reef islands and six atolls, for a combined landmass of only 10 square miles (26 km2).

Its pristine landscape is surrounded by a beautiful crystal clear lagoon and a reef that makes for world-class diving.

Put this tiny beautiful country at the top of your bucket list, to see it soon. Rising sea levels will swallow it up within the next few decades, if not sooner.

Find out more about travel to Tuvalu here.

8. MACEDONIA

Unspoiled nature and cultural heritage makes it an appealing holiday destination indeed. Macedonia’s heritage is influenced by Orthodox-Christian and Islamic cultures. The Republic of Macedonia the largest of our tiny beautiful countries on this BN List, with a total area of 9,928 square miles (25,713 km2). It is landlocked, bordered by Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria Greece, and Albania

With a history dating back to antiquity, when the kingdom of Paeonia reigned, the country was annexed by the Kingdom of Macedonia in the fourth century BCE, only to be conquered by the Romans in the second century BCE, with a slew of later regime changeovers right up to its secession from Yugoslavia in 1991.

The country is mountainous, with a beautiful river valley running through. Macedonian forests is are alive with wild bears, boars, wolves, foxes, squirrels, chamois, lynx, and deer.

One of Macedonia’s most popular attractions is Ohrid, famous for its emerald lake and historic architecture, protected by UNESCO. This and the other two large lakes here have fish species dating back millions of years.

Find out more about travel to Macedonia here.

9. LIECHTENSTEIN

Little Liechtenstein, bordered by Switzerland and Austria, is the only nation in the world to be completely located in the Alps. This principality is a constitutional monarchy headed by the Prince of Liechtenstein.

Although one of the tiniest, spanning 62 square miles (160 km2), it is richest country in the world, boasting the highest GDP per capita the lowest unemployment rate (1.5%). Financial “tourism” is the main reason to visit.

There is no airport here, so Zurich airport is your best bet. Liechtenstein is the world's sixth smallest country.

Find out more about travel to Liechtenstein here.

10. MALTA

Malta is a small European island country in the Mediterranean Sea just south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. It covers just over 122 square miles (316 km2), with dramatic shoreline and magnificent beaches.

Occupied over the millennia by the Phoenicians, Romans, and later the British, the country is filled with a range of ancient architecture and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples, which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

Find out more about travel to Malta here.

Read more about Tiny Beautiful Things in all this week on BeautifulNow.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Anthony Sowerby. “Limu Pools.” Niue.
2. Image: by Pia Waugh. “Canoe cave at Niue.” Niue.
3. Image: by LuxTonnerre. “Palau.” Palau.
4. Image: by Syn. Republic of Palau.
5. Image: by Miquel González Page. “Sueños cumplidos / Fulfilled Dream.” Encamp, Andorra.
6. Image: by Alessandro Grussu. “Andorra.” Arinsal. Massana, Andorra.
7. Image: by RoushVilla. “San Marino.” Palazzo Pubblico. San Marino.
8. Image: by Giorgio Minguzzi. “Palazzo Governativo.” Borgo Maggiore, San Marino.
9. Image: by Angela Spalding, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. “Framed seascape in Nauru.” Nauru.
10. Image: by Angela Spalding, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. “Sunset in Nauru.” Nauru.
11. Image: by Tristan Schmurr. “A fountain of fireworks.” Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
12. Image: by Tomoaki INABA. Funafuti, Tuvalu.
13. Image: by Mariusz Kluzniak. “Sunken St. Nicholas Church and Lake.” Mavrovo, Macedonia.
14. mage: by Stephan Pick. “Blick auf Schloss Vaduz.” Courtesy of Information und Kommunikation der Regierung. Vaduz, Liechtenstein.
15. Image: by Giuseppe Milo. “Senglea - Birgu, Malta - Travel photography.” Malta.
16. Image: by Berit Watkin. “Malta: View from Valletta.” Valletta, Malta.
17. Image: by Matt Kieffer. “Hawksbill Turtle, Clarence's Wall, Palau.” Republic of Palau.
18. Image: by Prince Roy. “Wildflowers of Bardovci.” Bardovci, Macedonia.