Europe is one of the most popular travel destinations, and for a good reason. With a beautiful blend of history, culture, food, festivals, and some of the world’s most famous landmarks, it’s pretty clear why travelers want to experience tours here. However, when people travel here, they tend to visit a few key countries or cities, that have been attracting visitors year after year.
But, what about those countries that are a little bit off the radar? Believe it or not, there are many incredible countries in Europe that aren’t getting as much attention as the others.
Here are some of the least visited countries in Europe. And, why you should add them to your European tour bucketlist:
Liechtenstein
Sometimes, small things come in big packages and the little country of Liechtenstein is no exception to that. Right between Austria and Switzerland is this truly underrated, German-speaking, travel destination. With beautiful, Alpine landscapes, this country is perfect for hiking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding. It has some interesting places to see as well, like churches, shopping districts, and even fast foods joints that serve beer. Which, is pretty cool since the drinking age here is 16! It’s a good place to visit if you feel like you need to disconnect for few days, too. Or, even just a day, since that’s about all the time it takes to explore Liechtenstein.
San Marino
Though San Marino sounds like it could be the name of a city in Spain, it’s actually its own little country. According to the World Tourism Organization, it had the least number of visitors in 2016 at 60,000 people. However, with amazing views of the Adriatic Coast, old fortresses, and Italian-inspired cuisine, we’d expect more. It’s a bit surprising that more people don’t want to come visit one of the world’s oldest republics. If you happen to be nearby San Marino, we highly suggest popping in for a day and saying “ciao!”
Macedonia
Again, if you love seeing natural beauty through incredible landscapes, then Macedonia is a good country to visit, despite being one of the least-visited. The climate here is ideal for visiting any time of the year. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ohrid, which is a cute town beside the crystal-clear lake and unlike anything else in the world. Additionally, the capital city of Skopje may be considered the “hipster” city of Europe, which has tons of cool things to see and do. Best of all, the name of the main airport here is called “Alexander the Great” airport. How awesome is that?
Belarus
Belarus only gets about 100,000 tourists a year on average, and part of this may be due to the bureaucratic headache that one must go through in order to obtain a visa here. The good news is that as of February 2017, Australians, Canadians, and Americans as well as nationals from several other countries, can visit Belarus for five-days visa-free as long as they arrive and exit through the international airport in Minsk.
But, onto the good stuff…
Belarus has tons to see if you’re into Soviet history. It features sites like the Stalin Line, a cultural complex dedicated to the largest defense line built before WWII. Of course, Minsk has plenty of modern (and weird) stuff to see as well. Like, the Cat Museum, the apartment where Lee Harvey Oswald lived in for some time, and the Museum of Stones.
Interested in spending time in any of the least-visiting countries in Europe or have you already visited? Let us know in the comments below!
Hana LaRock is originally from New York, though has called other places around the world her home for the last two years. She currently lives in Mexico and freelance travel writer. When she’s not working, she enjoys writing, reading, spending time with her dog, and of course, traveling. You can find her at www.hanalarockwriting.com.
