Europe is home to five of the top-ten smallest countries in the world, and if you want to explore these micro-nations, then camping could be the perfect way to visit. Here we explore Europe's seven smallest countries, from the tiny Vatican City to the positively massive Luxembourg.
Also known simply as the Vatican, this tiny city-state is an enclave within the Italian capital, Rome. Home to the Pope and governed by the Holy See, Vatican City is the smallest state in the world by population and by area.
Of course, the land is at a premium within the Vatican, so campers must find alternatives in greater Rome. A trip to the Vatican wouldn't be complete without a visit to St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
Perched high on a hilltop on the edge of Rome, the site is owned by the Cardini/Vanucchi family, who have other quality city sites in Italy. The diverse range of facilities are designed in particular to meet the needs of young travellers and the aim here is to provide a friendly helpful service all year round. There are 100 touring pitches of varying sizes on level terraces. Motorhomes are mostly placed in a separate area where 20 pitches are fully serviced. There is a new swimming pool and a jacuzzi on a terrace with beach volleyball on soft sand, and relaxation areas with a barbecue. The modern bar (nightclub) has a huge TV screen and a terrace to relax and enjoy the cool evening breezes and the views. We visited on a Saturday when there was a superb cheap buffet prepared in the large, well appointed, Italian-themed restaurant. A vibrant site where all can have fun and get good value for money, but the many young people can be noisy after hours.
Flaminio Village Camping Bungalow Park is a high quality campsite near Rome, with many flowers, shrubs and trees giving some shade. Being 400 metres from the main road it is protected from traffic noise. Although it is quite a large site, there are around 180 pitches for tourers, all with 6A electricity, which are approached by brick access roads. The excellent sanitary block is close to both camping areas, as is the restaurant, bar and info point.
Though Monaco is not a member of the European Union, its close customs links with France make the Euro the de-facto currency. Monaco has the highest GDP per capita in the world and very low unemployment.
Home to the Monaco Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo Rally, motorsport is a popular pastime. The surrounding French countryside and mountainous terrain make Monaco a popular base for many professional cyclists.
Attractions include the world-famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Prince's Palace and the harbour for a bit of celeb spotting.
La Ferme Riola is a very small site with just 50 pitches for touring and six gîtes attractively dispersed amongst olive trees around the four-hectare terrain. Areas for touring units are spread all around the site, mostly situated on the terraces. Pitches are large and generally well shaded. All are equipped with electrical connections. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, a volleyball court and a children’s playground. This is a working farm and fresh produce including olives, olive oil and fresh eggs, is available at the site’s small shop.
Domaine Sainte Madeleine is an attractive, peaceful site with a swimming pool amongst spectacular mountain scenery. It is about 20 km. inland from Menton and very near the Italian border. The approach to this site involves a 17 km. climb with hairpin bends and then a choice of going over the Col de Castillon or through an 800 m. long tunnel (3.5 m. high, 3 m. wide). Situated on a terraced hillside with mountain views towards Italy, manoeuvring within the site presents no problem as the pitches are on level, well drained grass. The lower ones have good shade but those higher up on the hill have less. Electricity (10A) is available on all 90 pitches.
Landlocked San Marino is the fifth smallest country in the world; covering just over 61km2; Founded in 301 AD, it is the world's oldest sovereign state. Like the other countries on this list, the economy is based on finance and banking, making it one of the wealthiest countries in Europe.
The historic centre of the City of San Marino and Mount Titano was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. Until 2007, The San Marino Grand Prix was held at the Imola Circuit despite the circuit being over 100km away from the micro-state.
Centro Vacanze San Marino, at 400 m. above sea level and positioned on an attractive hillside, has lovely views of the Adriatic. You'll arrive via twisting mountainous roads winding through dramatic scenery and will discover an excellent, modern site with a variety of well-tended trees offering welcome shade. Make sure you visit the ancient city of San Marino at the top of the mountain (4 km).
Romagna Family Village is a busy holiday site on the Adriatic coast with direct access to the beach via a short underpass below the promenade. The beach is wide with fine sand sloping gently into the sea. The friendly owners of Romagna Family Village have designed it with campers in the centre and sports facilities plus entertainment to the rear. The bar, restaurant and reception are at the front. This ensures that campers have the pitches with least road and rail noise. The 100 level, grass pitches are small and well shaded with tarmac access roads and regular water points.
Headed by the Prince of Liechtenstein, this alpine microstate is found between Switzerland and Austria. It is the sixth smallest country in the world; one of only two doubly landlocked countries (the other being Uzbekistan.) With low unemployment and a customs union with Switzerland, financial services form an important part of the country's economy.
Attractions include the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, an international quality museum of contemporary and modern art. Vaduz Castle is the home of Hans-Adam II, the Prince of Liechtenstein, so tours are unavailable, but the castle can be viewed from the capital.
Camping Mittagsspitze is attractively and quietly situated for visiting Liechtenstein. Set on a hillside, it has all the scenic mountain views one could wish for. Extensive grassy terraces on a steep slope provide unmarked but level pitches, and electricity connections (6A) are available. Trees provide some shade, mainly along the terrace edges. About 80 touring pitches are available, with the remainder of the site given over to seasonal pitches.
Wohnmobilstellplatz Malbun is located in the Malbun recreation area, in attractive surroundings. The site is open all year and consists of twelve 5x8m hardstanding pitches. In winter much of the ground is covered with snow.
The Republic of Malta is the tenth smallest country in the world and the fifth smallest in Europe. Gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, Malta became a republic in 1974. Since 2008 Malta has used the Euro as its currency; before 2008, they used the Maltese Lira (1972-2008), Maltese Pounds (1825-1972) and the Maltese Scudo (Pre-1825.)
Malta consists of 3 large, inhabited islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, and about 20 uninhabited minor islands. Historically shipping and trade contributed to the economy. Today, tourism is a major financial contributor; Valletta's St. Johns' Cathedral and the Grandmaster's Palace are key attractions, along with the archaeological sites of Hal Saflieni, Rabat and Mdina.
Camping in Malta
Għajn Tuffieħa Scout Campsite
The recommended campsite is just outside the village of Manikata on Malta's west coast. Ghajn Tuffieha, is run by the Scout Association but is also open to the public. This 16-acre site has 24 vast pitches, all with electricity and water, along with two good sanitary blocks.
Wild camping takes place on the L-Ahrax peninsula overlooking Mellieħa Bay. Camping at the simply named "Campsite 1" (Ahrax tal-Madonna), "Campsite 2" (Ahrax tat-Tunnara) and "Campsite 3" (Ahrax tar-Ramel) is subject to permission in advance from the Mellieħa Council. There are no services or facilities available at any of these camping areas.
MaltaCampsite at the main island's northern tip gets very busy and can be overcrowded. This is the island's main commercial campsite and mainly caters to backpacker-style travellers in static accommodation. They may be able to accommodate a limited number of tourers if space is available, but be aware that the site is a long way from any public transport.
Official Language - Catalan (though French and Spanish are widely spoken.)
Driving Side - Right
The tiny Principality of Andorra is a Pyrenean microstate located between France and Spain. It is the sixteenth smallest country in the world. At over 1000m above sea level, the capital Andorra la Vella is the highest capital city in Europe (It's only the 36th highest in the world.)
Tourism is the main industry, but the country is also well known as a tax haven, so foreign income plays a large part in the country's economy. The mountainous terrain makes Andorra a popular destination for cyclists in summer and winter sports enthusiasts in winter.
Andorra is a country of narrow valleys with pine and birch forested mountains. Xixerella is attractively situated in just such a small valley below towering mountains and beside a river. The site is made up of several sections of gently sloping grass, accessed by tarmac or gravel roads which lead to informal pitching. Electricity (3/6A) is available to all of the 80 pitches. There are barbecues and a picnic area with bridge access to walks in the woods, and a pleasant bar and restaurant with a poolside terrace. The site can be very busy from mid July to mid August but otherwise it is usually peaceful.
This compact, terraced site is named after the river in the town of Andorra-la-Vella. It has a steep curving entrance directly off the N145, which can become congested at peak times. You pass the pleasant restaurant and heated indoor pool as you enter the site. Maximum use has been made of the space here and it is worth looking at the picture in reception of the site as it was in 1969. The 150 medium sized pitches are mostly level on terraces with some shading. All pitches have access to electricity (3-10A), although some may need long leads, and there are drinking water points around the site.
Official Language - Luxembourgish (though French and German are widely spoken.)
Driving Side - Right
Vast in comparison to the other countries on this list, Luxembourg is still one of the least populated countries in Europe with just over 645,000 residents (The combined total of residents in Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican is under 200,000)
Sandwiched between France, Germany and Belgium, Luxembourg is the world's only sovereign grand duchy, led by Grand Duke Henri. Other famous Luxembourgers include EC President Jean-Claude Juncker and the cycling Schleck Brothers, Andy and Fränk.
With over 40 Alan Rogers assessed campsites in Luxembourg, you'll be spoilt for choice.
This is very much a family site with a great range of facilities provided. It is well organised and laid out, set in an elevated position in attractive, undulating countryside. A tarmac road runs around the site with around 450 large grass pitches (Appx. 120 for touring); almost all pitches have electricity, either 10A or 16A, some slightly sloping, many with a fair amount of shade on either side of gravel access roads in straight rows and circles.
Situated in the lovely wooded hills of central Luxembourg, this is a top-quality site with fees to match, but it has everything! A large, central building housing most of the services and amenities opens onto a terrace around an excellent swimming pool complex with a large fun pool and an imaginative water playground. This peaceful area has many excellent walking and cycle trails, and day trips to Luxembourg, Vianden Castle and the Mosel Valley are accessible from here.
This agreeable, good value municipal site is situated on a hilltop overlooking the town. It is quietly located about 1 km. from the centre of Ettelbruck, with a nice atmosphere and well-tended gardens and grass. The modern main building includes reception, an excellent restaurant and a ‘salle de séjour’ (with library and TV). The 136 marked pitches, 100 for touring, are accessed from tarmac roads and have electricity available (16A). Reception provides good tourist information and English is spoken. There is a welcome cup of coffee on arrival.
Plage Beaufort is an all-year-round site run by the Syndicat d’Initiative et du Tourisme. It is a little off the main tourist route but there is some nice countryside in the area known as Little Switzerland. The site has 298 pitches, 108 of which are taken by privately owned mobile homes and chalets, leaving around 190 for touring units. The terrain is undulating with some terracing and some pitches are hidden away in quiet corners. Pitch sizes do vary but all have 10A electricity. In summer, the area provides for cycling, tennis and other sporting facilities, with the main attraction of the site being the excellent municipal swimming pool adjacent (included in price).
Camping Troisvierges (formerly Camping Walensbongert) is just 300 metres from all the facilities of Troisvierges, a large village with pleasant bars, restaurants and shops. The local tourist office owns the site, and the village swimming pool, with its restaurant and bar, is located at the heart of the site – campers enjoy a daily concessionary rate. The 151 level, grass touring pitches are separated by hedges and vary in size from 80-100 sq.m. They are in both open and shady areas, and all have 10A electricity.
Occupying an elevated position on the edge of town, near the French border, this site is run by the local camping and caravan club. It's set on a hilltop and shaded by a variety of trees. Of the 150 grass pitches, 102 are for tourers, the remainder being occupied by seasonal units. There are some gravel pitches set aside for one night stays, plus four all-weather pitches for motorhomes. All pitches have 16A electricity and TV points.
Camping Kockelscheuer is a municipal site owned by the city of Luxembourg and is 4 km. from its centre. It is managed by an enthusiastic couple and is quietly situated (although there can be some aircraft noise at times). On a slight slope, there are 161 individual pitches of good size, either on flat ground at the bottom of the site or on wide flat terraces with easy access, all with 16A electricity.
Rob has been involved in the leisure industry since completing a BTEC in Travel & Tourism in 1993. Previous roles have included the promotion of tourism in Yorkshire and running a motorcycle touring company in the Australian Outback.
He is the General Manager at Alan Rogers Travel Group, responsible for the ongoing development of the Alan Rogers website and the publication of the Alan Rogers Guides and 'Destinations' magazine.
Rob has owned several caravans, and he regularly travels with his wife and young daughter in their VW Transporter, complete with a Tentbox roof tent. A keen cycling fan, Rob can often be found in a field in Belgium during the 'Spring Classics' season.
France has a great wealth of world-class tourist attractions. But sometimes, whether you've somehow managed to see them all, or just a handful, you want something more quirky. You've visited Pont du Gard, the Caves of Lascaux, Père Lachaise Cemetery and Monet's Gardens; what now?
The Alentejo forms around a third of Portugal's landmass, yet it has just 6% of the population, and few visitors can claim to know much about it. This is one of Europe's least densely populated regions and a sorely overlooked holiday destination.
Much has been written about Catalonia and its myriad attractions. Perhaps one of the world’s A-list destinations, it boasts such gems as the Park Güell, the Sagrada Familia and the Dali Theatre-Museum, not to mention Valencia’s incredible Science Museum and dozens of theme parks, castles, vibrant cities and galleries.
