13 European Countries You've Never Heard Of

*4-Minute Read*

Ah, Europe. A place I've never been, yet desperately want to go. I know I've always wanted to visit where my ancestors came from - France, Germany, Ireland, etc. - but I only recently found out how many countries truly make up the continent. Some nations I'd never even heard of look like a lot of fun! 

1) Andorra

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Did you know that there is a country in between France and Spain? Well, it's a tiny and mountainous one named Andorra. It is known for its nature, so there's a lot of camping, hiking, cycling, and climbing. It's also home to Europe's largest spa, Caldea's Thermal Spring Leisure Spa. There's several parks, museums, and even a fire festival to attend. 

2) Belarus

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This nation is just west of Russia. Like Andorra, Belarus is proud of their natural environment. There's 175 rare animal species and five national parks. As such, there's a lot of hunting, fishing, skiing, and hiking. However, the country's top five attractions are the National History and Culture Museum-Reserve at Nesvizh, Brest Fortress Hero Memorial, Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble of the Rumiantsevs and the Paskeviches, Mir Castle, and the National Polotsk History and Culture Museum-Reserve. 

3) Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Photo Credit: New York Times)

One of the countries in the Balkan peninsula is Bosnia and Herzegovina, which shares a border with Croatia. River rafting and skiing are popular activities, and mountains and castle ruins are common sights to see. Its capital city, Sarajevo, has tons of museums and even a cable car ride. But there are tours throughout the entire nation. 

4) Estonia

(Photo Credit: Financial Times)

Like Belarus, Estonia is just west of Russia. It is a Baltic state filled with history, culture, nature, wildlife, and adventurous activities. Attractions include Toolse Order Castle, Helme Caves, and Rava Oak Grove and Lake. There's also festivals, such as the Tallinn Whisky Show and Karski Honey Festival. 

5) Kosovo 

(Photo Credit: US Department of State)

Europe's newest country is on the Balkan peninsula, northeast of Albania. A great place to learn more about the nation is the Museum of Kosovo in its capital city, Pristina. More attractions include the Bear Sanctuary and Prizren Fortress. And even though it is a young age, Kosovo has three 13th-century monasteries with medieval art. 

6) Latvia

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This nation is another Baltic state that shares a border with Estonia, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania. Some of the top ten attractions in Latvia are the Rundale Palace and Museum, Jurmala Beach, and Gauja National Park. You can also take a stroll down one of the country's many long-distance hiking trails. And Riga Restaurant Week is coming up; it lasts from October 5th until the 11th. 

7) Liechtenstein 

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Like Andorra, Lichtenstein is a small country in between two well-known ones (this time, Switzerland and Austria). It is basically a real-life fairytale deep in the Alps. Two notable attractions are the Schloss Vaduz and Burg Gutenberg castles. And though Vaduz (its capital city) has the most places to see, the towns of Nendeln and Eschen are worth a visit as well.  

8) Malta

(Photo Credit: GQ)

This is a group of Mediterranean islands that lie south of Sicily. It's definitely a tropical destination, so there's plenty of people engaging in water sports like scuba diving, water skiing, and sailing. There's also plenty of historical sites, museums, galleries, and natural sites (that aren't beaches). 

9) Moldova

(Photo Credit: Council of Europe)

Nestled in between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is filled with fortresses, monasteries, and museums. The country is also home to the world's second-largest underground winery and a nature reserve where you can see nearly 200 animal species. Its biggest city and capital is Chisinau, which is known for its nightlife.

10) Montenegro

(Photo Credit: USA Today)

This is another country on the Balkan peninsula. It is alongside the Adriatic Sea and has five national parks. The top five towns to visit are Kotor (pictured above), Budva, Tivat, Zabljak, and Cetinje. The first three are in coastal Montengro, while the latter two are in continental Montenegro. Within them are mountains, lakes, historical sites, monasteries, islands, and more.

11) North Macedonia

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Formerly named Macedonia, North Macedonia is north of Greece and west of Bulgaria. The former Yugoslav republic is home to Mavrovo National Park, which consists of Mavrovo Lake and the sunken church (pictured above). And religious sites don't end there; one of the world's largest crosses is in North Macedonia, and there are several mosques and monasteries. For the history buffs, there's Byzantine ruins and stone landmarks. 

12) San Marino

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The Vatican City isn't the only country that is completely surrounded by Italy. San Marino, the oldest republic in the world, is a microstate among the Italian northeast. It is filled with castles and cliffs. Specific sites include are the Changing of the Guard, Guaita Tower (pictured above), Museo di Stato, and Palazzo Pubblico. 

13) Serbia 

(Photo Credit: Forbes)

This is a fairly large, landlocked nation that shares borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and more. Serbia is home to twelve mountains and twelve spas. There's also plenty of cultural sites, such as the Belgrade Fortress and Fresco Gallery. There's even a Museum of Bread! 

So, who's game for a European train trip?

- Liv