7 Smaller European Capitals You Must Visit ...

One of the European capitals you should see is the capital of Malta. During its history the island has been occupied by everyone from the Romans to the British, which has left a wealth of historic buildings in a variety of architectural styles. The city has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and holds the distinction of being the smallest capital in the European Union.

Since the Baltic States joined the European Union in 2004, they have become an increasingly popular holiday destination for visitors from other European countries. Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, and is a good destination if you don't like hot climates. Like Valletta, the Old Town is a World Heritage Site, and has many medieval churches and buildings.

It may be a long way from anywhere, but Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is famous for its nightlife. So it's worth visiting if you love to party! But you can also visit many museums and natural sites, such as a geothermal spa and volcanic craters (the island has several active volcanoes).

Podgor-where? No, I hadn't heard of it either. So hopefully there won't be many tourists - unless everyone reading this decides to go there! Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro, part of the former Yugoslavia. It was part of the Ottoman Empire and thus has many Turkish buildings. Well worth visiting if you like to discover 'new' places.

Valletta may be the smallest capital in the European Union, but it's not the smallest capital in Europe. That honour belongs to the Vatican, but Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, is the third smallest. It has only about 5,000 residents and is one of the few capitals without either an airport or even a train station.

Bratislava has been part of many different countries, but it is now the capital of Slovakia. If you're a fan of baroque architecture, it's a perfect place for you to visit. You can see castles, churches and palaces there, as well as some beautiful parks. The Carpathian Mountains actually begin within the city limits, so if you like to combine nature with man-made sites, Bratislava will be a great place for you.

Finally, you could visit the highest capital in Europe. The tiny principality of Andorra sits in the Pyrenees, between France and Spain. It's a popular tourist destination, thanks mainly to its skiing facilities and tax-free shopping. Andorra la Vella can only be reached by bus or car, and is so tiny that it has less than 200 miles of roads!

So next time you're planning your travels, consider adding some of these smaller capitals to your itinerary. You're sure to see many interesting sights, and you won't be sharing them with millions of fellow tourists. Where would you most like to visit in the world?