Named after the country itself, San Marino may be one of Europe’s smallest capitals, but its size belies a remarkable legacy. This tiny city is not only the capital of the world’s oldest republic but also upholds the oldest continuously used constitution in existence, dating back to 1600.

Perched atop Mount Titano, just 10 kilometers from the Italian coastal city of Rimini, San Marino’s medieval charm comes to life in its labyrinth of narrow streets. Encircled by stone walls that culminate in three iconic towers – Guaita, Cesta, and Montale, the city offers sweeping panoramic views over the Apennines and Adriatic coast.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, San Marino preserves a unique blend of history and autonomy, with traditions like its ceremonial crossbowmen and an annual freedom festival celebrating its centuries-old independence.

Stretching across a narrow coral atoll within the blue vastness of the Pacific Ocean, Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu, the third least populated and fourth smallest country in the world. Its extreme remoteness (the town is accessible by just four weekly flights) means that only a handful of visitors make it to this far-flung destination each year.

With an average elevation of under four meters, the Tuvaluan capital is among the world’s most vulnerable places to rising sea levels, facing an existential threat as climate change advances.

Though it might feel more like a quiet fishing village than an average capital, Funafuti has all the basic amenities for a town of its size, including hotels, supermarkets, and even a hospital. Better yet, the nearby lagoon dazzles with its rich coral reefs whose ample marine life offers a stunning snorkeling experience. At sunset, the lagoon’s waters turn golden, casting an ethereal glow over this fragile paradise that might cease to exist in a few decades or so.

Though Nauru is the world’s second least populated and third smallest country, it stands out as the only sovereign nation without an official capital. Instead, one of its districts, Yaren, functions as the de facto capital.

It is where Nauro’s key institutions are located, including the parliament, the national stadium, the island’s sole police and fire stations, and even the Taiwanese Embassy. Most of Yaren’s limited land is taken up by Nauru’s only airport, which also serves as an informal gathering point for residents between take-offs and landings.

Known as the least visited country globally, Nauru sees a measly number of tourists each year, with just two hotels accommodating those who venture to this remote Pacific Island. While the island may lack tourist infrastructure, visitors often discover that the country’s greatest asset is its people – warm, welcoming, and eager to share stories about their homeland.

Officially the smallest and least populous country on Earth, Vatican City spans just 0.44 square kilometers and has fewer than 1,000 residents, making the capital city and the nation itself nearly indistinguishable. As the residence of the pope and the beating heart of the Catholic Church, this micro state attracts roughly 20,000 visitors daily, including pilgrims and tourists alike.

Highlights include the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s famed Creation of Adam inspires awe beneath its frescoed ceiling, and the St. Peter’s Basilica, allegedly the world’s most important church. Though the Vatican is more compact than many city parks or shopping malls, its enormous influence extends far beyond its pint-sized borders, uniting over a billion Catholic followers in six continents.

Officially, Ngerulmud, Palau’s capital since 2006, has no permanent residents that live within its confines, making it by far the smallest capital city of any nation. In fact, the “city” itself solely comprises a capitol complex housing the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with only a few coastal houses nearby, which as of 2020, are home to 318 people (formally part of the state of Melekeok).

While Ngerulmud’s architectural style features a Neo-classical design that is somewhat reminiscent of the US capital, it also includes local elements, such as a bai, a traditional Palauan meeting house that symbolically links the two main structures.

Koror, the former capital, remains the center of population and economy in Palau. Located on a small island just south of the main island of Babeldaob, the city is home to bustling markets, dozens of restaurants and hotels, and some of the country’s most famous beaches, all of which are conspicuously absent in the country’s empty capital.