Micronations
Travel topic
Micronations are self-proclaimed independent states that are not recognized by other countries. Often whimsical or artistic, they are usually small and eccentric enough to fly under the radar of the "real" countries they're located in, and many are tourist destinations.
Destinations
Asia 1 Alcohol Republic (アルコール共和国), Sado Island, Japan. A merry band of sake makers on an island in northern Japan issues passports (¥500) that can be stamped at participating breweries to prove your citizenship and devotion to the cause. (updated Jun 2023) 2 Akhzivland, Israel. A long-running micronation on the Lebanese border, with a popular guest house and campground. (updated Jun 2023)
Europe
3 Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark. A district of Copenhagen. It is a former military zone that has been squatted since 1971. It remains an autonomous community (with its own laws that, among other things, include legalisation of cannabis, but the prohibition of harder drugs) of about 850 people, calling itself Freetown Christiania (Danish: Fristaden Christiania). (updated Jun 2023) 4 Great Saltee Island, Kilmore Quay. An island off the south coast of County Wexford. (updated Jun 2023) 5 Kugelmugel, Vienna, Austria. An uninhabited sphere 7.68 metres (25.2 ft) in diameter permanently housed in Vienna's Wurstelprater amusement park. (updated Jun 2023) 6 Liberland (in Croatia–Serbia border). Inhabits a geographical oddity: a parcel of land on the western bank of the Danube that, for complex political reasons, is claimed by neither country. (updated Jun 2023) 7 Sealand, Felixstowe United Kingdom. A sea fort which in 1967 declared itself independent. (updated Jun 2023) 8 Seborga, Italy. A village in Italy which has discovered it's never been conquered by Italy and now it claims itself as a sovereign state. (updated Jun 2023) 9 Užupis, Vilnius, Lithuania. A district of Vilnius that declared itself an independent republic on April Fools Day 1997, and maintains its own flag, currency, president, and constitution which declares, among other things, that a "dog has a right to be a dog". (updated Jun 2023)
North America
10 Conch Republic, Key West, Florida, [United States]]. (updated Jun 2023) 11 Republic of Molossia, Nevada, United States. One of the most established micronations, dating back to the 1970s, with a surprising amount of infrastructure and tongue-in-cheek institutions. Can be visited only on guided tours, with slots available about once a month from April
Stay safe
Some micronations offer to stamp your passport on entry. However, this may invalidate your passport, so bring an expired passport or a novelty passport if you want the stamp.
Adapted from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)