Europe is made up of 44 countries, but not all nations are the same size. Some are so small they barely cover 100 square miles, while others stretch for hundreds of thousands. In fact, the biggest country on the continent is more than 10 times the size of the UK.

The UK is 11th on the list, with a land size of 242,500 square kilometres. To find out more, the Express has looked at the ten biggest countries in Europe by land area, including how many people live there in 2025, what the capital cities are like, and what they’re most famous for.

Russia is by far the biggest country in Europe. Its European territory covers 2.88 million square kilometres, and the country has a population of around 144.3 million in 2025, making it the most populated in Europe too.

Moscow, the capital, is home to around 12.7 million people and is known for its landmarks such as Red Square, the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral.

Although much of Russia lies in Asia, its European part includes major cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan.

The country has been at war with Ukraine since the invasion in 2022.

Ukraine comes second with a land area of more than 603,000 square kilometres.

Its 2025 population is around 36.7 million, and the capital city, Kyiv, is home to roughly 2.9 million people.

Ukraine has been in the global spotlight following Russia’s invasion in 2022, but it remains a country rich in culture and history.

Cities like Lviv and Odesa are famous for their architecture, food and music, while Kyiv itself has amazing old churches, as well as modern cafes and galleries.

France ranks third, covering over 543,000 square kilometres.

Around 64.7 million people live there in 2025, with 11.4 million based in Paris and the surrounding region.

Paris is famous for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and high fashion, but the rest of the country also has a lot to offer.

From wine regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy to the beaches of the French Riviera, France attracts millions of tourists each year.

Spain is just behind France in size, with a land area of around 506,000 square kilometres.

Its population in 2025 is roughly 48.8 million.

The capital, Madrid, is home to about 6.8 million people and is known for its art galleries and royal palace.

Spain is also home to cities like Barcelona, Seville and Valencia, and is popular for its sunny coastlines and historic landmarks.

Many Brits also choose to move or retire there.

Sweden is the largest country in Scandinavia and covers about 447,000 square kilometres.

It has a population of 10.3 million in 2025, with around 1.6 million living in the capital city of Stockholm.

The country is known for its clean environment, thousands of lakes and strong focus on equality and quality of life.

Stockholm itself is built on 14 islands and is famous for its museums and royal palaces.

Norway covers just over 384,000 square kilometres and is home to 5.6 million people in 2025.

Oslo, the capital, has about 1.1 million residents and is known for its modern feel and access to nature.

The country’s long coastline and fjords make it popular with visitors.

Cities like Bergen and Tromsø are also well known for their charm and outdoor activities.

Norway is regularly ranked as one of the best places to live in the world.

Germany is the seventh largest country in Europe by land area, with 357,000 square kilometres.

Around 82.4 million people live there in 2025, making it the second most populated country in Europe after Russia.

The capital, Berlin, has a population of about 3.5 million and is known for its history, nightlife and arts scene.

Germany also has large cities like Munich and Hamburg and is famous for its castles, forests and beer festivals.

Finland has a land size of about 338,000 square kilometres.

It has a population of 5.5 million in 2025, and around 1.3 million of those live in the capital city, Helsinki.

Finland is often praised for its education system and peaceful way of life.

With many forests and lakes, it’s a favourite for people looking to enjoy the outdoors.

Cities like Rovaniemi, the so-called home of Santa Claus, are also popular in winter.

Poland covers around 312,000 square kilometres and has a 2025 population of 39.5 million.

Warsaw is the capital and home to nearly 1.9 million people.

It’s a city that has modern skyscrapers and many rebuilt historic streets.

Kraków, Gdańsk and Wrocław are also major cities with plenty of culture, food and architecture.

Poland has grown in popularity with tourists and is one of the fastest-developing countries in the region.

Italy rounds out the top 10, with a land area of 302,000 square kilometres and a population of around 58.8 million in 2025.

Rome is the capital, home to about 4.2 million people, and is known for the Colosseum, the Vatican and its rich Roman history.

Other major cities include Milan, Florence, Venice and Naples.

Italy is a top destination for visitors, thanks to its food, art, and coastlines along both the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas.