15 Things to do in Liechtenstein and the capital, Vaduz

Are you thinking about visiting Liechtenstein? Or maybe you need to know more before deciding? Maybe you’ve heard that it’s boring? Well I didn’t think so, and after two days there, I still plan to head back. Read on and I’ll share with you the best things to do in Liechtenstein plus tips to make the most of your time in this beautiful and mildly eccentric microstate.

Is Liechtenstein Worth Visiting

Why yes! We didn’t expect to love Liechtenstein, but it’s charming, quietly impressive and a little bit eccentric. As the sixth smallest country in the world, Liechtenstein is compact and easy to get around. And if you can’t walk there, you’ll find an excellent bus service to take you there.

Of course, being set in the Alps, you can expect ‘picture book’ mountain views and plenty of cows. but the centre of Vaduz was more unexpected. It’s modern (no cobblestones or medieval buildings) and it’s absolutely spotless. A sculpture park theme elevated it beyond the ordinary, and bizarrely reminded me of Skopje, Capital of North Macedonia! So I’d ignore the ‘boring’ tag, bring your open mind and take a look underneath its pretty bonnet.

There is a ‘but’ though! Many restaurants and shops, including supermarkets, are closed on Sunday. And there’s quite a bit closed on Monday too, including some of the tourist attractions. So maybe don’t visit on Sunday and Monday like we did!

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Before You Go

Here’s a few tips to kickstart your trip.

Things To Do in Liechtenstein

Here’s the map of the things we discovered on our trip to help you plan yours

1 Rathausplatz : Head for the heart of Vaduz

Rathausplatz is the civic heart of Vaduz, framed by the Town Hall (Rathouse) and surrounded by cafés and sculptures. it’s a big traffic free space used for public events. You’ll see some surreal horse statues, Tre Cavalli by Swiss sculptor Nag Arnold outside the Rathaus and you’ll also find the departure point for the Vaduz Citytrain.

2 Städtle: Spot the Sculptures

Wander through Vaduz’s pedestrianised centre and you’ll find it’s sprinkled with eccentric sculptures. There’s something wonderfully surreal about strolling through a spotless alpine capital and bumping into a metallic horse, squashed rhinoceros or car raised up on human legs!

The sculptures are part of Vaduz’s open-air art collection, which began in the 1980s. Over the years, works by international and local artists have been installed throughout the Städtle (the main pedestrian street), turning the centre into a sort of informal sculpture park. Here’s some pictures of a few of them.

3 National Museum: Visit The Crown Jewels and Get your Passport Stamped

Liechtenstein has quite a few museums for a country this size and if the city centre attractions are to take you more than a couple of hours, you’ll need to visit some or all of them. The National Museum covers all things Liechtenstein. It includes the Liechtenstein Treasure Chamber and other important artifacts connected to the princely kingdom. It’s closed Monday.

You can get your passport stamped with a Liechtenstein stamp at the souvenir shop, since you’re not going to get a stamp at the Liechtenstein border. It’s the official Liechtenstein design and purely commemorative. Technically your passport is a government document, not a scrapbook, so if you’re worried just pass on this or ask for the stamp separately on a piece of paper or in a souvenir booklet, Both Liechtenstein and San Marino offer novelty passport stamps – useful to know if you’re looking for a matching set.

4 Postal Museum: Discover why Liechtenstein is world famous for stamps

This tiny, charming, and full of gorgeously detailed stamps, in fact every stamp created in Liechtenstein since 1912. Liechtenstein is world-famous for the aesthetics and printing techniques associated with stamps. This museum is open every day, unlike the other 3 museums.

Keep an eye out too for the giant postage stamp mosaic outside the Liechtenstein Center, a nod to the country’s passion for stamps. You can buy a combined museum ticket if you’re making a day of it.

5 Kunstmuseum and Hilti Art: More Modern Art

If you don’t visit on Monday, you could add both these art galleries to your list. If you do visit on Monday, then you can take your time to enjoy the modern art sculptures dotted about instead.

6 Peter-Kaiser-Platz: Visit Liechtenstein Parliament

Named after Liechtenstein’s 19th-century historian and statesman Peter Kaiser, this quiet square is the country’s political centre. It’s home to the Parliament Building, a striking modern building, completed in 2008. This sits alongside the Regierungsgebäude, a grand 1905 Government Building with painted façades and coats of arms. There are guided tours when the parliament is not in session and an opportunity to watch when it’s on.

7 Take the Tourist Train

I don’t normally take these trains, but as I walked up the hill to the castle on a hot day, and it passed us by, I wondered why I didn’t. You can buy tickets at the departure point in Rathaus Platz. They go several times a day during the summer months. If you’re not going to take a walk into the countryside, this is the way you will see some of the real Liechtenstein as you pass green fields, cows and spectacular mountain backdrops. You’ll also pass the Rheinpark Stadium, the national football stadium of Liechtenstein and our departure point for the Italian Lakes and Milan on Flixbus.

8 Cathedral of St Florin (Vaduz Kathedrale): Take a look inside

The Cathedral of St Florin stands just below Vaduz Castle and often appears in skyline photos of the capital. Built in the late 19th century in neo-Gothic style and in active use.

Inside, it’s peaceful and light, with stained glass windows and a tomb dedicated to members of the princely family. Entry is free, and it’s worth stepping inside even briefly.

If you’re enjoying this article, I share more like it once a month.

And when you’ve exhausted the tiny city centre, here’s the things to do a short walk out.

9 Ebeenholz and the Red House (Rotes Haus): Enroute to the castle

The Red House is one of Vaduz’s most photographed landmarks. It’s on the edge of the residential district, Ebenholz. You’ll likely pass it, if you’re walking up to the castle or taking the tourist train. It’s a deep red gabled building with a pointed tower and vineyard cascading down the slope below. It dates back to the 14th century, though its current form is largely 19th-century. Today it’s a private residence, so you can’t go inside.

But honestly, while it’s very pretty, there are so many strange, quirky and photogenic houses as you walk up the hill towards the castle, plus some real oddities in some of the gardens too. You’ll find plenty else to photo along the way. I’ve added one of them as an example.

10 Vaduz Castle (Schloss Vaduz): Climb to the entrance

This dramatic castle perched above Vaduz is perhaps the image most people have in mind. It’s the residence of the Princely Family, so it’s not open to the public. Walking up to it and around its slopes is still worthwhile. The castle is usually closed to visitors, except on Liechtenstein’s National Day. If you don’t fancy the climb the tourist train goes up the hill too.

And just in case your sat nav has other ideas, don’t confuse Vaduz Castle with Burg Liechtenstein at Maria Enzersdorf in Lower Austria or Schloss Lichtenstein in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

11 Prince of Liechtenstein Winery: Visit for Fine Wine and Dining

The Prince of Liechtenstein Winery (Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein) is just outside Vaduz and very close to the Red House. It’s the biggest and most well known winery in Liechtenstein. Visit the vineyards and Torkel Michelin restaurant. It’s on the Liechtenstein Trail too.

12 Alte Rheinbrücke (Covered Wooden Bridge): Stand in Two Countries

One of Vaduz’s best little spots is the Alte Rheinbrücke, the old covered wooden bridge linking Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It’s about a 20-minute riverside walk from the centre of Vaduz and we particularly liked this stop.

Halfway across, you’ll see the iconic border sign, so you can get your selfie with one foot in each country, if you like. I read I would be amazed by the view, as I leave it on the Liechtenstein side, but my eye was drawn to a rather perfunctory building which might possibly be an ambulance station. So someone was possibly getting a bit carried away with themselves there.

13 Liechtenstein Trail: Walk or cycle all or part of it

Fun fact: Liechtenstein has the highest density of hiking trails in the world – yes, even more than Switzerland or Austria. The Liechtenstein Trail runs for about 45 miles (72 km) from the north to the south of the country, linking all 11 municipalities. There’s even an optional extension higher into the Alps to the ski resort of Malbun.

We hiked from Schaan to central Vaduz via the Old Bridge and along the river. But the whole Liechtenstein Trail looks tempting. The trail is well signposted, using the familiar yellow Swiss hiking markers, and there’s a dedicated app with more than 150 points of interest that pop up as you go. These range from castles and churches to historic villages and a few wineries too. There’s also a longer cycling version. You don’t need to tackle the whole thing, you can dip in and out, plus there’s a luggage transfer service to transport your baggage, from hotel to hotel, so you don’t have to.

These are the things we missed because we didn’t spend long enough in Liechtenstein. Really we should learn to allow more time, because there’s always something we find out about or miss because there’s not enough time. This is our ‘Still To Do’ list. I’m seriously thinking of coming back, visiting Malbun and walking the Liechtenstein Trail.

14 Take a Trip to Malbun Ski Resort (Open All Year)

The ski resort of Malbun is open all year. Here are some things you can do in the area, without skiing.

• Take a ride in the chair lift to the top of the slopes for Alpine views
• A number of family friendly activities such as a toboggan run, llama and alpaca trekking and minigolf
• Themed trails including the Swing Path. Perfect for your Instagram shots with spectacular alpine backdrops. With an extensive network of trails, it’s an opportunity to hike through stunning untouched nature
• Visit or stay at Hotel Falknerei Galina. Your opportunity to get up and personal with birds of prey

And it looks like the line 21 bus takes you to Malbun from Vaduz in about 10 minutes. I’m genuinely sorry I didn’t find time for this.

15 Visit the other regions outside Vaduz

• Gutenberg Castle and Balzer: A beautifully restored hilltop fortress at the southern end of the country. Unlike Vaduz, it’s open for tourists at certain times, with a small museum and occasional concerts in summer. You can spot it easily from the bus as you arrive from Sargans. It looks every inch the fairytale castle.
• Schaan: The largest municipality in Vaduz and the location of many of Liechtenstein’s hotels. There’s St Peter’s church with Roman excavaction and a brewery with bar (Brauhaus), but check for opening hours before you visit.
• Triesenberg: A mountainside village close to Vaduz and accessible on the bus. It’s the centre of Walzer culture and where you’ll find the Walzer museum, an exhibition on the life and customs of the Walser people

Food in Liechtenstein

Food to Try in Liechtenstein

It’s all about comfort food, with locally sourced ingredients. These are the savoury dishes to look out for if you would like to try traditional dishes from Liechtenstein.

• Kasknopfle – the national dish. A hearty pasta or dumpling dish made with cheese and topped with fried onions
• Wurst – smoked sausages
• Hafalaab or Gerstensuppe – two traditional soups, which include vegetables and smoked pork
• Rosti – pan fried grated potato, similar to a hash brown
• Schnitzel – pan fried cutlet of meat, covered in breadcrumbs

Sweet choices include strudel, vaduzer nussetorte (pastry with nuts) and marzipan cookies.

Michelin Star Restaurants and Fine Dining in Liechtenstein

For such a small country, Liechtenstein does very well for high end restaurants. If you’re looking for Michelin stars there’s the Torkei Michelin restaurant at the Prince of Liechtenstein Winery or Marée part of the Park Hotel Sonnenhof in Vaduz, celebrated for its refined cuisine and spectacular views.

Our Food Experience in Liechtenstein: Honest Truth

Liechtenstein may boast several Michelin-starred restaurants, our own experience was rather less refined. Partly because we spent Sunday and Monday in Liechtenstein but also, while we like good food, we’re not ‘over fancy’!

Still, we managed a culinary tour of sorts.

• Supper and Breakfast at the Youth Hostel – Evening Meal – bar snacks with Brauhaus beer (the actual Brauhaus up the road was closed along with all the eateries we could find in Liechtenstein), paprika crisps, and roasted almonds. An included breakfast in the morning was good and plentiful. We were grateful.
• Balu Bäckerei (closed on a Sunday, open on a Monday) – mainly a patisserie, but, in search of something savoury, we opted for a sausage roll and received, quite literally, a sausage and a roll. We also had a takeaway ‘cheesy pasta’ type dish. Käsknöpfle is Liechtenstein’s national comfort dish and traditionally made with small dumplings or pasta layered with melted cheese and topped with crispy onions. Tasty and welcome and we ‘ticked off’ two of the main staples of Liechtenstein cuisine, käsknöpfle and wurst (sausage) more by accident than design.
• Liechtenstein McDonalds (open every day – McDonalds never sleeps) – Not normally much of a fan, but needs must, and this one must be the classiest McDonalds in Europe. It was our introduction to McPop miniature filled doughnuts. Frankly, the nicest thing I’ve eaten in a McDonald’s. Never seen them at home, though I’ve spotted McBaguette, McMacarons and even McBeer elsewhere in Europe. So a question from me: What’s the most unexpected McDonald’s item you’ve found away from your home country?

So that pretty much sums up our trip to Liechtenstein. And with time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t, here are some suggestions as to how you could make the most of the time, should you visit Liechtenstein.

How Long Should I Stay In Liechtenstein

Can you “do” Liechtenstein in a day? Well, quiet a lot of it, actually. But you may appreciate it more if you stay overnight. Two days are ideal. Here are some suggested itineraries for one, two or more days in Liechtenstein.

Or if you have a little longer:

Where to Stay in Liechtenstein

Budget accommodation doesn’t exist in Liechtenstein. We stayed in the poshest youth hostel we’ve ever encountered, Located between Schaan (the largest population centre) and Vaduz, it’s an easy walk into Vaduz and the number 11 bus, stops outside too. If you start your journey in Sargans (Swiss border), you can go straight there, via Vaduz city centre. Our double private room was comfortable and spotless. Stripping the bed, at the end of the stay was the only required youth hostel duty. And no questions about our eligibility as old people either.

For other options, here’s an interactive map. Places to stay in central Vaduz are limited, so you’ll most likely need to zoom out.

If you’ve got this far and you’re intrigued by Europe’s other tiny countries, you might also enjoy these articles on things to do in Andorra and San Marino. I’ve also shared an easy route across the Alps from Leichtenstein to San Marino, all by public transport. It’s the one we took when visiting both micro-nations.

For another take on the ‘tiny country’ theme here’s a day trip to Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) – known as Transnistria, nestled between Moldova and Ukraine.

Have you visited Liechtenstein? Are you planning a visit to any of the other micronations? Let me know in the comments.

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