Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Liechtenstein

Are you thinking about visiting Liechtenstein? Or maybe you need to know more before deciding? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the capital Vaduz and beyond. Including how to get there, where to stay, day trip tips and what’s actually open on Sundays and Mondays, Along with a few honest tales from our own visit.

Planning a Trip To Liechtenstein? Here’s Where You’ll Find Things

Most recently visited in June 2024, all information reviewed and updated in October 2025

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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. 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 slightly more unexpected. 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.

My ‘yes’ answer does have one strong caveat though. Many restaurants and shops, including supermarkets, are closed on Sunday. And there’s quite a bit closed on Monday too, including some tourist attractions. So maybe don’t visit on those days like we did!

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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 and if you want time to hike and explore outside Vaduz, especially if you want to walk or cycle all or part of the Liechtenstein Trail or spend time fine dining and at the wineries, you could spend longer. I have suggestions as to how to spend your time and a “Your Questions Answered” section to help you make the most of your trip and plan your itinerary.

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Where to Stay in Liechtenstein

Budget accommodation doesn’t exist in Liechtenstein. If you want a well located room with a view and excellent reviews at a sensible price, you may well end up here in the poshest youth hostel we’ve ever encountered, as we did. Located between Schaan (the largest population centre) and Vaduz, it’s an easy walk into Vaduz. Alternatively the number 11 bus, stops outside. So if you start your journey in Sargans (Swiss border), you can go straight there, via Vaduz. 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.

At the other extreme you could stay at Park-Hotel Sonnenhof (above Vaduz), also boasting stellar views. Plus, you’ll have fine dining covered at Maree, the hotel’s Michelin star restaurant. 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.

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Things To Do in Vaduz, Liechtenstein

Here’s the detail, starting with the different passes available to tourists to make the most of time spent in Liechtenstein.. Then everything else flows in a natural order, so you can follow along while you go.

Welcome Adventure Pass

If you’re staying overnight at a participating accommodation provider make sure they give you a Welcome Adventure Pass. There’s a paper pass, or your accommodation provider can send you a link to the web based app, 3 days before your arrival, provided they the necessary details about you, including your passport or other travel Id number. It’s Liechtenstein’s official guest card offering the following benefits:

• Free public transport in Liechtenstein during your entire stay
• Free admission to the Post museum
• 20% discount on the Citytrain. That’s the tourist road train
• 20% discount on experiences in Vaduz, including the Liechtenstein Treasure Chamber, the Liechtenstein National Museum and the Liechtenstein Art Museum
• 20% discount on experiences in Malbun, including ascent and descent in the chair lift, Galina Falconry and Walser Museum

There’s also the All Inclusive Adventure Pass (1 day – 25CHF, 2 day – 29CHF, 3 day – 35CHF), with free entry to more than 20 attractions.. This can be purchased, whether you stay over or not.

Rathausplatz – Stop for Vaduz City Train

Rathausplatz is the civic heart of Vaduz, framed by the Town Hall (Rathouse) and surrounded by cafés and sculptures. You’ll see the surreal horse statues, Tre Cavalli by Swiss sculptor Nag Arnold.

It’s also the departure point for the Vaduz Citytrain which loops through the city We walked the train route, but I can see the appeal of joining the gentlefolk, for the uphill stretch to the castle, especially on a hot day. Tickets can be purchased in advance, if you’re not on your free ride with the Welcome Adventure Pass. The service runs several times a day in summer.

Städtle and 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! Here’s just a few.

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.

Museums in Central Vaduz

Liechtenstein has quite a few museums for a country this size. Here are the main ones, all close to each other.

• Liechtenstein National Museum – covering all things Liechtenstein. It includes the Liechtenstein Treasure Chamber, That’s the ‘Crown Jewels’ and other important artifacts connected to the princely kingdom. Closed Monday.
• Postal Museum – 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.
• Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein – a sleek black cube housing modern and contemporary art. Closed Monday.
• Hilti Art Foundation – right next door, with changing exhibitions from private collections. Closed Monday.

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.

Get Your Passport Stamped

Maybe not for everyone, but you can get your passport stamped with a Liechtenstein stamp at the souvenir shop in the Liechtenstein National Museum if you want. It’s the official Liechtenstein design and purely commemorative. There’s a small fee (CHF 3).

And if you’re wondering… Both Liechtenstein and San Marino offer novelty passport stamps at their tourist offices as a fun memento. Technically your passport is a government document, not a scrapbook. I’d be inclined to ask for the stamp on a separate sheet of paper or in a souvenir visitor booklet, just in case, a future passport official takes a dim view of it.

Peter-Kaiser-Platz & 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.

Cathedral of St Florin (Vaduz Kathedrale)

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.

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

Vaduz Castle (Schloss Vaduz)

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 itself is usually closed to visitors, except on Liechtenstein’s National Day.

And just in case your sat nav has other ideas, don’t confuse Vaduz Castle with these other castles!

• Burg Liechtenstein – at Maria Enzersdorf in Lower Austria
• Schloss Lichtenstein – in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Ebeenholz and the Red House (Rotes Haus)

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.

Alte Rheinblittkrücke (Covered Wooden Bridge)

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

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.

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Map of Tourist Attractions in Liechtenstein

Here’s the map of the things we discovered on our trip.

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Beyond Vaduz, More Things To Do In Liechtenstein

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.

The Other Castles in Liechtenstein

Vaduz castle is not the only castle in Liechtenstein. The best known, after Vaduz is, Gutenberg Castle in Balzers. 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.

Above Vaduz itself lies Schalun Castle (also known as Ruine Schalun or Wildschloss), a peaceful ruin tucked into the forest. There are also a few smaller castle sites and remnants dotted along the Rhine valley, but most are privately owned or little more than foundations.

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
• Visit the Walser museum in Triesenberg – an exhibition on the life and customs of the Walser people

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.

Hiking or Cycling – The Liechtenstein Trail

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.

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, importantly, a few wineries. 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.

We just hiked from Schaan to central Vaduz via the Old Bridge and along the river. But the Liechtenstein Trail looks tempting.

Local Wine and Fine Dining

After all that walking (or thinking about it), you’ve earned a good meal, and yes Liechtenstein has options. Just check they are real options and actually open, especially on a Sunday!

• Prince of Liechtenstein Winery (Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein) sits just outside Vaduz, with vineyards and Torkel Michelin restaurant. It’s on the Liechtenstein Trail too.
• Marée, part of the Park Hotel Sonnenhof in Vaduz, celebrated for its refined cuisine and spectacular views.
• Masescha – a mountain inn above Triesenberg serving hearty regional dishes with panoramic views for something more rustic
• Weinlaube – in Schellenbert offers seasonal cuisine in a half-timbered house.

And 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

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Eating and Drinking in Liechtenstein – Honest Truth

Liechtenstein may boast several Michelin-starred restaurants, quite some achievement considering how small it is. But 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.
• 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 looks like the classiest McDonalds in Europe. 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?

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So that sums up our trip details, these are my suggestions as to how you could make the most of the time you have in Liechtenstein.

Day Trip To Liechtenstein

If you only have one day, avoid Sundays and Mondays, as there’s quite a bit closed, including restaurants and tourists sights on either or both days. I’d focus on the things to do in central Vaduz. Wander through the centre, taking in all the intriguing sculptures and sites and visit a museum. The stamp museum is open every day and would be my suggestion and/or the National Museum.

Go as far as the cathedral, then double back and climb to Vaduz castle, via the Red House, taking the tourist train to save your legs if you need to. After that, take a walk to the Old Wooden Bridge for Rhine views and your photo op, in two countries at once. Then with a meal in one of the restaurants, (here’s what to try) you’ll have covered the highlights of Vaduz without feeling rushed.

And if you do want to rush and you’ve completed central Vaduz by lunchtime, because sometimes we only have one day and we absolutely have to tick everything, right? I get it, I used to be that person. Then go to Malbun or visit a winery And here’s some food options for food on the go, since you might not be stopping for anything fancy.

Check Liechtenstein – Questions Answered for details on how to get to Liechtenstein independently and other practical tips for your day.

And here’s my top pick for an organised daytrip by coach, from Zurich covering both Vaduz and Heidi’s home village, Maienfeld – It’s a sensibly priced tour too.

Two Or More Days in Liechtenstein

With two days, you can explore a little further. Visit the Prince of Liechtenstein Winery or visit the ski resort of Malbun and see the attractions there. Alternatively, you could spend more time in Vaduz’s museums or simply relax over a long lunch in one of the restaurants.

If you spend more than two days, you could visit some of the other points of interest on the Liechtenstein Trail, like the castles, or walk the full length of the trail (which will take between 3 and 7 days, depending on how fast you want to go.

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Visiting Liechtenstein – Your Questions Answered

Below you’ll find answers to some common questions, to help you make the most of your trip.

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If you’ve got this far and you’re intrigued by Europe’s other tiny countries, you might also enjoy my articles on Andorra and San Marino. I’ve also included a day trip to Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) – known as Transnistria, nestled between Moldova and Ukraine – another take on the ‘tiny country’ theme.

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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