If you are reading this you probably would like to know what are the top things to do in Liechtenstein. If you are wondering what to do in Liechtenstein and what this country is known for, we invite you to read further.
We spent a lovely time there, so we hope to encourage you to visit this small but interesting country.
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Why should you visit Liechtenstein?
Liechtenstein is one of the smallest countries in the world. There are only 38,000 citizens, and 5,000 of them live in the capital – Vaduz. The country border is around 70 km in total! In our opinion, the main attractions of the country can be seen in one day. However, if you spend your vacation in Austria or Switzerland, it is definitely worth visiting Liechtenstein for a short trip.
Top things to do in Liechtenstein
Get your passport stamped at the Liechtenstein Center
If you want to get the latest information on what to see in Liechtenstein and grab booklets or a map of Liechtenstein, visit the Liechtenstein Center located in the heart of the capital of Liechtenstein – Vaduz. The staff speaks many foreign languages and will advise you about tourist attractions in Liechtenstein which are worthy of seeing, as well as any upcoming events. Ask the people at the front desk to give you the official Liechtenstein passport stamp – the cost is 3 CHF. After you get all the information about tourism in Liechtenstein, you can purchase original souvenirs or take a funny picture while sitting on the king’s throne.
Print a postage stamp with your photo
Does anyone else, besides us, still send traditional letters or postcards? If you are looking for a unique souvenir, print a set of stamps with your photo at the Liechtenstein Center. These stamps are officially recognized, so you can stick them on your postcard and send it to the world. However, this souvenir is pretty expensive – the basic set of 12 stamps cost 27 CHF.
Colorful postage stamps are one of the most-bought souvenirs. The country of Liechtenstein issued the first series of its stamps in 1912, and it was almost entirely bought by collectors. For years, the sale of postage stamps was an important source of state revenue. A few steps from the tourist center is the free Postal Museum. Even if you are not a fan of philately, it is worth to come here for 15 minutes, see the exhibits and learn more about the history of Liechtenstein’s postal service.
Visit the Vaduz Castle
Vaduz Castle is one of the most recognizable castles in Liechtenstein. It is a beautiful, medieval fortification that will take you back in time. It was built in the 16th century, and currently, it is an official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. Unfortunately, the inside of the castle is closed to visitors and is only open for special occasions. Tourists can see a part of the tower, castle walls, part of the bridge and the gate. Still, we think it’s worth going uphill, sitting on one of the benches and enjoying the beautiful view.
See Vaduz in a glance
Walk the main street of the capital city of Liechtenstein, where modern architecture and contemporary sculptures mix with the beautiful view of the castle rising on the hill. The tiny Main Square is proportional to the size of Liechtenstein and it is located at the end of the main street Stadtle, which is full of shops of various types, restaurants, and cafés. While walking on the Stadtle street, don’t miss the charming Landtag building, which is the house of Liechtenstein’s parliament. If you like, visit the St. Florin’s Cathedral, which is next to the Parliament building. Visit the Café Amann located in front of the Liechtenstein Centre, order a delicious chocolate croissant and spend a few minutes looking at the people around.
Try Ribel or Käseknöpfle
Ribel is a traditional dish in Liechtenstein. It is a filling, vegetarian, and cheap delicacy made from corn flour. For years, it was one of the most important elements of the diet of the poor Liechtenstein inhabitants, mainly eaten for breakfast with coffee or milk. This dish is easy to prepare, so try to cook it at home. Click here to see the recipe. The second option you may like is Käseknöpfle, which reminds us of the famous Mac and cheese. It is a simple dish of pasta and cheese, served with a green salad, potato salad, and apple sauce. Click here to see the recipe.
Buy Valle Dulcis chocolates
We love tasting local delicacies and bringing small souvenirs for our loved ones. Can anything be better than chocolate? Valle Dulcis are Liechtenstein pralines that melt in your mouth. These chocolates are prepared from local ingredients and are packed in a decorative box. You can get them in many stores in the center of Vaduz.
Taste a local wine in the Hofkellerei
Interesting place for wine lovers and one of the unique things to do in Liechtenstein. In the Hofkellerei, you can taste four types of wine made in Liechtenstein, and the site itself is one of the best wineries in the Rhine Valley. Wine tasting is not the cheapest though (9 CHF for tasting four types of wine), you can also try homemade grappa, or also buy local and Austrian wine home. Walk between the vines, take pictures and enjoy the beautiful views.
Trek with lamas and spend the night in a tepee
Stroll with llamas through the beautiful countryside of Liechtenstein and spend an unforgettable night in the comfortable, self-made tepee. Wake up in the early morning and admire the views. Click here to check the availability. Meeting the owners of this unique Airbnb is a great opportunity to learn about the lamas and alpacas. They are very curious, funny, and kind to people. It is a unique opportunity to observe their everyday life. This fantastic place is located in Triesenberg, which is one of the cities in Liechtenstein. You can easily and quickly get there by bus from Vaduz.
Ski in Malbun
Do you fancy skiing in Liechtenstein? If you are lucky to visit Liechtenstein during winter, don’t forget to ski in Malbun. It is a place where there is no crowd of tourists, and you can enjoy beautiful winter landscapes. The slopes are an Alpine dream and you can ski at an altitude of 1600 meters with good snow conditions. The road to Malbun is winding and quite dangerous for the untrained driver so you can get there by bus or taxi. There are several hotels and guesthouses on site. You can check the availability below:
The best time to visit Liechtenstein
The best time to visit Liechtenstein is from late April to early September. These are the warmest months of the year, when the weather is mild and warm during the day and a bit colder during the night. If you are planning a ski trip in Liechtenstein – opt for winter months. No matter what time of year you go there, remember to bring a warm sweater with you. After all, Liechtenstein lies in the high mountains!
How to get to Liechtenstein?
Air
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Liechtenstein. You need to get there by land – the nearest airports to Liechtenstein are St. Gallen-Altenrhein in Switzerland and Friedrichshafen in Germany.
Bus
Take a bus number 12 from the rail station at Buchs (in Switzerland) to Schaan and Vaduz. It takes 10 minutes to get to Schaan and 15 minutes to get to Vaduz. Ticket costs 3.40 CHF. If you are traveling from Austria – there are buses number 11 and 14 which goes from Feldkirch to Vaduz.
Rail
Take a train to Sargans (Switzerland) and then catch a bus number 11 which goes directly to Vaduz (ticket costs 8 CHF). Click here to check the train timetables.
If you want to get from Zurich to Liechtenstein, you need to get to Buchs first. There is no direct train from Zurich to Liechtenstein.
Getting around
If you only visit the capital, you don’t have to worry about public transport. You’ll get everywhere on foot. However, if you plan to visit the major tourist attractions in the surrounding regions, use the public buses.
Interesting facts about Liechtenstein
- There are 11 cities (or better say – towns) in Liechtenstein
- The official religion is Catholicism and the official language of Liechtenstein is German
- Liechtenstein is the world’s largest exporter of dental equipment
- This country has no army
- The official currency is Swiss franc
Tourist Office
The Liechtenstein Center in Vaduz is located in the heart of the city at Städtle 39. It is impossible to miss it! Go there, take maps and brochures, and speak to the staff – they will advise you what places to visit in Liechtenstein. You can buy some souvenirs there as well as print personalized stamps.
Right next to the center is also a replica of the ‘Km. 0. + 0. Km.’ stone, which marks the point from which all road distances in the country were first measured in 1864.
Where to stay in Liechtenstein
You already have some ideas on what to do in Liechtenstein. Time to find some accommodation. The accommodation in Liechtenstein is pretty expensive, but if you are planning to spend there more than one day, there are several guest houses and hotels in Liechtenstein that may interest you. Our favorite is located in Triesenberg:
Berggasthaus Sücka
Amazing location with one of the most beautiful view we have seen in Liechtenstein. This guest house is very clean and provides great food. You can get there by car in the summer, but during the winter it is only accessible via free shuttle.
Click here to check the availability
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