After Mark and I made plans to go on a ten-day vacation with my cousin, Griet, and her husband, Wim, we needed to pick a place. The four of us briefly considered Eastern Poland plus part of the Czech Republic (too much driving) and Denmark (too expensive), destinations within the 900km radius we set as a maximum distance. Together we’d already been to northern France and the Netherlands during long weekends, so we settled on the Black Forest in Germany for one week and Liechtenstein for two days. Adding all the driving, we’d be gone for eleven days and ten nights.
Why Liechtenstein? It sounded mysterious, I’d never been there, neither had anyone I know, it can be visited in a short time, and it wasn’t too far away from the Black Forest.
Because Liechtenstein is very expensive (as is Switzerland), we opted to stay nearby in Austria for three nights and use a roomy, well-equipped, but hot apartment in Koblach as a base. Not that we were home a lot! Most visitors peruse this tiny country in one day, but we managed to keep ourselves entertained for two full days; enough if you don’t plan any hikes in the Alps.
(As always, click on or hover over photos in galleries to read their captions.)
Liechtenstein is a German-speaking, 25km-long principality (ruled by a prince) between Austria and Switzerland, officially called Principality of Liechtenstein ((Fürstentum Liechtenstein). Hence the letters FL on license plates.
The country is double-landlocked, which means that its neighboring countries are also landlocked. There are only two of those in the world: Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan. It has around 40,000 inhabitants and consists of just over 160 square kilometers (62 square miles). It is Europe’s fourth-smallest country and one of the few nations in the world without debt.
While Liechtenstein is not a part of the European Union, it has a close (financial) relationship with Switzerland, which explains the local currency being the Swiss franc. Credit cards are widely accepted. To save money, we brought sandwich lunches on those two days in the country.
On day one, we skimmed along Switzerland’s eastern edge, crossed the border, and focused on the bottom half of Liechtenstein. We started at its southern tip, in Balzers, where we climbed a hill and visited the deserted Gutenberg Castle. The inside was not accessible but we still enjoyed the looks of this typical castle and its views over the mellow city.
We made a quick stop in Triesen, ten minutes to the north, and its neighbor, Triesenberg, to stretch our legs. There was nothing of importance to note in these two villages.
From that area, we headed east into the mountains, not knowing what to expect. We reached Malbun, where we lunched in the grass by a stream and took in the mountain views. Who knew Liechtenstein was located in the Alps and had a ski resort?
Griet, Wim, and I splurged on a cable car ride to the top of one of the hills (at $12 per person), while Mark and Maya remained at the bottom in the village. The three of us enjoyed the scenery on our downhill walk along a well-established trail. Many hikes can be done around Malbun. While hot, we felt we lucked out with the weather!
This area was popular with visitors, based on the cars in the parking lots. I guess some Europeans do come here! 🙂
On our second day in Liechtenstein, we started in its capital, Vaduz. The first stop was near an old, covered bridge over the Rhine river. Talk about a picturesque discovery! And we crossed the border into Switzerland again.
We used the entire morning to explore downtown Vaduz. We discovered a statue by Botero, the famous Colombian artist, and checked out the Red House.
Then, we climbed up to the private Vaduz Castle, where the prince and his family live. This is another picture-perfect castle!
We roamed the streets of downtown, passing by notable buildings, before returning to the car and heading further north.
In Schaan, we stopped by a church and old ruins to eat our sandwich and checked out an art gallery housed in one of the few old and typical historic homes with thick walls that remain.
It was getting late fast. We swung by a cute church on the edge of town and decided to skip Eschen. Town hopping for the few historic monuments that were scattered about started to feel frivolous.
Our last stop in the Principality of Liechtenstein was Schellenberg, known for two sets of castle ruins. Not much was left of the lower part and in the higher section, people were setting up for an event, so it was another brief stop.
Our Airbnb in Austria was technically only twenty minutes from the border with Liechtenstein, but because we didn’t invest the extra $50 to use the highways in Switzerland, our commute was closer to an hour, so we always got home quite late. Especially when needing to stop at a grocery store to buy dinner ingredients. We’d hoped to take Maya swimming at a nearby river, because the days – and our rooms -were quite hot, but this never happened.
On our last night, we went out for a last dinner in the Austrian town of Rankweil. Our preferred restaurant had no space since we failed to make reservations (it was Saturday), but we found a decent alternative and enjoyed the surprising view of the Basilica, which looks like another castle on a hill!
All of us enjoyed this short visit to Liechtenstein. Yes, it can be done in one lang day if you just explore Vaduz with a quick detour to Balzers or Malbun, but to do this intriguing country justice, I feel you need at least two days. To me, Liechtenstein is a miniature summation of its neighbors: pretty castles with a scattering of historic buildings and a sprinkle of nature in the Alps.
Next up: Back in Argentina for a few weeks.
Curious about a previous ten-year chapter in our nomadic lives, which includes eight years aboard a 35-foot sailboat in the tropics with dogs, check out my compelling, inspiring, and refreshingly honest travel memoir:
Discover more from Roaming About
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
October 17, 2024 at 09:42
We just spent a week in Switzerland, and if we had more time, we would have slipped over into Lichtenstein. Your post and photos make it look and sound interesting, and you were there for pleasant weather. I love the covered bridge and have never seen one even approaching that length. There must be a great story. And BTW, I can confirm that Switzerland is indeed very expensive … Yikes! ~James
October 18, 2024 at 11:13
Hi James,
How cool you just returned from Switzerland. The scenery there is definitely more impressing than in Liechtenstein. Many people find a visit to the tiny country not worth it, because there is much more to see and do in its neighboring countries.
You are right. I actually haven’t walked in or seen a covered bridge of this size either, and we’ve visited quite a few in the US. I hadn’t realized that fact yet, so thanks for pointing it out.
October 17, 2024 at 10:04
What a fun trip. You make me think there are other ways to live, following your adventures.
October 18, 2024 at 11:14
Hi Jacqui!
Oh, there are so many different ways to live. I wish I had more than a lifetime to try a few out. So many choices! 🙂 Even if we decide to become expats, the big question would be, where?
October 17, 2024 at 10:46
Hadn’t known the term double landlocked before but happy to report we’ve been to both countries, each just a few years ago, Liesbet. Enjoyed the trip down memory lane and the hike to the Prince’s castle. I remember stopping in at the tourist office and buying postcards and stamps as the latter were so attractive.
October 18, 2024 at 11:18
Hi Annie,
I’m glad I could teach you a new word. 🙂
So cool that you’ve been to Liechtenstein! We checked out the visitor center in Vaduz as well. Since I’d forgotten to bring my passport (it was still in Belgium) for their unique passport stamp administered there, I bought a postcard and postal stamp as well and sent it to myself. Not as cool as a passport stamp, but it had to do.
October 17, 2024 at 10:46
Thank you Liesbet for this perfectly guided mini tour through Liechtenstein. This has always been a mystery country for many. I love that you stayed in Austria and drove over the border that looks like time has stood still there. <3
October 18, 2024 at 11:20
Hello Debby,
I think if you’d like to stay on a budget, you can’t sleep or eat out in Liechtenstein! We considered staying in Switzerland as well, but Austria was more affordable, the accommodations, stores, restaurants, and roads.
October 17, 2024 at 14:41
OK, this place has been put on our bucket list… for someday!!! Jim
October 18, 2024 at 11:20
Haha, Jim. I’m sure that bucket list of travel destinations for you and Carmen is quite big! So is mine. The world is a huge place. 🙂
October 17, 2024 at 15:31
I confess I had no idea what Liechtenstein was like – despite once knowing someone from there (very briefly, a student on placement). It looks lovely!
October 17, 2024 at 16:04
I’m currently traveling and couldn’t find a way to post my own comment so an tagging on to Anabel’s (hope she doesn’t mind) I loved following you on this adventure. History, castles, cool buildings, cable cars and nature make a great combination.
October 18, 2024 at 11:23
Hi Donna!
Thanks for checking in, even while you are traveling. I’m sure Anabel doesn’t mind the company. 🙂
You sum Liechtenstein up very well. A visit to this country is like a quick “package deal” of that area in Europe, all in one country. A good way to get a glimpse of the region by just visiting one nation.
October 18, 2024 at 11:21
Well, you are one step ahead of me, Anabel. You know/knew someone from Liechtenstein. I still don’t! 🙂
October 17, 2024 at 17:46
On our travel across western Europe, we didn’t make it to Liechtenstein, but we did have sandwich lunches to stretch the dollar. Lovely countryside, Liesbet! 😀
October 18, 2024 at 11:25
Of course you and Cliff had sandwich lunches, Marian. That was during one of those frugal times in your life. I’m glad you get to enjoy lunches out these years. One year, Mark and I will get there too. I hope, haha. For now, we eat sandwich lunches every day. If we have bread. 🙂
October 17, 2024 at 20:08
Possibly a cool place to live? Depends on their politics.
October 18, 2024 at 11:27
Hi Alex,
To be honest, I have no idea how their politics are. But, Liechtenstein would be too expensive for us to live in. Yet it’s neat, well organized, and pretty. I guess one could live there and shop over the border in Austria…
October 18, 2024 at 04:43
Small, but perfectly formed. I enjoyed this little tour of Lichtenstein. I am a sucker for castles, old towns, mountains, therefore I am sure I would love visiting this country. Maybe we will visit with our motorhome. Did you spot any motorhome sites? Staying over the border in Austria was a great idea, your little apartment looked lovely.
October 18, 2024 at 11:29
Perfectly formed. I like that, Gilda. Liechtenstein is a cute country, isn’t it? I didn’t see any campgrounds or boondocking spots like in the Black Forest. Since it is such an expensive country, you could potentially camp across the border in Austria or Switzerland and take “Little Bill”, the scooter, into Liechtenstein for visits…
October 18, 2024 at 11:32
Hi again Gilda,
There must be some camping, as my friend Jacqueline (see above – or underneath) lives in her camper and spent a night there…
October 18, 2024 at 06:02
We spent one night in Lichtenstein this year. We filled up with fuel, which is why I think a lot of other Europeans visit. It saved us a fortune! (The Beast is a rather thirsty gal!)
We would have stayed longer, but the weather was not so good. We had planned a gorge walk.
Since we only got a brief taste of Lichtenstein, it’s interesting to read your experience! 🙂
October 18, 2024 at 11:31
Aha, Jackie! So, I do know someone who’s been to Liechtenstein! 🙂 I hope you get to return one day. There seems to be decent hiking throughout the country. I had no idea the fuel was cheap there! We should have filled up my cousin’s car…
October 20, 2024 at 14:15
As soon as I saw the title of this post I knew I would enjoy reading it. I visited Liechentenstein in the summer of 1969 with my parents and brother (I was 18 at the time). I wish I could remember more about what we saw there. Thanks for taking me back there with your beautiful images.
October 22, 2024 at 14:08
You are very welcome, and thanks for swinging by and leaving a comment! I’m glad you enjoyed my post about Liechtenstein and that it brought you back this many years later. It’s a cute, little country! 🙂
October 21, 2024 at 15:03
What a fascinating trip, with such beautiful scenery! I’m intrigued by the “no debt” statement. What is Liechtenstein’s primary industry? And I wonder how a country with such a small tax base can manage to maintain its infrastructure. You had mentioned that it’s very expensive to visit there – do you know if their income taxes are high as well?
October 22, 2024 at 14:15
Hi Diane!
I’m glad I could bring something fascinating into your inbox. 🙂 Liechtenstein is known as a financial center – a bit like Switzerland and Luxembourg – but they want to shake that image a bit. Apparently, their primary source of income is the industry of manufacturing and construction.
Income taxes don’t seem too high, compared to other European countries. The most an individual pays is about 22%. In Belgium, it’s 50-60%, which is crazy high! Corporations only pay around 12%, which is probably why the country is a bit of a tax haven.
October 22, 2024 at 10:20
I learned something new about double-landlocked countries – cool! We almost decided to stop in Liechtenstein last summer when in northern Italy but did not; I wish we had! Looks really pretty.
October 22, 2024 at 14:17
Hi Lexie,
Before visiting Liechtenstein, I had no idea what double-landlocked meant, either. I can’t believe you were so close to Liechtenstein this past summer. We wish we had time to swing into Northern Italy, because we have good friends who live there. Next time! For you – and for me. 🙂
October 24, 2024 at 14:22
Looks like a fun trip. I think I’d take two days too. I wonder why they have a prince and not a king. How wild to find a Botero there!
October 27, 2024 at 15:23
Hi Duwan.
That Botero discovery sure came unexpected!
Not sure what makes a country a “princedom” instead of a kingdom… Maybe the people want younger rulers? 🙂
October 25, 2024 at 05:32
Liechtenstein isn’t a country I have visited, but I do follow a blogger who lives there. It looks full of history and charm and looks so clean, Liesbet. I had no idea they had a ski resort. Whenever anybody tells me they’re going on a skiing holiday, it’s usually to France, Germany, Italy, Austria or Switzerland. I bet the place looks really pretty at Christmastime.
October 27, 2024 at 15:26
Hi Hugh,
Liechtenstein is super clean and atmospheric, so it might be an interesting place to visit over Christmas. Although, I have heard from people who did go that time of the year that the weather in the wintertime can be dismal. I’ve never met anyone who went on a ski vacation to that country. Maybe only the inhabitants do? 🙂 Ski resorts make for nice hiking in the summer as well.
October 28, 2024 at 12:10
I agree, Liesbet. We visited Mammoth many years ago during the summer and it was good to see it from a summer point of view. We even took the ski lift up to the top of the mountain (where it was much cooler). However, all I could do was keep imagining what the hotel and area would have looked like had it been December.
October 29, 2024 at 09:40
You truly are a winter and Christmas person, Hugh! We are heading towards the colder regions (Patagonia and Ushuaia) during the upcoming austral summer. Let’s see if you like it. 🙂
October 26, 2024 at 20:13
Hi Liesbet, Thanks for taking me back to Liechenstein via your beautiful pictures. I visited this country when I backpacked in Europe many years ago. I’m glad you had a good time.
October 27, 2024 at 15:28
Hello Natalie!
I’m starting to know more and more people who have actually visited Liechtenstein. You are number four! 🙂 I think we lucked out with the weather, which contributed to the beautiful photos. I quite like my collection, if I say so myself.