Alex is the author of the travel books A Long Weekend in Ulaanbaatar and Running the Milk. Between writing, he currently splits his time between the UK & U.S. expanding his knowledge of city escapes, small town USA and regional differences whilst researching his next books.
If small and mighty can be anything more than an overused cliché, they sum up Liechtenstein to a tee. Covering no more than 62-square miles, the Principality of Liechtenstein is Europe’s fourth smallest country. The three smaller countries, by the way, are the Vatican City, Monaco and tiny, mountaintop San Marino.
Small, Liechtenstein may be; it’s also incredibly wealthy. At one point, Liechtenstein had more companies registered within its borders than it did citizens. No longer quite the tax haven it once was, you’ll soon find your eyes watering when you see the prices.
Lichtenstein is nothing short of beautiful (Credit: Alex Johnson)
That’s exactly why taking a day trip from Zurich to Liechtenstein is the best way to tick off this quirky little country. A night in a hotel in the capital, Vaduz, can rarely be had for under 200CHF (Swiss Francs are Lichtenstein’s currency, though Euros are widely accepted), and you can easily see the major sights in one day.
With that, here is my ultimate guide to visiting Liechtenstein for one day.
There are several options for making the journey from Zurich to Lichtenstein. We’ll focus on reaching Vaduz. That’s where most travelers are headed, but once you’re in Lichtenstein, public buses are so efficient, it’s easy to reach any corner of the country.
Worse bus station views are available (Credit: Alex Johnson)
The easiest way to see the best of Liechtenstein in one day is to join a guided tour. There are a couple of options which depart Zurich every morning. My top recommendation is this seven-and-a-half hour trip which showcases some of the best viewpoints in the Swiss Alps along the way to the border. For a more personal experience, this full day small group tour covers Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Liechtenstein.
If you prefer doing your own thing and sticking to public transport, the train is the best option to get from Zurich to Liechtenstein. Swiss railways are a beacon of efficiency, and can be surprisingly cheap if you book in advance. There are a few routes you can take to Vaduz. My tried and tested option is to take the InterCity to Sargans, then the number 11 bus across the border. It’s also possible to change in Buchs.
Once you’ve reached Vaduz, all the main sights are within walking distance, along Stadtle, the central commercial street (Credit: Alex Johnson)
The other option, of course, is to drive from Zurich to Liechtenstein. The journey takes an hour to 90 minutes, but you’ll want to allow a little extra for photo stops. The southerly route passing Obersee and Walensee is the most scenic. Liechtenstein is Schengen, so there’s no formalities as you cross the border. Just remember your Swiss Vignette.
What To Do in Lichtenstein
There can be no denying that Liechtenstein isn’t known for any big name attractions. The main reason to make the journey is purely to say you’ve been. But I do take issue with a well known travel vlogger who hiked across the Principality and dubbed it the most boring country in the world. It’s not boring. If anything, I actually think Lichtenstein is quite a fascinating place.
Make the Landesmuseum your first stop in Vaduz (Credit: Alex Johnson)
The Landesmuseum is the place to go to delve into a little of Liechtenstein’s history. It tells the story from the very beginning in 814AD with what is now Liechtenstein became a Roman colony known as Lower Rhaetia. Once you’ve got your fill of history, pop into the tourist information center to get the obligatory passport stamp.
They cost 3CHF and are a complete gimmick given that Liechtenstein has no passport control on any of its borders. But when you’re traveling the world chasing passport stamps, none of that matters…
To the other side of the tourist center, there’s a remarkably interesting (and free) postal museum (Credit: Alex Johnson)
At the southern end of Stadtle, the furthest from the main shopping area – albeit furthest in this case, not very far at all – is Liechtenstein’s only cathedral. Dedicated to St Florin, who practised in Switzerland during the 9th century, the cathedral is the location for all major royal celebrations in the Principality.
Until 1997, Liechtenstein had no cathedral at all (Credit: Alex Johnson)
Once you’ve walked the length of Stadtle, it’s time to get a view of Vaduz’s star attraction. Its hilltop castle looks quite majestic standing guard over the city. Home to the royal family of Liechtenstein, Vaduz Castle is one of 75 in the country which is no mean feat considering its size.
Although, as a working royal castle, you can’t go inside, it does open up once per year to celebrate National Day. Held on 15th August to celebrate the country’s independence, every Liechtenstein resident is invited along to the castle for the celebrations.
The castle was built in the 12th century (Credit: Alex Johnson)It’s an even more impressive sight at night (Credit: Alex Johnson)
Liechtenstein’s Best Restaurants
You’d be forgiven for having no idea what sort of cuisine to expect in Liechtenstein. I’m not sure I’ve ever come across a Liechtenstein restaurant anywhere else. That said, it’s all very familiar stuff. Unsurprisingly, Liechtenstein shares a cuisine with its neighbors. Hearty Austrian, German and Swiss dishes are all around.
Whilst Vaduz’s small size means you might not be as spoiled for choice as in other capital cities, there’s plenty of international cuisine from further afield on offer too. Mizu Japanese Grill on Stadtle is a firm favorite. A few doors down, Restaurant Engel offers an unusual Thai-European fusion menu.
Unlike in Germany, Weiner Schnitzel tends to be accompanied by potatoes rather than spätzle (Credit: Alex Johnson)
If you fancy a more elevated take on the local classics, I think Adler 1908 is a great spot for Swiss cuisine. For a more informal, or on-the-go snack, I love Balu Backerei’s sandwiches, cakes and croissants.
Staying the Night in Liechtenstein
If you decide to extend your trip from Zurich to Liechtenstein, there are a surprising amount of places to stay. Vaduz itself is my top recommendation, purely for the convenience factor. Hotel Vaduzerhof is a basic but clean and central option which won’t break the bank. Slightly more upmarket choices are the Giessen Hotel and Hotel Residence.
Staying a little outside Vaduz is often a more affordable alternative. Nearby Schaan and Triesen are particularly good options, and no more than a 10 minute bus ride from the city center. Schaan is also an excellent choice if you want to sample some of Liechtenstein’s nightlife scene.
Almost anywhere you stay in Liechtenstein, you’ll be able to enjoy some true peace and quiet (Source: Expedia)
Kloster by bsmart is the best located in Schaan. Bsmart also have a motel a short walk from the town center. In Triesen, Hotel Schatzmann is right on the bus route between Sargans and Vaduz.
What Else is there to See in Liechtenstein?
Once you’ve seen Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s main draw is its natural beauty. As great a day trip as it is from Zurich to Liechtenstein, if you have a little more time to spare, it’s worth sticking around for more. Through the winter months, the ski resort of Balzers has some of the best slopes in the Alps.
Balzers isn’t all about skiing. It’s also home to stunning Burg Gutenberg Castle (Credit: Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson)
If you’re visiting in summer, swap the slopes for hiking boots and spend your days wandering through the Alps. Should you decide to do this, it’s a great idea to stay out of town. Hotel Oberland in Triesenberg is designed for hikers and the views are other worldly. A little closer to the Austrian border, Familien Hotel in Malbun is an excellent choice.
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