Stausee Steg, an iconic artificial lake in Liechtenstein
Let’s start with a little quiz: How many microstates does Continental Europe have?
The answer is somewhere between four and six, depending on which source you consult. However, there is a general consensus about four European microstates that are unquestionably among the continent’s smallest countries: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino.
And what is this blog about?
Liechtenstein this time, baby.
I might start a little European microstates series at some point, if my circumstances allow. But why Liechtenstein?
I’m just back from this tiny landlocked country and wanted to write about it while my memories are still fresh. If you’d like to hear some Liechtenstein travel tips from me, sit back, relax and keep reading.
Most importantly, I’ll show you how to travel around Liechtenstein without a car, because yes, this blog is all about car-free travel.
Arrive in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein does not have its own airport, so most international visitors arrive via neighbouring Austria or Switzerland, either by car or public transport.
Since this is a car-free travel blog, our focus is naturally on getting to Liechtenstein by train and bus and exploring the country using public transportation.
If you’re planning your journey, LIEmobil provides an extensive network map showing the bus and railway connections around Liechtenstein and its neighbouring countries.
You can also use the LIEmobil route network to see which buses and trains can bring you into the country from Austria or Switzerland.
For the train journey itself, you may want to check ÖBB if you’re travelling from Austria or SBB if you’re coming from Switzerland.
Here’s an interesting fact: there is no railway station in Vaduz itself, despite Vaduz being the capital of Liechtenstein.
The nearest railway station is Schaan-Vaduz, also known as Schaan Bahnhof. Don’t let the two names confuse you — they refer to the same station.
And here’s the funny part: Schaan Bahnhof is about 3.5 km from the centre of Vaduz.
Have you ever travelled to a capital city without a railway station of its own? I certainly hadn’t!
If you have, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your story.
Getting Around in Liechtenstein
Don’t let the lack of a railway station in Vaduz put you off.
LIEmobil will be your best friend when travelling around Liechtenstein without a car. The country’s bus network connects Vaduz with many other towns and villages, including Balzers, Triesenberg and Malbun.
Depending on the length of your stay, you can buy a suitable public transport ticket and simply hop on the bus.
Even better, your accommodation may provide you with a Welcome Pass, which includes free public transportation and 20% discounts at participating attractions and businesses.
Things to Do in Vaduz
Vaduz isn’t your typical European capital city.
It doesn’t have a railway station, a metro system or the huge crowds you might expect from a capital. But honestly? The lack of crowds is one of Vaduz’s charms.
Most of the main sights in central Vaduz are concentrated around Vaduz-Städtle, the pedestrianised centre of the city.
So, once you get on the bus, get off at Vaduz-Städtle and start exploring from there.
Here are a few things you shouldn’t miss.
Get a Passport Stamp as a Souvenir
Looking for a quirky souvenir?
You can get a Liechtenstein souvenir passport stamp in your passport. Several souvenir shops offer this service, and it costs around CHF 3.
I got mine at the official tourist information centre.
Stroll Along Vaduz-Städtle
Take a walk along Städtle and enjoy some window shopping.
Liechtenstein uses the CHF as its official currency. Some shops and stalls may accept euros, but don’t forget: If you pay in euros, you may receive your change in CHF.
Check your wallet; Liechtenstein isn’t exactly known as a budget destination! It’s a high-cost city like Helsinki.
Walk Up to Vaduz Castle
If you fancy a little exercise, walk up to Vaduz Castle, the landmark sitting above the capital.
The walk from Vaduz-Städtle takes roughly 20 minutes, although the route is uphill.
The castle is the official residence of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein, so unfortunately it isn’t open to the public.
You can, however, walk around the outside and admire the castle from the surrounding area.
And trust me: the view is worth the climb.
The panoramic view over Vaduz and the Rhine Valley is fantastic, especially on a clear day. Or even on a rainy day.
If you visit Liechtenstein, don’t leave Vaduz without seeing the castle!
A local artist spend xxxx hours on this Vaduz Castle replica or model. Find it right next to the Tourist Centre in Vaduz Städtle.
Things to Do at Gutenberg Castle in Balzers
You can see the main sights of Vaduz in roughly two or three hours, depending on how much time you spend shopping and exploring. Now don’t think Liechtenstein is too small to have much else to see.
There is plenty more to explore.
Hop on bus line 11 and travel towards Balzers. Get off around Rietstrasse or Mälsner Dorf, then use your map to find your way towards a medieval castle that looks as if it has come straight out of a fairy tale.
Welcome to Gutenberg Castle. And yes, it even has vineyards nearby.
Despite the name, Gutenberg Castle has nothing to do with Johannes Gutenberg, the famous inventor of a mechanical printing press in the human history.
The Liechtenstein castle is believed to have been named after local nobles and dates back to the medieval period.
The castle belongs to the municipality of Balzers, where it sits dramatically on a hill above the village. Like Vaduz Castle, Gutenberg Castle isn’t completely open to the public. However, visitors can enter through the front gate and stroll through the courtyard if it is open.
There are also businesses operating around the castle, including accommodation and dining facilities. These businesses are named after Gutenberg Castle and are indeed open to the public.
And don’t forget to admire the view from the castle hill.
Standing up there, looking over Balzers and the surrounding landscape, you’ll feel like the king or queen of the world in no time.
Things to Do in Malbun (and beyond, if you are an alpinist)
Chapel – locals call this humble place just like that.
Did you mark Vaduz Städtle on your offline map? Well done. You’ll need it because it’s a useful starting point for travelling onwards by bus — especially if you’re heading towards one of Liechtenstein’s most beautiful areas: the mountains.
You can spend a few nights in the mountains, with Triesenberg, Steg and Gaflei among the places worth considering for accommodation.
But if your bus continues all the way to Malbun, you’ll discover a completely different side of Liechtenstein.
At first, Malbun might look like a small, commercialised mountain resort filled with holiday accommodation, restaurants and ski facilities.
But don’t stop there.
Go deeper into the mountains. You won’t regret doing that, I promise.
Chairlift from Malbun to Sareis
Sarais-Panorama
Take the chairlift up in Malbun towards Sareis.
This is where the real mountain adventure begins.
From Sareis, you’ll find yourself surrounded by alpine landscapes and hiking routes. At this altitude, there are no ordinary roads or public transport connections; just mountains, hiking trails and spectacular scenery.
You can take a short break at the restaurant near the lift station before heading further into the mountains.
There you’ll also find hiking information and maps showing the routes and alpine huts in the surrounding area.
Hiking Towards Naafkopf
Your way to Naafkopf from Sarais
One of Liechtenstein’s more remote mountain highlights is Naafkopf, a summit located in the alpine region where the borders of Liechtenstein, Swizerland and Austria meet.
For experienced hikers and mountaineers, this area offers a completely different experience from sightseeing in Vaduz.
If you’re planning to explore the mountains beyond Malbun, bookmark both Malbun and Sareis on your map and, most importantly, prepare properly for alpine hiking.
We didn’t climb any mountains on this trip.
By that point, our knees were already screaming, and we simply hadn’t come prepared for a proper alpine hike!
But if you’re properly equipped and experienced enough for the terrain, a mountain adventure in Liechtenstein could easily become one of the highlights of your trip.
Bye from Sarais!
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