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Welcome to the Principality of Liechtenstein

The Principality of Liechtenstein is a pristine slice of paradise wedged between the tourist-heavy Switzerland to the west and south and sparsely populated Austria to the east and north. With an area of just over 160 square kilometers and a population of 37,877, it is Europe's fourth-smallest and the world's sixth smallest country. Though German is the official language, daily life is conducted in two Alemannic dialects. The Prince of Liechtenstein is the ruler of the principality, which is a constitutional monarchy. It owes most of its wealth to its former status as a tax haven, but it has taken steps in recent years to shed that image and portray itself as a respectable financial center. Today I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the 6 best places to visit in this beautiful country that can be done over the weekend. Let the journey begin!

Top 6 Most Beautiful Tourist Attractions of Liechtenstein

Map created using Wanderlog, a vacation planner on iOS and Android

1. Vaduz Castle, Vaduz

The Liechtenstein emblem, visible from afar but so close that you could almost touch it, stands on a rock terrace overlooking Vaduz, the capital, and can be approached through a lovely trail. The castle was constructed roughly 700 years ago. It has been in the Prince of Liechtenstein's ownership since 1712. It is not open to the public because it has been the official residence of the Princely Family since 1938. The earliest sections of the castle are the 12th-century keep and the structures on the east side.

vaduz castle in principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley amidst alps mountains

vaduz castle in principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley amidst alps mountainsvaduz castle in principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley amidst alps mountains

2. Gutenberg Castle, Balzers

Gutenberg Castle (Burg Gutenberg) is a well-preserved castle in the town of Balzers, Liechtenstein, which serves as the administrative center of the Balzers municipality. It is located immediately across the bridge that connects Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Gutenberg is one of the principality's five castles, and one of only two that have been preserved to the present day. Gutenberg Castle, unlike Vaduz Castle, is not a residence of the Liechtenstein princely family and is open to the public as a museum. The castle is located on a hill near the center of Balzers and is reached by the road Burgweg.

gutenberg castle in balzers municipality of principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley amidst alps mountains

3. Triesenberg

Triesenberg is a Liechtenstein municipality with a population of 2,618 people. It is Liechtenstein's largest municipality, with a total area of 30 square kilometers. Triesenberg is located south of Vaduz, high in the Alps, offering spectacular views over Liechtenstein and the Rhine valley. If you are in Liechtenstein, I strongly recommend a drive through the winding vineyards of Triesenberg.

principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley vineyards amidst alps mountains green meadow wooden house stone church samina river fog and trees

4. St. Josef Parish Church (Katholische Pfarrkirche), Triesenberg

The magnificent onion-domed St. Josef Parish Church (Katholische Pfarrkirche) in Triesenberg, is a member of the international Catholic Church, which is led by the Pope in Rome spiritually. Catholicism is practiced by almost three-quarters of the population. The principality was previously part of the Swiss Diocese of Chur. The Archdiocese of Vaduz was established in 1997 and covers the entire principality. Wolfgang Haas is the first and only archbishop to date. On an early Wednesday morning, the chimes of the church bell, which was produced by melting bells from the ancient church, can be heard from far and wide. Adjacent to the church is a cemetary.

onion domed stone church Saint Josef Parish Church Katholische Pfarrkirche with adjacent cemetary in principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley amidst alps mountains

5. Malbun

To me, the most idyllic place in Liechtenstein in terms of its scenic beauty is undoubtedly Malbun, the main holiday resort village in Liechtenstein’s tiny Principality. It derives its name from Liechtenstein’s highest valley Malbun, situated at the height of 1,600 meters (5,249 feet) above sea level, which’s an extension of the Saminatal valley, created by the Samina river, a tributary of the river III that flows through Strasbourg in France. The steep mountains at the end of the Malbun valley form an arena around the small resort of Malbun. Malbun is a family-friendly resort due to its tiny size and traffic-calming measures in the village center. Around Malbun, a vast network of mountain routes lead to a beautiful, nearly undisturbed natural scenery. This small resort’s terrain makes it an excellent biking destination, with numerous challenging dedicated trails and paths. In the winter, it transforms into Liechtenstein’s only ski resort.

lady walking principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley vineyards amidst alps mountains green meadow wooden house stone church samina river fog and trees

man walking principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley vineyards amidst alps mountains green meadow wooden house stone church samina river fog and trees

boy running principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley vineyards amidst alps mountains green meadow wooden house stone church samina river fog and trees

6. Friedenskapelle, Malbun

The chapel of Malbun, bears the lovely name "Peace Chapel" as a token of thanks for the relief from the horrors of WWII. The country's highest church, designed by Appenzell painter and architect Johannes Hugentobler, was completed in 1950/51. The basic, brick-built structure blends in seamlessly with the Ochsenkopf massif's mountain backdrop and the surroundings.

Peace Chapel Friedenskapelle principality of liechtenstein triesenberg malbun valley vineyards amidst alps mountains green meadow wooden house stone church samina river fog and trees

Visiting Liechtenstein

Best Time to Visit: June through August, during the summer, is the greatest time to visit Liechtenstein because of the generally pleasant weather, which is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and sightseeing in the breathtaking scenery. Furthermore, there are lots of festivals and cultural events throughout the summer that offer chances to fully immerse yourself in the local way of life. We visited Liechtenstein in August.

Number of Days to Stay: Although Lichtenstein is a small country, there is a lot to see and do, particularly if you like hiking and seeing quaint towns. You should be able to see the main sights along with engaging in outdoor activities like hiking and cycling in the neighboring mountains, in two to three days.

Best Place to Stay: With a variety of lodging options, including hotels, guesthouses, and apartments, Vaduz, the capital city of Liechtenstein, is the most convenient place to stay. Staying in Vaduz puts you in close proximity to the city's top sights, eateries, and retail establishments. Other villages with beautiful scenery and convenient access to outdoor activities, such asTriesenberg and Malbun, also have great lodging options. We stayed in Malbun.

Best Way to Arrive: Driving or taking the train are the most popular ways to get to Liechtenstein. The closest major airports, with international flights available, are Friedrichshafen Airport in Germany and Zurich Airport in Switzerland. You can rent a car and drive to Liechtenstein from Zurich or Friedrichshafen; the trip takes one to two hours, depending on traffic. As an alternative, you can go by train to adjacent train stations in Austria or Switzerland, where you can change to a bus or cab to get to Liechtenstein. We drove to Liechtenstein from the Netherlands.

Best Local Mode of Conveyance: Buses connect the major cities and villages in Leichtenstein's well-developed public transportation system. The nation's bus system is dependable and effective, making traveling without a car simple. Liechtenstein is also a small country, so walking and cycling are popular ways to get around the beautiful scenery and quaint villages.

Epilogue

So that brings us to the end of our journey across the 6 best places to visit in Liechtenstein over the weekend. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article. And until we meet next time, I wish you merry traveling and happy shooting!