📌 Quick Facts About Liechtenstein 🇱🇮
Liechtenstein is a tiny landlocked country between Switzerland and Austria. It is one of Europe's microstates and can feel surprisingly remote because it has no airport and no seaport.
For me, Liechtenstein felt like quiet old money: clean, wealthy, understated, and much more alpine than flashy.
- 🏛️ CapitalVaduz
- 💵 CurrencySwiss franc (CHF)
- 🗣️ LanguageGerman
- 🏔️ LandscapeRhine Valley and Alps
- 🔌 Plug typeType C/J · *Anker Universal Travel Adapter
- 🌍 RegionEurope
🚆 Getting to Liechtenstein Overland
Liechtenstein was country number 84 on my mission to travel to every country on the planet, and I visited it completely overland.
It feels more remote than it should be. Liechtenstein is tucked away between Switzerland and Austria, and getting there is a bit of a hassle despite being located in the middle of Europe.
The country has no airport and no seaport, so every visitor arrives overland. I
entered from the Swiss side through Buchs and later left through Feldkirch in Austria,
effectively crossing the entire country from west to east.
Both Buchs and Feldkirch are connected to the rail networks of Switzerland and Austria respectively. Vaduz however, does techincally not have a train station of its own.
There are frequent buses connecting the cities, and there is the Schaan-Vaduz train station, some 3.5km away from Vaduz.
🇨🇭 A Country That Feels Very Swiss
Overall, Liechtenstein feels very Swiss. It uses the Swiss franc as its currency, shares many institutions with Switzerland, and is not a member of the European Union.
It is also famous for being a tax-friendly financial center, attracting wealthy residents and international businesses.
The first thing that struck me was how incredibly clean and well-maintained everything felt. It is one of those places where everything seems perfectly organized.
If Monaco is flashy wealth, then Liechtenstein feels more like old money.
Less luxury yachts, more family offices. Less showmanship, more quiet wealth.
🏛️ Exploring Vaduz
Our first stop was Vaduz, the capital city. Despite being a capital, it feels more like a small wealthy town than a major city.
The center is elegant and pedestrian-friendly, with beautifully maintained streets, luxury boutiques, art galleries, cafes, and financial institutions.
One of the highlights was the Government Building, known in German as the Regierungsgebäude, located right in the center of Vaduz. The architecture is beautiful and fits perfectly with the surrounding mountains.
Then something completely unexpected happened.
While walking through the center of Vaduz, we noticed a very fancy wedding taking place near one of the prestigious buildings. There were luxury cars, security personnel, and a crowd gathering nearby.
I filmed part of it, and to this day I believe I may have seen Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein himself. I cannot say with complete certainty, but comparing the footage afterwards, it really looked like him. Check out my Instagram highlight for the full videos.
🏰 Vaduz Castle and Hiking Above the Capital
One of the most famous landmarks in the country is Vaduz Castle, also known as Schloss Vaduz, the residence of the princely family.
Unfortunately, the castle is not open to the public, but you can hike up to viewpoints around it and enjoy fantastic views over Vaduz and the Rhine Valley.
That is exactly what we did for the rest of the day. One thing that's very nice about Liechtenstein is how much nature there is. In that sense, it actually reminded me a bit of Andorra.
The mountains are not quite as dramatic as in the Pyrenees, but the scenery is still beautiful. The country is hilly, extremely green, and ideal for hiking.
💸 Costs, License Plates and Where to Stay
One thing I particularly liked were the famous black Liechtenstein license plates. Only a handful of countries in the world use black plates, and they have become a small national symbol.
If you plan to stay overnight, be prepared for high prices. Liechtenstein is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Basic hotel prices can easily exceed 200 Euros per night, and restaurant prices are equally impressive.
Some good accommodation options include:
- Park Hotel Sonnenhof in Vaduz.
- Residence Hotel in Vaduz.
- Hotel Schatzmann in Triesen.
🎩 The Country You Could Once Rent
An interesting fact is that Liechtenstein once became famous for offering complete country rentals.
Companies could essentially rent the entire country for private events, including custom road signs, receptions by local officials, and exclusive experiences.
The program attracted worldwide media attention and helped promote tourism. But it's no longer a thing.
💭 Final Thoughts on Visiting Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is small, wealthy, peaceful, and incredibly scenic. It is not the easiest microstate to casually visit because there are no major cities right next to it, but if you do make the effort, you will find one of the cleanest and most expensive countries in Europe.
I would definitely love to return one day. Maybe somebody wants to invite me and pay for everything?