Europe’s fourth-smallest country, Liechtenstein lies between Switzerland and Austria. Drawing on its longstanding relationship with Switzerland, Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc and connects seamlessly with the Swiss Rail System. Just over an hour from Zurich, it is ideal for a day trip and even offers a passport stamp. Here is how to optimize a day trip to Liechtenstein and its capital, Vaduz. ]
15 Princely Things to Do in Liechtenstein in One Day
Learn about Liechtenstein
Explore its capital Vaduz
Walk down Städtle
Stop at the Liechtenstein Visitor Center for a Passport Stamp
Tour the Liechtenstein National Museum
Visit the Postal Museum
Stop by the Liechtenstein Art Museum
Walk by the Liechtenstein Government Building
Enjoy the Bells ringing at Cathedral St. Florin
Hike to the Vaduz Castle
Walk through the vineyards at the Court Winery of the Prince of Liechtenstein
See the Red House
Take the CityTrain
Sample Käsknöpfle
Use an Adventure Card
Learn about Liechtenstein
As an Alpine micronation, it is a constitutional monarchy, governed by the Prince of Liechtenstein. He holds substantial constitutional power, including the right to veto laws and dismiss the government.
It has a democratically elected parliament and a Prime Minister with a cabinet based in Vaduz, the capital. It features a low tax rate compared to other European nations, paired with a significantly higher gross domestic product.
Liechtenstein is exceptionally safe, with often fewer than 10 people in its jail at any given time. It doesn’t support a military.
Explore Central Vaduz
The largest town in Liechtenstein, Vaduz. During my visit, this is where I concentrated my time. I found Liechtenstein to be exceptionally clean and polite.
After arriving by bus and train from Zurich, I walked across Vaduz. The walking was pleasant, with a mix of sidewalks and developed hiking paths. As a smaller country, the traffic was minimal.
I arrived just before the museums opened at 10 a.m. and stayed until about 5 p.m. before heading back to Zurich. A day trip to Liechtenstein is doable in one day with public transportation, just get an early start.
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Walk Down Städtle
After arriving, I strolled along Städtle, a pedestrian-only zone lined with museums, outdoor modern art sculptures and shopping. It is just a block away from the main vehicular road in Vaduz.
I spent a couple of hours touring its museums: the Postal Museum, the Liechtenstein Art Museum and the Art Museum. I also had lunch here.
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Stop at the Liechtenstein Visitor Center
Switzerland and Liechtenstein are both part of the Schengen zone; there is no formal border control. However, you can stop by the official Liechtenstein Center Tourism Office in Vaduz to get a unique souvenir passport stamp for 3 CHF.
I did this, and as a bonus, I bought postcards and mailed them at the Visitor Center with Liechtenstein’s very collectible stamps. It offers a selection of stamps for sale.
Located at Städtle 39, 9490 Vaduz. Open Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free to enter.
Tour the Liechtenstein National Museum or Liechtensteinisches LandesMuseum
For a deeper dive into the principality’s quirky history, folklore and natural environment, stop by the National Museum. I did during my visit and spent about an hour exploring the exhibits.
Amoung its displays, I found archaeological finds from 7,000 years ago and early religious relics. I particularly liked the traditional dresses, and there was an exhibit on the early homes and workplaces of the area.
Be sure to tour the crown jewels of Liechtenstein, found in a different building. In addition to jewels, it includes items from the princely collections over the years, including Fabergé eggs, a moon rock and art.
A token allows entrance to the Treasure Chamber and is available when you purchase admission.
Located at Städtle 43, 9490 Vaduz. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 p.m. on Wednesday) and closed on Monday. Adult admission is CHF 13, including entrance to the Treasure Chamber, and kids 16 and younger are free.
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Visit the Postal Museum, or Liechtensteinisches PostMuseum
Liechtenstein is world-famous among collectors for its unique postage stamps. This dedicated museum opened in 1930 and includes postage-related displays.
During my visit, I also sent off postcards from this location. It includes displays on retired stamps, and I spent about an hour. However, stamp collectors could spend hours studying the stamps.
Located at Städtle 37, 9490 Vaduz. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free to visit.
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Liechtenstein Art Museum or Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
In a striking dark grey modern building on the Städtle, Liechtenstein Art Museum displays international modern and contemporary art from the 19th century to the present. With several floors to tour, I found several Arte Povera works, and the museum holds about 50 works from the Italian movement.
The museum also curates thirteen outdoor sculptures distributed nationwide across Liechtenstein. I spent about an hour touring the museum.
Located at Städtle 32, 9490 Vaduz, Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 p.m. on Thursday) and closed on Monday. On the first floor, there is a coffee shop and gift shop. Adult admission is CHF 15 and free for kids 16 and younger.
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Liechtenstein Government Building
I toured some museums, then I walked past other significant buildings. Its striking 1905 golden-roofed, Neo-Renaissance-style government building is at the terminus of the Städtle.
Next to it, the modern Landtag building opened in 2008 and is clad in brick. It offers a striking contrast to the 1905 building.
Located at Peter-Kaiser-Platz 1, 9490 Vaduz.
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Cathedral of St. Florin
Next to the Städle, the 19th-century Cathedral of St. Florin is built in the Neo-Gothic style. Built in 1874, it is dedicated to the 9th-century saint Flörinus of Remüs.
Next to it is the Princely Crypt, but it is only open on All Saints’ Day. During my visit, its bell rang at 5 p.m.
Located at Dompfarramt, St. Florinsgasse 17, 9490 Vaduz. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free to enter.
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Vaduz Castle or Schloss Vaduz
Vaduz Castle is the 700-year-old hilltop home of the Prince of Liechtenstein. A 12th-century fortress, it features the best views of the Rhine Valley.
During my visit, I hiked up to the castle, about a 20-minute uphill hike along a forested trail from the Städtle. Renovated over the centuries, it retains much of its medieval character on its exterior.
The Prince of Liechtenstein still lives there, and it is not open for tours. It is open annually on August 15th for Liechtenstein’s National Day celebration.
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Court Winery of the Prince of Liechtenstein or Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein
The princely family of Liechtenstein has been involved in viticulture since 1436. Its vineyards are located in Vaduz, and are open for tours and wine tasting.
It grows and produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at the Vaduz winery. Its Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are grown in Austria. alongside sparkling wines and Eiswein.
A guided tasting and tour are offered from Monday to Friday, at 3 p.m. and on Saturday at 2 p.m. Reservations are recommended and it is CHF 19 for adults. During my visit, I tasted two wines as part of my Liechtenstein adventure card.
During my visit in mid-October, the grapes had been harvested, and I found a flock of sheep grazing in the vineyards. Best of all, each wore bells that created the most delightful sound. I recommend taking the public trail through the vineyards to get back to the Städle.
Located at Feldstrasse 4, 9490 Vaduz. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Red House or Rotes Haus
An iconic, gabled medieval house was built in 1338 and is surrounded by vineyards. It features one of the best views of Vaduz Castle. The Rotes Haus is not open for tours; however, I walked by it on my way down the hill from the castle.
Located at Fürst-Franz-Josef-Strasse 102, 9490 Vaduz.
Sample Käsknöpfle
During my visit, I wanted to sample Liechtenstein’s national dish, Käsknöpfle. It is a comforting, gooey flour dumpling with melted Swiss chees topped with sweet caramelized onions and served with apple sauce on the side.
During my visit, I went to Adler 1908 for lunch, located within walking distance from Städle. In its delightful purple-painted dining room, I found a mix of antiques and quirky art.
Its menu features Käsknöpfle and Rösti, along with pastas, sandwiches and more.
Located at Herrengasse 2, 9490 Vaduz. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday.
Liechtenstein CityTrain
The 35-minute sightseeing train takes passengers from the Städle to the Red House and past the vineyards. It offers commentary in dozens of languages and a great way to see the sites without having to walk.
Open from April 1 to October 31, with daily departures at1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Adults are CHF 12 and kids (4-16) are CHF 5.
Vaduz Christmas Market or Vaduzer Weihnachtsmarkt
Travelers in December can enjoy a traditional Advent market in Peter-Kaiser-Platz with Wooden market stalls, handmade crafts, roasted chestnuts and gluhwein, or hot spiced red wine. It is scheduled for Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13.
Other markets can be found in Malbun, Triesenberg and Scraan.
Liechtenstein Trail
For travelers visiting from spring to autumn, Liechtenstein offers a long-distance trail through its countryside.
The Liechtenstein Trail passes through 11 different municipalities and is 75 kilometres long (46 miles). It is best completed in several stages and it circles towns and offers convenient lodging.
Liechtenstein Adventure Card
During my visit, I used a Liechtenstein Adventure Card in addition to my Swiss Travel Pass. It covered bus travel in the country, a 2-hour e-bike rental a free tour on the CityTrain.
It also got me into several museums:
- Liechtenstein National Museum
- Post Museum and Treasure Chamber
- Liechtenstein Art Museum
- A free souvenir passport stamp at the Visitor Center
- Free Admission to Princely Moments viewing at the Altes Kino Vaduz.
- A Free Tasting of two wines at the vineyard
During the winter, free admission to the outdoor ice rink (from early November to early January).
For those staying longer, the Adventure Pass also covers activities in neighboring towns to Vaduz, in Liechtenstein.
For a one-day pass, it is CHF 25 for adults and CHF 17 for kids 6 to 15 and free for those 5 and younger.
How to Get to and around Liechtenstein
An easy day trip from Zurich, I used a Swiss Rail Pass to travel to Vaduz from Zurich HB. From Zurich, I boarded the IC 3 train in the direction of Chur with service to Sargans Bahnhof. Once there, I walked across the street to the buses, and I boarded the LIEBus Route 11, or 12E, the express bus. I exited the bus at Vaduz Post and walked to the Städle.
This trip was covered by my Swiss Travel Pass.
