15 Best Things to See in Liechtenstein
Since Liechtenstein is a principality rather than a nation, it is a sovereign nation that is situated between Austria and Switzerland. The state is home to 35,000 people, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for gorgeous scenery and charming attractions. You may explore Liechtenstein’s fascinating history while there, including how it came to be its own autonomous region in 1806. Liechtenstein is primarily covered with Alpine woods and meadows of lovely wildflowers. Visitors swarm to the state to take advantage of the amazing options for nature immersion, and in the winter, you can go skiing and snowboarding. Summertime activities include hiking and mountain climbing, as well as exploring the many magnificent structures like castles and museums that are scattered around the region. The top activities in Liechtenstein are listed below:
- Go skiing in Malbun
- Explore the Walser Museum
- Visit the Traditional Farmhouse Museum
- Sample the produce at the Prince of Liechtenstein Winery
- Have fun at the Malbi Adventure Playground
- Discover the Calculator and Typewriter Museum
- Visit Gutenburg Castle
- Visit the Lawena Museum
- Visit the ruined castles of Schellenberg
- Hike along the historical Eschnerberg Trail
- Explore the Liechtenstein National Museum
- Hike along the Princes’ Way
- Check out the Liechtenstein State Art Gallery
- Ride the Citytrain in Vaduz
- Visit the Red House in Vaduz
Go skiing in Malbun
When the snow starts to fall, tourists swarm to Malbun, Lichtenstein’s premier ski resort, to have some fun in the snow. Malbun is tucked away on an Alpine ridge near the breathtaking Saminatal Valley and is known for having some of the greatest snow in all of Europe, making it the ideal place for skiing and snowboarding. After hitting the slopes, there are a variety of things to enjoy, in addition to a number of trails for all skill levels. Three ski lifts can take you 2,000 metres up the valley to ski, and if you’re travelling with kids, you can stop by the Malbi Park Kinderland, which features ski runs for kids as well as lessons and other activities they may participate in.
Explore the Walser Museum
The charming village of Triesenberg is home to the Walser Museum, which opened its doors for the first time in 1961. You may discover all about the regional customs and traditions in this region of Europe by visiting the museum, which was created to tell the tale of how people have lived in Triesenberg throughout the years. For that purpose, a 25-minute multimedia presentation will tell you everything you need to know about how the town has changed since the dawn of time. Additionally, there is a section of sculptures at the museum that were all created by a local carver named Rudolf Schadler out of wood.
Visit the Traditional Farmhouse Museum
One of the strangest museums in the nation is the Traditional Farmhouse Museum, which is situated in Schellenberg. A farmhouse building from 500 years ago may be found at the museum; it is a part of the larger Liechtenstein National Museum. You must travel to the municipality of Schellenberg to find the home built in 1518 if you want to see the museum there. The structure is devoted to demonstrating how ancient people would have lived and how farming practices would have changed since the Middle Ages.
Sample the produce at the Prince of Liechtenstein Winery
If you enjoy drinking wine, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Prince of Liechtenstein Winery, where you can take a vineyard tour and sample some of the wine that is made there. The vineyard produces some of the most excellent wines in the Rhine Valley and is recognised for its magnificent Herawingert Vineyards, which cover 4 hectares of land in the southwest. When there, be sure to sample both the red and white wines on offer, which are well-known throughout Europe and Lichtenstein.
Have fun at the Malbi Adventure Playground
The Malbi Adventure Playground, one of the greatest locations to visit in Lichtenstein if you’re travelling with kids in the summer, is situated in the town of Malbun. The playground offers a variety of activities and is located away from the main roads, giving it a private feel and a peaceful setting. At the playground, there are amusements like a vintage carousel, a fun climbing wall, and, if you’re brave enough, a huge swinging bench.
Discover the Calculator and Typewriter Museum
If you find yourself in Liechtenstein’s Schaan region, make sure to check out this oddball museum. More than 250 exhibits are available here, all of which honour the development of calculators and typewriters. Because so many of the displays are interactive, this museum is a top pick for anyone taking young guests. The museum will transport you back in time by 150 years, and one of its star attractions is the world’s tiniest calculator, which many visitors are unlikely to know was created in Lichtenstein.
Visit Gutenburg Castle
One of Liechtenstein’s outstanding examples of a classic castle is the Burg Gutenberg, perched on a hill overlooking the charming village of Balzers in the south of the country. The castle was most likely constructed during the Middle Ages, although it is still in astonishingly good condition. Like most strongholds in the nation, it was placed on a strategic perch 70 metres above Balzers to watch over it and notice the imminent threats. The magnificent chapel and the exquisite rose garden are only two of the castle’s many charms because it has been here since the Neolithic era and is filled with artefacts from that time. If you visit in the summer, you may also take in a variety of events like plays and musical performances.
Visit the Lawena Museum
The Liechtenstein Power Stations also manage the Triesen Museum of Electricity, a fascinating look into the force that propels the nation. You can learn about well-known electrical appliances like the iron, electric stove, washing machine, and vacuum cleaner in the exhibitions here, which span from 1910 to the present. You may view an exhibition about electrical measuring devices, take in a demonstration of generators from 1926, and learn how they advanced as a result of the use of electricity.
Visit the ruined castles of Schellenberg
Liechtenstein is highly recognised for its castles, but only two of them—Vaduz Castle and Burg Gutenberg—are still in good condition. Two of the remaining structures are in Schellenberg, while the others are all in lovely crumbling ruins. Obere Burg, the upper castle, was constructed here in 1200 in the medieval style, and Untere Burg, the lower castle, was erected here in 1250 and is the smaller of the two. A visit here is highly recommended if you want to see some medieval architecture in Liechtenstein.
Hike along the historical Eschnerberg Trail
You won’t be dissatisfied on a trip to Liechtenstein if you enjoy trekking. The region is blanketed in stunning Alpine landscapes, and as you stroll around, you’ll be mesmerised by charming villages and old-world inns. For the great outdoors, people come from all across Europe, and there are woodlands and valleys that are all worth investigating. The Historical Eschnerberg Trail, which connects the municipalities of Schellenberg and Bendern, is the most well-known of the many recognised paths that are spread throughout the nation. You can see the powerful Rhine River while hiking this trail, which passes through ancient towns like Malanser and Lutzengutle.
Explore the Liechtenstein National Museum
The state of Liechtenstein owns the Liechtenstein National Museum, which has a collection of artefacts that depict the country’s potential development. The museum is located in a historic inn that dates back to the fifteenth century and boasts the distinction of having hosted Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in the eighteenth century. A model of Liechtenstein is among the place’s hallmark works, and there is also a collection of antique weapons and religious art.
Hike along the Princes’ Way
The Princes’ Way is a well-known path in Liechtenstein that allows hikers to pass across the mountains and enjoy some of the region’s best alpine views. As you stroll, take in the scenery of the famed Three Sisters Mountains and Alp Gaflei, which is at an elevation of 1400 metres. Before renting a bicycle to ride back to the starting point, you can enjoy the view of Liechtenstein’s many verdant valleys as the trail comes to an end.
Check out the Liechtenstein State Art Gallery
The Liechtenstein Art Gallery, also known as Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, presents a new perspective on the local artistic community. Modern art samples can be seen here, and the museum features both permanent and changing displays. The permanent collection has paintings from the 19th century onwards, and some items to look out for include those that belong to the royal collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein.
Ride the Citytrain in Vaduz
The small size and compactness of Liechtenstein, especially in and around the Vaduz region, is one of its attractions. This implies that you can quickly explore all the major attractions, and the Citytrain tour is one of the best methods to achieve this. The 30-minute ride will take you by the well-known Vaduz vineyards and through the historic section of the city. Before entering the picturesque Alpine region surrounding the city, there is a halt at the Red House, and you will pass Vaduz Castle.
Visit the Red House in Vaduz
The Mitteldorf neighbourhood of Vaduz is home to the Red House, which is famous for its tower and brilliant colour. Although it would have had renovations in the 18th century, the outside is a deep crimson and is most likely from the 15th century. Although the Saint Johann Monastery was once located there, the house has changed ownership throughout the years. Today, you can visit and learn about the history of the house as well as the larger neighbourhood.