Set in a scenic valley of the Alps between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein is the sixth smallest country in the world. Although closely tied to Switzerland it has its own monarch, government, postal system and national anthem.
Liechtenstein is one of the richest countries in the world, and has managed to create a thriving free market economy. There are more registered companies in Liechtenstein than there are citizens!
You can easily drive from one end of Liechtenstein in about half an hour, and so the main sights of Liechtenstein can be visited in the course of a day by car - unless you enjoy hiking. In that case, you'll want to allow several days if you want to explore the many hiking trails on offer.
If you're driving, a great place to start is Vaduz Castle. This 700-year-old castle was built as a fortress in the 12th century, destroyed in a war in 1499, and later restored in the 16th-century style, with towers and turrets.
Today, it is the official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. It is closed to visitors throughout the year except on August 15th, when everyone is invited to attend the annual National Day celebration.
Although you can't visit the inside of this castle, it's well worth a look up close from the outside. It sits high on top of a hill, overlooking the entire length of the country, and the view is nothing short of impressive.
Driving on from the castle car park, take the roads through Triesenberg to the ski resort of Malbun. The road gets a bit narrow in places, but it's a very pretty drive.
If you're there in the summer, skiing isn't an option, but it's well worth taking the ski lifts to the top (15CHF return), where
there is a restaurant and some extremely rewarding views.
One of the best places to learn about Liechtenstein is the Walser Museum in Triesenberg. It tells the history of Triesenberg and the many of the customs and traditions so central to the Walsers' (the local population) way of life. The museum includes a 400-year-old traditional Walser house, where visitors can find out about how the local population lived in the 19th century.
At the south end of this tiny country is the town of Balzers. Formed from the amalgamation of two ancient villages - Mals and Balzers - the main attraction of this town is Gutenberg Castle. This 12th century fort, situated imposingly on top of a hill, is one of five castles in Liechtenstein that have survived through time. Unlike the castle at Vaduz which hosts the royal family, this castle is open to the public.
Heading back toward Vaduz, you can visit Alte Rheinbrücke, a footbridge across the River Rhine. It's well worth a walk across - the river is the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and you can put one foot in each in the middle of the 135m long bridge. It is best to park at the football stadium and walk along the river back to the bridge.
Vaduz is the capital city of Liechtenstein. Although small and compact, there are many fantastic landmarks to visit, all within a short walking distance of one another.
The Cathedral of St. Florin is a great place to start in Vaduz. Designed by Austrian architect Friederich von Schmidt in the 1870s, this Roman Catholic, neo-Gothic cathedral is best known for its stained glass windows and stunning steeple. One of the most popular Vaduz sightseeing attractions, visitors can also look for the graves of Prince Franz Joseph II, the father of the present ruling Prince, and his wife, Countess Georgina von Wilczek. The cathedral is a beautiful, quiet and contemplative space and a special stop on any Vaduz sightseeing tour.
The Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein houses the State Art Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art. It contains a collection of 19th century pieces, including sculptures and artwork from the Prince's private collection.
To get a true sense of how Vaduz once looked, wander around the old neighbourhood of Mitteldorf – just northeast of the town centre. You’ll discover a huddle of traditional houses, flower boxes and cobblestone streets.
Particularly eye-catching and instantly recognisable is Mitteldorf’s 14th century Rotes Haus, known as The Red House.
Another striking building in Vaduz is the Principality’s Parliament Building. Designed by Munich-based architect Hansjörg Göritz, it is situated on the main square. Little known fact? It was built using more than a million bricks! The building has housed Liechtenstein’s parliament, various government offices and the state archives since 2008.
Finally, don't forget to get your passport stamped in the tourist office as a memento to your visit.
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