The tiny independent principality of Liechtenstein in the Alps is a perfect place for outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and biking, as well as hosts interesting historic attractions and magnificent mountain scenery. In addition to being a popular tourism destination, this sixth-smallest country in the world is a wealthy and modern tax haven and winter sports destination.
Tiny mountain principality located in the Alps in Central Europe between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein is mostly mountainous, with Rhine Valley in the west part of the country. It has a mild continental climate with cold, snowy winters from late November to April and pleasant, moderately warm and humid summers from June to September. Liechtenstein is a predominantly rural country with a traditional Catholic culture and close ties to Switzerland.
Variety of activities. Malbun ski resort in the Alps is the place for skiing in Liechtenstein. It also offers beautiful views of the Rhine valley below, as well as an archery course, nearby cross-country ski tracks, and possibilities for mountain climbing and hiking. Trekking in Liechtenstein is popular and rewarding because of the wonderful mountain views. There are also great possibilities for road and mountain biking in Liechtenstein, as well as mountain lakes and a public swimming pool. There is a golf course in Schaan, and the ski resort of Malbun also hosts an Alpine Golf Cup during the summer. Other possible activities in Liechtenstein include horseback riding, paragliding, and tennis. Shopping in Liechtenstein is worth a try if you are not afraid of high prices.
Getting around. There are four railway stations in Liechtenstein, but the main form of public transport are local buses that are frequent and inexpensive.
Tiny mountain principality located in the Alps in Central Europe between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein is mostly mountainous, with Rhine Valley in the west part of the country. It has a mild continental climate with cold, snowy winters from late November to April and pleasant, moderately warm and humid summers from June to September. Liechtenstein is a predominantly rural country with a traditional Catholic culture and close ties to Switzerland.
Attractions in Liechtenstein: ski slopes, biking trails, mountain treks and castles
There are many activities that you can do in Liechtenstein: downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and skating in wintertime, and trekking, biking, swimming and golf in the summer, just to mention a few. The capital town of Vaduz is home to a famous Gothic castle that towers over the town and can be reached by a footpath. However, it is a private residence of the Prince and is not open to the public. Vaduz is also home to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art that has an impressive architecture and interesting exhibitions, as well as the National Museum of Liechtenstein. Some of the other popular sights in Liechtenstein include the Gutenberg Castle in the village of Balzers and the village of Triesenberg on a hill above Vaduz that offers beautiful views and a nice museum.Variety of activities. Malbun ski resort in the Alps is the place for skiing in Liechtenstein. It also offers beautiful views of the Rhine valley below, as well as an archery course, nearby cross-country ski tracks, and possibilities for mountain climbing and hiking. Trekking in Liechtenstein is popular and rewarding because of the wonderful mountain views. There are also great possibilities for road and mountain biking in Liechtenstein, as well as mountain lakes and a public swimming pool. There is a golf course in Schaan, and the ski resort of Malbun also hosts an Alpine Golf Cup during the summer. Other possible activities in Liechtenstein include horseback riding, paragliding, and tennis. Shopping in Liechtenstein is worth a try if you are not afraid of high prices.
Liechtenstein travel information and practical tips
Traveling to Liechtenstein can be done by bus, train or car. Liechtenstein has no airport. There are bus and train connections to Liechtenstein from Switzerland and Austria. You can also visit Liechtenstein by car, by foot or by bike from the neighboring countries. There are no border controls between Liechtenstein and Switzerland, as these two countries have a customs union. Liechtenstein does not issue own visas, either.Getting around. There are four railway stations in Liechtenstein, but the main form of public transport are local buses that are frequent and inexpensive.
Photo: PhylB, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
In summertime, you can easily get around in Liechtenstein by bike. The roads in Liechtenstein are in excellent condition and many of them have bike lanes. Car rental in Liechtenstein is available and you can find car rental agencies in several towns.
Services & safety. There are many hotels in Liechtenstein, as well as some guesthouses, pensions and farm accommodation, plus one camping area and one youth hostel. For dining, you can find a few restaurants in Liechtenstein as well as small bakery shops. Nightlife in the tiny country is limited but does exist. Liechtenstein is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, but also one of the safest in the world. Traffic and road conditions in winter are the only significant safety concerns. The inhabitants of the German-speaking Liechtenstein are well educated and most of them speak English.
Short history of Liechtenstein
An Austrian prince called Johann Adam Von Liechtenstein purchased the German counties of Schellenberg and Vaduz from German nobles in the late 1600s and early 1700s. His descendants still rule the country. The area of Liechtenstein became a principality under the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. It became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the German Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein gained full independence in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. The country’s small army was disbanded soon after. Liechtenstein maintained close ties to Austria until the end of World War I, when it entered into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, modern free-enterprise economy with high living standards, low business tax, and lax banking legislation.hint See also these nearby destinations: Davos, Bodensee (Lake Constance), Sankt Anton (am Arlberg), Zurich, Lucerne, Fussen, Dolomites, Lake Como, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Interlaken, Innsbruck, Black Forest (Schwarzwald)
