The miniscule principality of Liechtenstein, nestled between Switzerland and Austria, is one of the most underrated alpine escapes in Europe. While excursions to the Tyrol or Graubünden are more touristy, Liechtenstein boasts all of the dramatic mountain landscapes, fairy-tale villages, history and culture and outdoor activities with none of the crowds. From no more than 62 miles squared, Liechtenstein is an intimate destination brimming with charm, authenticity, and an air of discovery. It’s like people don’t even know they’ve stumbled upon a hidden part of the Alps where the natural world, traditions, and peace abound.
A Country of Such Small Proportions Yet Vast Landscapes
Liechtenstein might only span 25 kilometers from north to south, but it boasts a mountainous and Alpine landscape to rival the larger nations that surround it. Alps2Alps provides convenient access to nearby Alpine regions, making it easy for travelers exploring this tiny principality to continue their journey deeper into the surrounding mountains. While the Rhine River serves as its western border, the rest of the country climbs quickly into mountain peaks, forests, and pastures. Valleys carve through untouched terrains, and expansive ridgelines and meadows await anyone who dares to view these sights from their peaks.
Thanks to Liechtenstein’s small size, everything is accessible, and nothing is too far from where you’re going. One minute, you’re walking among vineyards on the banks of the Rhine. The next moment, after a short drive, you’re in a completely different world with vast mountain views in Malbun. Liechtenstein may be small, but the scenery seems gigantic and endless.
Malbun – A Resort Town in the Alps without the Tourists
Malbun is the only ski resort in the tiny nation, but that’s part of its charm. It feels worlds away from the bustling resorts you might find elsewhere in the Alps. Families travel here for wholesome activities on gentle slopes. Beginners enjoy lessons without intimidation. Group-friendly mountain restaurants serve hearty local meals after long days outdoors. While other resorts thrive on massive crowds and packed pistes, Malbun welcomes those who desire a different skiing experience and smaller accommodations.
In the summer, Malbun morphs from a snow-covered village to a rich green hiking paradise from wildflower meadows filled with sheep grazing to spectacular viewpoints where one can look down upon the entire Rhine Valley without much commercialism getting in the way of pure nature. Malbun is one of those places that can exist without overwhelming tourism.
Vaduz – A Capital City of Culture
Vaduz is one of the world’s smallest capital cities, boasting something for everyone – from modern art to medieval relics and a good dose of local charm. Most notably, Vaduz Castle reigns supreme on a hill above the city – home to the royal family for decades – but closed to visitors. However, plenty of walking paths underneath allow for great looking pictures.
Additionally, Vaduz is home to several museums, including The Liechtenstein National Museum, The Postal Museum and the internationally recognized Kunstmuseum, where contemporary art thrives. Strolling about Vaduz is like wandering through a quiet, clean, cultured capital city that still feels like a small town without all the trappings that come with larger city centers.
A Hiker’s and Nature Lover’s Dream Come True
With more than 400 kilometers of well-marked hiking trails, Liechtenstein is a hiker’s dream. Even better, the most well-known trail in the region – the Fürstensteig – traverses the cliffside of an extremely steep section of the country with its carved steps creating a breathtaking journey for intrepid travelers across stunning bits of the Alps and down to the Rhine Valley.
For those looking for a more leisurely experience, however, forest trails near Triesenberg and alpine meadows near Malbun exist. Many trails connect small, centuries-old hamlets that provide wandering hikers with a taste of cultural local life. Thus, hiking throughout Liechtenstein is as much an outdoor adventure as it is a peek into mountain life.
A Culture Steeped in Tradition Beyond Modernity
As modern as Liechtenstein is, there are centuries-old traditions that still thrive today. The village of Triesenberg, for example, features Walser culture – Swiss immigrants brought the dialect, customs, and architecture centuries ago – and the Liechtensteiners remain proud of their differences within this section of the Alpine region.
With musical meetings and folkloric festivals throughout the year, visitors receive a glimpse into local life. In contrast to more touristic spots in the Alps where culture is performed for guests, Liechtenstein’s is lived and shared graciously instead of performed.
Exclusive Wines from One of the Smallest Vineyards in the World
Liechtenstein is home to wine – and few people know this fact. The Prince of Liechtenstein Winery in Vaduz grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the hills above the Rhine, and Liechtensteiners and guests can partake in a tour of the vineyards, enjoy tastings of some of the more elegant varieties and meander through the centuries-old Herawingert.
Compared to more commercialized wine regions, Liechtenstein’s exposure to wine feels personal and intimate. Sipping on local varietals while overlooking the hills where they grew creates a simplistic yet unforgettable experience – and it’s just another reason this principality deserves far more exposure to curious travelers.
Travel Ease and Comfort
Liechtenstein is one of the easiest Alpine destinations to explore (p. 16). It’s small, well-connected through public transportation, hiking trails depart from just about every village, and attractions are within walking distance. For travelers who don’t like worrying about complicated itineraries, this is paradise.
It also exists in a safe and serene bubble; people are hospitable, generally speak multiple languages and are happy to engage with tourists about their sense of pride in the country. Whether you’re dining, hiking or taking in a cultural attraction, everything is easy, and life operates at a relaxed pace that encourages slow travel.
A Blend of the New and the Old with the Mountains Nearby
Liechtenstein is both modern and historical simultaneously. What’s more, it’s not an isolated phenomenon; the museum of contemporary art in Vaduz stands in the shadows of a 500+-year-old church. A nation known for innumerable high-tech businesses also plays host to shepherds and goats roaming ancient Alpine pastures. There’s something majestic about this blend.
For travelers who want a little modern pizazz without sacrificing authenticity, Liechtenstein welcomes them in. It has its luxurious aspects but is neither pretentious nor distracting; instead, it embraces its tourists and merges the upscale travel experience with a calm one nestled amidst and surrounded by mountains.
When Should You Go? Now!
One of the most incredible things about Liechtenstein is that it’s still relatively unknown. As more people flock to the more popular areas of the Alps, Liechtenstein remains blissfully pristine. If travelers want mountain views, good food and welcoming villages for quiet getaways, Liechtenstein has everything the Alps can offer without any over-tourism.
Now is a perfect time to go because you get to enjoy mountain trails, lakes, villages, and cultural attractions without intrusive crowds. You can carve your path across the nation, discovering nooks and crannies that you would never find if Liechtenstein were overrun with visitors. Thus, the Alps can be understood at its quietest and most majestic state.
Steg and the Gnalp Valley – An Isolated Hideaway for Nature Buffs
Above Triesenberg is Steg – a hidden little village in the picturesque Gnalp Valley. Secluded from the hustle and bustle of Liechtenstein and beyond, this is a part of the country away from tourists and traffic, making it ideal for any visitor looking to indulge in a calm and rustic experience surrounded by pastoral alpscapes. Steg consists of basic wooden huts and soft hillsides with grazing cows and low pastures – a scene one would expect decades ago.
Summer brings fields of flowers and quiet hiking paths, while winter entices people for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The beauty in Steg lies in its lack of attractions – visitors come here to get away from attractions. They come to slow down, breathe in some fresh air, and appreciate the nature surrounding them. Few places in the Alps feel this isolated yet connected.
Balzers Village and Gutenberg Castle – History Comes Alive in Balzers Village
Balzers is another small village located at the southern most point of Liechtenstein. Home to Gutenberg Castle – which is situated on a high hill with powerful views over the surrounding Rhein Valley – this castle is one of the most impressive castles in Liechtenstein. It was built during the Middle Ages, and citizens have made Balzers their home ever since.
Balzers feels like stepping into another time – with its narrow village roads, traditional homes, and sprawling vineyards – the Balzers experience feels like a relatively unchanged period of time with modern updates here and there. In addition to Gutenberg Castle, many cultural enthusiasts frequent the castle for photography and learning opportunities. Surrounded by walking paths, one can glimpse into Switzerland from up there. In the summer, concerts are often hosted in the castle courtyard along with celebrations and festivals that can be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.
Fürstensteig and Drei-Schwestern-Steig Paths – One of The Best Ridge Hikes in The Alps
Liechtenstein is home to both Fürstensteig and Drei-Schwestern as some of the best ridge hikes in the Alps. They stagger across narrow cliff edges, set hundreds of feet above the mountainside down below. Adventures with fixed ropes and natural trails make these paths accessible, but they’re not for the faint of heart!
Fortunately, along the way – and at the top – hikers are gifted with 360-degree views that span Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, and more! The best part about these paths is that they’re not often crowded; as tourists flock to more popular parts of the Alps, those on Fürstensteig and Drei-Schwestern feel like they have the mountains to themselves – even though it’s improbable! But if you’re looking for an adventure where lots of people are not, this is an ideal situation with spectacular views.
Eschen and Nendeln – The Artistic Villages, Local Culture
Eschen and Nendeln are two of Liechtenstein’s most artistic towns. Nendeln is home to one of the oldest pottery shops in the region, Schaedler Keramik, home to hand-painted ceramics since the late 1800s. To watch artisans working the clay brings one back to the history of the material and the country’s continued efforts of craftsmanship excellence.
Eschen boasts more of a village feel with its lovely ponds and paths, as well as an emerging cultural space. As one walks through small gardens and local art projects, a feeling of relaxation sets in as the two connected villages prove Liechtenstein’s ability to maintain local artistry while incorporating modern efforts, part of a creative embrace of the tiny nation, internationally and locally – yet another hidden gem amongst these villages.
Ruggell’s Natural Reserves – Nature in Low-Lying Liechtenstein
While many picture Liechtenstein’s peaks, Ruggell proves that low-lying areas are just as beautiful. The northernmost town includes many wetlands, reed fields, and banks. The Ruggeller Riet Nature Reserve, for example, is a great place to visit during springtime when the rare irises bloom and cover fields in purple.
To walk or bike through the area means to encounter the quietest and flattest points of Liechtenstein. One can listen to the birds call across the marshes as the Rhine flows by, far from the noise of car traffic (but close enough for border crossing). The difference from the intense peaks in comparison is stunning – allowing to appreciate how much natural diversity this small nation has amongst its borders.
Conclusion – Liechtenstein: The Tiny Nation with Big Personality
If anything, Liechtenstein is small but doesn’t lack charm. With alpine areas that attract tourists internationally, the heritage hub blends effortlessly into homespun beautiful towns and quiet locations that boast peace, charm, history, hospitality and unexpected variety.
For those looking for a getaway that provides authenticity with natural beauty without the fuss, Liechtenstein is a breathe of fresh air amidst crowded alpine giants. It’s a national secret for anyone looking for where to go in a remote part of the Alps.