Vaduz Castle
The prince's residence above the town
Closed to visitors — walk the path up for the view across the Rhine valley.
VaduzCastleView
Vaduz & the Rhine valley, Liechtenstein
Ideal: 1–2 daysBest: May–OctPrice: Expensive
In 60 seconds
Vaduz & the Rhine valley in 60 seconds
Liechtenstein's capital is a small town with a castle on a ledge above it, where the reigning prince lives — it is not open to visitors, but the path up gives the view over the Rhine to the Swiss mountains. Below, the pedestrian Städtle holds most of what there is to see: the Kunstmuseum in its black stone cube, the National Museum with its history of a country made principality in 1719, and a stamp museum that fits a nation of keen philatelists. The prince's own winery tends the vineyard beneath the castle, and its cellar opens for tasting. Further south, Gutenberg Castle stands on a rock above Balzers, and the Liechtenstein Trail strings all eleven municipalities together for walkers. Combine with Malbun for the mountains.
CastleHiking
Best for
- Museums
- Wine
- Hidden gems
Known for
- Vaduz Castle
- Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
- Prince's winery
- Gutenberg Castle
Skip if
You expect a lively capital — Vaduz is a small town that empties in the evening.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Vaduz & the Rhine valley fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
Modern and contemporary art in a black cube
Strong temporary shows in a striking building; the Hilti Art Foundation is next door.
StädtleArtMuseum
Liechtenstein National Museum
The country's history and nature
How a principality the size of a valley came to be, from prehistory to the present.
StädtleHistoryMuseum
Gutenberg Castle
Medieval castle on a rock above Balzers
Rebuilt in the early twentieth century on medieval walls; open for events and guided visits.
BalzersCastle
Orientation
Neighbourhoods
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Städtle
The pedestrian centre
Museums, the parliament and the cathedral of St Florin in a few hundred metres.
Balzers
The southernmost village
Gutenberg Castle and vineyards at the foot of the mountains.
Stay
Where to stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Vaduz
ExpensiveHotels in the capital
Central for buses to every village.
Walkable
Practical
Know before you go
- Getting in
- No airport: buses run from Sargans and Buchs in Switzerland and Feldkirch in Austria; a few regional trains stop at Schaan.
- Money
- Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc.
- Passport stamp
- The tourist centre in Vaduz stamps passports as a souvenir.
- Taste locally
- Käsknöpfle, Ribel and the Rhine valley's Pinot noir.
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
History in 5 minutes
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
- 1719
Vaduz and Schellenberg are united as the Principality of Liechtenstein.
- 1938
Prince Franz Joseph II makes Vaduz Castle his permanent home.
- 2019
The Liechtenstein Trail opens for the principality's 300th anniversary.
Further out
Nearby escapes
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Malbun & Triesenberg
The mountains above the valley
Malbun & Triesenberg has its own guide.
30 min by busMountains
Schellenberg
Castle ruins in the Unterland
Two ruined castles and wide views over the Rhine plain in the quiet north.
20 min by busHistory