#14 – Visit Country #47

This country is the 4th smallest in size, and the second least visited country in Europe. However, it has nearly 0% national debt and is has not had an army since 1868. Where am I? Liechtenstein!

Given that it sits between Austria and Switzerland, I’m surprised it nearly the least visited country in Europe. But after trying to get there, I can understand why! There are no train stations or airports. You can drive, hire a pricey private tour from Zurich (over $1,000 for 3 people), take a taxi (~$700 round trip) or take the easy, but annoying combination of trains, buses and a timetable. We chose the latter. We boarded a train from Zurich to Sargans, Switzerland (~ 1 hr) where we then hopped on the #1 bus outside of the train station that dropped us off in the middle of Vaduz, Liechtenstein in about ~35 minutes. There was no traffic, no border crossing, and frankly, I don’t even think I sign that said “Welcome to Liechtenstein!”

Of course, we picked a cold and rainy winter day to visit – recommend summer all the way! We started out at the Liechtenstein Tourist Office where we got our passport stamped with a souvenir Liechtenstein stamp and we looked at a map. We quickly realized that ALL of the tourist attractions, but a couple were probably in a 5-block radius. Zero chance to get lost!

Since it was raining, we decided museums were a good place to start, so we went to the National Museum to learn more about this unique country, the Treasury Museum to see the crown jewels, and the Post Museum so learn all about the history of stamps of the country.

We walked over to Parliament and could take our picture right in front of it, visited the Cathedral of St Florin and viewed Vaduz Castle on the mountain. Since the royal family still lives there, you cannot visit, but there are hiking trails around there to get a better look at it. Again, if it was summer and sunny, not 30 degrees and rainy. We took a picture at the National Library, but since it was Sunday, it was closed.

We took a break in the American Bagel & Coffee Co., to warm up and dry off before heading to the Altes Kino (Old Cinema) to watch a movie that takes you inside Vaduz Castle. We were the only ones there, so we had a private viewing.

A late lunch followed at Restaurant Engel, an Asian restaurant, and one of the few opened on Sunday, before hitting the small but cute Christmas Market for some gluwein and some souvenirs.

By then, it was about 3 pm, and we had done about 90% of all the tourist activities, and we were ready to start the trek back to Zurich.

Overall thoughts – cute city; picturesque country with very friendly people. If I was going to go again, it would definitely be in the summer and I would rent the car, and drive myself.

Have you ever been to Liechtenstein? Share your thoughts!