LI
Vaduz
A small Alpine capital below the prince’s castle, with art museums and vineyards
A small Alpine capital below the prince’s castle, with art museums and vineyards
The castle is the home of the princely family and is not open to visitors, but a path from town leads up to the walls for views over the valley.
Allow about 20 minutes to walk up.
Photo: Christian David, CC BY-SA 4.0
The pedestrian street has the parliament, the government building, the cathedral of St Florin and the tourist centre, which sells a souvenir passport stamp.
Photo: Rafael P. D. Suppmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
The state art museum, in a black concrete cube, shows modern and contemporary art. Next door is the Hilti Art Foundation, and the National Museum covers the country’s history.
Photo: Acediscovery, CC BY 4.0
This red house with a stepped gable stands among vineyards on the edge of town. The prince’s winery, the Hofkellerei, is nearby and has a shop and tastings.
Photo: Rafael P. D. Suppmann, CC BY-SA 3.0
A covered wooden bridge for walkers and cyclists crosses the Rhine to Switzerland. Paths along the river are good for an easy walk or bike ride.
Photo: AuHaidhausen, CC BY 4.0
Try Käsknöpfle, small cheese dumplings with fried onions and apple sauce, and local Pinot Noir from the hillside vineyards.
Restaurants are expensive, as in Switzerland.
Liechtenstein has no airport or main railway station in Vaduz. Take a train to Sargans or Buchs in Switzerland, then a bus to Vaduz, about 15–25 minutes. Zurich airport is about 1.5 hours away.
Buses cover the whole country. Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc, and there are no border checks with Switzerland.
Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc (CHF).
Many visit on a day trip from Switzerland.
Vaduz is easy to see in a day.
Walk the Städtle, visit the Kunstmuseum and get your passport stamp.
Walk up to the castle, then down through the vineyards to the Red House.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Liechtenstein is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Prices are in Swiss francs and are high.
Buses are the easiest way around the country.
The castle is private; enjoy it from outside.
Try local wine at the Hofkellerei.
Quick answers for planning time in Vaduz.
No, it is the prince’s home, but you can walk up to the outside.
By train to Sargans or Buchs in Switzerland, then by bus.
The Swiss franc.
Yes, a souvenir stamp is sold at the tourist centre.
Yes, for the town; add time for hiking.
Planning a wider trip? Our Liechtenstein travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.