Liechtenstein

Often mistaken as the smallest country in the world, Liechtenstein actually takes sixth place in that category. Nevertheless, claiming a landmass of 160 km2 (62 square miles) doesn’t exactly make you a very large country. Liechtenstein may not be the smallest country in the world, but it is the smallest and wealthiest German-speaking country in the world, and is the only German-speaking country to not share a common border with Germany.

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Where is Liechtenstein?

You won’t need a magnifying glass to find the country, but a good map won’t hurt. Liechtenstein is one of only two landlocked countries in the world, nestled in the Upper Rhine Valley of the European Alps. Its neighbors consist of Switzerland to the west and Austria to the east.

The highest point in Liechtenstein is the Grauspitz Mountain, also known as Vorder Grauspitz or Vorder Grauspitz, depending on the map you use. It stands tall at 8,527 feet (2,599 meters) and even with its Alpine location, warm southerly winds tend to keep winters in this region quite mild.

Things to do in Liechtenstein

Make no mistake about this compact country. It offers accommodations in every form you could want. Visitors can choose from the usual hotels and hostels, or expand their experience to include guesthouses, cabins, campsites, and the ever-popular farm holidays. Liechtenstein is proof that great things can come in small packages.

Held in the country’s capital city of Vaduz, the July Vaduz Film Festival is an open-air event where a variety of films are screened over a two-week period. In August, the country hosts it’s State Celebrations festival complete with fireworks from the Vaduz Castle, lighting up the sky over the Rhine Valley.

Throughout the year, Liechtenstein plays host to a variety of fine food and wine festivals. It is also a great winter ski destination as well as a paragliding, hiking and cycling destination during the summer months. It is home to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Postage Stamp Museum. The creation of high-quality postage stamp designs originated in Liechtenstein, making stamps one of the country’s largest exports.

The City of Vaduz

Vaduz is not the largest city in the country, but it remains the capital of Liechtenstein all the same. Vaduz is home to some of the country’s greatest treasures. The Vaduz Castle can be found here, perched on a hilltop that overlooks the city. There are no tours available as the castle remains the present-day home of the Prince of Liechtenstein. However, if you’re in the mood for a little royalty, tours of the Prince’s vineyard are available just north of the city.

Vaduz offers visitors a chance to view its collection of contemporary artwork inside the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, also referred to as the National Art Gallery. Exhibits inside the Liechtenstein National Museum can also be viewed while visiting Vaduz.

The Vaduz Cathedral or Cathedral of St. Florin (Kathedrale St. Florin or St. Florinskirche) built in 1873, is a neo-Gothic church that depicts one of the architectural eras that can also be viewed at Vaduz’s City Hall and Government House.

Whatever you time in Liechtenstein, it is sure to be a place where you will embrace all the beauty and cultural influence from its exquisite location.