Must See
Balzers
Balzers is a village and community located in southern Liechtenstein. The main part of the village is situated along the east bank of the Rhine. The village is home to a number of attractions, including the chapels of Mariahilf and St Peter, Gutenberg Castle, a local museum, an old presbytery and nature reserves.
Eschen-Nendeln
Just 5 km (3 miles) northeast of the town of Schaan are the villags of Nendeln and Eschen, where a number of Roman remains have been found, including the foundations of a Roman villa. Other places of interest are the Holy Cross chapel on the Rotenberg (formerly a place of execution and of assembly), the Pfrundhaus (prebend house), the chapels of St Roch and St Sebastian, and a model pottery.
Schaan
At the foot of the Drei Schwestern massif, just 3 km (2 miles) north of Vaduz, lies the busy little town of Schaan. Idyllically situated above the town, is the 18th century pilgrimage church Maria zum Trost. The town is also home to a theatre, the DoMus (Museum and Gallery of the Community of Schaan) and the foundations of a Roman fort. Other various Roman remains have been excavated in the surrounding area.
Schellenberg
This little village in the north of the country is home to a monument to the night in 1945 when 500 Russian soldiers crossed the border.
Triesen
Triesen is the third largest of Liechtenstein's municipalities, and is situated 4 km (2 miles) south of Vaduz. The upper part of the village is home to some old houses and 15th century chapels dedicated to St Mamerten and the Virgin. From here, visitors may set out for walks and climbs on the Lavena, Rappenstein and Falknis hills.
Vaduz
Although it may feel more like a small alpine village than a national capital (you can jog end-to-end in five minutes), Vaduz is still a charming place. The capital, with a population of just 500, is the seat of its government and parliament and its main tourist attraction. The town lies near the right bank of the Rhine under the towering summit of Rätikon.
Briefmarkenmuseum
A haven for philatelists, the Postage Stamp Museum in Vaduz exhibits 300 frames of national stamps issued since 1912. The National Library, National Museum and Ski Museum are also worth a look.
Kunstmuseum
Housed in a sleek modern building, the Art Museum exhibits some fine paintings from the Prince's private collection, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck.
Schloss Vaduz
To the east of Vaduz, above the town, rises Schloss Vaduz (Vaduz Castle), which dates back to the 12th century. The castle is the home of the Liechtenstein royal family, and is not open to the public; however, its exterior is well-photographed. The impressive castle sits high above the town, and a short stroll up to its base reveals some magnificent mountain views of the area around Vaduz. A network of marked trails winds along the ridge, making it easy to explore.
Activities
Cycling
Visitors may cycle in the valleys and lower-lying areas, and there are 96 km (56 miles) of cycling trails on both sides of the River Rhine to enjoy. Mountain bikers may also use the hiking trails.
Hiking
Those looking to hike may set out from Gaflei (at 1,500 m), which is the starting point for the Fürstensteig - a path along the high ridge dividing the Samina and Rhine valleys.
Winter Sports
Whizz down the snowy slopes of Liechtenstein's ski resorts. Nestled amid the mountains in the south-east corner of the country, the resort of Malbun has some excellent runs, with good facilities, including several ski lifts and a natural ice rink, and is regarded as a good destination for beginners. Close by, the resort at Steg has become popular for cross-country skiing, with its loop offering three separate distances (4 km, 12 km and 12.5 km). The track is also open at night.