24 Hours in Liechtenstein
Posted: May 3 2024 | Tagged: Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the Prince of Liechtenstein. It's Europe's 4th smallest country at just over 62 sq. miles. It is one of the 193 UN Member States, it is not in the EU but is part of the Schengen Agreement and the EEA. The official language is German. Since 1920, they have used the Swiss Franc as their currency.
This is not my recommendation on what to do in Liechtenstein in 24 hours. It is not an itinerary.
It's merely a record of how I spent my 24 hours in Liechtenstein which at the time of my visit, was my 108th UN Member State or 115th Country and Territory according to Nomadic Backpacker.
Despite having worked next door in Switzerland for 16 seasons over 12 years, I had never bothered to come here. Don't ask me why.
I am spending some time checking off all the missing countries. Filling in the gaps. Liechtenstein needed to be explored and checked off of the list.
I flew from Reykjavik to Zurich, took a train to the Hauptbahnhof and another to Buchs in canton Sankt Gallen. I then walked across the border, Switzerland to Liechtenstein across the Rhine River.
I crossed into Liechtenstein (refers to photo) at 15:06:
It's merely a record of how I spent my 24 hours in Liechtenstein which at the time of my visit, was my 108th UN Member State or 115th Country and Territory according to Nomadic Backpacker.
Despite having worked next door in Switzerland for 16 seasons over 12 years, I had never bothered to come here. Don't ask me why.
I am spending some time checking off all the missing countries. Filling in the gaps. Liechtenstein needed to be explored and checked off of the list.
I flew from Reykjavik to Zurich, took a train to the Hauptbahnhof and another to Buchs in canton Sankt Gallen. I then walked across the border, Switzerland to Liechtenstein across the Rhine River.
I crossed into Liechtenstein (refers to photo) at 15:06:
After the obligatory photos, I carried on in the rain to the Schaan-Vaduz station:
I backpacked Schaan a bit.
The Pfarrkirche St Lorenz:
The Pfarrkirche St Lorenz:
The "S Landweibels-Huus", a historical house with parts dating from 1562:
A bed at the Jugendherberge Schaan-Vaduz (YHA) is perhaps the only option for low-budget travellers:
And it's a great place. I loved the friendly welcome and had the chance to speak in German again.
The options for getting a meal in town were limited and it was tipping it down so I ate a meal at the hostel and downed a few beers:
The options for getting a meal in town were limited and it was tipping it down so I ate a meal at the hostel and downed a few beers:
After an endless breakfast, I put my stuff in the free locker and went and backpacked Vaduz, which was 30 minutes away, on foot.
The Vaduz Schloss was my destination:
The Vaduz Schloss was my destination:
Stopped off at a souvenir shop to get a Liechtenstein flag:
Follow the signs to get to the Schloss (castle):
Awesome views on the way up:
Here are some shots of the Vaduz Castle:
Yeah, and it is not open to the general public as it is, in fact, the private residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein, no less.
Construction started in the 12th century. It underwent major restoration between 1904 and 1920 and again in the 1930s and has been the official residence of Liechtenstein's Princely Family since 1938.
Construction started in the 12th century. It underwent major restoration between 1904 and 1920 and again in the 1930s and has been the official residence of Liechtenstein's Princely Family since 1938.
So it's not possible to enter. Thankfully they built a mini version in town, so you can get some idea of what it looks like:
Having a quick coffee at the Balu Bäckerei Konditorei:
Then some time to check out the art of Vaduz:
Figure in a Shelter" Sculpture - Henry Spencer:
I even went in the Liechtensteinisches Post Museum:
In the Kathedrale St. Florin, I sat quietly for 15 minutes to remember, not only my mum and dad but for Dalai and the father of Miss CDMX:
I have been doing this since July 2023. The world has gotten too noisy. I am not a religious kinda guy but I always like to spend a short while remembering and a church seems the most appropriate place.
Passing by the Rathaus, that's the town hall:
And then back to the hostel to pick up my bag and then back to Vaduz again, yeah clocking up the kilometres, 30 minutes here, 30 minutes there. It sure adds up.
Waiting for the FlixBus to Milan:
Waiting for the FlixBus to Milan:
My rules for bagging a country have changed. I used to require only that I spend 1 night in the country to make it count but my friend Jonny said that he could see more in 8 hours during the day than me spending 8 hours during the night when I was most likely sleeping. So I adjusted my rules. I must stay 24 hours. But in Liechtenstein, I failed by a few minutes. Dang!
I had arrived at 15:06, (I had missed the earlier connection in Zurich) and the Flixbus to Milano crossed back into Switzerland soon after 15:30. So, really, my 24-hour stay in Liechtenstein was only 23 hours and 30 minutes. Dang!! Never mind eh? Slight technicality.
I had arrived at 15:06, (I had missed the earlier connection in Zurich) and the Flixbus to Milano crossed back into Switzerland soon after 15:30. So, really, my 24-hour stay in Liechtenstein was only 23 hours and 30 minutes. Dang!! Never mind eh? Slight technicality.
