When I received my itinerary for my recent Go Ahead Tours trip through the Alps, I noticed that one of the stops on our way to Austria was a place called Liechtenstein. I had never heard of this place and really didn't know much about it. It was in the middle of the Alps, so I had no doubt it would be beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this little hidden gem of a country that is fiercely proud of its independence and culture. If you plan a trip through the Alps, make sure to include Liechtenstein on your itinerary!
Interesting Facts About Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is located in Western Europe between Switzerland and Austria, making it one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world!
The total area of Liechtenstein is 62 square miles, about the same geographic size of Washington D.C.
The resident population of Liechtenstein is roughly 39,000.
The Capital of Liechtenstein is Valduz.
German is the official language of Liechtenstein.
How to Spend an Afternoon in Liechtenstein
As the capital, of course Valduz is the center of activity in Liechtenstein. We took a trolley tour through Valduz which showed us all the sights and gave us some history of this quaint little country.
The trolley took us up the hillside through the charming neighborhoods with backyard vineyards and full flower boxes. We caught several views of the hillside palace of the current Reigning Prince and were informed that as all flags were raised that indicated that the Prince and his family were in residence.
The trolley also takes you through the center of town where there are plenty of stores for browsing, restaurants to grab a meal and beautiful art work scattered throughout. There are also several museums to tour (including the National Museum of Liechtenstein that explains the history of this unique independent country).
After you complete the trolley tour, you can pay 3 Euros to get your Liechtenstein passport stamp! Something unique that not many people will have!
While Liechtenstein may not be one of those areas that you hear people talking about all the time, it is definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in the region. I am so glad that Go Ahead Tours included it on their itinerary and helped me discover a beautiful hidden gem that I can share with you!