Vaduz Castle

by Katie McCabe | @welltraveledpair | August 10th, 2021

Perched high on a hill, overlooking the capital city of Liechtenstein, is the stunning Vaduz Castle. Built in the 12th century, and sold to the Princely Family of Liechtenstein in 1712, the castle still serves at the main residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein today. While the castle is closed to the public, the surroundings are open for hiking, picnicking, and picture taking.

How to Get There:

There are two main ways to get to the castle. One is by taking the walking path from the main pedestrian street in the center of Vaduz. The entire walk is uphill, and will take around twenty to thirty minutes.

The other way is by driving. A quick and easy five minute drive from the center of Vaduz will have you arriving at a small parking lot near the castle. From there, walk about one to two minutes to the main viewing area and/or hiking trailheads.

Where to Stay:

Vaduz is a wonderful place to stay while visiting Vaduz Castle. The town is packed with adorable hotels, restaurants, and shops, and the castle is a quick walk or drive away. It is also possible to stay in a nearby city, and take a day trip to Vaduz. Below you can find some nearby cities and their drive times to Vaduz Castle.

St. Gallen - 50 minutes

Zurich - 90 minutes

Innsbruck - 2 hours & 20 minutes

Munich - 2 hours & 40 minutes

What to Do:

As I mentioned above, the castle is closed to the public, however, the surroundings are open. There are numerous hiking trails found around the castle, as well as fantastic spots for picnicking and picture taking. Once you've seen the castle and its incredible surroundings, be sure not to miss other attractions, such as the Old Rhine Bridge, the Cathedral of St. Florin, Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, the Parliament Building, and the old neighborhood of Mitteldorf.

Parliament Building

When to Go:

There really isn't a bad time to visit Vaduz. The summers are warm and sunny with occasional rain showers, the spring and fall are cool and wet, and the winters are cold and snowy. Liechtenstein experiences all four seasons, but rain can be found in all of them. No matter when you visit, always pack a raincoat or umbrella.

Fun Facts:

Liechtenstein is the sixth-smallest country in the world.

Only about 37,000 people live in Liechtenstein.

There is very little crime, and the prisons have few inmates.

Once a year, on Liechtenstein's national holiday, the Prince and his family invite all residents to have a beer in the garden of Vaduz Castle.

Locals speak a form of German, known as Liachtaschta.

Liechtenstein is the world's leading manufacturer of false teeth.

A WELL TRAVELED PAIR