Located high in the Alps, the small Liechtenstein with a population of 40,000 is the second least visited country in Europe. The fact that it is very “poor” in terms of transport certainly contributes to that. You will not find an international airport here, nor a larger train station, nor a highway. Apart from being the second least visited country in Europe, Liechtenstein is also one of the smallest countries in the world.
It occupies only 160 square kilometers, which, for example, makes only one-eighth of one Los Angeles! Again, this does not mean that Liechtenstein is a country you should not visit. On the contrary, this country hides untouched nature, fresh air, dynamic hiking trails and people who are among the most friendly.
Liechtenstein – A Country With The Second Highest GDP Per Capita!
Two years ago, Liechtenstein, with 85,000 tourists visiting it annually, was the least visited country in Europe. Then San Marino “squeezed” him out of the first place. Liechtenstein is located between Switzerland and Austria, and is quite isolated. Despite its isolation, Liechtenstein has an advanced economy.
How To Get To Liechtenstein?
The best option is certainly a train, and the route could be anywhere from Austria, Germany, Switzerland. Your last stop would definitely be – wherever you come from, Vaduz. Vaduz is the capital of the principality. It has only 5,000 inhabitants, most of whom have their own cars, so you will rarely find a taxi on its streets. That is why it is desirable that someone from the accommodation you booked in advance is waiting for you.
Liechtenstein is mostly a country for all those who like to hike, walk and discover nature. It is also a country where fog and very bad weather can often greet you. You will often have the feeling that you are in the novel “Jane Eyre” or a guest with Dracula, Frankenstein or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Come on. But when the fog rises and the green spaces appear, you will quickly turn into an idyll from the set of “The Sound of music”.
Vaduz will certainly, whether it is fog or not, seem to you more like a mountain town or a village, than the capital of a country. With 5,000 inhabitants, this is a place where everyone knows everyone. As a result, there is no crime here, and the locals are more than pleasant, chatty and extremely friendly. The beauty of Vaduz is the absence of mass tourism, and the opportunity to enjoy its streets and buildings in silence, without crowds.
The Most Popular Attraction
It would surely be Vaduz Castle, the home of the Prince of Liechtenstein. Although it is not known for sure when it was built, its beginnings date back to the 12th century, and the first known records date from 1322. Throughout history, it has been upgraded and renovated several times, changing ownership until 1938, when it was bought by the prince’s family.
Since it is still used for housing, the castle is not open to the public, and the only opportunity to take a closer look is the national holiday August 15, when a ceremony is organized in the field next to the castle where the prince addresses the citizens and invites visitors to an aperitif in the castle gardens. Fireworks are also organized on this occasion.
