LIECHTENSTEIN is one of the smallest and least visited countries in the world – not helped by having no airport.
Despite this, Liechtenstein has incredible scenic views of the Alps, with vineyards, beautiful villages and a castle that looks like something from a fairytale.
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Liechtenstein is known as a microstate, and it’s the sixth smallest country in Europe.
It’s only 62 square miles and is home to just 40,000 people.
Despite this, Liechtenstein is one of the richest countries in Europe and is one of the only debt-free countries in the world.
The official currency of Liechtenstein is the Swiss franc, but they do accept euros too.
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Yet it’s not exactly a tourist hotspot, and in 2023, Liechtenstein only saw 85,000 visitors.
However, there are reasons to visit including the scenery, and castle which is home to royalty.
The Prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II, lives in Vaduz Castle, which is perched on a hillside 20 metres above the capital city of Vaduz.
The castle dates back to the 12th century although unlike most castles, it’s not open to the public, due to it being a private home.
It’s very near here that you’ll find The Prince of Liechtenstein Winery where they produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
You’ll be pleased to know that you can visit the vineyards as they have public tastings and guided tours.
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The vineyards are owned by Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein and the Princely Family – which includes the Domaine Wilfersdorf in Austria and the Domaine Vaduz in Liechtenstein.
The royal family owning vineyard and winery legacy is something that dates back to 1348.
Another castle in Liechtenstein is Gutenberg which stands on a hilltop.
It was first built in the 12th century and was lived in for years before being abandoned in the 18th centure.
After being left to ruin, it underwent renovation in 1905 and visitors can now take tours inside.
You don’t just have to go on historic tours and sampling wine in Liechtenstein – for anyone wanting to get an incredible view, take the Sareis Chairlift.
This will take you 2,000 metres into the air all the way up to Sareiserjoch where lots of explorers begin their hikes.
You can walk up to the mountain peaks of Augstenberg and Naafkopf, or stop at the Sareis restaurant.
For anyone wanting to visit Liechtenstein, you’ll have to put in a bit of extra effort as it doesn’t have its own airport.
The nearest one is Zurich Airport which you can fly to from the UK in around two hours.
From there, it’s then an hour and a half drive or train journey through Switzerland into Liechtenstein.
This man visited 10 countries, including Liechtenstein, in 24 hours only using public transport.
And one Sun reporter recently discovered he was the only tourist in Europe’s least visited country.
Our Top Three Travel Recommendations For April
Planning a trip to Europe? Check out our top three April destinations…
Amalfi Coast
When planning a trip to Italy, travelling in the shoulder seasons is definitely something to consider. While I’ve been lucky enough to spend one week exploring the Amalfi Coast in the height of the summer, the crowds were unbearable. I learnt my lesson and on a second visit, I plumped for early April. Even though the weather wasn’t as sensational – and dips in the sea definitely weren’t on the agenda – it was warm enough for a light jacket. Make the most of exploring without the crowds and book visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum – Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has always been a top city to visit in spring, from the budget-friendly flights to the biking-friendly weather. April is also one of the top months to visit, with 80 per cent of the days set to be sunny. It’s also extra special because it’s tulip season. 35 minutes away from Amsterdam city centre is the biggest tulip display in the country. Keukenhof Tulip Gardens plant seven million flower bulbs by hand and the best time to see them all in bloom is in April – Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Gran Canaria
For fly-and-flop holidaymakers seeking faff-free travel with guaranteed sunshine, few holiday destinations beat The Canary Islands. I paid a visit to Gran Canaria for the first time this year – and it did not disappoint. The volcanic island is only a four-hour (ish) flight from the UK, yet it offers balmy weather that is worlds apart from those April showers back home, reaching highs of up to 23C in spring. I’ll be honest, I barely left the resort during my visit, but there’s no harm in that. Book yourself a plush all-inclusive hotel and it’s simply impossible not to unwind when you’ve got pina coladas being delivered to your sunbed every hour –Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
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