Liechtenstein: Follow the Yellow Brick Road
- JENNIFER MAHON
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
Photos taken/written by Jennifer Mahon
Still on Day 14…of 19. From Innsbruck, we head to our next stop of the day: Liechtenstein (180 km west, roughly 2.5 hours of driving). Of all the countries we’d driven in and out of on this trip, this was the first one that actually had a passport check station — although it seemed completely random. When our turn came? A quick glance, a wave, and we were through.
Liechtenstein…we stopped here partly because it was on the way (we still had to make our way back to France) and partly because I really enjoy saying the name. Bordered by Switzerland and Austria, the Principality of Liechtenstein is just over 160 square kilometres of Alpine beauty. Small country, big scenery. The main city, Vaduz, is where we parked ourselves to wander, explore, and get a closer look at the castle looming overhead.
Photo: Map showing our route
YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...
THE MAIN SQUARE
Not a ton of tourists here — we simply followed the yellow-brick-style walkway looping through town. There isn’t a huge amount to see: shops, restaurants, and a couple of museums. They use the Swiss Franc (CHF), and prices were… ambitious. You know you’re in for it when the town clocks are all Rolex.
If you want your passport stamped (because obviously), head to the Liechtenstein Tourist Information Centre — they’ll happily do it for a small fee (€3, if memory serves).
The walk from the Rathaus to the Tourist Information Center, where sunshine makes Vaduz’s yellow bricks pop.
At the Tourist Information Centre — passport stamps, Rolex sponsorships, and a model of Vaduz Castle in the main square. Vaduz keeps things classy.
VADUZ CASTLE
Overlooking the town centre, Vaduz Castle is not open to the public since the Prince actually lives there. Still, you can wander fairly close before security starts giving you the side-eye.
There’s a bus from town, or you can drive — but of course, my husband insisted we walk (!!!!!). After getting vague directions, we discovered the trail is poorly marked and very well hidden… but once you’re on it, the higher you climb, the better the views get. And yes — it’s absolutely worth the uphill sweat.
The slow, sweaty climb up to Vaduz Castle, where the views get better and the people get smaller.
Worth every uphill step — sweeping valley views and the final reveal of Vaduz Castle.
The Prince’s neighbour up the road; beautiful views, manicured yards, and a very clear “that’s close enough.”
VADUZ CATHEDRAL
Our final stop: this neo-Gothic cathedral. Lovely to walk around inside and out, peaceful, understated — and then… you move on.
Back down the hill, wandering through the streets of Vaduz.
Vaduz Cathedral, inside and out.
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