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Vaduz Castle atop a cliff with mountains behind

Liechtenstein travel guide

A 160 km² German-speaking country with a small capital, best in May or September

Best: May, Sep

Photo: RandyJost / Pixabay

Capital
Vaduz
Language
German
Currency
Swiss franc
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, J · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
Schengen area

Why visit Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein covers just 160 km² and has about 41,237 people, so it suits a short, slow trip rather than a long tour. The capital, Vaduz, has around 5,668 residents. German is the language, and prices are in Swiss francs. May and September are the best months to go. The honest limitation is size: with one main town, there is less variety than in larger countries. Many travellers plan a day or two here as part of a wider route.

  • A whole country in 160 km²

    Liechtenstein covers just 160 km², so you can see a large part of the country in a short trip. With 41237 people in total, it suits travellers who like small places and an unhurried pace without long drives between stops.

  • Vaduz, a capital on a small scale

    Vaduz is the capital and has only about 5668 residents. It is small enough to explore on foot, and it makes a calm base for getting to know the rest of the country.

  • May and September are the best months

    Our data ranks May and September as the best months for Liechtenstein and for Vaduz. Both fall outside the peak of summer, so they suit travellers who prefer the shoulder seasons.

  • Simple practicalities for European travellers

    Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc, German is the official language, and the time zone is UTC+01:00. Cars drive on the right, and the emergency number is 112, the same as across much of Europe.

  • Easy to pack for

    Power is 230 V with plug types C and J. Many European chargers with type C plugs will fit. For other plug types you may need an adapter, so check before you travel.

Is Liechtenstein right for you?

Great for

  • Travellers who dislike heat: July highs in Vaduz average about 25°C.
  • Short trips, as the whole country covers just 160 km².
  • September visitors, with highs near 21°C and about 14 rain days.
  • Travellers who speak German, the country's main language.
  • Trips linked with Switzerland, since Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc.

Less ideal for

  • Beach lovers: Liechtenstein has no coastline.
  • Travellers wanting dry weather: May averages 20 rain days and 194 mm of rain.
  • Big-city fans: the capital Vaduz has only about 5668 residents.
  • Winter visitors seeking mild days: January lows reach -3.6°C, with about 5 sun hours.

Liechtenstein right now: October

6.8/10
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
7°C
Rain days
13

Averages for Vaduz.

Weather by month

In Vaduz, September is the best month, with highs of 20.6°C, 14.2 rain days and 9.1 hours of sun a day, while May is also mild at 18.4°C but has the most rain days, 20.4. December and January have the toughest weather, with highs of 7.5°C and 5.9°C, lows below freezing and only about 5 hours of sun a day.

Average highs and lows in Vaduz by month January: high 6°C, low -4°C , 16 rain days . February: high 9°C, low -2°C , 14 rain days . March: high 11°C, low 1°C , 15 rain days . April: high 15°C, low 4°C , 15 rain days . May: high 18°C, low 9°C , 20 rain days . June: high 23°C, low 14°C , 18 rain days . July: high 25°C, low 16°C , 19 rain days . August: high 25°C, low 15°C , 16 rain days . September: high 21°C, low 11°C , 14 rain days . October: high 17°C, low 7°C , 13 rain days . November: high 11°C, low 2°C , 13 rain days . December: high 8°C, low -2°C , 14 rain days . 6°C -4°C JAN 16d 9°C -2°C FEB 14d 11°C 1°C MAR 15d 15°C 4°C APR 15d 18°C 9°C MAY 20d 23°C 14°C JUN 18d 25°C 16°C JUL 19d 25°C 15°C AUG 16d 21°C 11°C SEP 14d 17°C 7°C OCT 13d 11°C 2°C NOV 13d 8°C -2°C DEC 14d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Vaduz · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Liechtenstein: month-by-month weather →

Food to try in Liechtenstein

Käsknöpfle

Small, soft flour dumplings mixed with melted local cheese and topped with crispy fried onions. It is often called the national dish and is often served with applesauce or potato salad.

Ribel

A traditional cornmeal dish, cooked and then fried until crumbly. Farmers once ate it for breakfast, and today it comes with applesauce, jam, cheese or coffee.

Sura Kees

A sour, low-fat cheese made from skimmed milk, a speciality of the region. People often eat it cold on bread, sometimes dressed with vinegar, oil and onions.

Hafaläb

A hearty soup with dumplings made from flour and cornmeal, cooked with smoked bacon or ham. It is simple farmhouse food, most welcome on cold days.

Birnbrot

A dense bread filled with dried pears, nuts and spices, shared with Swiss and Austrian neighbours. Bakeries sell it mostly in autumn and winter, especially around Christmas.

Vaduz Pinot Noir

Red wine, locally called Blauburgunder, from the vineyards on the slopes around Vaduz, including the prince's own winery. Try a glass with a meal or visit a local wine cellar.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Liechtenstein uses plug types C and J, and the voltage is 230 V. If your devices use a different plug, bring an adapter. Check that your chargers work at 230 V.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts during your first days.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for emergencies. Save it in your phone before you arrive so you can find it quickly.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Swiss franc. Plan your payments in Swiss francs, not in another currency.
  • Language: German is the official language. Road signs, menus and public notices are usually in German, so a translation app can help.
  • Phone and time zone: The country calling code is +423. Liechtenstein is on UTC+1, so check the time difference with home before you book calls or transport.
  • A small country: Liechtenstein covers only 160 km² and has about 41237 people. The capital is Vaduz. Distances are short, so you can plan several places in a single day.

Liechtenstein: frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Liechtenstein?

September and May are the best months to visit Liechtenstein. September has the highest score, 7.2, with highs of 20.6°C, lows of 10.9°C and 9.1 hours of sun a day. May is cooler, with highs of 18.4°C. It is also the month with the most rain days, 20.4, so plan some indoor time.

Is Liechtenstein good in August?

Yes, August is a good month for Liechtenstein, with a score of 7. Days are warm, with highs of 24.7°C and lows of 14.9°C, and there are 10.5 hours of sun a day. It is also the wettest month by volume, with 202 mm of rain over 16.3 rain days, so bring a rain jacket.

What is the weather like in Liechtenstein in winter?

Winter in Liechtenstein is cold, grey and quiet. In January, highs reach 5.9°C and nights drop to -3.6°C. December has the least sun of the year, only 5.1 hours a day, and January has 16.2 rain days. Both months score 1.4. They suit travellers who like a cold, calm trip and pack warm layers.

What currency and language does Liechtenstein use?

Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc as its currency. The official language is German. The capital is Vaduz, a small town of about 5668 people in a country of 41237 people and 160 km².

What plugs and practical details do I need for Liechtenstein?

Liechtenstein uses plug types C and J at 230 V. Cars drive on the right. The emergency number is 112, and the country calling code is +423. The time zone is UTC+01:00.

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