For most, Liechtenstein is a quick stop to check off yet another country on their list. They only stop for an hour at most, in the capital Vaduz – and leave with a very incomplete impression of this ancient Alpine country.
The little principality has much more to offer, so I recommend you spend a few days and head for the hills. About halfway between Vaduz and the ski resort Malbun is toy-sized Triesenberg with its tiny City Hall, onion-domed church, wooden chalets on rolling green meadows, towering mountains, and grand views of the Rhine River Valley below.
With only 35 000 inhabitants in the entire country, you would expect them to speak the same language. Well, they do. But not entirely. Triesenbergers has had a distinctive dialect since the Middle Ages, and are actively encouraged to use it and keep it alive.
Triesenberg is only a 2.5 kilometres brisk climb from Vaduz, and if the hike is too steep, the local post bus takes only a few minutes. Unless it has to stop for cows.
I’m no different from most, I guess. I’ve been to Liechtenstein, but didn’t register where. Now I have to do it again to check out the cute cows.
Mid-September seems to be the time 🙂
I’ve never been to Lichtenstein before, but I could picture myself that it’s something like Switzerland. It must be such a beautiful country!
Like Switzerland in many ways, but also with subtle differences.
Wow, do such idyllic places still exist then? Lovely – especially as the locals are actively encouraged to keep their local dialect alive.
Julia
I quite liked that, too.
I can’t wait to go to Liechtenstein someday. I want to hit up all the Little Countries in Europe. 3 down so far!
They’re very interesting, Europe’s tiny countries.
I once saw a herd of cows being moved up the mountains in Switzerland. It was so idyllic and old-fashioned in the best possible way.
Ah yes, I remember the first time I stumbled upon cows being herded through the streets. Gstaad, it was. Gave me a very different first impression of that town (and a much nicer one) from what I had expected.
Such a cute country – thanks for the tip! What a beautiful cow 🙂
Yeah, she is a lovely one 🙂
I have always been fascinated with Liechtenstein, ever since my 7th grade geography teacher talked about her visit there…
I was too when I was younger. Seemed such a fairy-tale sort of place. Very romantic.
Why are the cows dressed up with flowers? Is it a special occasion or the gals just felt like looking nice that day?
The cows were being brought down from grazing on the mountain, so I suppose they were just celebrating. 🙂
This all sounds very interesting. We’ll have to get over there for that hike. Thanks for this tip.
Lots of easy hikes in Liechtenstein for you two 🙂
Interesting post about such a small country. I’ve yet to visit but I now have a reason to. I wonder what the cows think of the wreath.
They didn’t seem too bothered. I think…
You’ve got a point. I think a lot of people can’t imagine that there is much to see in such a small place. You prove them wrong and I would love to spend some time in Triesenberg and other places there.
I’ll write about Malbun, later – another lovely spot further up in the mountains there.
We were wanting to stop here just to see it and say we’d been but ran out of time. Love the decorated cows!
Can always do a road trip now that you live in the area 🙂
Haven’t been to Triesenberg, but Lichtenstein is definitely on my list, especially since it’s not that far from Munich.
Very close indeed.
I’ve never been to Liechtenstein and I’ve never thought of going… will have to reconsider now!
It’s a sweet little country, definitely worth a visit.
Yeah, we tend to breeze through smaller countries and miss some beautiful gems. Thanks for sharing. Liechtenstein was never on my list but I’d definitely consider it now. So much to see, so little time!
Ain’t that the truth.
I’m still having a problem with SU.
No worries. (SU is fickle.)
Why are cows of Switzerland, Germany and now Liechtenstein better looking than those in the US? Would love to visit one day!
Don’t know much about American cows, I’m afraid. But being let loose to graze on an Alpine mountain all summer long would make me happy too 🙂
I would love to visit these tiny countries one of these days. That would be quite a sight to see and the green hills in the background look stunning.