October 7, 2024, 6:37 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

The least visited country in Europe actually has a lot to offer that usually attracts holidaymakers in droves – at any time of year. In winter, you can go skiing, snowboarding or cross-country skiing at up to 2500 meters; in autumn and spring you can go hiking, and in summer the country, which is relatively high above sea level, is ideal for escaping the excessive heat in other places in Europe. And yet hardly anyone wants to visit the country. TRAVELBOOK explains the reasons.

Why is Liechtenstein the least visited country in Europe?

First off, spanning just 160.5 square kilometers, Liechtenstein is a relatively small country, and it stands to reason that smaller nations typically attract fewer visitors in absolute terms. However, there are significantly smaller countries in Europe that still have more tourists in absolute numbers. For comparison, the Principality of Monaco has an area of just under two square kilometers, but was visited by 327,000 tourists in 2022 according to the UNWTO. At 61.2 square kilometers, San Marino is also significantly smaller than Liechtenstein, but still had 111,000 visitors in 2019 (the data for 2022 is not yet available for San Marino).

So there must be other reasons why Liechtenstein is the least visited country in Europe. Another explanation is that tourism is less important there compared to other economic sectors. According to data from the Liechtenstein National Administration, only 33 hotels, 63 vacation apartments, two campsites and one youth hostel were recorded in the entire country in 2019. There were also seven so-called dormitories in mountain huts. A total of 1,357 beds were available. By way of comparison, although there were only 12 hotels in the much smaller Monaco in the same year, these alone offered 5,528 beds, according to data from the Monegasque government. There are also various vacation apartments.

Rather difficult to reach

Another potential reason for the low visitor numbers could be the challenging journey to Liechtenstein. The country does not have its own airport. The nearest airports are Zurich or Friedrichshafen. From there, it takes around an hour and a half by car to reach Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein. It is possible to travel by train, but this involves several changes. According to the rail portal “rail.cc“, Liechtenstein does not have its own railroad company. And it only has three stops along the route from Feldkirch (Austria) to Buchs (Switzerland). Operations are therefore managed by the Austrian Federal Railways (Österreichische Bundesbahnen, ÖBB).

Consequently, the journey to Liechtenstein is more challenging compared to many other destinations. Also, the allure of visiting this less internationally renowned country may not be as strong as the draw to a place like Monaco.

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What Liechtenstein has to offer holidaymakers

Those who venture to Liechtenstein will discover a country rich in diverse landscapes and cultural offerings. The Principality lies on the Rhine between the Swiss canton of St. Gallen and the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. There are extensive vineyards in the Rhine Valley. With more than 100 winegrowers producing wine, according to the official tourism website. Vaduz Castle, the Principality’s seat of government, towers above the capital, Vaduz, which is also located on the Rhine.

Owned by the princely family, the castle remains a private estate and, regrettably, is not accessible to the public. While Vaduz does boast several museums and religious structures, the capital’s small size and population of just under 5,500 mean that it offers a more intimate variety of attractions.

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Malbun stands out as Liechtenstein’s premier destination for hiking and winter sports enthusiasts. The village lies at around 1,600 meters above sea level in scenic surroundings. You can find out what else you can see and experience in Liechtenstein on the Principality’s tourism website.