Vaduz

Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein, but not its largest city: Schaan is slightly larger. Still, it's home to the Prince's castle and his museums, and thus the main point of interest for visitors to this small country which is a shame because it is a rather disappointing hodge-podge of unattractive modern buildings, cranes and farmland. It may technically be a European capital but it is unlikely to interest a tourist for any length of time.

Many cosy "Strassencafés" invite you to have a drink. A variety of cultural attractions is nearby. The new art museum, the post office and stamp museum, the private small galleries and the ski museum are main attractions.

The National Art Gallery as well as the National Museum are located in Vaduz. The art gallery (Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein) is a museum of modern and contemporary art. The building is an architectural landmark built by the Swiss architects Morger, Degelo and Kerez. It was completed in November 2000 and forms a “black box” of tinted concrete and black basalt stone. The museum collection is also the national art collection of Liechtenstein. The Liechtenstein National Museum is showing a permanent exhibition on the cultural and natural history of Liechtenstein as well as special exhibitions. There are also the Postage Stamp Museum and a Ski Museum.

The fastest way to get into the town of Vaduz is to get a train from Zurich to Sargans, then catch a bus to Vaduz. An alternative way is to catch a train from Buchs to Schaan, then catch a bus to Vaduz. You can also drive a car into the town - which is well marked beforehand.