Our Experience: Vaduz Christmas Market
We have been to quite a few Christmas Markets, both big and small, and the Vaduz Christmas Market is by far one of our favorite ones. The castle overlooking the city and the surrounding mountains makes for such a stunning backdrop. It is on the smaller side, so you are able to stop at stalls and take your time looking. The people here were very friendly and happy which ultimately puts you in a good mood too! If you are thinking about visiting Liechtenstein, especially with kids, you have to check out this Christmas Market!
The capital of Liechtenstein and the national seat of parliament, Vaduz sits along the Rhine River and borders Switzerland. The Vaduz Castle sits over the town and is home to the Prince of Liechtenstein. It is truly a fairy tale town, home to some of the nicest people we’ve ever met. The streets are beautifully decorated during the holiday season, with twinkling lights and festive touches that add to the magical atmosphere. Strolling through the town, you might stumble upon charming sculptures and hidden gems that make the experience even more memorable. Vaduz feels like the perfect blend of rich history, small-town charm, and holiday cheer.
Here we had the best Gluhwein of our Christmas Market Extravaganza! It was sweeter than any other we’ve had which balanced it out quite nicely. The food here was great. There were some new options we hadn’t discovered yet such as Käsknöpfle mit Apfelmus which is a cheese dumpling with applesauce, and Ribel, which is warm polenta dish made with milk, cream, and sugar, and if often enjoyed with coffee or a sour cheese. There were also some traditional offerings such as roasted nuts, raclette, and bratwurst.
We ordered the bratwurst, and they took a piece of hard bread, hollowed it out, poured fondue in it, then shoved the sausage into it. It was delicious! It was warm and cheesy and the hard bread held up nicely against it all.
You cannot miss this super cool little train, the Märlizögle, that is free of charge, and takes you on a tour of Vaduz while you listen to a fairy tale told in German. We were able to warm up and sip our mulled wine. The town is so cute. You feel like you’re in a fairy tale while being told a fairy tale. It really is a special feeling.
The highlight for our daughter was the Packlefischen, where she got to “fish” a wrapped gift out of a box. It was something I had never seen before, and we were told it is an old tradition!
The tourist center is where you will find the kids’ crafts. For 3 Euros, our daughter got her picture taken while sitting on a throne, then used that picture to make an ornament! It is a very special souvenir.
We would come back to this tiny country in a heartbeat. The Christmas Market far exceeded our expectations, and I wish we had more time to explore the town. The offerings were unique and high quality, the food was fresh and delicious, and the people were friendly. Until next time Liechtenstein!
Before you go, let us know your thoughts! Have you been to the Vaduz Christmas Market, or is it on your list? Drop a comment below and share your experience or plans. Don’t forget to check out our detailed Guide to Vaduz Christmas Market for all the specifics you’ll need to plan your visit!
