Balzers
Walk up to the Gutenberg Castle ruins, then spend a slow day in a quiet Rhine valley village in Liechtenstein.
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Balzers is a village in Liechtenstein, the small German-speaking principality between Switzerland and Austria. It lies in the Rhine valley a few kilometers south of the capital, Vaduz, and close to the Rhine, which marks the border with Switzerland. The village has a compact center, with farmland and forest rising toward the hills behind it, and it is much quieter than the capital.
The main reason to stop here is the Gutenberg Castle ruins, on a hill above the village and reached on foot from the center. Plan a slow day or two: the walk up to the castle, time in the village, and a short trip to Vaduz for its museums and restaurants. Late spring through early autumn suits walking best. For more lodging choices, base in Vaduz.
Balzers in five
- Carry Swiss francs for small purchasesLiechtenstein uses the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro, even though Austria is just across the Rhine. Keep some cash for small bakeries and buses.Money and costs
- Use the bus, since there is no trainLiechtenstein has no railway, so buses, taxis and walking cover Balzers and the nearby villages. Check the bus timetable before you plan a trip.Getting around
- Set up a phone plan that covers three countriesBalzers is minutes from Switzerland and Austria, so a day trip can cross two borders. Check that your eSIM or roaming plan covers Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Austria.Phones and eSIM
- Carry your passport on day tripsLiechtenstein, Switzerland and Austria are all in the Schengen area, so the borders have no routine checks, but officers can still ask for ID.Visas and entry
- Shop on weekdaysMost shops in Liechtenstein close on Sundays, so buy groceries and cash on Saturday or on a weekday.
Need to know
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF)
- Entry
- Schengen short stays; many passports visa-free for up to 90 days Read more
- Emergency
- 117 police, 118 fire, 144 ambulance; 112 for any emergency
- Tipping
- Not expected; rounding up or about 5 to 10% is common
- Time
- UTC+1, daylight saving to UTC+2 in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, foggy
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchSpring starts
- AprilMild, green
- MayGreen, mild
- JuneLong days
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustHot, hikes
- SeptemberWarm, clear
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberCool, grey
- DecemberCold, short days
Right now in Balzers
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -2°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Vaduz
09:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°0°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue9°4°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed10°3°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu11°3°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°3°5%Friday: Rain. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat11°6°8%Saturday: Rain. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun13°5°22%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 06:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Vaduza short driveThe capital, with the government quarter and the national museum.Read the guide
- Feldkircha short driveAn Austrian old town with a castle hill, across the Rhine.
- Zürichby train from BuchsA large Swiss city for a full day of museums and lake views.
Before you go to Balzers
Rules for Balzers, checked
- Entry follows Schengen rules, and many passports need no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check the EU Schengen page at home-affairs.ec.europa.eu before you book.
- Carry your passport or national ID card at all times, since spot checks can happen at the Swiss and Austrian sides of the Rhine.
Plan around Balzers
Balzers, Vaduz and the rest of the country in one guide
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, car hire and walking routes in and around Balzers
Read the guideMoney and costsSwiss francs, cards and typical prices for a day
Read the guideVisas and entrySchengen entry rules and the ID to carry at the borders
Read the guideWhere to stayWhere to sleep in Balzers and in nearby towns
Read the guideTrip ideasWays to combine Balzers with Vaduz and the Rhine valley
Read the guideBalzers FAQ
Is Balzers worth visiting?
Yes, for a quiet Rhine-side village with mountain views and a walk up to Gutenberg Castle above the village. It has fewer sights than Vaduz, so it suits a slow day or one night.
How do you get to Balzers?
By bus or car, usually from Vaduz, since Liechtenstein has no railway. The nearest train station is across the Rhine in Switzerland, at Buchs.
Can you visit Balzers on a day trip?
Yes, from Vaduz or from anywhere else in Liechtenstein. A day covers the village and the castle walk.
How many days do you need in Balzers?
Half a day covers the village and the castle walk. One night gives time for an evening walk and an early start.
Is Balzers or Vaduz better?
Vaduz has the government quarter and the national museum, while Balzers is smaller and quieter. Choose Vaduz for variety and Balzers for calm.
What currency is used in Balzers?
Swiss francs (CHF). The euro is not used here, even though Austria is just across the Rhine.