At a glance
- Best for
- Quiet walks, history and nature
- Nearest railway
- Nendeln, Schaanwald and Feldkirch in Austria
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Best season
- April to October, with spring blossom in the orchards
- Getting around
- LIEmobil buses, walking and cycling
- Good base for
- The Eschnerberg, Ruggeller Riet and Feldkirch
A short history
Liechtenstein exists because two territories were joined. The Princes of Liechtenstein, an Austrian noble family, bought the Lordship of Schellenberg, today's Unterland, in 1699 and the County of Vaduz, the Oberland, in 1712. In 1719 the emperor united them into the Principality of Liechtenstein. The two halves still have their own traditions and electoral districts, and the Unterland keeps its own slower, rural character.
Schellenberg
**Schellenberg** is the smallest of the five Unterland villages and sits high on the Eschnerberg ridge, with views north over Austria's Vorarlberg. It has two medieval castle ruins, the **Obere Burg** and the **Untere Burg**, both free to visit and linked by forest paths. The **Biedermann House**, a farmhouse from the sixteenth century, has been restored as a small museum of rural life and opens on selected days. The convent of **St. Elisabeth** and the village's quiet lanes complete a peaceful half day.
The Eschnerberg
The **Eschnerberg** is a long, low wooded ridge between the Rhine plain and the Walgau. A signed **historic trail**, the Eschnerberg Historischer Höhenweg, links prehistoric settlement sites, viewpoints and castle ruins, with information boards along the way. It is gentle walking, suitable for most families, with views over the Rhine valley to the Swiss mountains. The **Liechtenstein Trail** also crosses the Unterland on its way north.
Nature: Ruggeller Riet and Gampriner Seele
In the far north, the **Ruggeller Riet** is a protected wetland of reeds, meadows and ditches. In late spring it turns blue with Siberian iris, and it is a fine place for birdwatching. Paths run around it, but stay on them to protect the habitat. Near Gamprin, the **Gampriner Seele** is a small lake formed by a Rhine flood in 1927, now a popular local swimming and picnic spot in summer.
Villages
**Eschen** and **Nendeln** have small churches, inns and the Pfrundbauten, historic buildings now used for exhibitions. **Mauren** sits on a sunny slope with views over the plain. **Ruggell**, the lowest village in the country, has a riverside setting and a lively community calendar. None of these is a tourist town, which is exactly the appeal: farm shops, orchards and quiet paths.
Food and drink
The Unterland has a handful of village restaurants and inns, some with terraces in the hills. Expect Swiss and Austrian home cooking alongside Liechtenstein classics. For more choice, Schaan and Vaduz are a short bus ride south, and Feldkirch in Austria is just over the border.
Getting there
Tips for your visit
Wear sturdy shoes for the forest paths to the ruins, carry water, and check bus times back, as rural services are less frequent in the evenings and at weekends. Spring blossom season is a lovely time to come.
LIEmobil buses link the Unterland villages with Schaan and Vaduz, and with Feldkirch in Austria. The Feldkirch to Buchs railway stops at Schaanwald and Nendeln, though services there are limited. The flat Rhine plain makes cycling easy. Use our places to visit list for stops, read the Vaduz guide for the capital, and use the free trip planner to link the Unterland with the rest of your trip.
Questions about the Unterland
What is the Unterland?
The northern half of Liechtenstein: Eschen, Mauren, Gamprin, Ruggell and Schellenberg. It was the Lordship of Schellenberg until the princes bought it in 1699.
Are the Schellenberg castle ruins free to visit?
Yes. The Obere Burg and Untere Burg are open ruins reached on foot along signed forest paths. Take care on uneven ground.
When is the best time to see the Ruggeller Riet?
Late May and early June, when the Siberian iris flowers turn the meadows blue. Spring and autumn are also good for birdwatching.
How do I get to the Unterland?
LIEmobil buses run from Vaduz and Schaan to all five villages, and from Feldkirch in Austria. Check the timetable for current routes.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
