Liechtenstein
Schaan
Omni
Poststrasse 27, Schaan
From Buchs in Switzerland, it takes only a short walk across the Rhine to find yourself in Schaan, Liechtenstein. As you approach the bookshop, the bold SKINO lettering immediately catches your eye, hinting that this is no ordinary store.
Stepping inside, you quickly realize it is a world of many layers: a cinema, a café, a bookstore, and even an antiquarian corner. The atmosphere feels unmistakably young, shaped not only by the staff themselves but also by their vibrant staff picks. Even the “blind dates with a book” are arranged with real care and affection.
The overall concept seems clearly geared toward a younger audience, reflected in the selection on display. For that reason, I haven't quite dared to choose one of the blind-date books myself.
What struck me less positively was the lighting. The salesroom felt dim, and the antiquarian section in particular lay in shadow. With a thoughtful lighting design, the entire space could shine so much brighter and reveal its full charm. Something, for me, was missing.
Still, it remains a welcoming and friendly place, an inviting cultural hub where books, film, and coffee meet under one roof.
Book i bought:
Michelle Marly: Der Glanz der Zukunft
Vaduz
Bücherwurm
Städtle 19, Vaduz
This bookshop hides on the top floor of a stationery store in the very heart of Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital. As you approach, the view of Vaduz Castle rising in the background lends a certain charm and sense of place.
Yet, as so often happens, the books themselves seem to be relegated to the margins. Stationery dominates the main space, while the books are pushed into a dim, somewhat neglected corner. From a business perspective, I understand, pens and notebooks often sell more easily than novels, but for a book lover it feels like a small heartbreak to see literature treated as an afterthought. At Bücherwurm, unfortunately, this corner is arranged with little warmth or care.
The selection is modest, mostly current bestsellers and a scattering of general non-book items, leaving little room for discovery. And yet, the experience is redeemed by the staff: the bookseller I met was wonderfully kind, embodying the warmth and hospitality that seems so typical of the people of Liechtenstein. On festive occasions, the shop even offers small seasonal gifts, such as a chocolate bunny at Easter, adding a personal touch that lingers pleasantly in memory.
Book i bought:
Dani Shapiro: Leuchtfeuer