Together with neighbouring Werdenberg, Buchs forms a small town centre with good shopping and individual cultural attractions in the St. Galler Rheintal. The location on the border to Lichtenstein gives the centre an international flair.

Buchs is a major border railway station and a transfer point for passenger and freight transport to and from Austria. The municipality stretches from the Rhine, which also forms the natural border with the Principality of Liechtenstein, to the Alvier chain. With its easy-to-climb mountain summits and wonderful views over the entire Rhine Valley, the Alvier region is ideal hiking country.

In terms of buildings, Buchs merges with Werdenberg, pleasantly situated on a small lake (with leisure facilities). Beautifully restored, colourfully decorated houses with verandas, such as the Haus Schlange with the regional museum award charm to this tiny town. The spot is dominated by the mighty Grafen Castle, its origins dating back to the 13th century. It was converted into a stately residence in the 18th century and today houses a museum (lifestyle museum, Canton St. Gallen history, weapon collection). The tower affords extensive views of the Rhine Valley.

Leisure activities abound, with open-air and indoor swimming pools, nearby recreational areas along the Rhine, the Buchs mountains and Malbun Alp. The Werdenberg region has over 600 km of well-signposted hiking paths, skating and cycling routes and mountain bike trails. Several theme trails and the «Schlossweg Sargans-Werdenberg» panorama trail are attractive hiking routes. At Rietli in Buchs, 260 birds can be observed in a 10,000 m2 birds of prey park. And towards Sargans, the Gonzen iron mine offers tours of its underground world.

Buchs has been an «Energiestadt» (energy town) since December 2001. The label is awarded by the Federal Office for Energy to municipalities that have implemented selected energy- political measures.

Highlights

• Border town Buchs – Located on the border to «Ländle» (Principality of Liechtenstein) and also an important border railway station for Austria.
• Rheindamm - the longest «multisport» leisure area between Sargans and St. Margrethen: 40 km of cycling or skating on the smooth surface of the embankment.