Liestal, formerly spelled Liesthal, is the capital of Liestal District and the canton of Basel-Landschaft in Switzerland, 17 km south of Basel. Lieā¦Liestal, formerly spelled Liesthal, is the capital of Liestal District and the canton of Basel-Landschaft in Switzerland, 17 km south of Basel. Liestal is an industrial town with a cobbled-street Old Town.