Luxembourg is a tiny but beautiful country. Belgium, Germany and France surround it. I haven’t been to Belgium but Luxembourg did seem to be quite a mix of France and Germany. Keep reading for some of the best things to do in Luxembourg.
The capital Luxembourg City is only around 50km squared making it really easy to explore on foot. It is rather hilly though so expect to climb quite a lot of steps!
As the city is so small it is easy to see most of the sights in a day however there are lots of options for day trips. We stayed for 3 nights but you could spend less or more depending on what you’re planning on doing.
Getting there is pretty easy; the flight took less than an hour from London Gatwick. Once there, you can hop on the number 16 bus from the airport to Gare Central Station. It costs €2 per person and takes about 30 minutes.
1. Visit the Old Town
The Old Town of Luxembourg city is so pretty; there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the old town. Luxembourg can be quite an expensive place to eat but it is possible to find cheaper alternatives.
One evening we ate at Pizzéria Bacchus, which was a nice budget-friendly Italian, located just off the main square, close to the Palace.
2. See the Palace
The Grand Ducal Palace is a beautiful building located in the Old Town and home to the Grand Duke. We only saw the outside of it but guided tours of the inside are available in July and August.
3. Look Around the Notra Dame Cathedral
Not to be confused with the one in Paris! This is the only cathedral in Luxembourg so can get very busy.
4. Stroll Through The Grund
The Grund is a pretty area down in the Valley of Luxembourg City. It’s nice to stroll along the canal and maybe stop for a drink in one of the bars. The Grund is another area with quite a few bars and restaurants.
I had heard this area is usually “buzzing.” Initially, we visited in the day and it was deserted! Returning on Saturday evening it was still extremely quiet, the main street was almost empty although most of the surrounding pubs were quite busy.
5. Ride the Glass Elevator
There is a free glass elevator that takes you from the top to the bottom of the valley and back again. This is an ideal way to get up and down when your legs are needing a break! You can also see views over Luxembourg City.
6. Explore the Bock Casemates
This is one of the main things to do in Luxembourg. Basically a maze of underground tunnels that were used to hide people during the 2nd World War. This is great for history lovers and another way to see views of Luxembourg City. In some places, it is quite dark (at one point we had to use our phone torches) and not very well signposted so watch your step!
We spent around an hour here. Adult tickets are €7.
7. Visit Fort Thüngen
While you’re there, also see the museum of its history. Most of the original fort had been demolished but has since been rebuilt. The museum is inside and gives you a military history of the city. This is another good one for history fans.
From the grounds you can see all over the valley.
Both the fort and the museum are free!
8. Go on The Electric Shuttle
I only saw this as we were leaving so didn’t have time to go on it. After a look on Google; it’s a new idea that they are currently trialling. The FREE shuttle runs every 15 minutes. It is autonomous (no driver!) and electrically-powered so brilliant for the environment!
You can find more information about it HERE
9. Take a day trip
If you have a spare day, there are plenty of options for day trips. We found it hard to chose between Vianden and Echternach (both in Luxembourg country). We decided on Echternach as it looked like there was a little more to do there and it was also a bit closer.
You can take the 110 or 111 bus from Gare Central; it’s a direct bus and takes just under an hour. The cost is €4 per person for a day ticket.
Echternach is a pretty, very quiet little town. The main square with shops and cafes and a road with plenty of restaurants. There is also a large Abbey.
We did a lovely walk around the lake. It takes about 1 and a half hours but is worth it if you have time and the weather’s nice!
Echternach is right on the border of Germany. You can walk across a bridge to get into Germany. There isn’t much over there though unless you want to go 80 miles to Cologne!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Luxembourg travel guide and have found it useful. Happy travelling!
See my other travel guides HERE
