10 Things to Do in Luxembourg

Luxembourg invites you to explore its valleys, charming city walls and the most beautiful corniche in Europe. Skyscrapers are almost a rarity, with cobbled houses everywhere making for an unforgettable postcard. You can enjoy a city train ride through the old town or venture into the panoramic lift that links the upper and lower town.

This city will welcome you to take you through its ducal history and, if you organise yourself well, you will have time to see landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral or to lose yourself in the secret passages hidden in its valleys and ancient castles. Of course, if you like mythology, you can't miss the chance to take a look at the story of the Luxembourg mermaid.

I suggest you start in the old town, where many monuments and tourist attractions such as the Luxembourg Fortress are concentrated. If you don't feel like walking, you can take advantage of the scenic train ride in this area, which looks like something out of a fairytale with its vibrant colours and spacious carriages. You'll have approximately 45 minutes free to admire the daily life, medieval architecture and charming cobbled streets.

It's more than just a stroll, as the train moves along you'll delve into anecdotes about the city thanks to the informative audio guide. You'll see Notre-Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral, the Place d'Armes and the Doge's Palace.

When you book the city train through the old town, you won't miss a single detail, thanks to its windows and glass roof offering panoramic views.

Interesting details

• Price: around €15 per person.
• Timetable: generally available between 11:00 and 16:30.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

The country is also known as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, probably because of its status as a monarchy in which The Crown runs through the generations of the Nassau family.

To make sure you don't miss any of the details, here are three of the most iconic attractions in Luxembourg's history. Each of these sites is not only impressive in its architecture, but also deeply connected to the Grand Duchy.

Ducal Palace of Luxembourg

The Grand Ducal Palace has been the official residence of the monarchy since 1817, although it has also been used as a town hall. It can be visited from July to September, but you must book in advance at the Luxembourg Tourist Office. The interior is impressive and you can see

• The Royal Dining Room, where the royal banquets are held.
• The Hall of Kings, decorated with portraits of the monarchs of Luxembourg.
• The Yellow Room, from where the Grand Duke delivers his annual Christmas message.

Place William I

Another emblem of the city is the Place William I, a tribute to the Grand Duke William I. In the middle you'll see a statue of the duke on horseback, which makes it easy to distinguish from other squares. It's close to the palace and a great way to discover its history and the wonders that surround it is to book a guided tour of Luxembourg.

Vianden Castle

Château Vianden is another wonder I wouldn't miss in your place, as it's in the hills near Luxembourg. Specifically, it's twenty-five minutes from the city and offers panoramic views of the Our Valley and the village of Vianden. If you have time to visit the interior, you can enjoy a glimpse into the castle's past, tour the historic halls and see archaeological remains.

• Price: entrance fees are around €10 per person.

The Corniche is called Europe's Most Beautiful Corniche and offers stunning panoramic views of the city. It runs along the old ramparts and winds along the cliffs, offering a beautiful view of the Alzette valley. Along the way you'll find lookouts, ruins and fortresses that protected the town for years.

It is an exclusive environment completely free of charge and quite popular around sunset. You can complement this walk with other activities such as booking a bike tour of Luxembourg. If you dare to pedal you can enjoy the company of a guide and get lost in emblematic sites near the cornice such as:

• The Petrusse Parks, where green gardens are combined with dirt paths, right in the lower part of the city.
• The Pafendall district, a historic area known for its lift, bars and renovated Roman-era buildings.
• The Grund district, which can be seen from the ledge and is striking for its cobbled houses and riverfront plans.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance to the Corniche is free, but if you're keen to explore it by bike and see other nearby attractions you can hire bikes from €1 per hour or sign up for a guided bike tour for around €64.

Luxembourg doesn't have the Louvre pyramid, but it does have the Mudan Museum of Modern Art, both designed by Chinese architect Ieoh Ming Pei. Upon entering, you'll find exhibits by contemporary artists ranging from graphic design to fashion, offering impressive collections.

You won't know what to expect in each corridor, but to give you an idea, there's a variety of paintings, photographs and sculptures. You may also be surprised by the temporary exhibitions

If this place catches your eye, I suggest you book tickets for the Mudan Museum of Modern Art in advance. The pass has benefits like free WiFi, cloakroom, lockers, toilet and unlimited access to all areas.

Interesting details

• Price: around €13 per person.
• Opening hours: generally Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
• How to get there: You can take the bus to the museum in the city centre.

The passage of Gothic architecture is reflected in the imposing Notre Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral. You're sure to love it and it's a must-see if you're interested in church tours, as it's the country's main church.

The façade is impressive and stands out for its ornamental details. You can also visit the interior to see the stained glass windows from past centuries, as well as the crypt where the tomb of the Count of Luxembourg is located.

Due to its proximity, take the opportunity to get lost in the wonders of the heart of Luxembourg and take a look at the Citadelle du Saint-Esprit. It is a historical landmark for its architecture and role during the wars. In fact, its origins date back to 1234, when it was used as a convent. If you join a guided tour through the old town you can learn more about the history of the cathedral and other significant sites in the area.

Details of interest

• Price: Admission to the cathedral is free.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 9am-7pm.
• How to get there: the cathedral is in the historic centre on Rue Notre-Dame, if you want to get to the Citadel I recommend walking.

Luxembourg's Casemates are ancient underground passages that connected to medieval castles and were used as shelters, shooting ranges and craft beer pubs. Today they are among the city's main tourist attractions and are an ideal visit to take you back to Luxembourg's origins.

Casemates of the Bock

The Casemates of the Bock are a 17th century ingenuity. It is a stone gallery where you can explore Luxembourg's military history. Its underground labyrinths still echo with the cries of soldiers and its dim light will take you back to the origins of some wars. As you explore inside, you can feel the footsteps of the rest of the group and peer through the small panoramic windows.

• Price: around €10 per person, with discounts for children.
• Opening hours: daily 9.45am-5.15pm and guided tours start in cycles every 15 minutes.
• How to get there: they are near the Pont du Château and can be reached by bus or tram.

Pétrusse Casemates

These casemates are the most popular and are located above the valley of the river Pétrusse. Nowadays the Pétrusse Casemates have exhibitions and modern scenery. Be prepared to climb up and down stairs to discover this Spanish-created marvel.

• Price: approximately €18, with discounts for children.
• Opening hours: open every day, but guided tours have specific times between 11.30am and 3pm.
• How to get there: you can get there by bus or tram.

Another not-to-be-missed activity is the Pfaffenthal panoramic lift. This attraction is quite modern, with a gentle ascent that is perfect for the whole family. You can also use it as a means of transport, as it connects the Pfaffenthal district and the lower part of the city with the Pescatore park and the upper part of the city. Be prepared to be speechless with the views over the valley and the city walls.

You will reach the edge and be 75 metres above the city. From this privileged vantage point you can see how the river Alzette meanders and the picturesque houses that characterise Luxembourg.

Details of interest

• Price: Completely free of charge.
• Opening hours: daily from 5.45am to 1am.
• How to get there: located on Rue du Pont and can be reached by bus or tram.

The European Parliament in Luxembourg is a building worth visiting during your time in the city. The European Union has three seats and this one is responsible for the Secretariat General, delegating other functions to its offices in France and Belgium. Not only is it possible to see its imposing façade, but you can also visit the Europa Experience visitor centre to explore the work of this body and the rooms where they make decisions.

Specifically, there are informative exhibitions with multimedia projectors to help you understand each stand. In addition, you can stop by the Hemicycle and see the debating and voting room. There is also a 3D cinema where you can immerse yourself in the history of Europe.

If you like to have fun while you learn you can take advantage of the virtual reality attractions or take part in a role-playing game that allows you to be an MEP for a few hours, although this activity may have a cost and must be booked in advance.

Useful details

• Price: admission is free, but if you are in a group of more than 10 people you must book a group visit. To enter you must bring an identification document, such as an ID card or passport.
• Opening hours: Open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00.
• How to get there: It is located in the European Quarter and is easily accessible by bus and tram, the nearest stops being Luxembourg and Pfinz.

The pointed grey dome protruding from different angles of the city is the compass that leads to Neumünster Abbey. It was built in the 16th century and since then has undergone various transformations and uses, from an orphanage to a prison.

Today it serves as a cultural centre for art exhibitions, traditional festivals, concerts and exciting events.

The Luxembourg Mermaid

I would take advantage of this visit to meet Medusina, a creature from European mythology. She is easy to find as she is a sculpture near the abbey. It represents a pink mermaid, whose spirit has apparently haunted the streets since the origins of Luxembourg.

There are several legends and I will tell you some of the most popular ones:

• The mermaid and the count: one of the legends hints that before becoming a statue, she married the count of Luxembourg. However, when she was exposed in her natural form, she was petrified.
• Melusina and her father: another story has it that she was a normal child and was locked in a tower by her own mother. Her emotions unleashed her powers and, not knowing how to use them, she ended up turning herself into a mermaid.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
• How to get there: it is in the Grund district and you can take a bus or tram and then take advantage of the panoramic lift that connects directly to this area.

Luxembourg's wine has a unique flavour thanks to the cultural diversity of this city, which is located at a crossroads between France, Germany and Belgium. But if you want to sample the best, consider booking a wine tour to the Moselle Valley. This region has been the local wine-growing centre since the Romans and offers a wide variety of grapes.

Luxembourg wines are different because of the minerals in the soil, which gives them sweet flavours with hints of fruit, spice and freshness. Among the best wines from Luxembourg are those made from:

• The Riesling grape, this is the source of the famous Luxembourgish white wine that stands out for its acidic taste and fruity aroma of apple, quince or herbs.
• The Elbling grape, a lighter version and the oldest wine is produced from this grape.
• The Rivaner grape, ideal for a delicious wine with a sweet taste.
• The Auxerrois grape, which gives rise to the local wines used to accompany food.

The main advantage of signing up for a trip to the Moselle Valley is that you can enjoy other activities, such as a boat trip to see the villages surrounding the Schengen village. Of course, you can also immerse yourself in wine tasting, and get to know the best wine cellars and vineyards in the region.

Interesting details

• Price: you can book a wine experience in the Moselle Valley for around €104 per person.