10 Things to Do in Luxembourg

Luxembourg invites you to explore its valleys, as well as charming ramparts and the most beautiful corniche in Europe. Skyscrapers are practically a rarity, as there are only cobblestone houses everywhere forming an unforgettable postcard. You can enjoy an urban train ride through the old town or venture into the panoramic elevator that connects the upper and lower city.

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

I suggest you start in the old part of the city, 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 a scenic train ride in this area that looks like something out of a fairy tale with its vibrant colors and spacious carriages. You'll enjoy approximately 45 minutes free to admire the daily life, medieval architecture and charming cobblestone streets.

It's more than just a ride, as the train progresses you'll delve into anecdotes about the city thanks to its informative audio guide. You will be able to see the Notre-Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral, the Place d'Armes and the Ducal Palace.

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

Interesting details

• Price: about 15 € per person.
• Hours: 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.

So that you don't miss any details I leave you with three of the most emblematic attractions of 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 the City Hall. It can be visited from July to September, but you must make a reservation in advance at the Luxembourg Tourist Office. Its 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 here the Grand Duke delivers the annual Christmas message.

Wilhelm I Square

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

Vianden Castle

Castle Vianden is another wonder I wouldn't miss in your place, as it's in the hills near Luxembourg. Specifically, it is 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 inside, 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 the Most Beautiful Corniche in Europe and surprises with its panoramic views of the city. You will find it on the old ramparts and winds along the cliffs, offering a beautiful view of the Alzette valley. Along the way you will find viewpoints, ruins and fortresses that protected the city for years.

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

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

Details of interest

• Price: Entrance to La Corniche is free, but if you want to explore it by bike and see other nearby attractions you can rent 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 of contemporary artists ranging from graphic design to fashion, offering impressive collections.

You won't know what to expect in each hallway, but to give you an idea, there are 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 such as free WiFi, checkroom, lockers, restroom and unlimited access to all areas.

Details of interest

• Price: around 13 € per person.
• 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 center.

The passage of Gothic architecture is reflected in the imposing Notre Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral. You will surely like it a lot and it is an obligatory stop if you are interested in church tours, as it is the main one in the country.

The facade is impressive and stands out for its ornamental details. In addition, you can visit the interior to see the stained glass windows of 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 sign up for a guided tour that passes 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: entrance to the cathedral is free.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00.
• How to get there: the cathedral is in the historic center on Rue Notre-Dame, if you want to get to the Citadel I recommend walking.

Luxembourg's Casemates are ancient subway 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 transport you back to Luxembourg's origins.

Casemates of the Bock

The Casemates of the Bock are an ingenious 17th century. We are talking about a gallery excavated in stone where you can explore the military history of Luxembourg. Its subway labyrinths still echo with the cries of soldiers and its dim light will transport you to the origins of some wars. As you explore inside, you can feel the footsteps of the rest of the group and peek through its small panoramic windows.

• Price: about 10 € per person, with discounts for children.
• Hours: daily from 9:45 am to 5:15 pm 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 streetcar.

Pétrusse Casemates

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

• Price: approximately 18 €, with discounts for children.
• Hours: open every day, but guided tours have specific times between 11:30 and 15:00.
• How to get there: you can get there by bus or streetcar.

Another unmissable activity is to go up the Pfaffenthal panoramic elevator. This attraction is quite modern, with a smooth ascent that is perfect for the whole family. You can also use it as a means of transportation, since it connects the Pfaffenthal neighborhood 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 of the valley and the city walls.

You will reach the limit and be 75 meters above the city. From this privileged viewpoint you can see how the Alzette river meanders and the picturesque houses that characterize Luxembourg.

Details of interest

• Price: it is completely free of charge.
• Hours: daily from 5:45 am to 1:00 am.
• How to get there: located on Rue du Pont and can be reached by bus or streetcar.

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

Specifically, there are informative exhibits with multimedia projectors to help you understand each stand. In addition, you can stop by the Hemicycle and see the debate and voting room. It also has 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 its virtual reality attractions or participate 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.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free, but if you go with groups of more than 10 people you must book a group visit. To enter you must bring an identification document, such as ID card or passport.
• Hours: open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00.
• How to get there: it is located in the European district and is easily reached by bus and streetcar, the nearest stops are Luxembourg and Pfinz.

The pointed gray 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 several transformations and uses, from an orphanage to a prison.

Today it functions as a cultural center where you can enjoy 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 apparently haunts the streets since the origins of Luxembourg.

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

• The Mermaid and the Count: one of the legends hints that before she became 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 tells 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.
• 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 streetcar and then take advantage of the panoramic elevator that connects directly to this area.

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

Luxembourg wines are different because of the minerals in their soils, which provide sweet flavors with hints of fruit, spice and freshness. Among the best Luxembourg wines are those based on:

• The Riesling grape, this is the source of the famous Luxembourgish white wine that stands out for its acidic flavor and fruity aroma of apple, quince or herbs.
• The Elbling grape is a lighter version and this is the origin of the oldest wine.
• 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 meals.

The main advantage of signing up for an excursion to the Moselle Valley is that you will be able to enjoy other activities, such as a boat ride to see the villages surrounding the Schengen village. Of course, you can immerse yourself in a tasting of different types of wines, as well as get to know the best wineries and vineyards in the region.

Details of interest

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