Things to see and do in Luxembourg

  • City Breaks
  • Further afield
  • 8 min read
Things to see and do in Luxembourg

Bursting with history and culture, Luxembourg is a perfect mixture of old and new. Here’s our full guide on things to do on your next visit.

Situated between France and Germany, Luxembourg is a little country with a lot to offer its visitors.

The main city’s town centre is an UNESCO-listed site and is filled to the brim with markets, museums and more. Meanwhile, the outlying towns boast stunning mountain and hill walks, fairytale façades and centuries of history.

Less than a four-hour drive from Calais, Luxembourg is a must-see stop for anyone travelling across Europe or as a holiday destination in its own right.

Driving from Calais to Luxembourg

There are three possible routes you can take to get from Calais to Luxembourg, all of which take approximately four and a half hours.

For the quickest route, head straight through Belgium on the E42. If you have time on your side, you can take a more scenic route along the E40 and stop in places like Bruges and Brussels on your way. If you do decide to extend your journey, we have wonderful Bruges and Brussels travel guides.

Alternatively, if you want to take in more of Europe’s stunning landscape, you can also take the E42 and E411 to Luxembourg. Although this route is slightly slower than others, the countryside makes it well worth the extra time.

Vineyards along the Moselle river in the countryside of Luxembourg

Things to do in Luxembourg City

There’s a lot to love about Luxembourg City. The main city’s town centre is a UNESCO-listed site and the beautiful buildings are complemented by the stunning side streets and hidden alleyways.

Visit the bank museum and learn more about the financial history of the most important private banking centre in the Eurozone. Alternatively, if you fancy a bit of shopping, stop by the antiques market at Place d'Armes to pick up souvenirs from your travels.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by the Chocolate House, located outside the Grand Ducal Palace. The stunning cakes and fabulous coffee make it a firm favourite, and with indoor and outdoor seating this is a great place to take a moment and unwind.

If you’re looking to experience more of the local cuisine while in Luxembourg, the Am Tiirmschen is one of many restaurants you can enjoy. Located right in the city centre, the menu boasts a variety of specialist and traditional dishes you can try, while the building itself is made up of beautiful medieval stone.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Built between 1613 and 1621, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral is a must when visiting Luxembourg. Famous for its thin black spires and 19th and 20th century stained glass windows, the cathedral is a wonderful example of the country’s history and tradition.

Admission to the cathedral is free, although it’s important to note that it’s only accessible when no service is happening. The cathedral regularly hosts piano concerts, so check the schedule to see if you can squeeze in a visit.

Grand Ducal Palace

One of the main attractions of the city centre, the Grand Ducal Palace is unquestionably beautiful. The town residence of the Grand Duke, the palace has a fascinating history and various sections have been rebuilt over the years.

During the summer months, the palace is open to the general public and offers guided tours in several different languages.

Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art

The Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art

Designed by famous architect I.M. Pei, the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art invites the public to an exploration of contemporary art.

Artists and designers are given ‘carte blanche’ to access the museum and offer their own interpretations of its spaces (including the reception area, shop and café as well as the traditional exhibition areas) with original creations.

The Museum is also home to the Creators’ Market, where artists and creators come together to present their work to the public. Held biannually and around Christmas time, the Creators’ Market is the perfect opportunity to meet talented artists and possibly do a spot of shopping!

History & culture

Having survived four centuries of occupation and German invasion during the First and Second World War, Luxembourg has a strong national identity and cultural history.

Since its post-World War Two independence, Luxembourg has emerged as one of the wealthiest nations, due to its financial industry and tax haven status. Culturally, Luxembourg has maintained its rural folk traditions and the capital city has twice been named European Capital of Culture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its historical significance.

Echternach Benedictine Abbey

Bordering Germany, the beautiful town of Echternacht lies on the bank of the River Sûre and is known for its centuries-old dancing procession.

The famous Benedictine Abbey is known for its scripture and 11th century illuminated manuscripts. While the abbey itself was dissolved during the French Revolution, the abbey museum is situated in the vaulted cellars.

Depicting the history of the monastery, the museum contains several facsimiles of its works of art including Codex Aureus Epternacensis or the Codex Aureus Escorialensis.

The high-quality exhibits combined with the beauty of the museum itself makes this a fantastic spot to visit and a great way to learn more about the history of Luxembourg. The museum has ten audio guides in a variety of languages, which are provided to visitors free of charge.

Château de Bourscheid

With its triangular shape, gothic vaulted cellar and eight towers, Château de Bourscheid is Luxembourg’s largest and most dramatic castle ruin.

Construction of the castle began in 1000 AD, and the inner walls and original belfry have survived and create a real sense of the past for visitors. Restoration of other parts of the castle are currently being undertaken, but it is still open for visitors.

Visitors to the castle are greeted with stunning views over the forest and river Sûre and the castle’s night illuminations create and incredible atmosphere, making this a worthwhile stop during your visit day or night.

Casemates du Bock

Explore the Bock Casemates in Luxembourg

The honeycomb of rock galleries and passages which make up Casemates Du Bock are a great place for kids (and adults) to stop and explore the passages.

The clifftop site once housed Count Sigefroi’s mighty fortress and was designed to protect his holdings. Each subsequent owner expanded and improved the strong holdings of the Bock. Most notably, the fortress’s casemates (fortified gun emplacements) had been developed so that by the mid-18th century they were much more than canon perches and consisted of 14 miles of tunnels, stables, workshops, kitchens and a bakery, as well as barracks for 1200 soldiers.

Despite its destruction being ordered in 1867 in order to diffuse tension between France and Germany, the Bock casemates were used as a bomb shelter for 35,000 people during the Second World War and are still accessible to visitors today.

Things to do in Luxembourg for families

The diversity of Luxembourg as a country means that there’s something for all the family to enjoy. The number of adventure parks, treetop paths and other outdoor activities means that there’s lots for little ones to get stuck into.

If you’re looking for somewhere other than a hotel to stay, the campsite Camping Kockelscheuer is just outside the City centre and is one of the best urban campsites in Europe. Complete with an ice-skating rink, golf course, bowling alley and restaurants there’s everything you need for a fun filled family holiday.

Schueberfouer

Carousels, ferris wheels and rollercoasters, what more could you want from a family holiday?

Offering 231 fair stands, children’s rides, food and drink outlets and carnival games Schueberfourer is the largest fair in the Greater Region and a highlight of the Luxembourg City Calendar.

If you’re in the area between August and September, it’s definitely worth stopping at Schueberfouer.

The Pfaffenthal Lift

Take in the stunning views from the Pfaffenthal lift

Forget ‘Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator’, the Pfaffenthal lift offers sweeping views of the route between the Pescatore park and the Pfaffenthal area at the bottom of the Alzette valley.

Not only is this a great way to see more of Luxembourg while on the move, but as the elevator is free of charge, it’s also a great way to keep costs low while travelling.

Aquarium Wasserbillig

Discover a magical underwater world of freshwater fishes in the Aquarium Wasserbilig.

Great for younger children in particular, the Aquarium is compact and holds a variety of local sealife and fish from around the world.

Combine with a visit to the nearby butterfly garden, a trip to the playground or a stroll along the river for a fun and relaxing family day out.

Free things to do in Luxembourg

If you’re travelling on a budget or looking for things to do that won’t break the bank, Luxembourg has a variety of exciting and enjoyable spots for you to explore.

Berdorf

Adventure awaits in Berdorf

Located on a vast tableland overlooking the valleys of the Black Ernz and 300 acres of forest, Berdorf is one of the main tourist centres in the Grand-Duchy.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the fairytale-like hiking trails which cover the area. All of them are well marked and offer the opportunity for you to relax and take in the amazing rock formations.

The Walls of the Corniche

Take a walk along the Walls of the Corniche, otherwise known as the ‘most beautiful balcony of Europe’ and enjoy the panoramic views and the city below. While this promenade is stunning at any time of year, the cobblestone path and view of the Alzette Valley make this a stunning destination for a special Valentine's getaway.

Escher Déierepark

If you love wildlife, look no further than the Escher Déi'renpark. An English style garden, complete with an artificial waterfall, rose garden and wildlife enclosure, visitors will have the chance to explore and unwind in the incredible scenery.

A stone’s throw from Gaalgebierg, the park holds a total of 150 animals including deer, goats and rabbits, as well as a variety of sculptures and two playparks for little ones to enjoy.

Start your journey to Luxembourg with LeShuttle

Has the variety of activities and the beauty of Luxembourg caught your attention and inspired you to visit?

LeShuttle can get you from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes. From there it’s under a five-hour drive to Luxembourg no matter which route you take, meaning you can be out and exploring as soon as possible.

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