Visiting Luxembourg: what to do in three to five days

Just over two hours from Paris by high-speed train, Luxembourg packs into less than 90 kilometres from north to south a capital perched on its ramparts, the castles of the Ardennes, the sandstone rocks of the Mullerthal and the vineyards of the Moselle, all served free of charge by bus and train.

Why visit Luxembourg?

A founding member of the European Union and one of the smallest countries in Europe, Luxembourg brings together on 2,586 km² a UNESCO-listed fortified capital, medieval castles and waymarked hiking trails. Since 2020, buses, trams and trains have been free in second class for everyone, residents and visitors alike.

What to discover in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg City, between ramparts and valleys

Built on a plateau cut by the Alzette and Pétrusse valleys, the capital saw its old quarters and fortifications listed by UNESCO in 1994. The Chemin de la Corniche, nicknamed the most beautiful balcony in Europe, overlooks the Grund district, reached from the upper town by a free public lift. Two days are enough for the old town, the Bock casemates and the Kirchberg plateau, home to several European institutions alongside the Mudam and the Philharmonie concert hall.

The Éislek, Vianden and Clervaux

The northern third of the country, the Éislek, is a wooded Ardennes plateau cut by valleys sheltering the most spectacular castles. Vianden's, restored from the late 1970s onwards, towers over the Our valley about 50 minutes' drive from the capital; a chairlift climbs to a viewpoint opposite. In Clervaux, the castle houses The Family of Man, Edward Steichen's photographic exhibition inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World register. Allow a full day for both, or a night on site to hike, perhaps continuing into the Ardennes of neighbouring Belgium.

The Mullerthal, Luxembourg's Little Switzerland

In the east, around Echternach, the Mullerthal region lines up narrow gorges, sandstone cliffs and mossy forests, hence its nickname of Luxembourg's Little Switzerland. The Mullerthal Trail, split into three loops totalling about 112 kilometres, takes several days in full, but half a day is enough for the Wolfsschlucht section starting from Echternach, considered the oldest town in the country. Paths become slippery after rain: sturdy walking shoes are a must, and the best period runs from April to October.

The Moselle wine country and the mining south

In the south-east, the Moselle separates Luxembourg from Germany along some forty kilometres of slopes planted with Riesling, Auxerrois and Pinot, which also produce the country's crémants. The village of Schengen, where the borders meet France, gave its name to the 1985 agreement and has a small European museum. Further west, the Minett, a former steel-making basin that became a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2020, can be explored in a day around Esch-sur-Alzette and the Belval blast furnaces.

Cities to visit in Luxembourg

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Not to miss in Luxembourg

Six sites that are enough to grasp the country, from the capital's fortress to the gorges of the east.

Bock Casemates

Underground galleries carved into the rock to defend the fortress, part of which can be visited above the Alzette valley.

Chemin de la Corniche

A promenade laid out on the old ramparts, with plunging views over the Grund, Neumünster Abbey and the valley's bridges.

Vianden Castle

A Romanesque and Gothic fortress on a spur above the Our, one of the largest feudal residences west of the Rhine, restored and open all year.

Wolf's Gorge

A sandstone ravine with sheer walls near Echternach, the emblem of the Mullerthal, reached by a waymarked path from the town centre.

Grand Ducal Palace

The Grand Duke's official residence in the heart of the capital, with a Renaissance facade, open for guided tours in summer only.

Mudam

The Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art, designed by architect I. M. Pei on the remains of Fort Thüngen, at the heart of the Kirchberg plateau.

Frequently asked questions

Are buses and trains really free for tourists in Luxembourg?
Yes, since 1 March 2020 all national buses, trams and trains are free in second class, with no ticket or card to show. Only first class on trains is still charged, as are journeys that cross the Luxembourg border.
How long does the TGV take from Paris to Luxembourg?
About 2 hours 10 to 2 hours 20 from Gare de l'Est, with several direct services a day. Luxembourg station is a few minutes from the centre by tram or bus, which makes a car-free weekend entirely realistic.
Can you reach Vianden by public transport from the capital?
Yes, by taking the train to Ettelbruck and then a regional bus to Vianden, for a journey of about one to one and a half hours depending on connections. It is all free in second class: only the castle visit and the chairlift are paid.
Are three days enough for the capital, Vianden and the Mullerthal?
Yes, it is the comfortable minimum: a day and a half for Luxembourg City, one day for Vianden and Clervaux, half a day for the Wolf's Gorge at Echternach. Add a fourth day for the Moselle and a crémant tasting at a winegrower's.
What is the Schueberfouer?
It is the capital's big annual funfair, founded in 1340 as a trade fair, which sets up on the Glacis from late August to mid-September for about three weeks. Rides, fried fish stalls and Moselle wine make it a very popular event worth planning around if you visit at that time.
Where should you stay to visit Luxembourg without a car?
The capital remains the best base: all train lines and most regional buses converge there. On a tighter budget, hotels around the station are generally cheaper than those in the old town, and the youth hostels in Vianden or Echternach suit hikers.
Do you need to book the Bock Casemates?
In high season, from June to September, it is best to book or arrive early, as the number of visitors inside at once is limited. The casemates close for part of the winter: check opening times on the city tourist office website before you go.
Why do so many cars queue at Luxembourg petrol stations?
Taxes on fuel, tobacco and alcohol are lower than in France, Belgium and Germany, so many cross-border drivers come to fill up. If you are travelling by car, fill your tank before leaving, while respecting the allowances for alcohol and tobacco.

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