When I booked my trip to Luxembourg I whether there was only things to do in Luxembourg City in one day or whether I would need more days than that, but really you can see everything within the city in 1 day unless you intend to visit a few of the museums, which means that you would need to spend longer time there.
There are also day trips which can be done outside the city to Echternach for hiking and Vianden to see the most famous castle in Luxembourg, which can be done by bus or car. I spent a total of 5 days in Luxembourg but you could see most things in 2 or 3 days or just Luxembourg City in one day.
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Where is Luxembourg?
Luxembourg is a small landlocked country in Europe. It is surrounded by Belgium, Germany and France. 70% of it’s population is foreign as it is a big centre for banking and the European Union. It has a population of 634,000 and has 3 official languages Luxembourgish, French & German, though English is spoken throughout too.
I flew in from England to Luxembourg city, it has a small airport and I stayed at the Hostelling International Youth Hostel Luxembourg City, its a great location and only about a 10 minute walk to the centre of town.
Where is Luxembourg City located?
Luxembourg City is located in the south of the country, just 20km west of the border with Germany and 15km north of the border with France and 20km east of the border with Belgium. The population of Luxembourg City is 130,000 and consists of 160 different nationalities.
Luxembourg City is just 10km from the airport and you can either get a taxi or take the number 16 bus to the centre of the old town. Since 1 March 2020 all public transport within Luxembourg, bus, trains and trams is free for locals and tourists.
As I walked down towards the hostel from the bus I got my first view of the city, part of it is perched on top of a hill with a valley going around it, just stunning. Within an hour of arriving I was already in love with the city.
I then continued down to the hostel. The Youth Hostel has a restaurant and the price of food was much cheaper than eating in town. They also had a few local dishes as specials on a few of the nights I was there, so you can try the local dishes without having to go to expensive restaurants.
What month is best to visit Luxembourg?
The best months to visit Luxembourg would be May and September, this is when it isn’t too hot and there aren’t crowds of people. If you prefer the heat and want to enjoy the many festivals in the country then you would be best to visit in July and August.
Is one day enough for Luxembourg City?
Personally I think that one day is enough to see Luxembourg City unless you plan on visiting a few of the museums in Luxembourg City or arts galleries, then you will need a couple of days. Most of the places to visit in Luxembourg City are within the old town or within walking distance and you can get to know the city well in one day. If you have longer in Luxembourg then you can either do day trips from Luxembourg City to other cities within Luxembourg or drive / get the train to one of the cities in another country nearby.
What to do in Luxembourg City in one day
Luxembourg City is a popular city and you will see there are many Luxembourg city tourist attractions to pass your time. There are beautiful walks and parks, museums and old ruins to visit.
The Grund Luxembourg City
After breakfast on my first day in Luxembourg City, I walked down to the river from the hostel and walked along the river to The Grund area of the old town. It is beautiful and peaceful as a lot of the area is pedestrian only and the views here were stunning and you could just make out the holes in the wall of the Bock Casemates.
This part of the Grund opposite the Casemates du Bock is dominated by the former Abbey of Neumunster, which is now a cultural centre. From here you can look up to the old town and see the big wall and cliffs on which the original castle was built.
I then crossed the bridge and into the heart of The Grund where I walked around the old streets which date back to the 10th century before climbing up to Rham Plateaux. Here the old military barracks have been converted into social institutions and you can also see some of the ruins of the old wall that was around this area.
The view across the valley to the corniche and Citadel de Espirit is stunning, from here you can see the walls built around the city on top of the the cliff and the holes which the guns would use in the Bock Casemates.
Bock Casemates – 1 Day Luxembourg Itinerary
The Casemates Luxembourg City is a UNESCO world heritage site, it is 7 Euro’s to visit. It was built in 1644 by the Spanish and was originally 23km long!! Now you get to see only 110m in length though on a few different levels. It seems quite a big area when you are down there and it is quite easy to get lost though you are given a map when you enter. It is worth a visit though and it has great views down to The Grund.
The casemates (these are fortified gun emplacements) were built under the castle that was built on this location in 936AD, as it is a great location to defend with cliffs practically surrounding it, overlooking the River Azette. During World War 2 the casemates were used as bomb shelters to protect the citizens of Luxembourg City.
The Bock Casemates Luxembourg opening hours are 10am – 8.30pm from 1st April to 30 September and 10am – 5.30pm 1 March to 31 March and 1 October to 3 November, though check to confirm it is open as it is currently temporarily closed.
Chemin de la Corniche Luxembourg City
After visiting the Bock Casemates I walked along the Chemin de la Corniche which goes from the Bock Casemates around part of the city, giving amazing views down into the valley below and up around the National Archives buildings which were a former Prussian Military Hospital.
The Chemin de la Corniche is nicknamed the most beautiful balcony of Europe and it goes around the old city on the ramparts of the old castle that once existed, there is a path you can walk along around most of it that still exists today.
A corniche is actually a road or walkway that is built into the side of a mountain and up until 1870 there were stairs in the steep parts, but they levelled off when improvements were made. You will also find in places a lift down to the valley floor.
It is a beautiful place to walk and one of the most scenic walks you can do in Luxembourg City, the views as you can see below from this area of Luxembourg City are truly amazing.
Notre Dame Cathedral
The Notre Dame Cathedral is located on the outskirts of the old town in Villa Haute Quarter near the Adolphe bridge and opposite Constitution Square. The first stone was laid in 1613 when it was built as a Jesuit Church and it was renamed the Notre Dame Cathedral in 1870 by the pope. It is the only Cathedral in Luxembourg and has a beautiful gothic architecture inside.
It has three towers, two of which were built when the cathedral was expanded between 1935 -1938. It is one of the must see tourist sites when you visit Luxembourg and entry is free.
The Monument of Remembrance – Gelle Fra (Golden Lady)
On the opposite side of the road from the cathedral is Constitution Square in the Ville Haute Quarter where you can see the Gelle Fra Memorial erected in 1923 in memory of the Luxembourgish soldiers who fell during the two world wars and the Korean War.
In the centre of the monument you can see a 21 metre tall obelisk made from granite with a gilded bronze statue of the goddess of victory “Nike” who is holding a wreath. At the bottom of the obelisk you can find two bronze figures who are representing all the soldiers that fought in the wars.
Around the monument is a car park and is a good location to park if you are travelling to Luxembourg City for the day, also all tourist buses stop at this location.
Place de la Constitution
Not only does Constitution Square contain the Gelle Fra monument and a big car park but here you will also find beautiful gardens on different levels with a view of the Adolphe bridge and the Petrusse Valley below. This is a great place to sit and relax and enjoy the views on a nice day and maybe to even enjoy a picnic or ice cream.
It is next to a quite busy road and is quite small but it is worth visiting to enjoy the amazing views. At Christmas a market is also set up here so it’s a must visit at that time of year.
There are also plans in place to erect a lift here so that there is easy access to the Petrusse Valley from this location.
Place d’Armes
The Place d’Armes also named Parlour of the city, is the main square in the heart of the historic centre of Luxembourg City. It was originally built in the 1671 and was used for parades by the French troops.
It is a bustling area of the town, where lots of people just hang out, with lots of restaurants and a market on Saturday mornings. At Christmas you can find markets and in summer there are even open air concerts.
It really is the heart of Luxembourg city center with some beautiful buildings to admire including the City Palace which was renovated in 2011 and turned into a convention and exhibition centre.
Make sure you stop here for lunch or enjoy one of the restaurants or bars in the evening.
Hop-on hop-off bus tour of Luxembourg city
Luxembourg city has a sightseeing bus that you can do with 10 stops around the city. It departs every 20 minutes daily from 10am to 6pm (8pm on weekends). The bus has an audio guide in 8 languages and the ticket is valid for 24 hours. It has stops around the old town for the Notre Dame Cathedral, it goes near the train station, into the new areas of Luxembourg City, Villa Vauban, Museum of Modern Art.
Place Guillaume II
Located in the heart of the Villa Haute Quarter of Luxembourg, you will find Luxembourg City tourist office here, just around the corner from the Place d’armes. They have a great leaflet on a self guided tour that you can do around the city and also help give you advice on what you can do during your visit to Luxembourg.
Place Guillaume II was named after the King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg and in the eastern part of the square you will find a statue showing the Grand Duke on a horse.
The square was originally the location of Franciscan monastery, however after the wars in 1797 it was no longer used as a monastery and was eventually knocked down and replaced with the current Luxembourg City Hall.
Nowadays you will find that the square is full of many restaurants and cafe’s and it is a great place to enjoy a meal outside and to watch the world pass by.
National Museum of Art & History
The National Museum of Art & History also known as the MNHA has a large archaeological section which has mainly come from excavations in Dalheim and Titelberg. The art section of the museum has art work dating from the 18th to 20th century.
The museum is located close to the old fish market in the historic centre. It is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, except Thursdays when it is open until 8pm.
The permanent exhibitions are free, though the temporary exhibitions cost 7 Euro to visit.
Luxembourg City Museum
The Musee d’hstoire de la Ville shows the history of Luxembourg City for the last 1,000 years, it is housed in a building that was once a monastery and then a prison before opening as a museum in 1996.
It has permanent and temporary exhibitions and costs 5 Euro to enter, it open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm and Thursdays till 8pm.
Bike Tour of Luxembourg City
If you enjoy cycling then you can do a 2 hour tour of Luxembourg City. You explore the old town and most beautiful parts of Luxembourg City. The tour is offered in English, French and German.
Click here for more details and prices.
Free Walking Tour of Luxembourg City Old Town
When I arrive in a new city I love to do a free walking tour, I find that the guides are normally very knowledgeable and very enthusiastic and it’s a great way to get to know a city and find out the history before exploring on your own. With free tours there is no fee to pay but a tip for the guide is expected.
Palace of the Grand Dukes (Palais Grand-Ducal)
Around the corner from the Place Guillaume II is the Palace of the Grand Dukes. It is official residence of the Grand Duke who is the head of state in Luxembourg. The oldest part was built in 1572 and it was fully restored in the 1990’s. It’s a beautiful building and you normally see two guards standing guard outside.
In summer once a month you can see the changing of the guard which is a popular attraction. It is also possible to do tours inside of the palace though it needs to be booked in advance and is only available from mid july to the end of August.
Fort Thungen and the museum of modern art
From the palace you can walk along Avenue Pescatore and to the Panoramic lift that was built and takes you down to the valley below. From there you can walk across the old bridge and there is also a building there with a video showing the history of the area. You can then climb the steps on the other side of the road to get up to Fort Thungen. In the grounds is the Museum of Modern Art, also known as the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Fort Thungen.
The Museum of Modern Art is closed Tuesdays and open Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 6pm, though on Wednesdays it is open till 9pm. It costs 8 Euros to visit, though on Wednesdays from 6pm to 9pm it is free.
Click here to buy your tickets in advance for the Museum of Modern Art.
The Museum of Fort Thungen is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, though on Wednesdays it is open till 8pm. The permanent exhibitions are free, though the temporary exhibitions are 5 Euros (free on Wednesdays from 5pm to 8pm).
Should I buy a Luxembourg Card?
Many people want to know What is a Luxembourg Card? and should they Buy a Luxembourg Card? This really depends on exactly what you are planning to do and see while you are in Luxembourg. If it possible to buy single cards for 1 person or a family card for up to 5 people.
With the card many places are free, though for some places there is a discount only given. More than 90 places are included within the card including musems, art galleries, castles, places and sport and leisure facilities.
Make sure you check before your visit whether the things you want to see are included within the Luxembourg Card and whether it will be worth the money. It looks like Vianden Castle is no longer included on the Luxembourg Card.
Where to stay when visiting Luxembourg City
There are 4 main areas that people stay when they come to Luxembourg depending on their reason for visiting.
Kirchberg – The Business District
This is the main area where you will find many financial and legal businesses have their head offices in Luxembourg and it is also home to the European Parliaments administrative offices. Most people staying in this area will be staying here for work.
Stay in the heart of Kirchberg in the Novotel Luxembourg
Old Town Luxembourg City
Staying the in the heart of the old quarter of Luxembourg City is where most tourists want to be, they are then close to museums, lots of restaurants and bars and the main things to do in Luxembourg City, though it can be expensive to stay in this area of the city. You will find that there are many hotels in Luxembourg city centre.
Enjoy being located on the main square in Luxembourg City at the Hostel Francais
The Alzette in Luxembourg City
This is the area around the river and below the old town, it is a little further to get into the old town, with a steep walk, though it is possible to take a lift up to the old town. This area is cheaper than the old town and is much quieter as a lot of the area cannot be accessed by cars.
Relax at The Pipistrelle Hotel during your time in Luxembourg City
The Gare District – Railway Station
This area is close to the Luxembourg City train station and is the cheapest of all the areas and is bustling by day with lots of shopping areas. It is also a good area to be located if you are planning on doing lots of day trips from Luxembourg City.
Enjoy your trip from the The Park Inn Luxembourg City
For more guides on Luxembourg, check out these posts:
- How to spend 1, 2 or 3 days in Luxembourg
- Where to stay in Luxembourg
- Best Castles to see in Lxuembourg
- Vianden Castle Luxembourg
- Best time to visit Luxembourg
- Top 20 Day trips from Luxembourg
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Its looks lovely. You appear to have had lovely weather as well. Not a country I had thought of visiting but perhaps it may go on the agenda. Enjoy Germany.
Julie
Thanks for the peek into your day in Luxembourg City. And the photos are wonderful!
I have’t thought about visiting Luxembourg. Maybe I will combine it with another country in Europe if it can be covered in a day. Any suggestions on where I can take a day-trip from?
I think the easiest way would be to fly in, but you would probably want to spend one night. There is lots to do in Luxembourg, not just Luxembourg City, so if you went for a few days, you could get there from Brussels, France or a few cities in the South West of Germany too 🙂
This really takes me back in time. I visited when I was 19 and living in Brussels. I had no idea where I would stay, no phone, no internet and no money but damn, I wanted to see that castle, still remember partying in the local bar with a bunch of people I’d never met before
What a beautiful city. I can’t believe I haven’t been here yet. You really saw a lot in the short time you were there. These photos bring back memories of other cute European cities, but Ljubljana in particular. Great guide.
I keep hearing that Luxembourg is a good, full day tour. It seems like a busy day, filled with a lot of walking and touring but very rewarding. Your pictures of the castle were stunning.
It almost looks fairy tale like. I love history and would be interested in including a stop in Luxembourg on a trip through Europe now. It sounds like it was a very nice day.
Those hill-top views truly are stunning! Luxembourg looks well laid out and great for beautiful walks. I could take photos of the old stone work all day!
This guide is super useful! Love the pictures from Bock Casemates, hadn’t heard of it before and now I totally want to go!
I really want to visit Luxembourg. Looks so beautiful and I would love to explore the castles there
What a cute city! We were so close to visiting when we were in Europe last summer. It looks like we missed out, especially since you say one day is more than enough. Beautiful pictures!
Thanks for sharing your experience in Luxembourg! I’ve never been there, but I hope I can make it there one day and retrace your steps. How was the cost for traveling in Luxembourg?
It’s quite expensive to travel in Luxembourg. I stayed in a hostel and it was around 30 Euros a night for a dorm room and it also cost around 120 euro for a car for 3 days. Food is between 15-20 euros for a meal 🙂
Interesting! I have never thought of Luxembourg as a tourist place, more like of a bunch of boring accountants, finance people and bankers :)))
It’s a beautiful country to visit 🙂
This town looks adorable! I like that you wrote about Luxembourg, I haven’t come across many blogs that do! I want to visit someday.
I previously have been to Denmark in a day – but never considered Luxembourg. Thanks for sharing, this could be exactly what I need to complete my 30 before 30 challenge! X
I wish I would have known you could see most of Luxembourg City in one day! I debated on whether or not I should stop by when I was in Europe in the spring, but decided against it thinking I wouldn’t have enough time!
Wow– the city looks gorgeous. And I can’t believe how much you did in one day. I’d really like to visit myself one day soon.
Luxembourg looks lovely! I haven’t been there, but (obviously) would love to! Thanks for the informative post and great pictures.
P.S. I hear you about the rambunctious partiers at hostels!