12 things to do in Echternach: discover Luxembourg’s oldest town

What are the most beautiful Echternach sights? Discover tips for historic buildings, fine hiking trails and atmospheric spots in and around the center.

Here’s why you’ll want to visit Echternach

Echternach is the oldest town in Luxembourg, and you will notice that when you walk through the historic center and pay attention to the special details. The town was already inhabited in Roman times, but really grew into an important place when the English missionary Willibrord founded an abbey here in the eighth century. That abbey became a center of culture and religion and, along with the impressive basilica, occupies an important place in the town.

Echternach is located right on the German border, less than a 30-minute drive from Luxembourg City. It lies in the heart of the Mullerthal region, also known as “Little Switzerland.” That makes it an ideal base for several beautiful hikes.

During my visit to this region, I visited Echternach twice: the first time I was shown around and learned more about its history, the second time I wandered into the town as a pleasant stop during a leg of the Mullerthal Trail.

Both times I was very charmed by Echternach, the center is nice and compact and therefore feels very cozy, but at the same time there is plenty to see and do. Beautiful buildings, cozy streets, several restaurants and cafes. You can also find peace and quiet in the park near the river Sûre. Really one of those places where I would love to come back and see myself staying for a longer time.

Echternach sights

For a small town, Echternach has surprisingly much to offer. You can easily walk around here for a few hours and admire the beautiful historic buildings, sit on the terrace in the atmospheric squares and relax in one of the green parks. These are the most beautiful Echternach sights, all worth seeing.

Abbaye d’Echternach

The abbey is the symbol of Echternach and one of Luxembourg’s most important religious monuments. It was founded in the seventh century by St. Willibrord, who came from England to this part of Europe to spread Christianity.

The abbey itself is currently used as a lyceum, but there is a small museum you can visit. The accompanying Basilique Saint-Willibrord is freely accessible and well worth a visit. The basilica has been rebuilt several times over the centuries, including after being destroyed in 1944. Its high vaults and beautiful stained-glass windows make an immediate impression when you step inside.

What I personally really liked is that the basilica has an unexpected history. In the nineteenth century, the building was temporarily used as a pottery factory. The towers then functioned as chimneys. Inside there are still a few photos from that time, which give you an idea of what it looked like then.

Also, descend the stairs to the crypt, which contains the tomb of Willibrord. He is the only saint buried in Luxembourg. A quiet, understated place you really must have seen.

The Roman villa

One place I unfortunately missed during my visit, but definitely want to see next time is the Römervilla, or Roman villa. Indeed, on the outskirts of the town are the remains of a huge Roman villa from the third century.The remains were discovered in 1975 when work began on the construction of the lake.

The foundations have been partially excavated and give a good idea of how impressive the complex must have once been. There is also a small exhibition where you can see how the Romans used to live here.

You can not only look around here, but also participate in guided tours or workshops. Think for example of a cooking workshop like the Romans used to eat. More information and opening hours can be found on this website.

Place du Marché

The market square is one of the most pleasant places in Echternach. The building that undoubtedly catches the eye the most is the old town hall, a Gothic structure with turrets and arches. Around the square are cafes and restaurants with large terraces, so there is always something to do here.

While hiking the Mullerthal Trail, I took a break here for a well-deserved cup of coffee. It was the perfect place to catch up, people-watch and enjoy the city’s atmosphere.

Rue de la Gare

Rue de la Gare is perhaps the most important and lively street in Echternach. It is a shopping street with a mix of boutiques, bakeries, cafes and restaurants. The street is often beautifully decorated, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

What I like about this street is that here you can get a good taste of the daily life of Echternach. You have both locals having a nice chat and walkers relaxing on a terrace. It is a nice street to stroll through and maybe grab a coffee or a pastry.

Trifolion

Fancy an evening of culture? Right next to the abbey is the modern Trifolion, a cultural center that regularly hosts concerts, plays and exhibitions. There is almost always something to see and do (there are some 200 events a year!) and the program is surprisingly diverse for such a small town.

I myself unfortunately did not have time for it, but if you are staying longer in Echternach or the surrounding area, be sure to check the calendar. Who knows, there might be something fun scheduled during your visit.

L’Église Saint-Pierre-et-Paul

The Peter & Paul Church was really a pleasant surprise for me. It is less well known than the abbey, but at least as beautiful. It’s located on a knoll and it feels like you go back in time for a moment. It is such a peaceful place!

If the door is open, you should definitely take a look. The ceiling full of floral frescoes and the colorful stained glass windows are truly beautiful.

Parkstraße & Stadtpark

One of my favorite places in Echternach is the Stadtpark. along the river Sûre. You walk here among old trees, little bridges, flower beds and statues. In some places it is like an English landscape garden. There are also sports fields and the Rokoko Pavillon sometimes hosts exhibitions.

The Parkstraße runs along it, a nice path with a view of the river and the German Echternacherbrück that lies on the other side. There are plenty of benches, so it is a lovely place to relax.

Lac d’Echternach

Just outside the city center is Lac d’Echternach, or Lake Echternach. This is an artificial lake where you can swim, hike, bike, SUP, picnic and paddleboat. You also have here a beautiful hiking trail (Echternach Lac) of about 5 kilometers, ideal for a morning walk or just to wind down after a day in the city.

By the way, from the lakeside hostel you have a beautiful view of the water, especially at sunset.

Hiking near Echternach

Many people come to the Mullerthal region for hiking, and Echternach is the perfect base for that. You just have to walk out of town and you are in the middle of the forests, and among the rocks and gorges that this region is so famous for. Extra nice: several hiking trails start right from the center, both short rounds and the iconic Mullerthal Trail.

Mullerthal Trail Route 1 & 2

I myself ended up in Echternach because I was going to walk the Mullerthal Trail. This hiking trail has a length of 112 kilometers and consists of three main routes. Two of these routes pass through Echternach, which are Route 1 (36.7 kilometers) and Route 2 (39.2 kilometers).

Route 1 rounds the east side of Echternach, passing through Rosport and Mompach. It is a combination of hills full of forests and open landscapes. Route 2 runs right through the heart of the Mullerthal region, via Consdorf, Mullerthal and Berdorf. This is the route that I walked myself and I found it really amazingly beautiful. Especially the part between Berdorf and Echternach, where you pass high rock walls, narrow gorges and endless staircases, I found spectacular.

Most people don’t walk an entire route at once. Fortunately, the stages are easy to split up and buses run back to Echternach in many places.

Also read: Mullerthal Trail Route 2: an unforgettable hiking adventure

Local E-hikes from Echternach

Almost every village in the Mullerthal region has its own circular walks, indicated by a letter and a number. The routes from Echternach start with an E (such as E1 or E2) and are well marked with blue signs. A few options:

• E1 – 13.5 kilometers – A varied route to Berdorf and back via the Wolfsschlucht and Huel Lee, among others.
• E5 – 6.3 kilometers – A fairly easy walk along Lake Echternach and to a viewpoint.

The trails are between 5 and 15 kilometers long and sometimes even connect to sections of the Mullerthal Trail.

👉🏼 Check the Mullerthal Trail website for a listing of all local trails.

Felsenweg 1

Finally, there is the Felsenweg 1, a cross-border hike that runs through Echternach. This is a 19.7-kilometer circular hike through dense forests and past impressive rock formations. You walk through both Germany and Luxembourg, which makes it a nice addition to the other routes. It is often a bit quieter, but at least as varied.

👉🏼 Check this page for more information about Felsenweg 1.

Accommodation in Echternach

These were all my Echternach tips! As you’ve probably seen, Echternach is really one of those places where you can easily linger for a few days. The combination of nature, atmosphere and history makes it a nice base. In and around Echternach you can find all kinds of nice accommodations. A few recommendations:

• Hotel Le Postillon (3⭐ ) is a small-scale family hotel in the middle of the cozy center of Echternach.
• Youth Hostel Echternach – A modern youth hostel by the lake, with both private rooms and dormitories. Ideal if you want affordable accommodation. Moreover, the location is perfect if you want to go straight into nature.
• Hôtel Bel-Air, Trail & Wellness (4⭐ ) – This hotel is located in the green, just outside the center of Echternach. You will find spacious rooms, a wellness area and a good restaurant. From here you can walk straight into the forest or grab one of the hiking trails towards Mullerthal.

Rather looking for a nice place to stay overnight? Then take a look at Booking.com.