12 fun things to do in Luxembourg City

There are many fun tourist attractions in Luxembourg City. What are the best things to do in Luxembourg City during a short city trip? 12 tips.

Luxembourg City: a little bit of history

Luxembourg is an old city and was founded in 963. It is the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small country located between Belgium, France, and Germany. In the sixteenth century, Luxembourg was one of the strongest fortresses in Europe and you can still see some of the remains of this fortress in the city. Luxembourg’s old city center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

Luxembourg is one of the most important cities for the European Union, as the European Court of Justice and the secretariat of the EU Parliament are located in Luxembourg. A city trip to Luxembourg is a great idea for lovers of culture, history, and nature.

12 fun things to do in Luxembourg City

What are the best things to do in Luxembourg City? Here are 12 tips.

Explore the Casemates

One of the most interesting attractions in Luxembourg are the casemates (bunkers). This is an underground tunnel system that is about 23 kilometers long. This was also a good hiding place for the Luxembourgers during the Second World War.

The casemates are the biggest tourist attraction in Luxembourg City. There are two systems that you can visit: the Pétrusse casemates and the Bock casemates.

Unfortunately, the casemates are (temporarily) closed at the moment.

Discover Grund

Grund is one of the oldest city districts in Luxembourg and is located on the banks of the Alzette River. Compared to the Oberstadt district (where many of the other sights are located), Grund is tens of meters lower. You get there by walking down steep streets, or by elevator. This one is called the Ascenseur panoramique du Pfaffenthal and this is a sight in itself.

Grund is a wonderful place to stroll around because of the narrow streets and the many walking paths along the river. And there are many cozy, small cafes and there are also some benches to rest on during your city trip.

Grand Ducal Palace

Right in the center of Luxembourg City is the Grand Ducal Palace, or Palais Grand-Ducal. It was built in 1572 and has since been rebuilt and expanded several times. Formerly used as a town hall, it is now the residence of Henri of Luxembourg, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

The Grand Ducal Palace can be visited on a guided tour during the Summer months. Check this website for dates and to book a tour.

Extra tip! Behind the Grand Ducal Palace is a cool hidden street where you walk through a number of houses and shops.

Place Guillaume II

Place Guillaume II is a large square in the center of Luxembourg, near the Grand Ducal Palace. There is a large statue of William II (in addition to being King of The Netherlands, he was also Grand Duke in Luxembourg). In addition, the beautiful Hôtel de Ville (the town hall) also occupies a prominent place on the square.

On the square, you will also find the Luxembourg City Tourist Office and various restaurants with sunny terraces.

Consider booking a private tour for a better exploration of Place Guillaume II and other beautiful places in the historic city center of Luxembourg. A private guided tour will help you not just see, but discover the destination you visit.

Check out the Adolf Bridge

The Adolphus Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in Luxembourg City. It is a huge double-decked arch bridge (153 meters long) and it spans the ravine through which the river Pétrusse flows. The Adolf Bridge is the national symbol for Luxembourg and you should definitely see it during your city trip to Luxembourg.

Neumunster Abbey

Neumünster Abbey is located in Grund, on the banks of the Alzette River. It is a large complex from the seventeenth century and was actually only used as an abbey for a very short time. After the French Revolution and the Second World War, the building was mainly used as a prison.

Na de Franse revolutie en in de tweede wereldoorlog is het gebouw vooral als gevangenis gebruikt. Interesting fact: in 2005 Bulgaria and Romania signed the Treaty of Accession of the European Union in this building.

You can visit various exhibitions in Neumünster Abbey and often there are events. In addition, it is also a beautiful place to see and there are a few fun short trails around the abbey. Check the official website for the activity calendar.

Relax in Parcs de la Pétrusse

Luxembourg is a very green city, which is due to the differences in height and the large parks. Below the Adolfsburg, in the ravine you will find one of the most beautiful parks in the city: Parcs de la Pétrusse. The river Pétrusse runs right through it and thanks to the many trees this is a wonderfully cool place on hot summer days.

Visit Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean

There are several museums to visit in Luxembourg City and Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean (MUDAM) is one of the most interesting. This is the museum of modern art and is housed in a very special building. It’s a modern building, but it follows the old ramparts of the city, giving you a nice mix of old and new.

The museum presents itself as a place where both the artist and the visitor are central. In some areas, artists have been given carte blanche, making your museum visit a special experience.

TIP You can visit this museum for free on Wednesday evenings.

Go hiking in Parc Dräi Eechelen and Parc des Trois Glands

The MUDAM is located next to a number of parks: Parc Dräi Eechelen and Parc des Trois Glands. These parks are located on a hill and are therefore very nice to explore. There are some great viewpoints in the parks to see different sights of the city.

In the parks, you can find a number of adventurous trails. There are some steep rock walls you hike between. There are also many remnants of fortresses and defenses, such as Fort Niedergrünewald in the photo above.

Wander around the Kirchberg district

The MUDAM is located in the Kirchberg district, a modern neighborhood on a hill. In addition to the remains of the defenses, you will find very interesting modern buildings here. The Philharmonie Luxembourg, for example, is an architectural masterpiece.

In addition, many buildings have some interesting art works (especially along the Av. John F. Kennedy) and this makes this a really nice neighborhood to explore.

Relax on a terrace on Place d’Armes

Would you like to chill during your city break and get a drink or a bite? Then you should definitely take a look at Place d’Armes, a cozy square in the center of the city. On the east side, you can see the Cercle Cité (a former palace that is now mainly used for exhibitions and events), and all around the square there are cafes with terraces. There is always a space available somewhere. Cheers!

Chemin de la Corniche: walk the city wall

Of course, the Chemin de la Corniche cannot be missed on this list of fun things to do in Luxembourg: from the old city wall, you have the best views over the city. You can really enjoy yourself here for hours and find the best views. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Extra tips for a vacation in Luxembourg

What do you need to know about a holiday to Luxembourg? A few additional tips and things you should know before your trip:

What language do they speak in Luxembourg?

Luxembourgish, French, and German. In addition, almost everyone speaks English and sometimes even Dutch.

Free public transport

You read that right: public transport in Luxembourg is free and that is very convenient! You can also get to many places by public transport, even to the smallest hamlets a bus or train runs every hour (or more often). Check CFL.lu or Google Maps to plan your trip.

You don’t have to buy a ticket or anything, you just get on. Please note: if you travel by train, only second-class travel is free. You do need a ticket to travel first class.

Best places to stay in Luxembourg

There are many places to stay in Luxembourg City, it’s filled with hotels and short-term rentals. Some of the best hotels in Luxembourg are:

• € Youth Hostel Luxembourg City – Do you have a limited budget? Then the only hostel in Luxembourg City is highly recommended. It is located just outside the center, near the beautiful Grund.
• €€ JJ32 – A fun three-star hotel a few minute’s walk from the central station. There are many restaurants in the area and you can walk to the center in 15-20 minutes.
• €€€ Sofitel Luxembourg Europe – Modern 5-star hotel in the Kirchberg district with very nice rooms. Near the tram stop and within walking distance of the Philharmonie and Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean.

You can find more great places to stay on Booking.com.

TIP During the week, most fancy hotels are occupied by businessmen. That’s why fancy hotels in Luxembourg tend to be a lot cheaper during the weekend compared to weekdays. So if you fancy an affordable luxury hotel room, book one during the weekend.

Luxembourg Travel Guides

Unfortunately, there are no recent travel guides for Luxembourg City, but the city is of course described in detail in other travel guides. Here are a few great travel guides to prepare for a holiday in Luxembourg:

Luxembourg (Bradt Travel Guide)

Greater Than a Tourist- Luxembourg: 50 Travel Tips from a Local

You can also read more about Luxembourg on this website. For example:

• The Lee Trail: a beautiful 3-day hike in the heart of Luxembourg
• Explore Esch-sur-Sûre: the most beautiful village in Luxembourg
• 14 awesome Luxembourg attractions (the country)

Keep me updated!

Soon more articles about a Luxembourg and other great European destinations will appear on this website. Sign up for the monthly newsletter if you’d like to stay informed.

Other interesting European cities

Would you like to visit a fun European city that is a little off the beaten track? On this website you can also read about these cities:

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