Luxembourg is a beautiful blend of old meets new. Quirky meets curious and vintage meets modern in this central European country. If you’re visiting for the first time (or even the hundredth), here are the ten very best things to see and do in Luxembourg:

Things to See and Do In Luxembourg City:

See the Grand Ducal Palace

Rather than a King, Queen or President, Luxembourg has a Grand Duke, meaning that Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand Duchy of its kind in the world. A few centuries ago, Grand Duchies were much more common, and the majority were focused in the area in which Luxembourg is situated.

The Grand Duke has one official residence in Luxembourg City itself, and it’s well worth a peek. From July through to September, there are daily guided tours of the Palace if you want to see inside…

Eat at the Place d’Armes

Located in the very center of the city, not far from the Grand Ducal Palace, you’ll find Place d’Armes. This is the focal point and center of the newer parts of the city. It’s where you’ll find live music concerts in the summer (I saw an orchestra playing while eating my dinner one evening) and plenty of outdoor cafés and restaurants to eat at.

Wander through the Grund

As the oldest part of the city, it should come as no surprise that much of the Grund is listed as a historic place of interest. Many of the buildings and fortifications in this area of the city are actually UNESCO world heritage sites, making them well worth a wander around!

Check out the Kirchberg District

Luxembourg is home to some parts of the European Union (it is one of the founding members, after all). In the Kirchberg district of the city, you’ll find all of the EU buildings, as well as countless museums.

Visit the Bock Casemates

Of all the things to see and do in Luxembourg listed here, if you want to get a real feel for the history of the city and country, this is where you should visit!

These ancient tunnels were quite literally hewn out of the rock on which the newer parts of Luxembourg are built. The temperature in these tunnels remains much the same throughout the year (that is to say, it was fairly chilly in the tunnels which was a welcome relief from the sweltering summer heat outside).

In total, 17 kilometers of tunnels remain and are well worth a visit. A trip inside these medieval tunnels and fortifications is free with a Visit Luxembourg Card and the tunnels are open on a daily basis throughout the Spring, Summer and Autumn seasons.

See one of the many museums the city has to offer

From the National Museum of History and Art to the Villa Vauban (housing the city’s art collection) Luxembourg is rich in culture and has a surprising number of museums for a city numbering just over 120,000. In total, there are seven museums to see and enjoy, all conveniently located along a mile stretch known as ‘Museums Mile’.

Enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafés dotted around Luxembourg City

Café culture is alive and well in Luxembourg’s capital (and indeed beyond it). As such, there are plenty of cute little cafés, brasseries, and restaurants where you can enjoy one of the many blends on offer. Wander the narrow streets and experience an offbeat side to Luxembourg filled with patisseries and good coffee.

Things to do outside of Luxembourg City:

No trip to Luxembourg would be complete without at least one venture out into the countryside. From amazing hiking trails, you fairy tale like Castles, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in the country. Plus, as the country is quite small, it’s easy to pack multiple activities (like castle visits) into a single day trip from the city. After all, a drive from North to South of the country takes no more than a few hours…

Visit the Castles of Beaufort

Whether you’re more interested in Renaissance furniture, or if you prefer wandering around castle ruins, Beaufort has you covered. For, in the little town of Beaufort (Luxembourgish: Beefort), you’ll find a 17th-Century Renaissance Château and the remains of a medieval Castle. Both are well worth a visit, though the Renaissance House can be seen by guided tour only.

See the Family of Man

Situated in the picturesque town of Clervaux, you’ll find a grand restored Castle. It is here, within the thick walls of this castle that you’ll find a variety of museums houses. There’s a museum dedicated to models (small scale models of the castles of Luxembourg), a museum dedicated to the battle of Ardenne, and the Family of Man.

Whether you’re a photographer, or just enjoy seeing fine photography, a visit to the Family of Man is a must-see. The collection of images and photographs from all over the world was carefully curated by the Director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in the 1950s. The Museum highlights the values that bind us as humans, no matter where we come from.

Visit Echternach

As the oldest settlement in Luxembourg, it should come as no surprise that the adorable town of Echternach is rich in history and things to do. From the remains of the Roman Villa located a thirty-minute walk outside the city to seeing the abbey that founded the country, you’re sure to find something you like!

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Right in the middle of Europe, you’ll find the beautiful country of Luxembourg. A landlocked country, it’s full of forests, fairytale castles, and jagged gorges. The capital of the country is also called Luxembourg and is situated to the South of the Country. Here are 8 things to know and tips for first time visitors to Luxembourg:

8 Tips for first-time visitors to Luxembourg

1. It’s a Grand Duchy (the only one of its kind in the world)

There is no King or Queen of Luxembourg. Instead, there’s a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess. The current Grand Duke is called Henri and he has been Grand Duke since 2000. Much like the Queen of England, the country celebrates his ‘official’ Birthday each year.

Currently, this date is set on the 23rd of June and the evening before, on the 22nd, is when all Luxembourgers come out to party! The festivities are marked by a day of holiday and celebrations often continue on throughout the night until 6am.

2. The city is divided into different parts, make sure to check out a few different areas!

From the Grund in the bottom of the valley to the shiny new buildings of the European Union in the Kirchberg district of the city, each area of Luxembourg has its own unique atmosphere and vibe, with a variety of things to do. Whether you prefer modern art museums, to open air concerts, to a great food scene, Luxembourg has you covered!

3. Bring some good, comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be walking a lot!)

The best way to get around the city of Luxembourg is by foot (particularly in areas of the city such as the Grund where the streets are narrow). As such, it’s best to bring shoes that are comfortable and easy to walk in.

4. Try Luxembourgish food (at least once!)

Although Luxembourg is known for its international scene, it still has many dishes of its own. During my time in the country, I tried a wide range of tasty dishes from around Europe and beyond. After all, Luxembourg is home to a whole host of EU institutions and welcomes international visitors all the time.

But… I also made sure to try a Luxembourgish specialty whilst there (as it’s hard to find the dish anywhere else). Pictured below, you’ll see Kniddelen. This dish comprises of a type of dumplings. You can get both meat and vegetable varieties.

5. The currency to use is the Euro

Fun fact: Luxembourg is one of the founding members of the European Union. As a result, the currency used in Luxembourg is the Euro. This is particularly useful if you’re planning to visit nearby countries such as France and Germany. (All use the Euro and so you won’t have to exchange your money twice!)

6. Visit the countryside (if only for a couple of hours)

If you only have time to visit one place, make it Vianden. A fairytale castle and town are situated in the North of Luxembourg a couple of hours drive away from Luxembourg City. If it’s your first time in Luxembourg, and you’re worried about wasting your precious time in transport, then you shouldn’t.

For, the travel time is well worth it; the magical castle of Vianden is one of the largest surviving castles in the area today. The town itself was once home to Victor Hugo and has a museum dedicated to his life and works in the town center.

7. Luxembourg has its own language

In actual fact, Luxembourg has three official languages; French, German and Luxembourgish. Due to its central nature as a landlocked European country, Luxembourg borders on France and Germany and many of the residents I met spoke as many as seven languages fluently!

8. Get a Visit Luxembourg Pass

Of all the tips for first time visitors to Luxembourg, this is probably the most important. To save you hassle, time (and in many cases, money), I highly recommend purchasing a Visit Luxembourg Pass.

There are various different options for the Luxembourg Pass; including family cards and varying lengths of stay cards. The cards can be used for a variety of attractions, as well as for much of the public transport throughout the country.

Pin tips for first time visitors to luxembourg for later:

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