What to do in Luxembourg In One Or Two Days

What to do in Luxembourg? You’ve almost certainly heard of this country, but what do you really know about it? Luxembourg is at the crossroads of Western Europe. It’s easily accessible from Belgium (we drove from there), France (we drove there afterward!), and Germany, as it shares borders with all three. Yet despite its central location, Luxembourg sometimes flies under the radar. After stopping there for two days this past summer on our way out of Belgium and into France, we cannot recommend it enough.

If you are wondering what awaits in Luxembourg, here is what we saw in Luxembourg during the two days we spent there in the summer. If you have a similar timeframe or are taking a day trip or tour, this guide can help you prioritize what to see in Luxembourg, as well as some practical items to keep in mind that can help you get organized and save money. Let’s see what to do in Luxembourg!

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The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: some basics

Luxembourg is vital in the European Union government, as it is the seat of many of the EU’s institutions. In addition, Luxembourg is a major European financial center. These two make Luxembourg a lot more diverse than some of its neighbors (about half of the population of Luxembourg is foreign. Before becoming the country we know today, Luxembourg was mostly imperial territory, passed along from one empire to another, starting in the late Roman Empire. 

Due in part to its location, Luxembourg’s culture includes traits from its surrounding countries, especially France and Germany. Even its language is, to an extent, a mixture of French and German.

The old city of Luxembourg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, partly because of its excellent preservation. The ancient city walls are also in perfect condition, considering their age and the many times different armies tried (and succeeded) to invade what we call Luxembourg today. Depending on your interests, you can base your list of what to do in Luxembourg on the time you have, weather permitting.

Here are our favorite sights in Luxembourg City: 

Sights We Loved – What to Do in Luxembourg

* The fortress surrounding the city

The fortress ties together with the Bock Casemates to an extent. Think of it this way: if you want to see the free sight, walk around the old town, and you can see the city walls for free. The ancient city of Luxembourg sits where it does because of its location. The town rises above two gorges, which elevates the city a bit and provides a natural fortress, so to speak, that, over time, the city dwellers just had to build upon. Within the fortress, you also have the Bock Casemates, which you can visit for a fee. The fortress should definitely be on your list of ‘what to do in Luxembourg’!

* Bock Casemates

The Bock Casemates have stood the test of time and are a great way to learn how the people of Luxembourg built and maintained their defenses over time. The Bock Casemates are a mix of fortress, crypt, and castle and have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List not as part of the city) since 1994. The Casemates were built in 936 by Count Siegfried, considered Luxembourg’s first count. 

If you have visited the ruins of Ile-de-France ruins in Paris, under the Notre Dame Cathedral, this sight may give you similar vibes. The most significant difference is elevation: the Paris ruins are underground, and the Bock Casemates are higher up, as they are within the city fortress, so while you visit the Casemates, you also get to see the city from other angles. 

* Notre Dame Cathedral

Luxembourg’s only cathedral is one of at least three cathedrals in Europe we know have the same name: we all know the Paris Cathedral, and you may also be familiar with the Strasbourg Cathedral. Get ready to add a third one because the Luxembourg City Cathedral is also a Notre Dame! if you’re wondering what to do in Luxembourg, make a stop at this lovely cathedral!

Following Luxembourg’s Catholic traditions, the church started under the Jesuit order in the early 1600s. Like many other European churches, it follows a Gothic style. Much more subdued than its counterparts, it also has Renaissance elements in its architecture. You can visit the crypt at the bottom of the church, where the Grand Dukes and Duchesses of Luxembourg lay to rest. 

* City of Luxembourg Museum

This is the kind of museum that is perfect for a crash course on the history of a country or city. It’s precisely that: a chronological exhibit on the history of the city of Luxembourg, including artifacts from each period to bring each era to life. 

The city of Luxembourg has existed for over 1000 years, yet the museum condenses its history concisely yet substantially throughout its three floors. Starting with the city’s early foundation and continuing to the present day, the museum can help visitors understand how Luxembourg has evolved and changed with its citizens and its place in the European Union. The museum also highlights Luxembourg’s primary industries over time, showcasing some old and new products that have had a place in the Luxembourgish economy as Luxembourg became a major financial and political center.

Let’s finish with two honorable mentions you can visit as you make your way to or from these other sites: 

* Kaddish Monument

The Kaddish Monument, or the Monument to the Shoah victims, is right by the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The monument honors the Jewish people of Luxembourg who were murdered during the Second World War. The monument sculpture, completed by Shelomo Selinger (a survivor of seven concentration camps and two death marches by the time he was seven years old), is carved in pink granite. Like other similar monuments across Europe, it’s a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects of the war across the entire continent.  

* Place Clairefontaine

Place Clairefontaine has a statue of Grand Duchess Charlotte, who ruled Luxembourg during a significant part of the first half of the 20th century. 

Grand Duchess Charlotte was the head of state of Luxembourg during the Second World War, going to exile in London and leading the Luxembourg resistance from there. After the war, Grand Duchess Charlotte continued building relationships between the Luxembourg government and other heads of state, raising the tiny duchy’s profile on the world stage. Her service to her country in difficult times has made her highly respected by the people of Luxembourg through the years. 

Luxembourg sights we missed

In one sentence, trails. Luxembourg is quite green and has multiple trails outside the city center that are easily accessible through public transportation. Unfortunately, the weather was not stable enough for us to feel confident going out in the woods without rain gear – it rained every day, and we were there quite strongly some of the time. So we decided to stay in the city center and explore there. Here is a great place to start with hiking in the region, as it includes multiple trails and it’s straightforward to access from Lux City: 

* Mullerthal Trails

The Mullerthal Trail is outside of Luxembourg City, but hey, Luxembourg is not a large country (blink, and you’re in Germany!). This trail has three different routes, with varying degrees of difficulty, starting with moderate. The trails walk you through Luxembourg’s “Little Switzerland,” with its medieval castles, thick forests, and expansive meadows. Trails are marked, and many offer viewpoints to take all the fairytale pictures you want. You can take several smaller, alternative loop trails instead to explore Mullerthal. To get there from Luxembourg City, take the bus (remember, it’s free!) In case of rain, however, you’ll want great shoes! Personally, we cannot recommend Timberland boots or Allbirds enough! Weather permitting, hiking is a must when thinking of what to do in Luxembourg.

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Practical items when visiting Luxembourg

• Public transportation is free, which is fantastic. We suggest planning your routes so you can find the type of public transportation you need in advance. Luxembourg City is very walkable, but you may want to see some sights outside the city proper (like some of the trails we wanted to do). 
• French or German may be of limited help. The Luxembourgish language has traits of both languages but is different, so people may need to understand you better if you speak strictly French or German. Do your best, but be prepared for people who need help understanding you. In Luxembourg city, you will likely find people who speak some English, and there are English-speaking signs in most tourist sights. 
• Luxembourg is more expensive than its neighbors, certainly more expensive than Germany and France. However, it’s all about perspective. The costs may not be as shocking if you’re familiar with major cities like Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong, or Tokyo.
• If you want to stay in Luxembourg City, the location may be acceptable: one, because public transportation is free, and two, because the historic center is truly very walkable. We stayed at the Novotel Luxembourg City (our first stay at a Novotel hotel) and found the location very convenient. 
• If you drive to Luxembourg, you will spend what you do not spend on public transportation on parking fees. Parking is expensive—expect to pay at least 20 EUR per day to park your car in a garage. 

Final Thoughts on What to Do in Luxembourg

Travelers tend to overlook Luxembourg in favor of its neighbors with more things to do, but that’s a general traveler oversight that it’s straightforward to fix. When you think about what to do in Luxembourg, plan for a day or two if you’re in a bordering country. We are sure it will surprise you as much, if not more than it surprised us!