The Best Places to Visit in Luxembourg
Luxembourg is the second-smallest country in the EU, but it’s one of the wealthiest per capita on Earth. It sits smack in the middle of Western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany, so it’s an easy add-on to any Benelux or Rhine Valley trip. It’s compact, safe, clean, and has a lot more to explore outside the capital city. It can be expensive in parts, but there are so many charming towns and regions you can visit in this small country of 690,000 people.
Capital: Luxembourg
Currency: Euro
Language: Luxembourgish, German, French
When to visit: May to October
1) Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City is the capital of Luxembourg. It is a beautiful city in a beautiful country which most travelers either miss out on or just skip entirely. Visit Luxembourg City and you are guaranteed to see picturesque fortresses as well as a magical old town.
Things to do:
Make sure you walk through the old town, and see the Grand Ducal palace. You’ll also see the Notre-Dame, as well as various historical sites rich in information. Just take your time wandering by the river and through the scenic streets in the city centre.
How to get there:
To get here, the main train connections are from Brussels and Paris, however smaller cities in Germany and Belgium near the border can have direct connections.
FlixBus is always a cheaper option from surrounding cities and towns.
You can easily book your tickets through Omio.
2) Echternach
Echternach is the oldest town in the entire nation of Luxembourg, dating back to 689 AD. Only around 20,000 people live here, and it is a beautiful, historic place to walk through.
Things to do:
Spend your time in Echternach walking through the old streets of the town. Pass through the Old Town, and stop and visit the Abbey of Echternach. It’s a small town, so you don’t need more than a day to emerge yourself into the beauty of the town.
How to get there:
There are no trains from Luxembourg City, so you’ll need to take a bus from the central station taking about ~45 minutes.
3) Vianden
Vianden is one of, if not the most picturesque and charming towns in all of Luxembourg. The castle in one of the most beautiful in all of Europe, and is the main highlight. The town just feels straight out of a movie. It is extremely peaceful here, the population is in fact only ~1,800 people.
Things to do:
As mentioned, Vianden Castle is by far the biggest highlight and is an extraordinary piece of historic architecture. It also has some beautiful gardens you can wander through. Stroll by the lovely river and soak up the medieval feel of the town.
How to get there:
Since there’s no bus routes from Luxembourg City, you have to train from Luxembourg City to Ettelbruck, than bus from there to Vianden.
4) the Mullerthal trail
Length: 112km
The Mullerthal trail is by the far the most famous hike in Luxembourg, stretching through the area known as ‘Little Switzerland.’ It takes between 4 to 6 days to complete, and is relatively moderate difficulty with no crazy elevation gains or anything like that.
The trail splits into 3 circuits, meaning you can do them individually in any order. It’s convenient for those wanting to break up the hike.
Throughout the trail you’ll see incredible rock formations, lush forests, and even some castles when you pass through the town areas.
There is many camping options and guest houses for those doing the whole trail.
Where is it:
Circuit 1 is best to start in Echternach
Circuit 2 also starts from Echternach, as that is where your first loop ended.
Circuit 3 starts in the village of Mullerthal
Visit the official Mullerthal Trail Website for more information.
How to get there:
To get to Echternach to start Circuit 1 (recommended), take the bus from Luxembourg City.