Luxembourg
Temperature
-2°
Time
9:37 PM
Luxembourg
Luxembourg, with its modest 1000 square mile area, holds many unexpected treasures. From UNESCO-recognized medieval fortifications to the prized Moselle wines, a lively arts scene, cutting-edge architectural marvels, and influential EU institutions, this tiny European country has something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy skiing on the excellent slopes of the northern Ardennes and exploring the scenic trails of the Valley of Seven Castes or Mullerthal with its unique sandstone formations.Find your trip
Linked to the old town by the imposing Red Bridge, the Kirchberg plateau contains cutting-edge architecture, its glass-defined facades housing various official institutions (including the Luxembourg seat of the European Union), as well as the Philarmonie and MUDAM Museum of Modern Art, designed by the architect whose work includes the iconic glass pyramid of the Louvre in Paris.
The charming area of Grund in Lower Luxembourg is one not to be missed on a city tour. Take the Saint Esprit lift and descent into the valley, where historic monuments (such as the UNESCO-listed Neumünster Abbey) and 14th century houses forge an inviting atmosphere – especially so when the Grund comes alive at night. There is some excellent dining to be had here, including the Michelin-starred Kamakura and Mosconi.
Two former railway roundhouses turned premier cultural hot spot, the refurbished Rotondes complex plays host to multiple artistic events all through the year, from concerts to theatrical performances, exhibitions, design markets, movie screenings, and more. Check the website to see what's on.
This panoramic elevator serves as a handy transportation link between the upper city and Pfaffenthal, an area at the very bottom of the Alzette Valley. Its glass walls provide unobstructed views of Luxembourg from as high as 70 metres above ground. Riding the elevator is free of charge.
The Wenzel Circular Walk is a great way to start off a day of sightseeing: starting at Bock Promontory and via the Castle Bridge, one soon arrives at Chemin de la Corniche, one of the city's most scenic panoramic lookout points. Passing through the Grund Gate and along the Wenzel Wall, you will eventually reach the cultural centre of Neumünster Abbey, following along to Plateau du Rham, containing further defence fortifications.
What remains of the impressive network of underground tunnels dating back to the mid-17th century is now open to the public, and belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Part of Luxembourg's extensive defense structures, the Casemates made up the fortification complex that earned the city its proud nickname of "Gibraltar of the North", for being as impregnable as the rock of Gibraltar.
Luxembourg's own Notre-Dame (the country's only cathedral) dates back to the early 17th century; it's built in the Gothic tradition, with Renaissance decor elements. The cathedral also contains the tomb of John the Blind.
This sobering memorial has become the final resting place for 5,076 American soldiers who lost their lives during WWII. The expansive 50-acre grounds are dotted with sombre white tomb stones, crosses and Stars of David for those of the Jewish faith. There is an informative visitor centre on site.
Linked to the old town by the imposing Red Bridge, the Kirchberg plateau contains cutting-edge architecture, its glass-defined facades housing various official institutions (including the Luxembourg seat of the European Union), as well as the Philarmonie and MUDAM Museum of Modern Art, designed by the architect whose work includes the iconic glass pyramid of the Louvre in Paris.
The charming area of Grund in Lower Luxembourg is one not to be missed on a city tour. Take the Saint Esprit lift and descent into the valley, where historic monuments (such as the UNESCO-listed Neumünster Abbey) and 14th century houses forge an inviting atmosphere – especially so when the Grund comes alive at night. There is some excellent dining to be had here, including the Michelin-starred Kamakura and Mosconi.
Located smack in the heart of Luxembourg City's old town, Brasserie Guillaume is an incredible address to remember for seafood lovers. Seafood quality is taken very seriously here, with regular deliveries from the region's best suppliers. Treat yourself to an oyster platter, or opt for the excellent value offers of the day.
For a taste of traditional Luxembourgish fare, try this local eatery serving up specialities such as "kniddelen" (potato dumplings of sorts) that come in several varieties (try the sampling platter for two if you're interested in having a few).
When asked for a restaurant recommendation, a local will, with a high degree of probability, direct you to Am Tiirmschen, a long-established classic for all things Luxembourgish, food to setting (the restaurant is located inside a renovated Medieval building). The menu features the essential kniddelen, gromperkichelcher (typical potato fritters), beef tartar, and more.
This fixture attracts many, especially so during warmer months, when the outdoor terrace enjoys a popularity. Some of the menu favourites include spätzle (fried egg noodles done the Bosso way), German-style flammkueche (pizza topped with creme freche and more), rösti (potato pancake), schnitzels, and more.
With its rare combination of fine cuisine and manageable price tags, L'Annexe consistently draws in crowds from nearby workplaces during lunchtime, when the price-to-quality ratio is at its ultimate peak. It's an excellent budget alternative to nearby upscale restaurants.
Beet seamlessly pulls off vegan cooking, serving up several varieties of plant-based burgers that can easily compete with their meaty counterparts – with chilly cheese, Vietnamese/mango and portobello patties, to name a few. A menu set comes with fries, salad and sauce.
Michelin-starred chef René Mathieu bewilders imaginations at La Distillerie, which tops the list of Luxembourg's crème de la crème dining experiences. The results of Mathieu and team's culinary effort are stunning in both flavour and presentation. There are no menus – lunch and dinner are served at chef's discretion in the remarkable setting of Medieval Château de Bourglinster.
Almost painfully unremarkable from the outside, Il Bosco enjoys a near-cult following among locals, the main reason being their fantastic, authentic-as-it-gets pizzas oven-baked in traditional Italian style. The hospitable owner family also serves up great pasta, seafood, and meat dishes.
Located smack in the heart of Luxembourg City's old town, Brasserie Guillaume is an incredible address to remember for seafood lovers. Seafood quality is taken very seriously here, with regular deliveries from the region's best suppliers. Treat yourself to an oyster platter, or opt for the excellent value offers of the day.
For a taste of traditional Luxembourgish fare, try this local eatery serving up specialities such as "kniddelen" (potato dumplings of sorts) that come in several varieties (try the sampling platter for two if you're interested in having a few).
A family patisserie with routes going back to the mid-19th century, Namur is still run by descendents of the founding father, and continues to delight with delectable pastries and deserts in Luxembourg and beyond. There is a very broad selection of sweets on offer, as well as artisan chocolates to bring home as souvenirs.
Luxembourg's most respectable chocolatier runs a popular cafe right across from Palais Grand-Ducal, in a beautiful historic building dating back to the 15th century. Although the boutique stocks a plethora of hand-crafted chocolates and sweet spreads, the speciality here is hot chocolate: take a pick from the impressive spoon display featuring a variety of flavours, each individually packaged and ready to become an excellent souvenir or a drink to have right then and there. Treats sold are all-natural, with no artificial additives or palm oil.
Every Wednesday and Saturday sees Luxembourg City's Place Guillaume II (and Place de Paris on Wednesdays) transform into a fresh produce market featuring the finest products from the region: fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, spreads, jams, and more. Many of the towns and villages across Luxembourg host their own weekly produce markets; exact days of the week may vary by location (see link below for details).
A legendary home decor brand with a history of nearly 300 years, Villeroy & Boch produces ceramics that have made appearances everywhere from on board the Titanic to modern-day films and TV shows, such as House of Cards and Ocean's Eleven. The factory outlet in Luxembourg City outskirts is an excellent place to find great deals on both original Old Luxembourg patterns and more experimental modern pieces.
Few places are a better find to shop for all things Luxembourgish than this fantastic store stocking everything from Moselle Valley wines and local beer to ceramics, jewellery, designer accessories, books, and more – all created by artists from the region. It's a treasure trove of memorable, unique gifts and souvenirs.
It doesn't get any more fresh and organic than the Berdorfer Keis dairy farm, which produces multiple varieties of cheese with both cow and goat milk, yogurt, ice creams, and more. The on-site Fromagerie Schmalen-Brouwer shop stocks a selection of regional products alongside those from the farm itself.
Run by one of the country's best sommeliers, Vinoteca is a refined wine bar, tasting room and shop featuring wines from the Moselle Valley. The on-site boutique features nearly 3000 labels of fine wines produced both locally in the Moselle and imported from abroad (among them around 100 vintages).
A family patisserie with routes going back to the mid-19th century, Namur is still run by descendents of the founding father, and continues to delight with delectable pastries and deserts in Luxembourg and beyond. There is a very broad selection of sweets on offer, as well as artisan chocolates to bring home as souvenirs.
Luxembourg's most respectable chocolatier runs a popular cafe right across from Palais Grand-Ducal, in a beautiful historic building dating back to the 15th century. Although the boutique stocks a plethora of hand-crafted chocolates and sweet spreads, the speciality here is hot chocolate: take a pick from the impressive spoon display featuring a variety of flavours, each individually packaged and ready to become an excellent souvenir or a drink to have right then and there. Treats sold are all-natural, with no artificial additives or palm oil.
Luxembourg can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Luxembourg can be visited any time of year. Keep in mind, however, that some attractions, especially in the Ardennes area, may only function at full capacity during the high season months of July and August (for example, guided tours to some castles/museums may only be available during those months). Do not let this be a decisive factor though, since most attractions can still be visited on your own. If you're looking for active pastimes, such as hiking, late spring or early autumn may be your best bets with regard to comfortable temperatures. While the summer season may be better for trips and excursions, the pre-Christmas period with its atmospheric markets is another good time to go, and temperatures rarely drop below zero even in the winter.
Luxembourg's only international airport may be easily reached by public transport. Buses 6, 16, and 29 will take you to the city centre every 10 to 30 minutes. Since March 2020, public transport in Luxembourg is free of charge. For more details on the schedules of these two lines, visit the Luxembourg public transport website: www.lux-airport.lu/parking-transport/bus/ Taxis can be hired at the airport, as well as rental cars: www.lux-airport.lu/parking-transport/taxi/ www.lux-airport.lu/parking-transport/car-rental/ One can also travel to Luxembourg via the German city of Trier (Bus 117, which stops both at the Luxembourg airport and in the city). There are coaches that run to France (Metz, Nancy) and Belgium (Arlon, Bastogne, Marche-en-Famenne) operated by a private provider called Flibco: www.flibco.com/en
Luxembourg has a rather well-developed public transportation system, which is mad up of buses an trains. It's easy to reach any major town or settlement from Luxembourg City using public transport. A full day ticket costs only a couple of Euros more than a single ticket, but allows one to use public transportation as much as desired until 4am of the following day. Bus & train combo tickets are valid on the entire territory of the country.
Check the link below for a list of on-duty pharmacies that remain open 24/7 on a rota basis.
There are multiple taxi ranks in Luxembourg (next to the Central Station and behind the Notre-Dame Cathedral are the two main ones). One is no longer required to get into the first cab in line, each taxi company is free to set its own fare, and all fares must be clearly displayed for the passenger to see (in some cases, it may be worth enquiring whether the driver can offer a flat rate to your destination). For pre-ordering cabs, the Webtaxi service/app (linked below) is a popular option that often has significantly lower rates; you can order a car for a specific time or to arrive as soon as possible. There are also carpooling services for longer transfers within and outside of Luxembourg.
Post offices normally work Monday through Friday, some close for lunch. Post boxes are yellow in colour.
230 volts, 50 Hz Electric outlet type F
Luxembourg can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Luxembourg can be visited any time of year. Keep in mind, however, that some attractions, especially in the Ardennes area, may only function at full capacity during the high season months of July and August (for example, guided tours to some castles/museums may only be available during those months). Do not let this be a decisive factor though, since most attractions can still be visited on your own. If you're looking for active pastimes, such as hiking, late spring or early autumn may be your best bets with regard to comfortable temperatures. While the summer season may be better for trips and excursions, the pre-Christmas period with its atmospheric markets is another good time to go, and temperatures rarely drop below zero even in the winter.
