Luxembourg City, the European capital city that is small but mighty and the perfect place for a short break.
Even if you only have 24 hours, you can explore some amazing historic spots, enjoy the beautiful architecture and sample some delicious local food & drinks.
Ready to experience Luxembourg City for yourself ? Here’s the cheat-sheet guide to a short visit; where to stay, what to see & how to get around.
Things to Do in Luxembourg City
Explore the Bock Casemates
The Bock Casemates are an underground defence system made up of miles of tunnels, cut into the rock at different levels and confusingly laid out in a series of interconnected areas and dead ends.
The underground system was originally carved out in the 17th century but were further extended over the years.
The impressive fortifications earned Luxembourg the name, āGibraltar of the Northā. The Bock Casemates are a great way to discover the history of Luxembourg City and visitors can also find some great views from here across views of the Grund, Clausen and Pfaffenthal neighbourhoods.
Adult tickets ā¬10, children from age 4 ā¬5, guided tours available.
The Grand Ducal Palace & The Old Town
From the Casemates Bock, it’s a short but pleasant walk to the Ducal Palace through the old town, taking in the historic district of Luxembourg city, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Fishmarket or FĆ«schmaart has a village feel, the narrow old streets now full of pretty corners, shops and cafes. The neighbourhood is also home to the one thousand year old St. Michaelās church and The National Museum of History and Art.
At the heart of the old town, the Grand Ducal Palace. The imposing palace has a beautiful faƧade, which can be viewed and enjoyed all year round. The interior is equally stunning, but can only be viewed by guided tour in the summer months ( July-September), so if you to see inside you’ll need to plan round this.
Free to view the exterior, guided tours of interior ā¬18- adult/ ā¬9- child.
Refuel at The Chocolate House of Luxembourg
After all that exploring, you’ll probably be ready to take a break. The Chocolate House of Luxembourg is the perfect place to pause.
Located in a medieval building with views across the square to the palace, this Luxembourg cafe and chocolatiers serves up a range of sweet treats and drinks to take away or enjoy in the incredibly pretty cafe.
The perfect place to soak up views, see the guards walking in front of the Grand Ducal Palace and maybe even spot one of the Luxembourg royals; they have been known to drop in here.
Pause in a Luxembourg City Garden
The biggest surprise for me in Luxembourg City was how many leafy, green spaces there are. There are gardens and parks galore and they make a great place to stroll or relax. Possibly with a little take away from the aforementioned Chocolate CafƩ?
Reflect at the National Monument of Luxembourg Solidarity
The National Monument of Luxembourg Solidarity is a thought provoking memorial. A central point for commemorating all victims of WW2, it is also a tribute to the the solidarity that Luxembourgers showed during years of Nazi Occupation.
The inner courtyard represents concentration camps and barracks, the rough stone victims of war. In front of it all burns an eternal flame.
Free to visit and freely accessible, located at Plateau du Saint-Esprit.
American Cemetery Memorial, Luxembourg
A few miles out of the city centre, the Luxembourg American Cemetery; 17 acres of manicured lawn, 30 acres of woodland and resting place of 5070 service members.
Among those buried here are several soldiers of the Jewish faith whose headstones are Star of David shaped, one woman- a military nurse and General Patton.
The cemetery is a beautiful place with an impressive memorial chapel, visitor centre, fountains and beautifully maintained gardens.
Open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except December 25 and January 1. Free tours available, must be arranged with 72 hours notice. Accessible by public transport, car parking also available. Full details here.
How to Get Around in Luxembourg City
There’s plenty of options to get around Luxembourg city, including:
- Free Public Transport: Luxembourg is blazing a trail by offering free nationwide public transport. Travellers no longer need to buy tickets for local or regional public transport ( trains, trams & buses). Only first class travel or international routes need to be paid for.
- Walk: Luxembourg City is clean, safe and very walkable. Ideal to explore on foot!
- A Walking Tour: A great way to get under the skin of a city on a short visit and a budget friendly way to explore; join an organised walking tour. Local knowledge, inside jokes and the chance to round off the tour with some authentic Luxembourgish snacks and a drink.
Where to Stay in Luxembourg City
We stayed at Novotel Luxembourg Centre, a clean and comfortable hotel located within the historic centre of the city and just a short walk from the train station. We had a wonderful stay; a warm welcome, well equipped room and a big ol’ buffet breakfast to see us on our way the next day.
Perfect for a short stay, highly recommend.
The Visit Luxembourg App
Whether you are spending one day in Luxembourg City enroute to another destination, or visiting the capital as part of a longer break exploring the rest of Luxembourg, the Visit Luxembourg App can help you make the most of your time.
I hope I’ve inspired you to plan your own trip to Luxembourg, it really is a beautiful country with a friendly and fascinating capital city.
If you enjoyed reading about my brief visit to Luxembourg city, you might like to read about where I went next: across the border into Germany, exploring Saarburg and Trier.
Helen x
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