One day in Luxembourg Itinerary: A perfect Luxembourg day trip

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Tucked between Belgium, France, and Germany is the gorgeous little European nation of Luxembourg. As it’s located very close to Belgium, you can effortlessly take a day trip from Brussels. And this one day in Luxembourg itinerary is perfect for that.

If you are staying in Luxembourg for longer, we suggest venturing outside of Luxembourg City and exploring the countryside. We have included Luxembourg day trip ideas and travel tips as well. Luxembourg’s capital is Luxembourg City.

One Day in Luxembourg Itinerary: Perfect Luxembourg day trip

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Luxembourg means ‘Lucilinburhc’ or little fortress. Truly its history can be traced back to 963 AD when the territory around the castle or the fortress was discovered and ruled by Siegfried I of Ardennes.

Today, Luxembourg is ONE of the richest countries in the world. It is also culturally diverse and plays an important role in the United Nations and European politics. 

Did you know, “The Schengen Visa that is required to travel to Europe from non visa exempt countries, was signed in Luxembourg, in a small town of Schengen?” Hence the name. Learn more fun facts about Luxembourg here

There are many ways to reach Luxembourg. You can fly to Luxembourg City and either drive to the city center or take public transit. Public transport like buses -16, 9, and 114, operate every 15 minutes or so from the Luxembourg Findel airport to the city centre. The fare is 2 euros one way. Travel time is 30 minutes.

Airport taxis are available. Rates start at 30 euros and it takes 30 minutes to arrive at the Luxembourg City center. You can also book a private airport transfer here

Due to Luxembourg’s close proximity to countries like France, Germany, and Belgium, you can definitely drive down to the capital city for a weekend or a day trip.

Here is a day trip from Brussels to Luxembourg on a guided tour. This tour is perfect to get a glimpse of Luxembourg City and check off another European destination, while you are at it. Book your tour here.

If you are driving or taking the train to Luxembourg City, you will be traveling for 2- 4 hours depending on your train station and the city of departure. Once you arrive in Luxembourg, head to the city center to start exploring.

Doing a hop on and hop off sightseeing tour is an option for those who wish to experience a quick glimpse of the city, before settling into exploring the old town area. Book your sightseeing tour here.

Luxembourg City is composed of upper and lower levels. And the city is quite small and you will be perfectly fine exploring the city by walking.

If you are driving to Luxembourg City, we recommend starting your sightseeing at the Ville Haute Quarter via the Passerelle Bridge (Luxembourg Viaduct). This quarter houses the historical center of Luxembourg and has a UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

So, let’s start with the best.

Gelle Fra (Golden Lady) – The Monument of Remembrance

When you arrive at the Ville Haute Quarter, look for a tall monument with a golden lady. This monument is called the Monument of Remembrance. It is a war memorial dedicated to the Luxembourgers who served in the armed forces of the two World Wars and the Korean War.

Gëlle Fra is Luxembourgish for Golden Lady. There are souvenir stores located near the Gëlle Fra statue as well. If you are driving to Luxembourg City or taking a guided tour, you can park your car here. All tourist buses also stop at the Gëlle Fra.

Place de la Constitution

Place de la Constitution (or Constitution Square) contains a memorial dedicated to the heroes of World War II. The square consists of manicured gardens and multiple Luxembourg flags that flutter against the backdrop of bridges and dense forests.

The valley that you see below is the Petrusse Valley.

You can also see a bridge – it is called the Adolphe Bridge, which is a Luxembourg landmark. You will see stunning views of the city from here, also perfect for taking postcard pictures.

Place Guillaume II and Chocolate House

Within Ville Haute quarter is Place Guillaume II – a town square filled with markets, cafes, and gourmet stores and shops offering local products made in Luxembourg. 

The Chocolate House located here is a great place for a quick coffee and a bite to eat before you start walking into the heart of the old town. This little bake shop has chocolates and a wide variety of cakes. Their interiors are super pretty.

Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral – Luxembourg Itinerary

Notre Dame Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church in Luxembourg City. This is the only cathedral in the country of Luxembourg. The cathedral is a great example of Gothic architecture intermixed with Renaissance elements.

The church’s construction began in 1613 under Father Francois Aldenard (Jesuits). The church underwent major expansions from 1953 to 1938. The church has 3 towers – Jesuit church, a bell tower, and a third tower that stands over the transept. We do recommend taking a quick visit to the cathedral before heading on to other tourist attractions.

Palace of Grand Dukes (Palais Grand-Ducal)

Did you know that Luxembourg is called the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and it is the only Grand Duchy in the world?

The Palace of the Grand Dukes or the Palais Grand-Ducal is located in the old town center of Luxembourg. It is the official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. And this is where the Duke performs his duties as head of state. You will find 2 guards at the palace entrance.

The palace is not open to the public at all times of the year. Guided tours to the palace are offered from mid-July to August only.

Luxembourg City Museum 

There are two museums in the heart of Luxembourg old town that is worth visiting. The buildings where the museums are housed had undergone tremendous changes over the decades. It was used as a monastery once upon a time and as separate prison for men and women.

The Luxembourg City Museum (Musee d’ Histoire de la Ville) displays the rich history of Luxembourg via permanent and temporary exhibitions. The museum is a combination of old and the new – a Middle Ages building with modern glass cage life – which offers panoramic and stunning views of the city of Luxembourg.

The museum is open every day except Mondays. The hours are 10:00 am to 06:00 pm. The entry fee is around 5 euros.

National Museum of Art and History and the Fish Market

The Fish Market was originally supposed to be the historical center of the Old Town. The markets here were established at the forecourt of the castles of the Dukes. This area was lined with businesses, including an old market – called the cheese market.

These buildings lining the square at the Fish Market are of great historical value. The National Museum of History and Art (Musee National d’ Histoire et d’Art) is located here. It is a small museum displaying artwork. You can visit the museum for free. Special exhibitions entry fee is 7 euros.

Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art: If you have additional time on your hands, or planning to extend your Luxembourg itinerary to two or more days, then consider visiting the newly opened Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art (opened in 2006). 

Known as Mudam, this is a museum of modern art in Luxembourg City, and it is about a 30-minute walk from the central attractions we have mentioned in this guide so far. You can also reach there by car in under 10 minutes if keen on visiting. 

Mudam is located on the site of the old Fort Thüngen, in Luxembourg’s Clausen quarter. There is an entry ticket to view the complex which is filled with amazing architecture and statues.

Place d Armes for lunch – One day in Luxembourg itinerary

Head to the Place d’ Armes for lunch, before further exploration. The Place d’Armes is a square in the old town, which attracts a large number of locals and visitors.

Place d’Armes originally served as a parade ground for troops defending the city.

Today it pulls visitors during summers, and during winters there are Christmas markets and holiday celebrations at the square.

The square is surrounded by numerous cafés and restaurants, so a perfect place for lunch. Specialty restaurants are a tad pricier than in Belgium. There are fast food and food stall options available at the square as well (budget eating).

There is an administrative building located at the eastern end of Arms Square. It is the Palais Municipal or Cercle municipal.

Casemates du Bock

One of the most formidable fortresses in Europe is the Bock, located in Luxembourg City. Casemates du Bock is a complex of underground tunnels and galleries. In recent history, the casemates du Bock were used as World War II bomb shelters.

Bock’s history can be traced back to the 10th century. It was here that Count Siegfried built his Castle of Lucilinburhuc in 963 A.D., thus laying the foundation of the town of Luxembourg. The Bock serves as a natural defensive fort, with rocky cliffs towering over the River Alzette.

The Bock’s casemates (casemates are fortified gun emplacements) were erected by the Spanish in the 17th century. These casemates helped the Bock resist a 7-month siege by the French Republicans. So much so that in the later years, the Casemates du Bock were ordered to be destroyed so that they could no longer be used as a defense fort.

Today, visitors can explore the old castle ruins and the various underground tunnels and cannon galleries. You can also descend from the heights of the Bock to explore the valley below.

You can visit the Casemates du Bock for 7 euros (for adult entry). They are open every day from 10:00 am to 08:30 pm. Keep in mind, there are tunnels at the Bock casemates and the ground is rocky and uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.

Walk the Chemin de la Corniche

Chemin de la Corniche is a bridge built over the Alzette River, offering you the finest views of Luxembourg City. This is a MUST see tourist spot to view the beautiful valley and take stunning pictures.

The Grund – Highlight of One Day in Luxembourg itinerary

One of the highlights of our Luxembourg itinerary was visiting the Grund. The Grund is a historic quarter located in the lower part of Luxembourg City. There are many things to see and explore at the Grund. We definitely recommend taking a walking tour of the old town.

The Grund neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly and is filled with cobblestone lanes from the 10th century. We recommend taking a stroll and getting lost in their calm and scenic blocks.

As you wander the lanes, you will see the Pétrusse River flowing through the historical ruins and ultimately joining the Alzette (Uelzecht).

One of the MOST popular spots in the Grund is the Neumünster Abbey. The Neumünster Abbey is a bright yellow Benedictine monastery. The abbey had undergone tremendous change over the years – it functioned as an abbey, a police station, and a state prison, including serving as an army barrack.

Today there are exhibitions and workshops and meetups held at the abbey. The abbey also hosts cultural and musical events like the Jazz festival.

We actually spent a lot of time at the Grund – admiring the gardens and lanes.

As the Grund is located at the lower level of Luxembourg City, you will either have to hike or take a lift from the upper level. Pfaffenthal Lift is the answer to that. Pfaffenthal Lift is a glass elevator connecting the “Pescatore” park to the Pfaffenthal area at the bottom of the Alzette Valley.

The glass elevator offers mesmerizing views of the valley and the historical center. You can use the elevator free of charge and it is open till 01:00 am at night. (Note: On the first Monday of the month, it undergoes maintenance work and will be closed). We recommend walking down from the upper valley and then taking the lift back up.

It was late evening by the time we finished exploring. There are options for food in the lower valley. There is a one-star Michelin restaurant and other multi-cuisine varieties to choose from.

Or using the lift you can either head to the upper valley for dinner and then drive away from the parking lot (Ville Haute Quarter).

Day Trips from Luxembourg City 

You can extend your one day in Luxembourg Itinerary by exploring nearby areas and taking day trips. Luxembourg is easily connected by road and train systems in Europe. If your base city is in Luxembourg then definitely explore the nearby countries to maximize your stay. Here are some of the cities that are worth taking a road trip or a train ride (or vice versa).

• Brussels – 2.50 hours drive or 3-hour direct train (Belgium)
• Paris – 3.75 hours drive or 2-hour train (France)
• Strasbourg – 2.50 hours drive or 1.50-hour train (France)
• Cologne – 2.75 hours drive or 3.50-hour train (Germany)

Here are our recommended top 5 day trips from Luxembourg

Echternach Town and Echternach Lake

Located very close to the German border, Echternach Lake Town makes for an excellent day trip from Luxembourg City. It is only 30 minutes away from Luxembourg City.

Echternach Town is the OLDEST town in the entire Luxembourg country and hence has a unique cultural vibe to it. There are churches, old vintage houses, and a 7th century Benedictine Abbey. The old town is historic and very compact and can be explored on foot.

The town hall was built in the 15th century and today it attracts a lot of visitors. An artificial lake – Echternach Lake – is also a tourist magnet. It is perfect for a day out, a picnic, or just a stroll.

There are tons of museums and Roman villas located in Echternach Town. A MUST visit for history lovers. Buses are available from Luxembourg City to visit Echternach Town. Direct bus from 110 or 111 to reach Echternach.

Clervaux – Extend your one day in Luxembourg itinerary

Clervaux is a quaint little town in Luxembourg filled with castles, churches, and monasteries. Clervaux is located about an hour’s drive away from Luxembourg. You can either drive or take the bus to reach there.

Vianden – Most Popular Day trip from Luxembourg City 

Probably the most popular day trip from Luxembourg City is to the fantasy castle land of Vianden. The castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries, on ancient Roman ruins.

Today the castle is turned into a museum, which is dedicated to Victor Hugo. He did a lot in promoting this little town.

You can reach Vianden Village via train or bus. It takes about 45 minutes one way, to arrive in the Village of Vianden from Luxembourg City.

Day trip to Metz – in the Lorrain Valley of France

Located in the Lorrain valley of France, Metz is a must-visit for its rich history of the German Kaisers, castles, and museums. The town also has the tallest cathedral in the whole of France – the Metz Cathedral.

Luxembourg City to Metz drive is about an hour. There are trains available to take you to Metz (45 minutes to an hour duration)

Trier – Day trip from Luxembourg City

Trier is located in Germany. This town has a rich history with Roman structures dating back to 180 BC. Visit this town for exploring Imperial Baths, amphitheaters, Roman bridges, the old town, and Cathedral Square. The walking tour of the old town is very popular with tourists.

You can reach Trier via car in an hour. Trains are available and it takes 1.25 hours to arrive in Trier from Luxembourg City.

Special Mention: Amneville Zoo

Zoo De’ Amneville is located in France and makes an excellent day trip if traveling with kids and family. The zoo shelters over 2000+ animals and a variety of wildlife species.

Where to stay in Luxembourg City? 

If you happen to extend your stay in Luxembourg City, here are some of the places where you can stay.

Melia Luxembourg – A 4-star hotel located in the heart of Luxembourg City

• Great location, walkable distance from the Notre Dame Cathedral
• The hotel offers free WiFi and breakfast.
• It is pet friendly. Has a fitness center on-site
• Mid budget hotel
• Book your stay at Melia Luxembourg

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Luxembourg – Another 4-star hotel.

• Great location – close to the airport
• Upscale hotel with sauna, jogging and fine dining options on-site
• Book your stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Luxembourg

City Hotel Luxembourg – A 4-star hotel in Luxembourg City

• Located about 15-20 minutes away from Gelle Fra and Grand Ducal Palace.
• Kid-friendly
• Offers free breakfast and free WiFi
• Book your stay at City Hotel Luxembourg

Travel Tips for One Day in Luxembourg Itinerary

We have included Europe travel tips here to help prepare for one day in Luxembourg

Travel Documents 

Luxembourg belongs to the Euro Schengen Zone. If you have a European Union Passport, you can enter and exit Luxembourg without any visa. Non-exempt nationals will require to apply for a Schengen visa ahead of their arrival in Luxembourg. You are free to travel to Germany, France, and Belgium on a valid Schengen visa (without multiple entries).

Citizens of the USA and Canada can travel visas free for up to 90 days in the Schengen zone. From late 2023 onward, an online travel authorization is required to be applied to (ETIAS), prior to traveling to Schengen zone countries (for US and Canada passport holders).

Travel Insurance

Always insure your travels. Travel insurance will safeguard against trip cancellations, delays, and lost or stolen baggage. Medical emergencies and accidents are also covered. Get a travel insurance quote customized to your needs below,

Get travel insurance quotes for your trip here

Luxembourg Card for 3-2- or One day in Luxembourg Itinerary

The Luxembourg Card offers great sightseeing benefits. For 1, 2, or 3 days enjoy free access to more than 60 museums and tourist attractions in Luxembourg.

The Luxembourg Card can be used in the entire country, rather than just in Luxembourg City. You can also ride public transit for free.

So if you want to visit Luxembourg on a budget and capture most of the little country, then get the Luxembourg Card.

Alternatively, you can also reserve a spot on a free walking tour of Luxembourg. This tour is operated by TwentyTour in English, and it kicks off at 11:00 am and lasts about 2 hours. More details here.

Best time to visit Luxembourg

We visited Luxembourg in September – the weather was amazing and we really enjoyed walking to the old town. May, June, and September months are very pleasant to visit. During the winter months from November to January, there are holidays and seasonal activities.

The city’s Winter Lights festival is on from November to January.  During the winter season, the city turns into a fairy tale. Winter months are not too extreme, the temperature hovers around 3 degrees Celcius or 37.4 F (low) to 9 degrees Celcius or 48.2 F (high).

February month is cold and wet. June is a busy month with tons of outdoor activities. Outdoor concerts such as Festival OMNI and Fête de la Musique are celebrated across the capital. Hotels are quite expensive around this time. June is also busy as people in Luxembourg are celebrating their National Day – June 23.

July and August are very hot and warm for outdoor activities. May and September are perfect for hiking and wine lovers respectively.

Europe Packing Guide This is the only packing guide to Europe you will ever need.

Road Trip Ideas to Luxembourg City

We visited Luxembourg from Brussels in Belgium by road. We were able to cover the entire one day in Luxembourg Itinerary as mentioned above. The only thing that we skipped was the National Museum of History and Art as we didn’t have enough time to explore that. You can definitely cover most of Luxembourg City in a day.

Arriving early in the city is key. When we looked at train options, we found that most trains would leave at 08:00 am or so and we wanted to maximize the time in Luxembourg so decided to hit the road instead.

Train journeys took 3 hours to arrive in Luxembourg, while a drive was 2.50 hours (and there is flexibility to start at any time you want, unlike trains)

From Brussels on your way to Luxembourg, you can visit Dinant as well. Dinant is located in Belgium. Dinant can be a day stop in your road trip proceeding to Luxembourg for a day. Both Dinant and Luxembourg are perfect day trip options from Brussels.  Here are some of the things you can do in Dinant

Other road trips from Luxembourg include – Paris – 3.75 hours drive, Strasbourg – 2.50 hours drive, and Cologne – 2.75 hours drive.

Luxembourg also forms a part of the Benelux –  Belgium Netherlands and Luxembourg corridor. So if you have a Rail Pass for Benelux – definitely come to Luxembourg.

Is Luxembourg worth visiting?

Luxembourg is a small country with plenty of charm. With its rolling hills, quaint towns, and stunning castles it is no wonder that Luxembourg is definitely worth visiting. 

By spending one day in Luxembourg you can check off attractions like the Neumünster Abbey, Bock Casemates, and Palais Grand-Ducal and take in the views of the capital city from the panoramic elevator!

For those looking to experience a bit more of Luxembourg’s culture, there are also plenty of museums like the National Museum of History and Art or the Natural History Museum in Luxembourg City.

There are numerous medieval castles dotted around the countryside and a variety of excellent hiking trails that offer magnificent views and breathtaking landscapes. Luxembourg is perfect for nature and culture lovers alike!

We hope you found this post useful in planning your one to two or three days Luxembourg itinerary. Yes, there are bigger cities in the world New York City or San Francisco in the United States of America or Dubai in the Middle East (popular as the highest GDP nation), Luxembourg is no less. We highly recommend visiting this beautiful nation full of history, culture, and a modern outlook.

Additional Resources

Here are some of the resources to help plan your trip to Luxembourg and neighboring areas

✔  European Bucket list – Europe travel bucket list ideas

✔  Europe Itinerary Samples – 27 itinerary samples for Europe.

✔  Visiting Europe in winter – Perfect winter breaks in Europe

✔  Visiting Europe in summer – Perfect summer destinations in Europe

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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