The Best Attractions in Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a relatively small country, with a total area of 1,650 square kilometers and only around 600,000 residents. Still, lots of attractions in Luxembourg are fascinating and multifaceted.
The bustling capital of the same name is an absolute must-see. Breathtaking sights and an old city await you here, the latter of which has even been declared a World Heritage Site. The city is so compact that you can explore it entirely on foot.
Honestly, it was difficult for us to narrow down the sights to fit in one list, but we managed to cherry-pick the best ones! Read on to learn more about the best attractions in Luxembourg.
The Old Town
The historic old city of Luxembourg is one of the best attractions in Luxembourg, and the perfect place to start exploring the country. The old, fortified city got listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. In fact, it is so impressive that it earned the title of Gibraltar of the North. The fortress was demolished in the middle of the 19th century, but its influence on the city is palpable to this day.
Nowadays, you can discover beautiful parks and gardens instead of stone walls, as well as cobbled streets lined with charming old houses and buildings. A walk through these streets is simply fantastic. Is there anything better than strolling down the narrow labyrinths of Luxembourgian streets?
A walk across the beautiful bridges is also an amazing experience. We suggest visiting Adolphe Bridge, the landmark of the city, and a perfect photo motif.
The Bock Promontory
This is the entrance to the Bock Casemates, a vast, 21-kilometer-long network of subterranean passages carved into the rock. It could house thousands of people as well as gear and horses. Moreover, it also has workshops, kitchens, and slaughterhouses.
On the plateau, you’ll also find the ruins of the old fortress discovered in 1963. The view of the Grud district and the Rham Plateau is totally breathtaking. The old barracks from the 19th century as well as the giant towers and remains of the Wenceslas Wall from the late 14th century will surely amaze you.
The area has a total of 40,000 square meters. A huge part of the fortress is open for you to explore. You have the option to either explore it on your own or join a guided tour. The tour guide will do a phenomenal job in explaining all the history behind each stone and sharing interesting facts about the underground tunnel system.
The Grand Ducal Palace
Built in 1572, the Grand Ducal Palace is a Renaissance masterpiece and was the city hall until the 19th century. Two centuries before that, it was the official residence of the Duchy of Luxembourg.
It is a showstopper, and you can go inside to take a look. The building displays an intricate mixture of different architectural styles, like Romantic and Gothic. Together with modern lighting designs, they form a unique and indescribable symbiosis. The modern part of the building was the creation of the German industrial designer Ingo Maurer.
The chambers of the palace are open to visitors on guided tours from mid-July to early September. During this period, nine daily tours are offered, and tickets are sold at the tourist office in Place Guillaume II. On the tour, you’ll get to see the ceremonial rooms. They are used on special occasions, like the official visits of foreign guests of state.
The Corniche
The Corniche, also known as the “most beautiful balcony in Europe”, grants you a dazzling view of the Old City. The walls run along ramparts built by the Spanish and the French in the 17th century.
The path runs along the Alzette Valley, from the bock promontory, and all the way to the lower part of the citadel. There used to be steep stairs until the 19th century, but they were levelled down with the fortress. Since a huge part of the walls was taken down, you can now enjoy a clear view of the Rham Plateaus, the Alzette Valley, and the old city of Luxembourg.
Place Guillaume II
Place Guillaume II, the former site of a Franciscan monastery, has now been turned into a pedestrian zone. In the middle of this expansive area, you’ll see the equestrian statue of William II, a former Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
The highlight of this square is surely the breathtaking city hall. The famous lions of Tremont and the weekly market are also worth seeing, especially if you want to buy some local produce.
The House of Raville isn’t far away from the square. The building was erected in the 16th century and attracts lots of visitors due to its splendid facades, restored balconies, and spiral staircases. The Spanish Tower is equally interesting, and you’ll have a superb view of the Pfaffenthal suburb. Moreover, the old cavalry barracks of Vauban are also very noteworthy.
After spending quite some time exploring the countless sights of Luxembourg, a break at the Guillaume II square is much-needed. Feel free to visit any of the cozy cafés and restaurants to recharge. Afterwards, you’ll be ready to explore some more!
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame
This Roman Catholic cathedral was built in the 17th century in the late Gothic style. A few years later, a couple of elements from the Renaissance style got added to it, creating an attractive mix that’s unique to this church. Did you know that Notre-Dame is the only church in the whole of Luxembourg? Neither did we!
Among the highlights of this church are the two original choir naves, dating back to the 17th century. There are also three towers you won’t be able to miss. The west tower goes back to when the choir naves were created!
Museums
The Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg
This museum is going to stun all fans of modern art! The Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg, or MUDAM for short, contains some of the finest modern art collections from various worldwide artists. Among those collections are works by Bruce Nauman, Andy Warhol, and Julian Schnabel. Not only that, but the museum also displays temporary exhibitions.
Luxembourg City History Museum
This museum is one of the younger attractions in Luxembourg. It opened in 1996 and rapidly rose to fame for providing a direct insight into the city’s impressive history of more than 1,000 years. The building itself is a graceful blend of old and new, combining a string of old houses from the 17th and 19th centuries with fascinating modern builds.
The museum showcases exhibitions about the first settlers, their growth, and development. After the unbelievable rush of information on this tour, head over to the viewing area to get a nice vista of Luxembourg.
The National Museum of History and Art
This is one of Luxembourg’s most impressive museums. The quality of the museums is exceptionally high in Luxembourg, and each museum raises the bar a bit more.
The stupendous collections of this museum include artworks, archaeological finds, furniture, and documents, all pertaining to Luxembourg. The focus of the National Museum of History and Art is the Gaelic-Roman era.
Conclusion
Luxembourg should be on everyone’s bucket list. The attractions in Luxembourg are endless, which means you should plan ample time for the sightseeing tour.
It’s best to start your tour in the old city. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is worthy of a visit, and you should absolutely go on a leisurely walk through the narrow alleys.
Any description of the Grand Duchy Palace would not do it justice. This has been the official residence of the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg – the country’s head of state – since the end of the 19th century. You can take a look inside on a guided tour.
Don’t miss out on visiting the fascinating Notre Dame, the one and only cathedral in Luxembourg. The choir naves are one of the many reasons why you should visit this Roman church.
You have a wide variety of interesting attractions to explore. For history enthusiasts, the plentiful museums are guaranteed to impress you. We recommend MUDAM, the Luxembourg City History Museum, and the National Museum of History and Art.
It is pretty evident that the attractions in Luxembourg are both fascinating and diverse. The capital is a spectacular destination that we cannot recommend enough. Have a blast!
