Luxembourg Travel Guide: City, Castles and Trails

Visit Luxembourg, the national tourism board, describes the country as one of Europe's smallest, with a population of just over 660,000, bordering Belgium, Germany and France. It lists the fortifications of the Old Town of Luxembourg City, the Mëllerdall Nature & Geopark and the Minett Biosphere Reserve among its UNESCO sites.

The tours on this page start from Luxembourg City and cover the old town, castles, waterfall trails, cycling and food.

Places to visit in Luxembourg

Luxembourg City

The capital grew up around a fortress established in 963 and later known as the "Gibraltar of the North". Visit Luxembourg says its Old Quarters have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. It lists the Corniche, the Grund district and the Bock Casemates among the sights.

Mullerthal

Known as Luxembourg's Little Switzerland, the Mullerthal has sandstone formations, ravines and woodland. The 112-kilometre Mullerthal Trail is the main hiking route, and the Mëllerdall Nature & Geopark received the UNESCO Global Geopark label in 2022. Echternach, the historical centre of the region, holds the Hopping Procession each Whit Tuesday.

Éislek and the castles

Éislek is the north of Luxembourg, in the Ardennes. Visit Luxembourg names Vianden Castle, Bourscheid Castle and the castle in Clervaux, which holds The Family of Man photo exhibition, among its highlights. It also lists Larochette Castle and the Valley of the Seven Castles hiking trail.

Moselle

Visit Luxembourg describes the Moselle as the home of the country's still and sparkling wines, and says the vine has shaped the silhouette of its hillsides. It also lists traditional dishes such as Gromperekichelcher, Kachkéis and Rieslingspaschtéit.

Getting to Luxembourg

Visit Luxembourg says Lux-Airport is six kilometres from the centre of the capital and has more than a dozen airlines, including the national airline Luxair. A shuttle bus runs between the airport and the city.

The tourism board lists rail links from Germany, France and Belgium. It says the TGV Est high-speed train takes 2 hours 10 minutes from Paris to Luxembourg. Long-distance bus services also run to and from several cities in neighbouring countries.

Getting around

Visit Luxembourg describes a network of trains, trams, buses and a funicular, with timetables on mobilitéit.lu. Taxis and car rental providers are listed on its Getting around page.

The country has around 600 kilometres of cycling routes and 700 kilometres of mountain bike trails, according to the tourism board. Bikes can be rented at several rental points in the capital and in the regions.

When to go to Luxembourg

Spring

The Echternach Hopping Procession takes place on Whit Tuesday, according to the tourism board.

Summer

Visit Luxembourg points to the Schueberfouer funfair and summer music festivals such as the Blues'n'Jazz Rallye. In the north, you can swim in the Upper Sûre lake in summer.

Autumn

The Museum Night is held in October. The Vianden nut market takes place on the second Sunday of October.

What to book ahead

• Check the Whit Tuesday date if you want to see the Echternach Hopping Procession.
• Look up festival and fair dates, such as the Schueberfouer, before you fix your trip.
• Check castle opening days before you go; Berg Castle, for example, can only be visited from the outside.
• Guided tours run on fixed days; check dates before fixing your route.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change over time. Check the current rules on the Luxembourg Government visa and immigration page before you book, and confirm again shortly before you travel.

Official source: Luxembourg Government, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs: Visa & immigration.

Frequently asked questions

Which parts of Luxembourg are UNESCO sites?

Visit Luxembourg lists the fortifications of the Old Town of Luxembourg City, The Family of Man exhibition in Clervaux, the Echternach Hopping Procession, the Mëllerdall Nature & Geopark and the Minett Biosphere Reserve.

How far is the airport from the city centre?

Visit Luxembourg says Lux-Airport is six kilometres from the centre of the capital. It also says the capital is a 20-minute bus ride from the airport.

How long is the Mullerthal Trail?

Visit Luxembourg gives its length as 112 kilometres. It carries the Leading Quality Trails label.

Can you visit Berg Castle?

Visit Luxembourg says Berg Castle in Colmar-Berg is the residence of the Grand Duke and can only be visited from the outside.

Do I need a visa for Luxembourg?

It depends on your nationality. The Luxembourg Government publishes the current rules on its visa and immigration page, so check it before you book.