Things to do in Luxembourg City: casemates, gorges and free trams
Luxembourg City is a small capital built on a rock above two river gorges, with old fortifications, a compact old town and a modern business district. Two days is enough for the sights, and a third lets you reach the castles and vineyards outside. The one thing to know: all public transport in the country is free, so you can ride everywhere without buying a ticket.
The short answer
- First trip
- Walk the old town and the Chemin de la Corniche, go down to the Grund, and see one set of casemates. Add a museum if it rains.
- Where to stay
- Ville Haute for the sights, the Gare quarter for trains and a lower price, Kirchberg for modern hotels and museums.
- How many days
- Two days for the city. Three if you add a castle town such as Vianden or the Moselle.
- Best time to go
- May to September for the long days and open casemates, December for the Christmas markets.
- Book ahead
- A Grand Ducal Palace tour in summer, and a table at the better restaurants on a Friday or Saturday.
- From the airport
- Bus 29 reaches the main station in about 20 minutes, and the tram runs to the center in about 16 minutes from Theater.
Where to stay in Luxembourg City, in brief
Ville Haute
the sights on foot
The upper old town, with the palace, the cathedral and the shops. It is the most convenient base, and it is quiet after the shops close.
Gare
trains and a lower price
The area around the main station, with most of the city's mid-range hotels. Practical and well connected, but not pretty, and some streets feel rough late at night.
Grund
a view and a night out
The old quarter in the valley below the fortress walls, with bars, restaurants and a few small hotels. Pretty, but there are steep climbs back up.
Kirchberg
modern hotels and museums
The European institutions' plateau, with the Philharmonie, the Mudam museum and large hotels. Calm and glassy, a tram ride from the old town.
Things to do in Luxembourg City
Bock Casemates
Tunnels cut into the rock under the old fortress, with viewpoints over the Grund. They are open for part of the year, so check the dates before you go.
Chemin de la Corniche
A promenade along the old city wall, with views down into the Alzette valley and the Grund. Free, and best in the morning light.
Grund and the Alzette valley
Walk down to the river quarter, past the Neumünster Abbey, and up again by the lift or the steps. It is the best place for an evening drink.
Place d'Armes and Place Guillaume II
The two main squares of the upper town, with cafes, a market and the city hall. A good place to start a walk.
Grand Ducal Palace
The grand duke's town residence, which opens for guided tours in the summer weeks. The facade is worth a look in any season.
Book a summer tour a few weeks ahead through the city tourist office.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
A late-Gothic and baroque church in the old town, with the grand ducal crypt. Free to enter outside services.
Pétrusse Valley and Pont Adolphe
A park path runs through the Pétrusse gorge beneath the Adolphe Bridge. Walk it down from the old town and take the tram back up.
Mudam and the Philharmonie in Kirchberg
The modern art museum and the concert hall sit side by side on the Kirchberg plateau. Take the tram, and see Fort Thüngen (Dräi Eechelen) next door.
Musée national d'histoire et d'art
A museum of archaeology, history and art on the edge of the old town. Check the opening days on its own site, since many museums close on Mondays.
Pfaffenthal and Clausen
Two quieter valley quarters, with old houses and a river walk. Clausen has a string of bars along the Rives de Clausen.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Luxembourg City can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Luxembourg City, and which to pick- A Grand Ducal Palace tourA few weeks ahead for summer
The palace is open for visits for only part of the summer, and slots are limited.
- A table at a leading restaurantA few days ahead, longer for Friday and Saturday
The city is small and the well-known rooms fill up with business diners.
What to skip in Luxembourg City
- Driving into the old town
Parking is dear and roads are closed to traffic in the center. Park at the edge, or leave the car, since the trams and buses are free.
- Planning a Monday around museums
Many museums close on Mondays. Spend that day on the walls, the valleys and the markets instead.
- A full day of shopping in Ville Haute
The main streets are mostly international chains. Spend the time in the Grund or on a day trip.
Best time to visit Luxembourg City
May to September is the best stretch, with long days, open terraces and the casemates open. July and August can be warm. The Schueberfouer funfair runs on the Glacis in late summer.
December has Christmas markets on Place d'Armes and Place Guillaume II, but it is cold, and the casemates are closed. April and October are quieter and cheaper, though some outdoor sights keep short hours.
- Free public transportBuses, trams and second-class trains are free across the whole country, so there is nothing to buy. First-class train seats cost extra, and a few night buses charge a fare.
- From Luxembourg airportBus 29 reaches the main station in under 22 minutes, with a bus every 20 minutes. The tram to the airport opened in March 2025 and takes about 16 minutes from Theater.
- On footThe old town, the Grund and the Pétrusse valley are all walkable. Expect hills and stairs between the plateau and the valleys.
- By trainTrains run from the main station to Brussels, Paris, Strasbourg, Trier and across the country. Check times on mobiliteit.lu.
Luxembourg City in two or three days
- Day 1
Start at Place Guillaume II, then walk the Corniche to the Bock. Go down to the Grund for lunch and an evening drink.
- Day 2
Cross the Pont Adolphe, walk the Pétrusse, then take the tram to Kirchberg for Mudam and Fort Thüngen.
- Day 3
Take a bus or train to Vianden, Echternach or the Moselle, free on the national network.
Day trips from Luxembourg City
- ViandenA small town under a large restored castle in the Our valley. It takes roughly an hour and a half by train and bus, so check the journey first.
- Echternach and the MüllerthalOne of the oldest towns in the country, beside a region of rocky hiking trails. It is reached by bus in about an hour.
- Moselle and TrierWine villages on the Moselle river, and then the Roman city of Trier across the German border, about 50 minutes by train.
Luxembourg City: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Luxembourg City?
Two days covers the old town, the Grund, the casemates and one museum. Add a third day if you want a castle or the Moselle.
Is Luxembourg City worth visiting?
Yes, for a short stop. It is small, safe and scenic, with a dramatic position on a rock above two gorges. It is not a place for a long stay.
Is public transport really free in Luxembourg?
Yes. Buses, trams and second-class trains are free for everyone across the country, including visitors. First-class seats and some night buses cost extra.
Is Luxembourg City expensive?
Yes, hotels and restaurants are priced high. Lunch menus and free transport help, and many of the best sights cost nothing.
What is the best time to visit Luxembourg City?
May to September for the long days and open sights, and December for the markets. Spring and autumn are quieter.
Where is the best area to stay in Luxembourg City?
Ville Haute for the sights, the Gare quarter for trains and a lower price, and Kirchberg for modern hotels and museums.
Can you do Luxembourg City in one day?
Yes. Walk the old town and the Corniche, go down to the Grund, and see the Bock Casemates if they are open.