Luxembourg is very close to Paris, just 2 hours and 15 minutes away from the capital by TGV, yet it is not a destination one thinks of for a short stay from Paris, and that is a shame! Especially since it is the ideal destination for French speakers, as the three main languages spoken there are Luxembourgish, German, and of course, French. It is therefore very easy to make yourself understood. Luxembourg, often perceived only as a major financial center in Europe, reveals many other facets to the curious traveler. A former iron and steel stronghold, this Grand Duchy has successfully reinvented itself while preserving a rich historical and natural heritage. Not to mention the fact that Luxembourg benefits from a significant advantage for exploring the country: public transport is completely free for everyone, a unique initiative of its kind!
Luxembourg City is the capital of this small country (a little over 2,500 km2) in the heart of Europe, which gained its independence in 1839. The city and the region are teeming with heritage, culture, and gastronomic specialties. It also enjoys a strong multiculturalism (more than 160 nationalities coexist there in a very international atmosphere) and a certain dynamism, due to the many nationalities of its inhabitants. It is also a very green city (green spaces cover nearly 50% of the city’s territory), which possesses numerous parks and gardens, and where life is good because all the main sites are accessible on foot. First, here is a small selection of visits, places to discover, and things to do in the city center of the capital of Luxembourg. I will then write another article about gastronomy and wine in Luxembourg, with my small selection of favorite addresses, as usual.
We went to discover this destination in April 2025 with the favorite photographer (and I had visited it alone for the first time back in 2015), and this article concatenates the experiences of these 2 trips. Below, as usual, I offer you a small selection of things to do and see if you come to spend a few days in Luxembourg, as well as my accommodation recommendations, tested and approved.
Table of Contents
Practical info for visiting Luxembourg City
Practical information and tips:
- Getting around: Public transportation (buses, trams, trains) is free throughout the Luxembourg territory (if that isn’t a great tip!?)
- Connection: The city of Luxembourg offers free Wi-Fi under the name CITYWIFI, so you can connect for free during your stay.
- Museums: The Luxembourg Museum Days in May offer an open house weekend where museums are free for these 2 days / and in October, the Luxembourg Museum Night offers activities in the museums of the country’s capital.
Visit Luxembourg
Luxembourg City Tourist Office (LCTO)
30 Place Guillaume II, L-1648 Luxembourg
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How to get to Luxembourg City?
- Go by train from Paris: count about 2 hours and 20 minutes by TGV from Paris Gare de l’Est to arrive at Luxembourg station.
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My tip for visiting Luxembourg: the LuxembourgPass
This digital pass is available for a duration of 1, 2, or 3 days (which do not necessarily have to be consecutive, and the pass is valid for 365 days from the first use) as an individual card (€21 / €31 / €36), for 2 people (€36 / €46 / €51), or as a family/group card of 3 to 5 people (€51 / €61 / €66). This pass is really a great tip because it allows access to numerous places/attractions throughout Luxembourg for an attractive price, as well as discounts at several sites. In short, if you are going to Luxembourg for a bit of tourism, I highly recommend it; it will quickly pay for itself.
Practical: you can buy the Luxembourg Card at tourist information offices, at train stations, at the National Tourist Office, in youth hostels, campsites, with hosts, guesthouses, in the majority of sites participating in the card, or on the Visit Luxembourg website.
What to see and do in Luxembourg City?
Capital of the Grand Duchy, Luxembourg City is a city built on several levels (with an upper city and a lower city), straddling impressive gorges carved by the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers. With about 135,000 inhabitants, it is a city on a human scale where millennial history and modernity mingle. The historic heart, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is full of architectural treasures and spectacular viewpoints. The traces of Vauban, the famous French architect of Louis XIV, can also be found everywhere in the constructions of the old city, and the modern city also rests largely on the old walls of the fortress. A little anecdotal bonus (but one that can take on a certain importance for the fairer sex, which I am part of), the presence of numerous free public toilets makes visiting the city much easier and more pleasant.
For our part, we used the city’s public transport (buses and trams) a lot to get around, since they are free, and I find this greatly simplifies discovering the capital. Below, as usual, I offer you a selection of things to do and see if you come to spend a stay in Luxembourg City. You will notably see that the capital of Luxembourg offers a very beautiful cultural offer with numerous museums to discover.
Also not to be missed: take a stroll along the Corniche on the 17th-century ramparts, which offer breathtaking views of the valley and Neumünster Abbey.
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Take a guided tour of the city: the City Promenade
If it is your first time in Luxembourg City, it might be a good idea to discover, in the company of an official guide, the specific attractions of the city during a walking tour of about 2 hours. It is an opportunity to learn more about the rich and complex history of the city. Did you know, for example, that the first Count Sigefroi initially settled on the Bock Rock, founding a small castle in the Middle Ages that would become the cradle of the city? The fortress was later coveted and reinforced over the centuries, notably by Vauban after the city was taken by the troops of Louis XIV. During the visit, you discover the Grand Ducal Palace, official residence of the head of state, a 16th-century building in the Flemish Renaissance style (which I will tell you more about below). We also mention local legends like that of the mermaid Melusina, or the story of the Gëlle Fra (the Golden Lady), an iconic monument commemorating Luxembourgish soldiers.
Tested in 2025 - Invitation
Official Guided Tour: the City Promenade
Departure in front of the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, Place Guillaume II
Daily at 12:00 PM (German and French) and 2:00 PM (German and English)Rates: adult €18 / reduced €14.50 / children €9 / free for under-4s
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Take the panoramic elevator
This panoramic elevator allows you to connect the upper city and the lower city quickly and effortlessly. You can even take it with a bicycle if necessary. And then, a nice bonus, it is free and also allows you to enjoy a magnificent view of the lower city, the “Red Bridge” Grand Duchess Charlotte overlooking the valley, and the surrounding area.
Pfaffenthal Panoramic Elevator
2 Rue du Pont, 2344 Pafendall, Luxembourg
The tip: free to use
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Visit the Bock Casemates and the Archaeological Crypt
You can visit a part of this 18th-century underground fortification network, which includes 17 km of galleries on several levels and which constitutes one of the main tourist attractions of Luxembourg today. The two casemates (those of the Bock and those of the Pétrusse, which can also be visited) constitute an extraordinary network of underground galleries, which were carved into the rocks of the city to serve as military defense under Spanish rule in the 17th century, and were later widened twice. They have been open to the public for visits since 1933, and the latter also allows you to have a magnificent view of the city. They have also been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1994. The tour begins with the Archaeological Crypt, a didactic antechamber to the casemates that houses the cradle of Luxembourg, that is to say, the remains of the first comital castle, erected in the 10th century on the “Bock” promontory, above the Alzette river, by the founder of the city, Count Sigefroi.
My advice: as this site is very popular, I recommend pre-booking your visit time slot online to ensure you don’t have to wait once you are there.
Visited in 2015 and in 2025
Bock Casemates and Archaeological Crypt
Montée de ClausenOpen every day from 9:45 AM to 5:00 PM
Rates: adult €10 / reduced €8 / children €5
The tip: free with the LuxembourgPass
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Visit Villa Vauban
This bourgeois villa from 1873 (built on the 17th-century foundations of a Vauban fort, hence its name), with its contemporary extension, is located in the middle of a historic municipal park of the city, where it is lovely to walk. Today, the place, which became the Art Museum of the City of Luxembourg in 2010, houses collections of European paintings and sculptures from the 17th to the 19th century (Netherlands, France, Italy…) and also Luxembourgish artworks from the 19th to the 21st century. The villa regularly offers temporary exhibitions and also provides a program of varied activities in addition to its permanent exhibition.
Visited in 2025
Villa Vauban
Rates: €5 adult / €3 reduced
The tip: free with the LuxembourgPass / free for everyone on Fridays from 6 PM to 9 PM / free for under-21s and students under 26
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Go see the Grand Ducal Palace
The city residence of the Grand Duke, this palace features a very beautiful Flemish Renaissance-style facade (from the 16th century), and during the summer, you can exceptionally visit the interior of the building, which is closed to the public the rest of the year. During my visits to Luxembourg City, I unfortunately never had the opportunity to visit the interior… That will be for another time.
The Grand Ducal Palace
Guided tours every day except Wednesdays, from mid-July to September
Place Guillaume II, L-2011 Luxembourg
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Visit the Luxembourg City History Museum: Lëtzebuerg City Museum
This museum about the millennial history of the Grand Duchy’s capital has been housed since 1996 in 4 historic houses in the old town, whose foundations date back to the 13th century. It presents on 3 floors the history of the city and its legends in a very beautiful permanent exhibition, “The Luxembourg Story,” through a collection of objects and topographical models. It also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions on the top 2 levels of the museum. During your visit, I recommend taking the large glass elevator that allows you to travel through 6 levels, from the rock on which the city is built to the top floor, from where you can see the lower city and the Rham plateau with its remains of the medieval ramparts.
Visited in 2015 and in 2025
Luxembourg City History Museum / Lëtzebuerg City Museum
14, rue du Saint-Esprit L-2090 LuxembourgOpen every day except Monday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Thursdays until 8:00 PM
Rates: adult €5 / reduced €3
The tip: free with the LuxembourgPass / free admission every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM / free for under-21s and students under 26
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Visit the National Museum of History and Art
This museum located in the city center is huge (it covers an area of 6,200 m2). It allows you to learn more about the country’s history (from prehistory to the modern era with the main archaeological sites of the Grand Duchy) through its public collections of archaeology, history, and art. The museum is laid out in the form of thematic paths. It is also the ideal place to discover a small part of Luxembourgish art. In short, it is really a must-visit museum if you want to know more about Luxembourg. And if I had to give you a piece of advice, it is to plan at least half a day to be able to enjoy it to the fullest.
Visited in 2015 and in 2025
National Museum of History and Art
Marché-aux-Poissons L-2345 LuxembourgOpen Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (and until 8:00 PM on Thursdays)
Temporary exhibition rates: adult €7 / reduced €5 / free for students under 26
The tip: free with the LuxembourgPass / free admission for all to the permanent collections / night opening on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with free access to temporary exhibitions as well
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Visit the Mudam
The Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art (Mudam) is a must for contemporary art lovers. Housed in a spectacular building, on the site of an old fortress, it was designed by the Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei (the architect of the Louvre pyramid in Paris) with a very recognizable light, sandblasted stone called Magny Doré. The museum offers temporary exhibitions of international and Luxembourgish artists (which change several times a year), as well as a permanent collection. It is a dynamic place that questions our era through various forms of artistic expression. We also took advantage of our visit to have lunch at the Mudam Café, which offers a pleasant setting and simple, fresh cuisine, but I will tell you more about it in my special food and favorite addresses in Luxembourg article.
Visited in 2025
Mudam Luxembourg – Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art
3 Park Drai Eechelen, L-1499 Luxembourg-Kirchberg
Hours: open every day except Monday
Rates: Adults €10 / reduced €7
The tip: free with the LuxembourgPass / free for under-21s / free for everyone on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 9 PM during night openings
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Visit the Draï Eechelen Museum
In the same neighborhood as the Mudam, which I just told you about, on the side of the Kirchberg Plateau, do not miss visiting this free museum, housed in the Fort Thüngen redoubt built in 1732. The collections of the permanent exhibition, which allow you to discover the history of Luxembourg and its fortress from the end of the Middle Ages until its dismantling in 1867, are installed in very well-preserved casemates. The first floor of the museum is devoted to the presentation of temporary exhibitions.
Visited in 2025
Draï Eechelen Museum
5 Park Drai Eechelen, 1499 Clausen Luxembourg
Open every day except Monday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (and until 8:00 PM on Wednesdays)
The tip: the museum is free for everyone, all the time
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Go see the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Luxembourg
The “Notre-Dame” Cathedral of Luxembourg was built in the 17th century by the Jesuits to serve as a church for the college (currently the National Library), and its north portal is characteristic of the half-Renaissance, half-Baroque style of the time. It also houses the miraculous statue of the “Comforter of the Afflicted” and a crypt where the bones of King John the Blind rest. Do not hesitate to go and take a look!
Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Luxembourg
Rue Notre-Dame L-2240 Luxembourg
Free and open access during opening hours
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Stroll through the 3 Glands Park
If you are looking for a place to walk, I recommend going to 3 Glands Park (Draï Eechelen), located in the business district of Kirchberg. You discover the past of Luxembourg, at the time when the city was fortified. The park stretches behind the Philharmonie, and you can also find the Mudam Museum of Modern Art and Fort Thüngen, which I told you about a little above. Redesigned by landscape architect Michel Desvigne, the site offers a magnificent panoramic view of the old town. And as a bonus, you can also pass through the park to reach the lower city, then take the panoramic elevator (which I told you about above) and thus connect to the old town.
3 Glands Park
5, Park Drai Eechelen, L-1499 Luxembourg City
The tip: free and open access
LUGA – Luxembourg Urban Garden
This event offers an open-air exhibition of urban gardens, landscape and artistic installations, agricultural projects, and ephemeral living spaces.
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Discover the LUGA – Luxembourg Urban Garden – 2025 Edition
We were lucky to have a preview of the installations (still in the finalization stage) of the LUGA – Luxembourg Urban Garden, which runs for 162 days from May 7 to October 18, 2025. Born from an idea in 2012 and coordinated by Ann Muller, this open-air horticultural and urban exhibition aims to make the green beauty of the city visible, of which nearly half of the territory consists of green spaces. Under the aegis of mayor Lydie Polfer, LUGA will propose an 11 km route through the city, marked by more than 50 ephemeral installations created by numerous partners on 4 iconic sites: the Édouard André municipal park (imagined by the landscape architect of the same name at the end of the 19th century), the Pétrusse and Alzette valleys, and Kirchberg.
The event, partly free, highlights urban gardens and green initiatives, such as the orchid collections at the Fondation Pescatore. A beautiful way to discover Luxembourg City from a different angle for 6 months. The theme of this first edition is “Making the invisible visible” with the goal of illuminating the path toward greener, more sustainable cities that are more respectful of the planet.
LUGA – Luxembourg Urban Garden 2025
Dates: from May 7 to October 18, 2025
Location: Several sites in Luxembourg City (11km route) and also in Ettelbruck (5 km)
The tip: free access
What to see and do around Luxembourg City?
Luxembourg is not just its capital. In a few minutes of public transport (still free!) or by car, you can discover other landscapes and iconic know-how of the country, notably in the field of local beverages (but I will tell you about that in my special food article), industrial history, or even nature.
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Go for an ornithological walk at Biodiversum
The Biodiversum nature protection center, with its futuristic architecture, built on an artificial island, is located at the foot of the vineyards, in the Haff Réimech nature reserve in Remerschen, in the Luxembourgish region of Moselle. On the ground floor of the 3-story main building, which looks like an overturned boat hull, the visitor discovers an exhibition on the history of the nature reserve and the underwater world of the region, with an educational angle to inform about environmental protection. In the basement, you can discover temporary exhibitions on varied themes, and during our visit, there was a traveling exhibition on replicas of Celtic treasures: Kelten Welten (to be discovered on-site until September 28, 2025).
The visit ideally combines with an ornithological walk in the nature reserve, appreciated for its ornithological richness as well as its particularly rare flora and fauna. You can explore the “Haff Réimech” through two circuits, one of 1.9 km and another slightly larger one (the one we took) of 3.7 km long. The path is also dotted with huts on stilts that allow for observing the local wildlife without disturbing it.
Biodiversum – Nature Reserve in Remerschen
5, Breicherwee L-5441 Remerschen
Open every day except Monday
The tip: free and open access to the educational building as well as to the ornithological trail
My food addresses in Luxembourg
I have prepared another article (link to come) with exactly a selection of gourmet addresses that I was able to discover in Luxembourg during my two trips to the country, with restaurants, bars, pastry shops, craft breweries…
My shopping addresses in Luxembourg City
Luxembourg House
This shop of local specialties is the ideal place to buy some gifts and bring back 100% made in Luxembourg souvenirs from your stay.
Tested in 2015
Luxembourg House
2, rue de l’Eau L-1449 LuxembourgOpen Monday to Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Where to stay in Luxembourg City?
As usual, you will find below my selection of accommodation addresses in Luxembourg, which we had the opportunity to test during our stays with the favorite photographer. I suggest you discover 4 hotels, with different styles, varied geographical situations, and also several price ranges.
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A trendy and design hotel in Luxembourg City? Mama Shelter Luxembourg
You know we really appreciate this hotel chain, as we have already tested quite a few of their addresses in France (Rennes, Marseille, Bordeaux…). It was our first time in one of their addresses abroad. And the Mama Shelter Luxembourg does not deviate from the group’s style: quirky and colorful design, friendly and casual atmosphere, and as often, a lively rooftop which is the perfect place to come for a drink with a stunning view of the city. Located in the Kirchberg district (the business district and home to several European Union institutions), the hotel is well served by public transport (which I remind you is free) to easily and quickly reach the city center.
As always, our room was design and functional with quality bedding (as in all the group’s addresses, by the way). We also always appreciate the personalized welcome of the Mama Shelter hotel team, and this time we even had our (couple) photo stuck on a mirror in our room. Finally, the Mama Shelter hotels are also known for the quality of their buffet and breakfast products, and personally, I am a fan of their juice extractor, which I use in all their addresses!
Tested in 2025 - Invitation
Mama Shelter Luxembourg ☆☆☆
2 Rue du Fort Niedergruenewald, L-1616 Luxembourg
Rates: Rooms from about €120-150 per night (variable depending on the season and day)
How to get there: take the tram towards Luxexpo and get off at the Philharmonie stop
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A hotel in the Belair district in Luxembourg City? Hôtel Parc Belair
Located in the heart of the Belair residential district, adjoining the Merl Park, and in the immediate vicinity of the city center less than 15 minutes walk away and also easily accessible by bus (which passes right in front of the hotel), the Hôtel Parc Belair is a good option if you want a hotel surrounded by greenery. The establishment belongs to the hotel group Goeres Hotels Luxembourg. We had a small room on the park side with a mini-balcony, and it was extremely quiet and relaxing.
Tested in 2025 - Invitation
Hôtel Parc Belair ☆☆☆☆
111 Avenue du Dix Septembre, 2551 Hollerich Luxembourg
Rates: Rooms from about €121-134 per night (variable depending on the season and day)
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A central hotel in Luxembourg City? Hôtel Simoncini
A very nice design hotel perfectly located in the center of Luxembourg, with a contemporary art gallery adjoining the establishment. This hotel-gallery has 35 rooms and also offers an artistic itinerary on the 6 floors of the hotel, to discover the artworks scattered throughout the building. A small downside, however, I found the neighborhood very noisy and I was forced to sleep with the window closed despite the heat, because of the noise. So if you plan to sleep in, forget it…
Tested in 2015
Hôtel Simoncini
6, rue Notre Dame L-2240 Luxembourg
Price: from €125 for 1 person / €145 for 2 people (breakfast included and free Wi-Fi)
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Where to stay near the airport? Légère Hôtels Luxembourg
If you have an early morning flight or if you arrive late, the Légère Hôtels Luxembourg, a 4-star establishment located near the airport (6 km to be exact), can be a very practical option. The hotel is also only 15km from Luxembourg City, and you can get there easily by bus (see the route description below). The establishment has 156 rooms and suites, and it was completely renovated in 2018. The bedding is very comfortable, and we slept in a very spacious and quiet “Residence Room” of 37m2. We unfortunately did not have time to enjoy it, but the hotel also offers a wellness area with a gym and 3 saunas.
The hotel offers all modern comforts and also has an on-site restaurant, Faces Restaurant & Bar, thus avoiding having to travel after settling in. The venue offers a varied selection of regional dishes, and for our part, we tested that evening the chef’s suggestions, a stuffed yellow chicken breast with prunes (€26), as well as white asparagus with ham from the Black Forest (€24). It is possible to order dishes from the menu, but the restaurant also offers a daily buffet menu at €25.
Tested in 2025 - Invitation
Légère Hôtels Luxembourg ☆☆☆☆
11 Rue Gabriel Lippmann, Parc d’Activité Syrdall, L-5365 Munsbach
Hotel rates: rooms from about €96 to €180 per night (price variable depending on the season)
How to get to the city center by bus from the hotel: exiting the hotel, walk 250m to the left to the bus stop (Munsbach, Aisvull) and take bus 324 towards “Kirchberg, Gare Routière, Luxexpo” and get off at the Kirchberg, Gare Routière, Luxexpo stop / then walk to the nearby tram stop and take the tram towards Bonnevoie
Thank you to the Luxembourg Tourist Office and to Pit for organizing this great stay to discover Luxembourg and especially its capital.
I hope that with all this, I have made you want to discover the city of Luxembourg, and if you also have your favorite addresses and tips, do not hesitate to share them in the comments!
⇒ Read my other articles about Luxembourg!
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Mademoiselle Bon Plan
Photos not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
