Luxembourg in 2 days
Luxembourg in 48 Hours: Castles, Chocolate and Hidden Corners
Luxembourg may be one of Europe's smallest countries, but don't let its size fool you. Over the course of a weekend, you'll find a capital city packed with history, spectacular viewpoints, charming old quarters, and one of the most impressive castles in the region. This two-day itinerary combines the highlights of Luxembourg City with a scenic day trip to Vianden, making it perfect for a relaxed yet rewarding city break.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Exploring Luxembourg City
Casemates du Bock
Place Guillaume II & Grand Ducal Area
The Corniche
The Grund
Drinks at Scott's Pub
Dinner at Copains d'Abord
Day 2: Vianden Castle Day Trip
Train & Bus Journey
Vianden Chairlift
Vianden Castle
Return to Luxembourg City
Dinner at Um Dierfgen
Best Time to Go
Luxembourg is a year-round destination. We visited in June and enjoyed warm temperatures and a sunny weekend that was perfect for exploring the city on foot. Spring and autumn tend to be my favourite times to visit European cities, but Luxembourg is also a great option in winter, when you can combine your trip with a visit to the Christmas markets.
General Travel Advice
One of Luxembourg's biggest advantages is that all public transport is free nationwide, including trains, buses and trams. This makes visiting Vianden incredibly easy and budget-friendly.
A weekend is the perfect amount of time to see Luxembourg City's main attractions and fit in a day trip to Vianden.
One thing we noticed is that many places were closed on Sunday, and the city was generally much quieter than on Saturday. If possible, I would recommend visiting on a Friday and Saturday, as the city centre felt much livelier, particularly on Saturday.
Getting from the airport to the city centre is very straightforward, with both tram and bus options available. In our case, as we were staying near Gare, the bus was the quickest and most convenient way to reach our hotel.
Where to Stay
While I would recommend staying in the city centre, this area has two main drawbacks. Firstly, accommodation can be quite expensive, and secondly, it is relatively far from the train station, which can be inconvenient if you plan to visit Vianden. However, if budget is not an issue, Hotel Le Place d'Armes - Relais & Châteaux is a beautiful option in an excellent central location.
If you prefer to stay closer to the station, even though it is not the nicest area of the city, you can choose between Kazakiwi (the more budget-friendly option) and the Luxembourg Marriott Hotel Alfa, which offers a more upscale experience.
Day 1: Discovering Luxembourg City
You can take the day at a relaxed pace. There is no need to wake up particularly early, as the city centre is easy to explore, with the majority of attractions located within walking distance of each other. Start your day with a nice brunch at Paname and then begin the itinerary from there. Your first stop is about a 20-minute walk away.
Casemates du Bock - Start your trip at one of Luxembourg's most famous landmarks. The Casemates du Bock are a network of underground tunnels carved into the rock beneath the old fortress. Originally built as military fortifications, these tunnels offer a fascinating glimpse into Luxembourg's history and provide some of the city's best viewpoints.
Useful Information
o Admission: approximately €10
o Allow 45 minutes
o Some passages can be narrow and steep
Place Guillaume II and the Grand Ducal Quarter – (Walking time from Casemates: 10 minutes). Continue into the city centre and wander through Place Guillaume II, one of Luxembourg's main squares. From here, stroll through the surrounding streets towards the Grand Ducal Palace, the official residence of Luxembourg's Grand Duke.
Highlights
Elegant historic architecture
Charming cafés
Small boutiques and local shops
Great people-watching opportunities
Don't Miss: Stop at one of the city's renowned chocolate shops. Luxembourg takes its chocolate very seriously, and you'll find beautifully crafted pralines and truffles throughout the old town. I am a bit obsessed with chocolate, so we could not skip this. We visited Chocolate House Nathalie Bonn and it was such a lovely spot, with some truly delicious chocolate.
Walk Along the Corniche – (Walking time from the Grand Ducal Palace: 5 minutes). Known as "Europe's most beautiful balcony", the Corniche is a scenic promenade running along the city's old fortifications. The views over the Grund, the Alzette Valley, historic church spires and ancient defensive walls make it one of Luxembourg City's most photogenic locations. Time Needed: 30 minutes.
Take the Lift Down to the Grund - (Journey time: 2 minutes). Instead of walking, make use of Luxembourg City's free public elevator connecting the upper city with the picturesque Grund district below. The Grund feels completely different from the busy centre above. Here you'll find cobbled streets, historic stone buildings, riverfront scenery and a quiet residential atmosphere. Take your time wandering around. The appeal lies in soaking up the atmosphere rather than rushing between attractions. You can also stop at Scott's Pub, which has a fantastic riverside terrace and great views of the old town walls. It's the perfect place to pause after a day of sightseeing.
Dinner at Copains d'Abord
Walking time from Scott's is approximately 15 minutes. Finish your first day with dinner at Copains d'Abord, a highly regarded French restaurant known for its seasonal dishes. A reservation is recommended, especially at weekends.
Before or after dinner, I would also recommend having a wander around the city centre. There are plenty of terraces where you can stop for a quick drink in the main squares and, at least during the summer months when we visited, the atmosphere was very pleasant.
Day 2: Vianden Castle and the Ardennes
Today's adventure takes you beyond the capital to one of Europe's most beautiful castles. In this case, I do recommend getting an early start, as this is a very popular day trip from Luxembourg City and the buses can get extremely busy. I would aim to arrive in Vianden by 11am at the latest.
Travel to Vianden - Thanks to Luxembourg's free public transport network, the journey costs nothing.
Route:
o Luxembourg City → Ettelbruck by train
o Ettelbruck → Vianden by bus 180 or 181
Travel Time:
o Train: approximately 40 minutes
o Bus: approximately 15 minutes
o Total journey: around 1 hour
Vianden Chairlift - Before exploring the castle, ride the Vianden Chairlift for spectacular views over the valley. We chose a one-way ticket, which takes you to the top of the hill, where you can enjoy amazing views over the town below. From there, you can walk through the forest to the castle. Most of the route is downhill, making it relatively easy, although the terrain can be uneven in places. The chairlift costs around €7.
Vianden Castle – (Walking time from the chairlift area: around 20 minutes). Vianden Castle is widely considered one of the finest feudal castles in Europe. Perched dramatically above the town, it dominates the skyline and looks as though it belongs in a fairy tale. Vianden Castle has been beautifully restored and offers far more than impressive views from the outside. Inside, visitors can explore the magnificent medieval great hall, an ornate chapel, and a series of restored state rooms that provide a fascinating insight into noble life during the Middle Ages. Climbing through the castle also rewards visitors with spectacular viewpoints from its towers, overlooking both the town of Vianden and the surrounding Ardennes countryside. Throughout the castle, a number of historical exhibitions help bring its long history to life, making it one of Luxembourg's most rewarding cultural attractions.
Admission is approximately €13, and you should allow around one hour for the visit.
Explore Vianden Village - After visiting the castle, take some time to explore the charming town of Vianden itself. Nestled along the banks of the Our River, the town is filled with colourful historic buildings, quaint cobbled streets and inviting cafés where you can pause for a coffee or drink while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Traditional bakeries offer local pastries and sweet treats, making them well worth a stop during your wander. Vianden is also closely associated with the famous French writer Victor Hugo, who lived here during his exile, and visitors can still see traces of his legacy throughout the town.
Return to Luxembourg City - Allow approximately one hour for the return journey.
Dinner at Um Dierfgen
A fitting way to end your Luxembourg weekend, Um Dierfgen offers traditional Luxembourgish cuisine in a warm and authentic setting. It's a great place to sample local specialities and enjoy a glass of Luxembourgish wine or beer while reflecting on your time exploring this charming country.
Comments