Idea

The main sights of Luxembourg City are concentrated in three areas: the Old Town Plateau, the Gorge area, and the Kirchberg Heights. Spend each day exploring one of these zones—walking and using free public transport is all you need.

Day 1: Core of the Old Town

In the morning, walk from the train station across the Red Bridge to reach Place Guillaume II, where you can watch the changing of the guard and enjoy coffee at the square’s cafés. Then take in the exterior of the Grand Ducal Palace, Place Guillaume II, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Government Boulevard. After lunch, climb the St. Michael’s Church for views, then stroll along part of the Chemin de la Corniche in the evening, taking in the illuminated lights of the Grund district from the elevated pathway. For dinner, choose a scenic restaurant along the edge of the gorge—try smoked pork neck with broad beans for a taste of a national dish.

Day 2: The Gorge and Fortifications

Start the morning by entering the Bock Casemates, exploring the rock-hewn gun ports and hidden chambers that tell the military history of the “Gibraltar of the North.” After exiting the casemates, head down into the Grund district and walk along the Alzette River to the Neumünster Abbey Cultural Centre. In the afternoon, cross the gorge via the Adolphe Bridge, then relax on the riverside lawn of the Pétrusse Valley Gardens before taking the free elevator back up to the Old Town in the evening. You might catch a performance at the Philharmonie concert hall or a local theatre.

Day 3: European Institutions + Surroundings

In the morning, go to the Kirchberg Heights to view the exterior of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and the modernist-designed Philharmonie Luxembourg (Philharmonie Design Museum). If it’s EU Open Days, you can also go inside. In the afternoon, you have two options: take a 20-minute train ride to Esch-sur-Alzette to see the oldest town in the region, or stay in the capital and explore trendy districts and shopping arcades before heading to the airport in the evening. If you have extra time, you can also visit Constitution Square and the Gëlle Fra (Golden Lady) monument before noon, then make your way back toward the train station.

Tips

• Many museums in the Old Town offer free entry on Sundays, allowing flexibility in your itinerary.
• The Bock Casemates are cool and damp inside, so bring a light jacket and non-slip shoes.
• The free bus 16 takes about 15 minutes from the airport into the city.
• The Philharmonie Museum building on Kirchberg Heights is an attraction in itself, with a terrace offering views over the city and gorge.
• For a memorable experience, walk part of the Chemin de la Corniche at night—the gorge’s illuminated setting captures the spirit of the “Gibraltar of the North.”