Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in the world and spans an area of just 1,650 square kilometers. With a population of 500,000 residents it is more like a large town than a country, but its size actually makes it a great place to visit as many of the main attractions are concentrated in one place. The center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right and may of the top sights in Luxembourg can be found here. That’s not to say however that you should spend all your time in the city center, as if you take a quick journey out of town you will find a wealth of delightful towns and villages and much of the scenic countryside can be accessed by train. As well as picture-postcard enclaves you will also find aged fortresses and stunning castles, and it’s easy to visit Luxembourg by hopping across the border from the Netherlands or Belgium. Here are the best things to do in Luxembourg that Toptechslife has listed.
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Kirchberg
What is it? The business district of Luxembourg-City, home to the country’s EU institutions and stunning architecture.
Why go? The Kirchberg area symbolises the changes Luxembourg underwent over the past decades: from a mostly agricultural and industrial country to one of Europe’s finance hubs. Walk across the infamous ‘red bridge’ that connects the old town and Kirchberg and marvel at some of the most spectacular architecture the country has on offer. Head to the Philharmonie and the adjacent Museum of Modern Art (MUDAM) and enjoy the spectacular panoramic view across the city and its valleys from the Dräi Eechelen plateau.
Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral was built in the 17th century by Jesuit priests and still stands proud to this day.
One of the signature features here is the north gate which is baroque in style and is covered with pretty stained glass that dates from the 19th and 20th centuries.
As well as traditional structures you will also find modern pieces of sculpture as well as a famous statue of the Madonna and Jesus in miniature form that sits over the altar.
It is also famous for its crypt which contains graves of members of the Luxembourg royal family and which is guarded by two lion statues.
Explore the Bock and the City Casements
The Bock Cliff in Luxembourg is known for its cannons and its fortifications and it is here that you can explore Casemates which is a series of underground passages.
These tunnels are an amazing feat of engineering as they stretch for 21 kilometers and are dug out of solid rock cliffs.
They were made with the intention of hiding soldiers as well as providing a place to stockpile horses and equipment.
You can walk through many of the tunnels and at the top of the plateau you will find the crumbling ruins of a former castle which was only discovered as late as 1963.
Moselle Valley
What is it? Stunning vineyards and a lot of wine tasting – only a 20-minute drive from the city.
Why go? Luxembourgers love their wine so much they even reference it in their national anthem. The Moselle River is Luxembourg’s wine country and one of its most scenic nature spots. Tourists flock here in the summer and enjoy a glass of Riesling or the local Elbling on riverbank terraces or the many wine cellars along the Moselle.
Villa Romaine (Roman Villa)
On the fringes of the town, the remains of a Roman villa can be found. Dating back two millennia, the remains of what was once a sumptuous palace, or perhaps a grand house comprising of seventy rooms can be seen. The foundations of this once great villa were only discovered by accident during the 1970s as a nearby artificial lake was being constructed.
Today, there’s the ancient walls to wander around, as well as several exhibits and displays about life during the Roman Empire in this part of Europe. Elsewhere on site, there’s a complete reconstruction of a Roman Garden, featuring dozens of varieties of ornamental and medicinal plants. The Roman Villa is open every day during peak season, with the exception of Mondays.
