The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a landlocked European, with Luxembourg City as its capital. It is a very wealthy country, and its culture and history are very intertwined with its neighbours, France and Germany.

Most people for their birthday go out partying. I, on the other hand, love to take time off from work and travel. Back in 2017 this is exactly what I did, and I made my way to Luxembourg.

Living in London there are many cheap flights to Luxembourg – great for a long weekend. 

Luxembourg City

This slightly lazily named capital city is home to around 120,000 people (2019 statistics). For a small country and city there are still some great things to do that would keep you busy for a day.

As the city is so small it is very easy to walk around, so I don’t encourage hiring a car if you are just sticking to the capital – only if you are venturing further afield. However, parts of the city are on different levels, so be prepared for stairs and elevations in pathways.

A great place to start your adventure is Cathédrale Notre-Dame. Originally created in 1613, it is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Baroque and Gothic styles.

Entry is free, and inside it has some amazing stained glass windows.

Less than 100 meters away you’ll come to Gëlle Fra. This is a Monument of Remembrance to all of the soldiers that volunteered to fight and protect Luxembourg in the World Wars, and to those that fought in the Korean War.

It was originally erected in 1923. When the Germans occupied Luxembourg in WWII they dismantled the monument and it was lost until the 1980s, and then put back up in 1984.

If you are looking for spots for food or a drink I recommend Place Guillaume II and Place d’Armes.

Place Guillaume II is the main town square and contains a statue of Grand Duke William II and Luxembourg City Hall. There are plenty of spots for you to grab a seat and people watch whilst enjoying your food.

Place d’Armes has heaps of restaurants and cafes, and the whole area is a pedestrian zone. 

Also in the heart of Luxembourg City is the Grand Ducal Palace, which is one of the main tourist destinations in the city and has a 16th century facade. The Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Henri, lives here. In the summer months, the Place opens its doors for the general public for €12. 

Luxembourg City is perched at the top of a valley, and you can walk around the fortification wall that overlooks the valleys below, known as the district of Grund, where you can get some amazing views.

One thing I found interesting was that the city had pianos scattered around for travellers and locals to enjoy and play. Each one is designed in a different style representing something about Luxembourg.

I decided to trek down into Grund and walk along the Alzette River. It was really beautiful, and I totally recommend doing this as you have the opportunity to take some amazing photographs.

From down by the river you will get some great views of the Adolphe Bridge that goes over the valley.

One thing I didn’t see but is often recommended within the city is Casemates du Bock. This fortification was built within the rock under Luxembourg City back in the year 963.

Parts of the city’s fortresses were added to it over the years, but in the 1800s 90% of it was removed, leaving mainly tunnels. Tickets will cost you €7.00 to tour the tunnels, and you also get some views from outlooks within the rock of Grund. 

Nearby is the Neumünster Abbey. This abbey is a meeting point within the city, and even though you cannot go into it, it is a nice sight to view.

Not too far from here is the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art. It is one of the more modern buildings within the city, and it is a great stop to visit if you enjoy modern art or hiding from the rain like I was!

Right in front of the Museum is Drei Eicheln. This is a historical museum, however for me the outside architecture was the real winner. 

Mullerthal

Luxembourg is a land-locked country that is covered in forests, rolling hills and low mountains. This makes a great combination for hiking, camping and trekking. Before making my way to Luxembourg I had read about the several hiking trails across the country.

I decided to go with the Mullerthal trail. Mullerthal is a small town in the region of Waldbillig and has a nickname of little Switzerland.

Check out the visit Luxembourg website to see the hiking route options if you are interested. They vary in difficulty and length, so there is something for all ages.

I decided to take the Mullerthal trail route 3. It’s approximately 38 km long, which was medium difficulty and reaches a peak of 414 meters. 

I began this hike at the Castle of Beaufort. Beaufort Castle was built in the 11th century, and you can visit the Medieval ruins for €5 and the Renaissance Chateau for €10.

There is some history to learn about the old castle, but most are empty rooms. This castle is open from Easter until November. 

Some of the other starting points you can use for this route are Medernach, Larochette, Heffingen and Mullerthal. 

While hiking you must be prepared for anything, and even if they aren’t difficult trails, if you aren’t a frequent hiker make sure you are wearing the right gear and have some form of medical supplies, food, water and a way of contacting emergency services if needed.

Luckily in Luxembourg, cell reception is really good and the Mullerthal trail isn’t too far away from towns and the capital, so your mobile should be fine.

This was a really beautiful trail to hike through.

I found myself walking through tiny crevices through rock formations, across streams and cascades.

Being out in nature is a great feeling, with nothing but the sounds of small critters among the forest.

Most of the time you are by yourself, however it is a well-known hiking trail for locals and tourists, so you do walk past fellow hikers every 15 minutes or so, depending on the time of the year.

In the outdoors there isn’t much to write about, so I’ll let my photos do the talking. 

The trek was a success and I managed to hike around the full route. It is certainly something I recommend for anyone to try when visiting Luxembourg. 

You can catch the 110 (direct) and the 111 bus to the region from Luxembourg City, and they come every 30 minutes. This ticket will cost you €2 for a two hour journey (2019). 

Luxembourg has so much to offer for a weekend away, I only got a chance to see a glimpse of it. 

There are countless other nature experiences, as well as other beautiful and historic castles to experience. 

Safe Travels!