Luxembourg City, capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a perfect mix between history and modernity.
The alternating aspects of the sights in each of the city’s parts offer continuous new hints and keep the opportunities coming for appreciating different spots.
Whether you are a normal tourist, a passionate photographer, or even an avid Instagram spot hunter, you will want to get to these places!
To make the best out of this list, we’ve ordered them by their position. The top one is the first to reach when walking from Luxembourg Central Station.
ADOLPHE BRIDGE
Named after Grand Duke Adolphe, the Adolphe Bridge (Pont Adolphe) overlooks the Pétrusse Valley, connecting Gare to Ville Haute neighbourhoods. At 42 meters of height and over 150 meters of length, it offers great views both when looking at it and when standing on it.
One peculiar aspect of this bridge is the cool suspension cycling/walking path, hanging few meters below the road level.
Since 2018 Adolphe Bridge has in fact officially become a double decked bridge. Now, it hosts cars, buses and in the near future trams on its upper deck, bicycles and pedestrians on its lower deck.
A smart, practical and stunning solution!
CHEMIN DE LA CORNICHE
The Chemin de la Corniche refers to the walking path dominating the opposite Alzette Valley. That’s right, Luxembourg City spreads over not one but two steep valleys, providing a variety of panoramic sights.
Some of the best views over the old quarter of the Grund can be taken in from Chemin de la Corniche.
It may not come as a surprise that it is sometimes referred to as “the most beautiful balcony of Europe”.
This walk goes on for a few hundred meters. At the end of it, you can see the historical Schlassbréck (Pont du Chateau) masonry bridge and the tower ruins of Huelen Zant (Dent Creuse), from where you have nice 360° views over the Alzette Valley.
CASEMATES DU BOCK
Continuing the itinerary you will find the ruins of the Bock fortifications immediately after (and below) Chemin de la Corniche.
The Bock is a promontory surrounded from three sides by the curving Alzette River.
Because of its position offering natural protection, the Bock was chosen by Count Siegfried as the place where to build his Castle of Lucilinburhuc in year 963. This was the first settlement of the town that later became Luxembourg.
Since the Fortress of Luxembourg was one of the most strategic strongholds in Europe, it was attacked and reinforced multiple times over the centuries. At its peak time it showcased as many as 24 forts across three fortified rings.
The Casemates du Bock were a part of this fortress. 23 kilometres of underground tunnels and secret passages right below the Bock promontory.
Despite the definitive dismantlement of the external fortifications back in 1867, the Casemates du Bock are still mostly intact today and can be visited by tourists (entry is free with a Luxembourg Card, more info below).
PFAFFENTHAL PANORAMIC ELEVATOR
Due to the topography of Luxembourg City many stairways, hills and some elevators connect the underlying valley neighbourhoods to the higher town districts.
Built in 2016, the glass Pfaffenthal Elevator has quickly become the most famous elevator in town and an attraction for tourists. It is over 70 meters high.
The Pfaffenthal offers unique views over the Alzette Valley, being a much useful facility for citizens at the same time.
Use of the elevator is free of charge.
TIP: not for the faint hearted! At the top of the elevator shaft, the footbridge connecting the Ville Haute quarter to the Pfaffenthal lift protrudes for 9 meters over the valley, providing both excellent panoramic views and vertigo! Test your courage standing on the see through pavement over the void.
Curiously enough, we took a very similar photo to this one when visiting Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year. Check it out here!
MUDAM, LUXEMBOURG MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
The Musée D’Art Modernes, aka Mudam, is located on the Kirchberg plateau, the newer district of Luxembourg City where many of the EU Institutions are based.
This part of the city is easy to reach via the brand new tram service in the country’s capital.
The peculiar shape of the building was designed by no less than architect I.M.Pei, famous worldwide for conceiving the Louvre Pyramids in Paris.
The museum itself is in constant renovation, focusing on contemporary art as well as modern, with exhibitions changed periodically.
The see through glass walls and canopy give views onto the surrounding Park Dräi Eechelen, conveying a feeling of great harmony between man and nature, new and old.
The Mudam can in fact also be admired from different angles from the outside. The best view is arguably from the back where it’s possible to have the museum and the fortress of Fort Thungen in the same view, for a strong antique/modern contrast.
Fort Thungen in turn hosts another museum, the Musée Dräi Eechelen, which traces the history of Luxembourg from 15th to 19th centuries.
Both the Mudam and Fort Thungen are complimentary with a Luxembourg Card.
The centre of Luxembourg City is not too big and most of the attractions can be reached walking around.
However, there’s an efficient network of transports including trams, buses and trains, which are free when buying a Luxembourg Card, definitely the best tool to explore the city and the country.
The Luxembourg Card includes free access to over 60 attractions country-wide and free use of all means of transport around the entire Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.
Check prices and more info here.
This concludes our guide to the 5 best spots not to miss when in Luxembourg City.
Have a great trip!
WHERE TO STAY IN LUXEMBOURG CITY?
- Hostellerie du Grünewald: a recently renewed hotel where you can enjoy the privacy of a 4-star hotel or cook your own meal in the shared attic kitchen and enjoy it in the beautiful common salon. Excellent breakfasts and location, 2-min-walk from the train station.
- Browse other hotel options in Luxembourg City here.
HOW TO GET AROUND?
- Luxembourg Card: not a standard city card, but a proper pass to the whole country! Includes free access to all transports in Luxembourg City, trains and buses country-wide, and admission to 60+ attractions in Luxembourg. Check prices here.
- Train: there are 2 train stations in Luxembourg City: Gare Centrale and Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg.
- Trams: brand new trams connect quickly the old to the new town.
DINNER SUGGESTION:
- Les Copains d’Abord: local and French kitchen in a cozy ambience, great wines and outstanding service.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
- Yes you do. Never leave home without a reliable travel insurance. Even if you trust yourself, you can’t always trust others. Better safe than sorry! Get your quote here.
