Let’s face it - few know much about Luxembourg City and the ones who do consider the city a haven for banks and the place where the European Union offices are located. However, this city is one of the most scenic capitals in Europe, and it has a fabulous nightlife scene. You don’t have to take my word for it - even UNESCO says this place is wonderful! If you have a weekend to spare, spend it in the beautiful and magnificent Luxembourg City. Even better if you’re here during winter since Luxembourg’s Christmas markets have a great reputation. We have listed out the best things to do in Luxembourg City.
1. Visit Grand Ducal Palace
Among all the Luxembourg City tourist attractions, Grand Ducal Palace is not to be missed. The palace is the official residence of the Duke of Luxembourg. But that’s not all. The palace also houses the Grand Duke’s office and the parliament in its 1859 annexe.
In summer, the palace opens to guided tours that tell us about the family’s history. Inside the palace, check out the lifestyle of the Grand Duke and be mesmerized by the sumptuous gilded interior of the palace that looks surprisingly modern. The palace interior, somehow, does not intimidate you. Instead, it invokes a feeling of romanticism within you while you climb the stairs, admiring the gilded floral banisters.
If you prefer the English guided tour, it is essential to pre-book via the Luxembourg City Tourist Office. The English guided tour timings are 9 am 12 noon and 5 pm with the tickets costing 12 EUR (14.18 USD) for adults and 6 EUR (7.09 USD) for children.
Grand Ducal Palace
Address: 32 Rue de l'Eau, 1449 Luxembourg
Hours: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Sunday - Saturday)
Phone: +352 32 48 38 8213
Website: Luxembourg City Tourist Office
2. Light a candle at Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin or Cathédrale Notre-Dame was originally a Jesuit church. It was built between 1613 and 1621 to serve as a church to the college and is a extraordinary example of Gothic architecture, disclosing various elements and embellishments inspired by the Renaissance style.
Currently converted into the National Library, The Notre-Dame is embellished with stunningly sculpted alabaster choir screen, columns decorated with arabesques, delightful stained glass from the 19th and 20th centuries, modern sculptures and the bronze gates as well as the two lions flanking the entrance - works of the renowned Auguste Trémont - bring about a feeling of virtuousness in this already impressive edifice.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame also houses the tomb of John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, in addition to departed members of the Grand Ducal family
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Address: Boulevard Roosevelt | rue Notre-Dame, L-2450 Luxembourg
Phone: Tel.: +352 22 29 70 1
Website: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg
3. Join a guided tour of the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art
If you’re not sure what to do in Luxembourg City, head to the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art. Most commonly known by its abbreviation “Mudam”, the modern art museum was opened in 2006 with a record attendance for Luxembourg. The museum is connected to Fort Thungen and creates a paradoxical visual treat.
Expect radical and contemporary exhibitions, installations and pragmatic art in this spacious architectural glass edifice designed by IM Pei to fill in the void for a modern art museum in Luxembourg. Tickets costs 7 EUR (8.27 USD) for adults above the age of 21 years and there’s free entry for individuals under 21 years.
The Mudam Café offers you a place to relax and grab a quick bite between your art tours. Lunch is available from noon to 3 in the afternoon.
Mudam
Address: 3 Park Drai Eechelen, 1499 Luxembourg
Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Thursday to Tuesday) | 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Wednesday)
Phone: +352 45 37 85 1
Website: Mudam
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4. Check out Bock Casemates
A casemate is an armored structure from which guns are fired. In the case of Luxembourg, the first casemates were constructed in 1644, under the command of the Spaniards, and were later used as WWII bomb shelters. The defense system extends over several floors and include galleries dug up to 40 meters deep.
Open to the public since 1933, the Casemate of Bock enjoys worldwide acclamation and is featured in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Tickets range from 6 EUR (7.09 USD) for adults and 3 EUR (3.54 USD) for children. Double the amount if you opt for the guided tour.
Casemates of Bock
Address: 10 Montée de Clausen, 1343 Luxembourg
Hours: 10 AM to 8:30 PM (On all days except Catholic holidays the hours may differ)
Website: Luxembourg City Tourist Office
5. Stop by the Monument of Remembrance - Gëlle Fra
If you’re not sure what to see in Luxembourg City, you can’t really go wrong with the Monument of Remembrance. Most notably known as Gëlle Fra (or The Golden Lady), this is dedicated to the thousands of Luxembourgers who volunteered for service during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It is in Constitution Square in central Luxembourg City.
Atop the giant obelisk monument is the gilded statue of Nike, the Goddess of Victory, holding a laurel wreath. At the foot of the obelisk are two bronze figures of Luxembourgian soldiers - one lies dead in the service of his country, whilst the other sits, mourning his dead fellow citizen.
Gëlle Fra
Address: Place de la Constitution, 1478 Luxembourg
Hours: Open all hours of the day.
Phone: +352 4282821
Website: Visit Luxembourg
6. View the exhibits at National Museum of History and Art
Yet again a paradoxical setting of modern amidst old, aged surroundings. This uncommon museum offers an enthralling exposure of art and history. Beginning from an excavated rocky basement with displays of Neolithic flints, Gallic tomb chambers, Roman mosaics and Napoleonic medals, then leading you to an excellent art gallery with the likes of Joseph Kutter, Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso.
National Museum of History and Art
Address: Marché-Aux-Poissons, 2345 Luxembourg
Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)
Website: Musée National d'Histoire et d'Art
7. Check out Neumünster Abbey
One of the best things to do in Luxembourg City is to visit Neumünster Abbey. This huge complex is a reconditioned abbey converted into a cultural centre that imposes itself on the Grund riverbank. Around the abbey is a permanent-display sculpture by local Lucien Wercollier, who was imprisoned by the Nazis in this very building. Numerous other display spaces surround the central vestibule and the large river-facing courtyard, which is a setting for outdoor performances.
Neumünster Abbey
Address: 28 Rue Münster, 2160 Luxembourg
Hours: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Monday to Friday) | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Phone: +352 26 20 52 1
Website: Neimenster
8. Learn about the history of Fort Thüngen
This twin-towered stubby building is an extension of the Vauban fortifications, encompassing an interesting museum around Luxembourg’s historic fortifications, and hosting numerous exhibitions.
To get a real sense of the Fort Thüngen’s usage in the past, get atop the roof for a unique view of its surroundings and view the Mudam’s glass-roofed wings from a high vantage point.
Fort Thüngen
Address: 1499 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
9. Spend a few hours exploring the National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History first opened to the public in 1996. This contemporary museum gives access to ten exhibition rooms that displays the people, provinces and sceneries of Luxembourg. It also throws light on the civilization and the evolution of earth and the universe in general. Numerous rooms on the second floor of this museum have new offerings for their visitors and hence is a must visit. Guaranteed to thrill the kids - no two visits to this museum will be alike.
The National Museum of Natural History
Address: 25 Rue Münster, 2160 Luxembourg
10. Navigate through the Virtual Fort at Musée Dräi Eechelen
The Musée Dräi Eechelen is a permanent museum inside Fort Thüngen. The museum displays historical details and photographs of the fort in a chronological fashion. It shows the events that happened in the past starting from the Middle Ages to 1903 when the Adolf Bridge was built. Tourists can navigate through the “Virtual Fort”, an interactive multimedia experience, and then watch the film ‘Luxembourg 4D’ to know more about Luxembourg.
Musée Dräi Eechelen
Address: 5 Park Drai Eechelen, 1499 Luxembourg
11. Snap a photo of Adolphe Bridge
You won’t be able to miss Adolphe Bridge when you visit Luxembourg. Designed by French engineer Paul Séjourné, this historic bridge was built from 1900 to 1903, and locals think of it as a symbol of their country’s independence. A must-visit attraction in Luxembourg City, you definitely need to snap an Instagram-worthy photo of the bridge to mark your visit.
Adolphe Bridge
Address: Uewerstad, 1212 Luxembourg
12. Catch a concert or event at Rotondes
If you’re all set to visit Luxembourg City and you’re now planning your itinerary, don’t forget to check Rotondes’ website to see if there are any upcoming events. This cultural center hosts everything from concerts to art exhibits. Creative workshops also make use of this place as a venue, so if there’s one that looks interesting to you, don’t hesitate to sign up.
Rotondes
Address: Place des Rotondes, 2448 Luxemburg, Luxembourg
Website: Rotondes
13. Enjoy a tour of Luxembourg Tramway Museum
If you’ve already been to the other museums but can’t get enough of Luxembourg’s fascinating history, head to Luxembourg Tramway Museum and get a close look at the progression of the country’s transportation system. Tramsmusée, as it’s known here, showcases restored buses and cars and documents everything to do with Luxembourg’s public transport. A favorite here is the replica of a horse-drawn tram, so be sure to check it out!
Luxembourg Tramway Museum
Address: 63 Rue de Bouillon, 1248 Luxembourg
Website: Luxembourg Tramway Museum
Opening hours: Thu: 1:30pm - 5:30pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed Mon - Wed, Fri)
14. Use your wits to solve the puzzle on Escape Hunt Luxembourg (from USD 44.0)
Are you a fan of mysteries and puzzles? If you are, Escape Hunt Luxembourg is a great way to spend the afternoon. This hour-long activity will have you and your team putting together clues and solving the puzzle in order to escape. To beat the game you have to beat the clock, which means getting out before the hour is up! Put your thinking caps on and enjoy the adventure.
Escape Hunt Luxembourg, Escape Game
Duration: 1 hour
15. Check out Plateau Bourbon
Plateau Bourbon is a historical landmark located along Avenue de la Liberté, in the heart of Luxembourg. If you want to be centrally located, consider booking your hotel in the area. This is where the country’s first railway station was built in 1859. Today, you’ll find restaurants, hotels, and office spaces in the area.
Plateau Bourbon
Address: 1 Avenue de la Liberté, 1931 Luxembourg
Discover the delights of medieval and modernism
This destination is without any doubt a modern city holding onto its roots and being very serious about its welfare. They have integrated both modern and historical buildings harmoniously together in the city. Nevertheless, it is interesting to witness such successfully executed projects that don’t compromise on the city’s integrity and tarnish its historical value. On your upcoming holiday, be sure to try some of these things to do in Luxembourg City.
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