Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Luxembourg Including Map

'We want to remain what we are' is the motto of the Luxembourgers - and they should continue to be what they are! Not only does the city of Luxembourg impress with its French charm and insights into its history, but also its open-mindedness and calm demeanor are absolutely contagious. Find out now which top 10 attractions in Luxembourg you must not miss.

Luxembourg City, the capital of our neighboring country Luxembourg, impresses with numerous exciting attractions that represent true highlights both historically and culturally. While the city fits into our capital Berlin 17 times with its mere 51 square kilometers, this is just another advantage for you, as you can explore the attractions of Luxembourg on foot - if you ask us, there's nothing better. You often see even more wonderful things than those that were originally on the list. From the Grand-Ducal Palace to the Philharmonie Luxembourg and the Bock Casemates, there's plenty to discover. That's why we've put together the top 10 attractions in Luxembourg, where you can learn about both its history and culture.

The following map shows you the location of the most important attractions in Luxembourg at a glance.

At Église Saint-Michel, you enter the 'gates' of the romantic Old Town. The bright buildings of the historic district have been a UNESCO World Heritage site for years. For good reason, as the combination of medieval and modern style makes strolling through the many narrow streets an absolute highlight. Here you will also find the Grand-Ducal Palace, centrally located. With the guards marching back and forth right in front of the palace, it feels like being at Buckingham Palace in London. The grand ducal palace, as we call it, was built in the late 16th century and served for a long time as the government seat of Luxembourg after initially being used as a town hall. After significant renovations in the late 19th century to align with the city's uniform concept, it was occupied by Grand Duke Adolphe and has since served as the official residency. Today, the Grand-Ducal Palace is the residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, a location for important events, and is one of the most significant attractions in Luxembourg. It can be visited annually during the summer season.

For those who want to discover the Old Town with the Grand-Ducal Palace and other lovely spots while enjoying a glass or two of Luxembourg wine, this can be done on a guided city tour with wine tastings:

On the southern edge of the Old Town, you will find the beautiful Notre-Dame Cathedral, which enchants you from the outside but especially from the inside.

The Cathedral of Our Lady, as it's called in English, is part of the Roman Catholic Church and was built in 1613 as a Jesuit church. The influence of various architectural styles, such as late Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, gives it a distinctive charm, as does the impressive historical portal on the north side. In the mid-20th century, the church was expanded and redesigned, making it fit even better into the image of the Old Town of Luxembourg.

Directly at Place de la Constitution is the Monument du Souvenir, known by the Luxembourgers as Gëlle Fra ('Golden Woman'), one of the city's most significant monuments.

It is a bronze statue meant to commemorate the time of World War I, looking down at you from above. Claus Cito, a Luxembourg sculptor, created the 21-meter-high Golden Woman in the early 20th century after many Luxembourgers fell during World War I while serving in the army of France and Belgium. At Place de la Constitution, the Gëlle Fra is centrally located, allowing visitors to gaze upon the picturesque surroundings of the Petrusse Valley and the Adolphe Bridge - simply stunning!

The Adolphe Bridge, known in Luxembourg as Pont Adolphe, makes a significant contribution to the cityscape of Luxembourg, as it impressively stretches from upper Luxembourg over lower Luxembourg and the Petrusse Valley at a height of 42 meters.

With a length of 153 meters, forming the massive double arch, it connects the Old Town to Luxembourg's train station. Thanks to its double arch, the Adolphe Bridge is also one of the largest arch bridges in the world. From the top, you get a beautiful view of the Petrusse Valley. The small stream Péitruss, a tributary of the Alzette, flows through the trees and meadows below, with small pedestrian paths inviting you for a stroll. If you turn your gaze to the left, you get a lovely view of the Old Town of Luxembourg.

As you travel from upper Luxembourg down to the valley along the Alzette, you will find a peaceful and pleasant neighborhood that radiates pure idyllic charm. Here, fewer tourists wander and more Luxembourgers stroll through the small streets and along the enchanting paths directly by the water. Barrio Grund is a very noteworthy district with medieval charm, lovely cafés and pubs, and small markets where you can admire and purchase the handiwork of locals.

Especially on weekends, there is much hustle and bustle, and the picturesque sight of the old houses lining the cobblestone paths along the babbling Alzette creates a deep inner calm. If you've done a lot of walking, it's time for a short break: Enjoying a glass of wine or a cup of coffee in front of one of the cafés allows you to take in the ambiance. In the evening, the rocks are often illuminated with colorful lights, making the valley shine even more beautifully.

You get a fabulous view of Barrio Grund by the Alzette from the famous Chemin de la Corniche. Standing on the rocks, you enjoy the finest view over the valley with its idyllic houses surrounded by the Alzette River. The viewpoint is called Chemin de la Corniche and is rightly referred to as the 'most beautiful balcony in Europe.'

It is situated on the rocks of Luxembourg's fortress, where the Bock Casemates are also located, and dates back to the 17th century. If you want an overview of the city, this is the perfect spot, at the gates of the Old Town, with an impressively wide view over Luxembourg - that's why Chemin de la Corniche is also one of the must-see attractions in Luxembourg.

One of the most famous attractions in Luxembourg City is the Bock Casemates. These are caves belonging to the fortress of Luxembourg, hewn into the rocks during the Spanish rule in 1644.

Almost 100 years later, when the Austrians occupied Luxembourg, the Bock Casemates were expanded to a total length of 23 kilometers, integrated over various levels up to 40 meters deep into the rock. In the late 19th century, large parts of the defense system were demolished and partially closed. During World War I and II, they served again as protection from attacks, with a capacity for over 30,000 Luxembourgers. Today, they are a well-known attraction that not only offers a fascinating history but also presents a remarkable sight, annually attracting over 100,000 visitors and has long been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

A narrow path north of the Old Town winds through dense greenery and among trees up one of the hills leading up to Fort Thüngen, called Dräi Eechelen in Luxembourg.

Even from the hill, you get a nice view over Luxembourg, Barrio Grund, the Casemates, and the viaduct. If you are lucky, you may be all alone up there and can immerse yourself in earlier times and explore the ruins of the fortress. Fort Thüngen was built in the 18th century and further expanded in the 19th century. There was a moat both around Fort Thüngen and leading to the 170-meter-distant Fort Obergrünewald.

After large parts of the fort were demolished in 1974, restoration measures were not undertaken until about 30 years ago, resulting in the preservation of the fortress walls and the three towers that give the fort its name Dräi Eechelen, which are now open for visits.

If, after all the historical impressions in Luxembourg, you find yourself in the mood for art, we recommend the Museum of Modern Art Grand-Duc Jean, located right next to Fort Thüngen.

Especially the works of artists from Luxembourg are on display at MUDAM, as it is abbreviated, but well-known artists from surrounding countries have also etched their works here. These works are by far not limited to paintings, but also encompass photography, design constructions, graphics, architecture, and much more. Various and changing exhibitions attract countless visitors to the museum, which opened its doors in the summer of 2006 and already delighted 115,000 art enthusiasts in 2007. Unlike most attractions in Luxembourg, the museum showcases the modern side of the city, which is no less impressive than its history.

Insider Tip: Museum fans can purchase a combo ticket for MUDAM and six other Luxembourg museums. Also included in the ticket is a ride on the tourist train 'Pétrusse-Express' through the Old Town of Luxembourg. If you want to explore Luxembourg's diversity of museums, the combo ticket is definitely worth it!

So, are you as enchanted by Luxembourg as we are? Especially on foot, you can absorb so much of the city and explore all the attractions of Luxembourg - it's worth it! And it's really not that far to Luxembourg. By bus, train, or plane, you'll be there in no time. So go ahead, off to beautiful Luxembourg!