Luxembourg, worth a visit?
Absolutely! But perhaps I'm biased, as I call this place home, at least for now. So, let's dive into this post and you can decide for yourself. It's been nearly a year since our relocation to Luxembourg, and our adventures have mostly consisted of weekend getaways. This post is ideal for those considering Luxembourg as a day trip from the more touristy areas of France. Luxembourg City is just a 2-hour ride from Paris on the INOUÏ super-fast trains, and approximately 4 hours from Frankfurt. With its centrally located Gare, it serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the city. One distinctive aspect of transportation in Luxembourg is its free public transport system. Whether it's our daily commute or weekend excursions, we rely solely on public transport, and my recommendations are based on this mode of travel.
Gare centrale Luxembourg (train station).
Here are the top 5 things to do that I recommend, based on their accessibility from Gare Centrale Luxembourg:
Luxembourg City Centre: Explore iconic landmarks like Place Guillaume, Place des' Armes, and Cathédrale.
Grund: Immerse yourself in the charm of the old city, situated at a lower level than the modern town.
Vianden Castle: Discover the beauty of this historic castle, easily accessible via public transportation.
Echternach: Wander through this picturesque town and enjoy the stunning lakefront promenade.
Seasonal Activities: Experience the best of Luxembourg's outdoor offerings, from summer hikes in the north to winter Christmas markets or the vibrant Schoberfest in the summer.
Luxembourg City: the city centre can be accessed by tram from the Gare Centrale. Hamilius is the tram stop that you need to be on the lookout for. Once you get down at Hamilius, a walk through a typical city in Europe takes you to the famous Place des Armes and Place Guillaume. One can grab a nice bite from any of the many eateries in the area.
The tram that takes you around most of the places in Luxembourg city.
2. Grund: The city of Luxembourg has two levels. The lower part also called grund has nice parts to walk around too. One can reach Grund either by taking an elevator from Ville-Haute or a bus from Hamilius. There’s also good nightlife in this area is what I have heard from some locals.
Grund
3. Vianden Castle: Luxembourg has many historical castles. The most iconic one is the Vianden castle. It takes about 2 hours from the Gare centrale. We need to take the train to Ettlebruck or Diekirch and then change to a bus that connects to the castle. During spring and summer months there is a chairlift that takes you up a hill that gives beautiful views of the castle. From here one needs to do a short hike if they want to visit the castle.
Vianden Castle
4. Echternach: One of the oldest towns in Luxembourg, Echternach captivated me with its picturesque lakeside walk. In summer, you can rent paddle boats to explore the serene waters of this "Swan Lake" of Luxembourg, where majestic swans gracefully glide by. Although reaching the lake via public transport takes some time, the journey is well worth it. The lush greenery surrounding the lake offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Echternach lake captured with the greenery around.
5. Seasonal activities: If summer offers numerous hiking opportunities, winter provides glimpses into medieval-themed Christmas markets. Popular summer hiking regions include the Mullerthal region and Fond des Gras. I have visited Fond des Gras, and the hike through the forest felt truly magical. Additionally, there are many musical festivals in summer, such as the Blues Train in Fond des Gras.
Minett Trail in Fond des Gras
Chirstmas market at Place de la liberte
