Ok, I know what you are thinking. Why is Sam writing about Luxembourg? Where is this place? Well, read this post and you will find out why!
Luxembourg is a tiny land-locked country nestled between France, Belgium and Germany, with only 998 square miles and one major city that comprises that majority of its population- Luxembourg City. It is known for being one of the capitols of the European Union, the second richest country in the world and the government is actually a Grand Duchy (run by a duke or duchess). Typically, Luxembourg is not the first choice destination for travelers in Europe unless you are trying to check off another country from your European bucket list.
So, why go here? Because it is absolutely STUNNING in the fall and you can easily make a quick side trip to Luxembourg from one of the surrounding countries. Fall in Luxembourg is one of the BEST in Europe. All of the leaves change to a kaleidoscope of colors and the old streets of Luxembourg City are the perfect setting for an autumn stroll with a nice hot cider or hot coco. Even if you aren’t traveling during the fall, Luxembourg City is equally as charming any time of year! I’ve listed some tips at the bottom of this page if you choose to come during a different season.
Since the country is so small, you really only need a day or two to see everything it has to offer. Let me show you how to spend the perfect 24 hours in Luxembourg City, and let’s see if you’re convinced!
Fun Fact: the official languages of Luxembourg are French, German and Luxembourgish
DAY 1
Arrive by lunchtime and try traditional Luxembourgish food at Am Tiirmschen or Brasserie Bosso. Try the chicken & mushroom puff pastry or the spätzle (egg noodles) with bacon, mushrooms and a cheesy white wine sauce.
STROLL THE STREETS OF LUXEMBOURG CITY
After lunch, you’re probably going to be so full from all of the rich and hearty foods that you’re going to want to take a nice lonnnng walk. This is the perfect way to see Luxembourg City, so you are in luck!
Luxembourg City is actually divided into two different levels: upper and lower. This can be confusing when you are walking around here for the first time as there are only a few ways to get down to the lower level which I will discuss later.
VILLE HAUTE
Start your walk in Ville Haute (upper level) and peruse the charming streets and shops. Pass by the medieval square of Place Guillaume II and admire the Palais Grand-Ducal. If you’re needing a little energy boost at this point, stop for an espresso or hot chocolate at Kaale Kaffe, which is a very cozy & eclectic cafe, bar and vintage store.
GRUND
After a coffee break, head towards the Chemin de la Corniche which takes you down to Grund (lower level). This is often referred to as the “most beautiful balcony in Europe”. The Chemin is essentially a cobblestone pathway that winds down from the upper level of the city to the lower level. From here, the views of Grund are post-card worthy, with the quaint town and colorful trees below. The Chemin de la Corniche is not a difficult walk, but if you prefer an easier route, there is also an elevator at Place de Esprit that takes you down to Grund.
Once you have made it down to Grund, explore the cobblestone village and walk along the Alzette River. P.S. There is an amazing wall covered in beautiful red vines right at the bottom of the Chemin that is definitely photo-worthy!
From Grund, make your way towards the St. Esprit Elevator to take a lift back up to town. Head to the hotel for some R&R or hit up Big Beer Company Brewery for a local brew or Bellamy for a craft cocktail.
Once you’re well-rested, enjoy a nice meal in the city. Some of my favorites are: Essenza for Italian, Le Bouquet Garni for French, or Bistro Podenco for tapas.
DAY 2
TAKE IN THE VIEWS
Start the day off with the best views in Luxembourg City. Head to Constitution Square where you will see breathtaking views overlooking the beautiful orange and red trees in the Parcs de la Pétrusse down below, along with the famous arched Adolphe bridge and the monumental Plateau Bourbon fortress across.
GO FOR A WALK IN THE PARK
It is certainly not enough to just see the beautiful autumn trees from above, so visit one of the many lush parks in Luxembourg City to get up close and play in the fallen leaves. Two of my favorites are: Parcs de la Pétrusse and Parc Edith Klein.
PARCS DE LA PÉTRUSSE
Since you are already at the Constitution Square, it is super easy to descend down to the Parcs de la Pétrusse below. There is a staircase that leads you down next to a building called Villa Baldauff on Google Maps. The walk takes around 10 minutes and once you reach the lower level, you are free to roam. I recommend heading towards the left to get an awesome view of Adolphe Bridge from below.
PARC EDITH KLEIN
Another great spot to see the colorful trees if you don’t want to make the trek down to Parcs de la Pétrusse. This park is located five minutes walking distance from Constitution Square.
Now that you’ve fully experienced fall in Luxembourg City, it’s time to go home! Grab a quick soup or sandwich on the go at À la Soupe and head to your next destination!
Are you convinced to spend fall in this small country yet? I hope that Luxembourg is now on your list!
IF YOU WANT TO EXTEND YOUR STAY OR VISIT DURING A DIFFERENT SEASON:
- See more of the country and take a day trip to the storybook-worthy Vianden Castle
- Hunt for pink clouds (aka cherry blossom trees) during the spring time – there are sooo many here!
- Have a spa day at the thermal baths at Mondorf les Bains
- Take a tour inside the lavish Grand Ducal Palace where the Grand Duke of Luxembourg currently resides. Tours are only available in the summertime
- Appreciate some contemporary art at Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean (MUDAM)
HOW TO GET THERE
Luxembourg is easily accessible by car, train and airplane. I chose to drive from Paris when I was living there and this only took around 4 hours. If you decide to take the train, the easiest routes are from Paris, Koblenz and Brussels, although you can also make connections in these cities from wherever you are traveling from.
- Paris to Luxembourg City: 2h by TGV (High-Speed Train)
- Brussels to Luxembourg City: 3h by Inter-City Train
- Koblenz to Luxembourg City: 2h by Inter-City Train
Book Your Train Tickets Here
WHERE TO STAY
There are lots of great hotel and Airbnb options in the city center, but these are some of my favorites:
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Check out my recommendations in the itinerary above for my absolute favorites! If these don’t suit you, check out some other awesome spots:
- Tailors Concept: bespoke suit boutique, Italian restaurant and speakeasy all-in-one
- Octans: craft cocktails and a DJ on the weekend
- Lux’Burgers: awesome burgers and fries
- Oro e Argento: Mediterranean fine dining
- Beet: vegan and healthy eats
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