It might be the capital of one of Europe’s smallest countries, but Luxembourg City is also a financial powerhouse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you’re visiting on a day trip from neighboring France or Belgium or staying longer, there are plenty of things to do in Luxembourg City. Take a walking tour of the hilltop Old Town, perched dramatically between two river gorges; explore the 17th-century defense tunnels of the Casemates du Bock; and stroll the picturesque Chemin de la Corniche.
Luxembourg City has four distinct seasons, but the weather is rarely extreme enough to hamper your sightseeing plans. April–October is the main tourist season, when popular events include the Grand Duke’s birthday celebrations (June 24) and the Schueberfouer funfair in August or September. Visit in July when Luxembourg City offers a break from the crowds of nearby Brussels and Paris. Alternatively, come in November or December for the atmospheric Winterlights Festival and Christmas market.
Luxembourg City is easy to explore on foot, as elevators connect the upper and lower parts of the city, where you’ll find the Old Town, the Casemates (the historic fortifications), and the village-like Grund neighborhood. If you get tired of walking, a tram line runs through the heart of the capital and there’s a wide network of local buses, including a park-and-ride system for drivers. Best of all, all public transport in Luxembourg is free.
Starting life as a hilltop castle overlooking the Alzette and Pétrusse River gorges, Luxembourg City is a city of two halves and many viewpoints. Climb up to the Petrusse Casemates at Place de la Constitution for views of the Petrusse Valley and stop on the landmark Adolphe Bridge for city panoramas. You can also gaze out over the Kirchberg Plateau from the Three Towers or ride the glass-fronted Pfaffenthal Panoramic Elevator from Pescatore Park to the Pfaffenthal district below.
