Not many people would think of Luxembourg when they consider a weekend getaway, but this tiny founding member of the European Union might just surprise you. Discover why the weekend is the best time to visit Luxembourg for a getaway.
Best time to visit Luxembourg:
The best time of the year to visit Luxembourg from Belgium is either in the spring or in the autumn. We went in the spring, and although there was a bit of rain, the temperature was rather mild and pleasant for sightseeing. In addition, you can easily see most of the top sights in a couple of days, making it an ideal weekend destination. I asked my dear friend Ralph, a Luxembourger, for some advice before visiting, so I’m happy to say that a few of the suggestions below are his. Thank you, Ralph!
Best places to visit:
The capital, Luxembourg City, is a quaint little town with around 125,000 inhabitants. The city hosts 160 nationalities, with 70% of its population being foreigners. It might therefore be worth your while to head up to the European quarter, Kirchberg, where the European Court of Auditors and the Court of Justice of the European Union are located.
Once you’ve finished, head down to the centre and start off by walking through the lovely cobblestone streets. Be sure to see the Grand Ducal Palace, which is the official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. After that, prepare to be mesmerised by the Chemin de la Corniche which is regarded as the most beautiful balcony in Europe . A lovely walk through the 17th century ramparts built by the French and Spanish, it is also a place where you will get some of the best views over the city. Make sure to walk down to the “Grund” area, where you can spend some time walking besides the meandering Alzette River.
Tania’s tip: walk to the Pfaffenthal Elevator, which connects the Pfaffenthal in the Alzette River valley, with the Ville Haute, the city’s historic old centre. You will get some of the best panoramas of the city from the top. Well worth the visit!
Check out the Valley of the Seven Castles. A nickname for the Eisch Valley of central Luxembourg, this 37-kilometre hiking trail can also be visited by car. The valley is at the confluence of the Eisch and Alzette rivers. If you head upstream, the castles are: Mersch, Schoenfels, Hollenfels, Ansembourg, New Ansembourg, Septfontaines and Koerich.
A point which is slightly frustrating is that most of the castles are privately owned or are governmental buildings, which means that you cannot visit them. However, in 2011 the Count of Ansembourg opened an exclusive boutique hotel in one of the buildings surrounding Ansembourg Castle. Why not try it out?
Tania’s tip: My personal favourite is New Ansembourg Castle. Although it is also private property and you cannot go inside, it has exquisite baroque French gardens which you can visit free of charge every day from 09:00.
Visit Vianden Castle. Voted one of the most beautiful castles in the world by CNN, Vianden Castle is one of the biggest feudal residences from the Gothic and Romanesque periods. Unlike the seven castles in the Eisch Valley, Vianden can most certainly be visited and is definitely worth a couple of hours of your time. The castle was built between the 11th and 14th century and belonged to the Grand Ducal family for a long time, before passing into state ownership in 1977.
Tania’s tip: make sure to see Arendt Hall and its photo exhibition. Count how many world leaders have visited this magnificent place! I must say I was very impressed.
Not far from Vianden and close to the German border, lies the Müllerthal Region, or “Little Switzerland”, as it’s known locally. This is a lovely place to go for a hike or just enjoy the tranquillity and greenery of your surroundings. Whilst here, make sure to see Luxembourg’s claim to fame when it comes to waterfalls, Schiessentümpel. The lovely sandstone bridge which sits above it is the symbol of the Müllerthal Region and was built in 1879. Previously known as “The Land of the Wolves”, the Müllerthal Region was difficult to access before 1879, as it didn’t have a good road or railway network.
Where to have a drink in Luxembourg:
If you’re craving a cocktail in Luxembourg City, Go Ten is the place to be. The staff of this stylish bar will be sure to mix up a delightful cocktail or two for you. With an impressive selection of gin and tonics, as well as Asian fusion cuisine, make sure to grab your place before it’s too late.
Perhaps one of the coolest places I came across in Luxembourg City was the Urban Bar. One of the city’s favourite meeting points, it combines modern and sleek in one go. With the largest draft beer selection in the area, and a scrumptious menu, don’t miss out on this amazing place.
Where to eat in Luxembourg:
For some of the best pizza in town, try Bacchus Pizzeria in the old town. You can do what we did and just grab a couple of pizzas to take away while sitting on a bench at the Chemin de la Corniche. Great pizza with a lovely view – win, win!
Another great place is the Restaurant Mousel’s Cantine in the Grund area. With authentic Luxembourgish food, and what people reckon is the best “jambonneau” (ham hock) they have tried, they serve beer which comes directly from the local Mousel Luxembourg-Clausen brewery. Let me know what you thought of it!
Where to sleep in Luxembourg:
Hotel Le Place d’Armes in the Ville Haute. This lovely hotel describes itself as being “intimate, cosy and feeling like home” and I would not disagree. Built on a former printing house site in a building from the 18th century, the Place d’Armes is a few steps away from the Grand Ducal Palace, City Hall and the business district.