Culture & sights

First-timer mistakes to avoid in Luxembourg

5 min read

Cobbled street in Luxembourg Old Town

Logistics and money mistakes

Do not book a rental car for a city trip: parking in Ville Haute costs 3 euros an hour, most hotels charge 25-35 euros a night for a spot, and public transport is free. Do not buy any transport ticket, app, or tourist travel pass; the LuxembourgCard is only worth it if you plan to visit 3+ paid museums in a day. Do not exchange money in advance at a bad rate; airport ATMs give the interbank rate. Do not assume shops open on Sundays; most close entirely, though restaurants and the Cactus at the station stay open.

Do not tip 20 percent; you are marking yourself as a tourist and overpaying by four times the local norm.

Cultural and planning mistakes

Do not try to see Vianden, Echternach and the Moselle in one day; each deserves its own trip on the free trains. Do not skip the Pfaffenthal lift for the walk down; the lift is free, has the same view and saves your knees. Do not eat on Place d’Armes if you care about food; the terraces are pleasant but the kitchens coast on the location. Do not wear heels or leather-soled shoes; the cobbles in the Old Town are murder. Do not show up in shorts at a nice restaurant in the evening; smart casual is the baseline. Do not expect anything open before 10am on a weekday except bakeries and cafes.