Area guides

Vianden area guide: sleeping under the castle

5 min read

Vianden Castle above the Our river valley

Who it suits

Vianden is a small medieval town in the Our valley, dominated by one of the finest restored castles in the region. Stay overnight and you get the castle to yourself in the evening light after the coaches leave. It suits couples, history lovers, and anyone doing the Escapardenne Lee Trail or the Our valley cycle route. The chairlift up to the ridge behind the town gives an unforgettable view.

It does not suit anyone wanting variety of restaurants or nightlife. The town has maybe a dozen restaurants along the main street and everything closes by 22:00.

What is walkable

The castle (a 15-minute uphill walk from the main street, or a small tourist train ride), the Victor Hugo House museum where the writer stayed in exile, the chairlift over the Our, and the riverside promenade. The SEO pumped-storage hydroelectric plant runs occasional tours. Buses to Ettelbruck run hourly and take 25 minutes; from there trains go everywhere.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vianden Castle open all year?

Yes, daily except 25 December and 1 January. Hours are shorter November to February (10:00-16:00) and longer April to September (10:00-18:00). Entry is 12 EUR.

Does the chairlift run in winter?

No — it closes from early November to end of March. The rest of the year it runs 11:00-17:00 or 18:00 depending on season.