Itineraries

48 hours in Luxembourg

7 min read

View over the Grund from the Chemin de la Corniche

Day 1: Ville Haute and the casemates

Start at Place d’Armes with a coffee at Chocolate House on Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes (around $5), then walk to the Palais Grand-Ducal for the 10:00 exterior view. Cut through Rue du Fossé to the Chemin de la Corniche, the panoramic walk locals call Europe's most beautiful balcony, and drop into the Bock Casemates ($8 entry, open 10:00-20:30 in summer). The tunnels run 17 km under the plateau and take about 45 minutes to walk.

For lunch, head to Am Tiirmschen on Rue de l’Eau for a $22 plate of judd mat gaardebounen. Afternoon: cross the Passerelle viaduct on foot to the Pétrusse Casemates, then finish at Place Guillaume II for the 18:00 changing of the guard when parliament is sitting.

Day 1 evening: Grund

Take the free Pfaffenthal panoramic elevator down into the valley (open until 01:00 on weekends). Cross the Alzette on the stone bridge to Scott's Pub on Bisserwee for a $7 pint by the water, then dinner at Brasserie Mansfeld on Rue de la Tour Jacob where a two-course menu runs about $38. Walk back up via the Montée du Grund staircase for city lights, or catch the free line 23 bus if your legs are done.

Day 2: Kirchberg and Clausen

Tram line T1 from Central Station to Philharmonie-Mudam is free and takes 12 minutes. Spend the morning at Mudam ($9, closed Tuesdays), the I.M. Pei-designed contemporary art museum built inside Fort Thüngen. The adjacent Dräi Eechelen fort museum is free and covers Luxembourg's fortress history in 90 minutes.

Afternoon: tram back to Hamilius, walk down to Clausen for the Rives de Clausen bar strip inside the old Mousel brewery. Snack at the Sunday morning Bouneweger Maart if timing aligns, otherwise grab a $12 gromperekichelcher plate at Um Piquet on Rue de la Loge before your train out.

Frequently asked questions

Is 2 days enough for Luxembourg City?

Yes for the city itself. The old town, casemates, Grund, and Kirchberg museums fit into 48 hours. Add a third day if you want a trip to Vianden or the Moselle.

Is public transport really free?

All buses, trams, and second-class trains inside Luxembourg have been free since March 2020. First-class rail and cross-border trips still cost money.

Are the Bock Casemates worth it?

Yes, especially for the views from the tunnel openings. Skip if you have severe claustrophobia; passages get narrow and low.

When do museums close?

Most close Mondays or Tuesdays. Mudam closes Tuesdays, the National Museum of Art and History closes Mondays. Check before you cross town.