Itineraries
One week in Luxembourg
9 min read
Vianden Castle above the Our valley
Days 1-2: Luxembourg City
Base yourself near Gare (Rue de Strasbourg or Rue de Bonnevoie) where mid-range hotels run $110-140 versus $180+ in Ville Haute. Day 1: Chemin de la Corniche, Bock Casemates ($8), lunch at Am Tiirmschen, evening in the Grund. Day 2: Kirchberg for Mudam ($9) and Philharmonie, then Rives de Clausen for drinks.
The tourist office on Place Guillaume II sells the LuxembourgCard ($16/day) covering paid museums and Vianden's chairlift, which pays off if you visit more than two attractions in a day.
Day 3: Vianden
Bus 100 from Gare runs to Ettelbruck (45 min, free), then bus 570 up the Our valley to Vianden. Château de Vianden ($10, open 10:00-18:00) is the country's headline castle, restored to its 11th-century layout. Ride the chairlift ($6 return) for the postcard shot back down over the town. Lunch at Restaurant du Château on Grand-Rue for a $19 wild boar stew. Home by 19:00.
Days 4-5: Mullerthal hiking
Train to Echternach (about 70 min via Wasserbillig, free). This is the base for Mullerthal Trail Route 2, the sandstone-canyon loop through Wolfsschlucht and Schiessentümpel waterfall. Budget hotels in Echternach run $85-105; try Hotel Le Postillon on Place du Marché.
Day 5: the harder Route 1 section from Consdorf back to Echternach (17 km, 6 hours). Bring water; there are no shops between villages. Dinner back in town at Brasserie Aal Eechternoach with $16 pizzas and local Diekirch beer on tap.
Days 6-7: Moselle and back to the city
Bus 175 from Luxembourg to Remich (50 min) drops you on the Moselle riverfront. Visit Caves St. Martin in Remich ($9 tour with tasting) or Domaine Vinsmoselle in Wormeldange for crémant. Riverside lunch at L’Ecluse costs about $28.
Day 7: back to the capital for anything you missed. The National Museum of Natural History in the Grund is free on Thursday nights; Bouneweger Maart farmers market runs Sunday 10:00-13:00 in the Bonnevoie district for cheap final-day breakfast.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car for a week in Luxembourg?
No. Free trains and buses reach every town in this itinerary, though a rental ($55/day) speeds up Mullerthal and Moselle hopping.
Is the LuxembourgCard worth it?
Only on days you visit 2+ paid sites. For hiking or wine-tour days, skip it.
Can I do Vianden as a day trip?
Yes. Total travel is about 90 minutes each way from Luxembourg City via Ettelbruck.
Is one week too long?
Not if you hike. Without Mullerthal, five days covers the highlights comfortably.
Where to stay
Rooms worth pairing with this guide.
Ready to plan this trip?
Real prices for the places this piece names.
