Itineraries

One week in Luxembourg

9 min read

Vianden Castle above the Our river valley in northern Luxembourg

Days 1-2: Luxembourg City

Give the capital 2 full days. Day 1 is old town, casemates, Grund and Chemin de la Corniche. Day 2 is Kirchberg's museum quarter — Mudam and the Musée Dräi Eechelen — plus a walk through Pfaffenthal via the free glass lift. Stop at Chocolate House on Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes for a $6 hot chocolate opposite the palace.

Sleep near the Gare for value ($90-110) or Ville Haute for atmosphere ($200+). Eat at Am Tiirmschen on Rue de l’Eau for regional cooking — kniddelen with bacon runs about $19.

Day 3: Moselle wine country

Train to Wasserbillig then bus 130 down the Route du Vin through Grevenmacher, Ahn and Wormeldange. Domaine Alice Hartmann in Wormeldange pours crémants for about $12 a flight. Have lunch at Restaurant Mathes in Ahn — $28 for the vigneron menu with a glass of Riesling. Return via Remich, where the riverfront is lined with terraces and Caves St Martin gives $15 tours.

Days 4-5: Mullerthal and Echternach

Train to Echternach (via Ettelbruck, about 1h20). This is Luxembourg's oldest town, built around a 7th-century abbey. Base 2 nights at Hotel Bel Air (around $140) and hike the Mullerthal Trail — Route 2 is 37km of sandstone canyons, mossy staircases and the Schiessentümpel waterfall. Segments of 8-12 km make good day loops. Refuel at Brasserie Le Postillon on Place du Marché.

Day 6: Vianden and the Ardennes

Move north to Vianden. The castle ($10) dominates the ridge and the chairlift ($6 return) up to the Belvedere gives the postcard view. Sleep at Hotel Heintz on Grand-Rue, around $110 with a garden. Walk the Our valley path or bike to Stolzembourg. Dinner at Auberge Aal Veinen — wild boar stew about $26.

Day 7: Esch-sur-Alzette and the south

Return south via Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg's second city and 2022 European Capital of Culture. The former ARBED steelworks in Belval have been converted into the university campus and Rockhal concert venue. Visit the Cité des Sciences and the blast furnaces (free), then eat frites at Konviktsgaart before catching the last train back — 25 minutes to the capital.

Frequently asked questions

Is a week too long for Luxembourg?

Not if you leave the capital. The country is small (about the size of Rhode Island) but the Mullerthal, Moselle and Ardennes each deserve a full day. A week lets you hike, taste wine and see 3 castles without rushing.

Can I do this itinerary without a car?

Yes. Every stop is on the CFL train or RGTR bus network, and all of it is free. Buses on the Route du Vin run hourly; the Mullerthal has bus 500 and 502 connecting trailheads.

What's the best month for a week here?

Late May and September. Warm enough for hiking and vineyard visits, before or after the July-August crowds, and hotels drop 15-20%.

Where should I base myself?

Split the week: 2 nights Luxembourg City, 2 nights Echternach for the Mullerthal, 1 night Vianden, then back south. You’ll save on transport time and see far more than a single-base trip.