How to Spend One Day in Luxembourg City: The Perfect Itinerary
If you’re looking for a quick and quintessential European city break, spending one day in Luxembourg City is the perfect escape. This tiny underrated country is a hidden gem for a reason: a canyon running straight through the middle of the old town, fairy-tale castles a short drive away, and a wine region most people don’t even know exists.
One day in Luxembourg City is genuinely enough to hit the highlights, and I know that from experience, I’ve been here multiple times now, both for personal trips and work travel (I actually lived and studied abroad here back in 2007!). This itinerary strings together everything from my best things to do in Luxembourg City guide into one manageable day, so here’s exactly how I’d spend it if I only had the one shot.
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One Day in Luxembourg City Itinerary
I have to start this post by giving you some incredible news about Luxembourg. This is genuinely one of my favourite things about visiting: all public transport in Luxembourg, buses, trams, and trains, has been completely free since 2020, for residents and tourists alike. There’s now also a tram that runs directly from Findel Airport into the city centre, so you don’t even need to take a taxi or bus to get to your hotel. A taxi from the airport, by comparison, will run you around โฌ50 for a 15-minute ride because of a surcharge for crossing between jurisdictions, so I’d skip it and take the free tram or bus instead. Once you’re in the old town, it’s small enough to walk almost everywhere.
The historic old town in the city centre is tiny, so you can genuinely walk the whole thing in a day which means if you have more time, you can get out of Luxembourg City and explore the rest of the country for free! However, if you’re just sticking to Luxembourg City, here’s everything I’d actually prioritise and see.
Where to Stay for Your One Day in Luxembourg City
If you’re turning this into an overnight trip rather than a straight day trip, base yourself in the old town so you’re close to everything on this itinerary. On a budget, Hotel Parc Plaza is a solid pick, for mid-range, Simoncini (old town) or Novotel Luxembourg Centre (new town) both work well, and for a proper splurge, Le Royal Luxembourg delivers.
Morning: Breakfast, Exploring the Old Town & Shopping
Start with breakfast at Knopes Coffee Shop, or grab something sweet from Oberweis or Namur, two of the city’s best-known patisseries, before you set off.
From there, spend the morning wandering the old town winding your way through the cobblestone streets and squares in between. Make sure you see the Grand Ducal Palace (you might catch the changing of the guard) and Notre-Dame Cathedral, it’s a quick stop but worth going inside for the crypt.
Once you’ve covered the sights, work in a bit of shopping along Grand-Rue, the old town’s main pedestrian street, and stop into Galeries Lafayette if you want a proper browse (there’s a free rooftop with city views even if you don’t buy anything). For something more upscale, Rue Philippe II is worth a walk down too.
๐ Need help Planning your trip?
- ๐ฑ Mobile Data: For mobile data abroad, make sure you grab an eSIM. Airalo is my go to!
- ๐จ Hotels: To find the best hotel deals, I use Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com
- ๐ก Hostels: My go to website for finding hostels is Hostelworld
- ๐โโ๏ธโโก๏ธ Activities: To find the best activities, I use GetYourGuide
- ๐ Car Rentals: My go to is Expedia for car rentals
- โ๏ธ Flights: I search for all of my flights using either Google Flights or Skyscanner. Kayak is also a good option.
- ๐ฉบ Travel Insurance: Safety Wing is my go to for long-term continuous travel insurance.
- ๐ If you’re adding Luxembourg to a longer trip, grab my Gap Year Over 30 Guide.
Afternoon: Lunch, the Grund & the Casemates du Bock
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite from all that exploring, it’s time to head to one of my favourite spots for lunch and exploring, the Grund. To get there, walk the Chemin de la Corniche. Nicknamed “Europe’s most beautiful balcony,” this scenic walkway traces the old fortified ramparts along the edge of the Grund and gives you sweeping views over the valley, the old town rooftops, and the surrounding hills.
For lunch, try Notaro Ristorante – a family-run Italian spot that’s been in the Grund since 1992, known for wood-oven pizza, homemade pasta, and a tiramisu locals rave about. If pub fare is more your thing, check out Scott’s Pub – a proper gastropub right on the river, running since 1985, with a terrace looking out over the valley. Think charcoal-grilled burgers, slow-cooked pork belly, homemade bread, a serious beer list. Has an upstairs, “The First Floor,” that’s more upscale if you want to go that route instead.
Don’t forget to try a Bofferding beer or a glass of crรฉmant with your meal, Luxembourg’s own local drinks.
After lunch, take a walk around the Grund itself and stroll through its park, it feels like its own little city tucked below the old town.
From there, head to the Casemates du Bock, the UNESCO-listed underground fortifications and genuinely the single best thing to do in Luxembourg City. Walk through the tunnels and take in the views over the Alzette valley from the top before you head back to your hotel.
Evening: Freshen Up, Dinner & Drinks
Head back to your hotel to freshen up and relax for a bit before heading back out for dinner. For dinner, Rรดtisserie Ardennaise is a great pick for local Luxembourgish meat dishes, Brasserie du Cercle does an excellent raclette if you want to try Luxembourg’s most iconic melted-cheese dish, and Bella Ciao is a solid choice if you’re after Italian instead.
Afterwards, for drinks, try Urban City, Tube, or รnnert de Steiler. Don’t expect nightclubs, Luxembourg is far more suited to a relaxed evening than a big night out, but there are a handful of genuinely good spots to end the night.
Bonus: Turn This Into a Two-Day Weekend
If you can stretch your trip to two days, use day two for a proper day trip. Book a guided tour out to Vianden Castle, a genuinely stunning medieval hilltop castle just outside the city, or spend the afternoon on a Bofferding Brewery tour if beer is more your thing. Check my best time to visit Luxembourg City guide to help decide when to add that extra day.
One Day in Luxembourg City FAQs
Is one day enough to see Luxembourg City?
Yes, the city is small enough that you can comfortably hit the main highlights, the Casemates du Bock, the Grund, the Grand Ducal Palace, and the Old Town, in a single day without feeling rushed.
What’s the best order to see things in Luxembourg City in one day?
Start with breakfast and a wander through the old town sights first thing in the morning, head down into the Grund for lunch and a walk around midday, then visit the Casemates du Bock in the afternoon before heading to dinner. That’s the loop I’ve laid out above.
Do I need to book anything in advance for a day trip to Luxembourg City?
Not for the free sights, but if you want to add a castle day trip or wine tasting tour to your one day, book that ahead of time since availability can be limited, especially in peak season.
Can you do Luxembourg City as a day trip from another city?
Yes, it’s an easy day trip and a quick flight away if you’re already in the region, Luxembourg is extremely central in Europe and well connected by train. It’s compact size makes it very doable as a single, full day of sightseeing.
Best time to Visit Luxembourg City by Season
I’ve written an extensive guide on the best time to visit Luxembourg City when planning around things like budget, outdoor activities, wine tasting, etc. But below is the quick version if you’re only considering the weather and seasons.
Dec – Feb (Winter) โ๏ธ
Winter in Luxembourg City is genuinely cold, highs typically sit around 3โ7ยฐC (37โ45ยฐF) with lows dipping just below freezing, and daylight hours shrink to their lowest point of the year in December. That said, this is when the Winterlights Christmas market takes over the old town, which makes December one of the most atmospheric times to visit despite the cold, more on that below.
Mar – May (Spring) ๐
Spring is a genuinely lovely, underrated time to visit. Temperatures climb from a cool 5ยฐC (41ยฐF) in March to a much more pleasant 15ยฐC+ (59ยฐF) by May, and April tends to be the driest month of the year, so you’ve got decent odds of clear skies for walking the Grund and the Chemin de la Corniche. Crowds are still low compared to summer, which makes this one of my personal favourite windows.
Jun – Aug (Summer) โ๏ธ
This is peak season, and for good reason, temperatures sit in the comfortable 18โ25ยฐC (64โ77ยฐF) range, June brings the longest days of the year with over 16 hours of daylight, and outdoor dining in the Grund is at its best. It’s also, unsurprisingly, the busiest and most expensive time to visit, so book hotels early if you’re set on summer dates.
Sep – Nov (Autumn) ๐
September still holds onto some of summer’s warmth, but by November the city has cooled considerably and turned noticeably greyer and wetter. If you don’t mind a bit of rain, this is a quieter, less crowded time to visit with good hotel availability. It’s also a nice window for wine-focused visits, since it overlaps with the tail end of the region’s harvest season.
How to Get to Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City is served by Luxembourg Findel Airport (LUX), just a few miles from the city centre, with direct flights from major European hubs like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Vienna, and Milan, most of these routes run well under two hours. There are currently no direct flights from North America, Asia, or other long-haul destinations, so if you’re travelling from further afield, you’ll need to connect through a major European airport first.
Because Luxembourg sits right at the border of France, Germany, and Belgium, it’s also genuinely easy to reach by train, which is actually why my university chose it as a study abroad location in the first place. High-speed rail connects Luxembourg City directly to Brussels, Paris, and several German cities, making it an easy add-on if you’re already travelling through Western Europe rather than a destination you need to fly into specifically.
How to Get Around Luxembourg City
As mentioned above, all public transport in Luxembourg, buses, trams, and trains, has been completely free since 2020, for residents and tourists alike. So you can explore without breaking the bank!
Currency used in Luxembourg City and is Cash or Card preferred
The currency used in Luxembourg City is the Euro. I used card almost everywhere in Luxembourg City on my last visit. That said, it’s still worth carrying a bit of cash just in case.
For US Travelers
For UK Travelers
Do people speak English in Luxembourg?
Yes, you’ll have no trouble getting by in English in Luxembourg City. The country has three official languages, Luxembourgish, French, and German, but English is widely spoken, especially in the capital, which has a huge international population thanks to the EU institutions and finance sector based there. Menus, signage, and most people you’ll interact with as a tourist will be comfortable in English.
Is Luxembourg City Safe?
Yes Luxembourg City is very safe. I felt completely comfortable walking around day and night everywhere in Luxembourg City. Like most European cities, there are pick pockets and petty theft, so just keep your wits about you and pay attention to your surroundings and you should be just fine!
No matter how safe a destination is, you should ALWAYS have travel insurance. I highly recommend Safety Wing for travellers who will be traveling long term. Their essential plan not only covers medical emergencies but also travel emergencies such as lost luggage or trip cancellation.
Is Luxembourg City a good destination for solo travellers?
Yes! The city is safe, clean, small, and walkable. As a solo female traveller, I felt completely comfortable here.
Final Thoughts on Spending One Day in Luxembourg City
A single day in Luxembourg City is genuinely enough to come away feeling like you’ve properly seen it. Start early, prioritise the old town and the Grund, and leave room for a glass of crรฉmant before you head home. If you end up with more time, my best things to do guide has everything else worth adding to extend the trip.
