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This post is dedicated to what to see in Luxembourg, the smallest state in the European Union. In particular, the post is dedicated to the capital of the same name and to Trier, one of Germany’s most beautiful cities, which is an hour away. One of my cousins has lived in Luxembourg for more than a decade: like many of us, he totally underestimated the city, thinking he would abandon it in a few months. Instead, to this day he lives in the capital of the Grand Duchy: indeed, Luxembourg ranks in the highest positions in the various rankings devoted to quality of life.
What to see in Luxembourg: the Grund
The Grund is one of Luxembourg City’s 24 neighborhoods and is certainly one of the most distinctive, as well as one of the oldest. It lies at the foot of the Upper Town, which is positioned a good seventy meters higher: there is also an elevator connecting these two parts of the city. In this neighborhood the small stream of the Petrusse flows into the Alzette River. The Grund is one of the most beloved neighborhoods for citizens and tourists, as it is full of restaurants and bars on either side of the Alzette. I particularly enjoyed the Grund Bridge: from here you can see the colorful houses of the city reflected in the Alzette River.
Also in the Grund, I had the opportunity to admire the Luxembourg National Museum of Natural History.. This museum is anything but boring! In fact, there are sections devoted to the life sciences (with an impressive ant farm!) and the sciences of the universe: definitely worth a visit!
What to see in Luxembourg: Chemin de la Corniche
The Grund is perfectly admirable from the Chemin de la Corniche. In fact, this path along the city walls. which can be covered in a five-minute walk, allows one to admire very beautiful views of the lower part of the city of Luxembourg (the Grund, precisely) and of the Alzette. In addition, it is possible to admire from above the Neumunster Abbey, built in 1542 and famous in particular for its bell tower, observable from various parts of the city It connects the Porte du Grund to the Pont du Chateau and is less than five hundred meters long.
Until the 17th century there was a fortress here built by the Spanish and the French: in 1870 dismantling work was completed, especially of the stairways, which were useful in arriving at the splendid walk of the present day.
Luxembourgers particularly love this path: local writer Batty Weber considered it the most beautiful balcony in Europe.
What to see in Luxembourg: walk under the viaduct
At the height of the intersection of Rue de Prague and Rue St Ulric, a stone’s throw from the Petreusse, a beautiful walk begins that passes under the Pulvermuhle Viaduct. The walk in this park is splendid, as you can see the Alzette River and the old city of Luxembourg.
In fact, there is no shortage of viewpoints and, in addition, there are many panels explaining the lives of animals. Again, this is a popular walk for Luxembourgers, and there is a playground popular with children. The walk ends at Rue Munster, a short walk from the Grund Bridge.
What to see in Luxembourg: Gelle Fra
Gelle Fra is a granite obelisk and war memorial placed in the upper part of Luxembourg City. This obelisk is nicknamed โGolden Ladyโ (Gelle Fra in Luxembourgish) as there is a golden statue of a woman at the top. The monument is dedicated to the victims of the Grand Duchy who enlisted with the Allies during World War I.
In the square in front there is a viewpoint overlooking the Parc de la Petrusse: the view is truly sublime and definitely part of the list of what to see in Luxembourg!
What to see in Luxembourg: the upper city
A stone’s throw from Gelle Fra you enter the upper city of Luxembourg. Here you can admire the 17th-century Notre – Dame Cathedral, the Grand Ducal Palace of Luxembourg and the Hotel de Ville.
I personally really enjoyed the Place Guillame II (with the Hotel de Ville). The upper city center is small, but it is a real gem: its beauty also lies in the fact that much of this center is totally pedestrian, such as Place des Armes and the Grand – Rue.
Place des Armes, especially, is full of restaurants and is an evening meeting point for Luxembourgers.
What to see in Trier
With only 51 minutes by train you can go from the city of Luxembourg to Trier, one of the most historic cities in all of Germany. Trier (Trier in German) was founded, according to legend, as many as 2,000 years ago. Historical sources say that Trier was founded in 16 AD, under the empire of Tiberius.
Trier is a real gem, and you can tell right away! In fact, just a five-minute walk from the train station you can see the splendid (and perfectly preserved) Porta Nigra, built around 200 AD and the gateway to the Roman city.
From the Porta Nigra, the beautiful Simeonstrasse leads to the Hauptmarkt, a typical medieval square surrounded by beautiful 14th-century houses and graced by a fountain from 1595. Five hundred meters away from the Hauptmarkt is the Basilica Palatina, commissioned by Emperor Constantine to demonstrate the strength of the Empire.
As you leave the Basilica, a beautiful park, the Palastgarden, opens up: after crossing it entirely, you arrive at the Kaiserthermen, which represent the remains of the 4th-century Roman bath complex. A short distance away is another legacy of the Romans: the Amphitheater, built in 310.
Trier is also famous for its St. Peter’s Cathedral (built in the Romanesque style and the oldest bishop’s cathedral in Germany) and the birthplace of Karl Marx.
Trier is a real gem!
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USEFUL INFORMATION ON WHAT TO SEE IN LUXEMBOURG
- I stopped three nights in Luxembourg. The city of Luxembourg deserves a full day of sightseeing, Trier would deserve at least a half day.
- The cities of Luxembourg and Trier are connected by a very convenient train, running hourly and lasting about 50 minutes.
- Where to eat in Luxembourg is a fairly complicated question. In fact, Luxembourg prices are quite high. I have eaten decently, and at relatively low prices, at Oscar’s Bar in Grund and at Boucherie in the upper town. In Grund I highly recommend Scott’s Pub, both for the beautiful location on the river and for the beers (the typical local beer is Diekirch, which is sold in different styles, from blonde to raw). Eating is also possible at Scott’s Pub. Supermarket prices are not as high as restaurant prices; eating at home is a very viable option.
- In Luxembourg I slept in an airbnb located a stone’s throw from the central station, which is also very convenient for getting to the airport. From the station it is about a ten-minute walk to the upper city.
- In Trier I ate at Zum Domstein, one of the classic German breweries: very good!
- The best season to visit Luxembourg and Trier is definitely from late April to late August. In fact, in addition to having better weather, it is possible to take full advantage of the very long days: as early as the end of May, the sun sets well after 9 pm.
- Luxembourg is not as small a state as it seems. In fact, more than 600,000 people live in the Grand Duchy, and about 100,000 of them live in the capital. Outside the capital, Vianden Castle is certainly one of the most beautiful monuments to see. In a weekend, however, the choice allows one to see only a few things, and I am still glad I chose to admire the capital and Trier!
