Luxembourg City

Understand

Tourism information, 6, rue Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, ☏ +352 428 2821. (updated Jan 2024)

Quarters Luxembourg is officially divided into 24 quarters. Some of those of interest to tourists:

Ville Haute (the "Upper Town") — the medieval town core. Home to cafés, restaurants, and high street shops. Grund, Clausen and Pfaffenthal (the "Lower Town") — situated in the gorge that cuts across the city and the most picturesque area. Gare ("Station") — the location of the train station, a 15-min walk south of Ville Haute and home to many restaurants, cafés and ethnic shops. Kirchberg - a modern quarter across the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge in the north east of the City. The cityside eastern area of Kirchberg is home to many European Union institutions including the Court of Justice of the European Union, European Court of Auditors, parts of the European Commission, the Secretariat of the European Parliament and the European Investment Bank. The western end of the Kirchberg plateau is home to Luxembourg's thriving international financial services district. The Mudam modern art museum, the Philharmonie and the Dräi Eechelen fortress are near the Place de l'Europe beside the impressive EU institutions buildings.

Getting there

Getting into the country of Luxembourg basically means getting into the City of Luxembourg, as all major connections to Luxembourg terminate there. Follow the advice given in our guide to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

By plane

Findel Airport

Luxembourg is served by the 1 Findel Airport (LUX IATA) (in Sandweiler, a municipality just northeast of the city). Despite the relatively small population of Luxembourg City, the local airport is quite well connected within Europe, and it has the largest airport in the greater Euroregion of SaarLorLux. (updated May 2023) The airport is dominated by the country's flag carrier, Luxair, which operates a network of connections to most European capital cities, along with flights to major international transport hubs such as Milan and Frankfurt. Additionally, Luxembourg has direct flights to many holiday destinations in the Mediterranean, particularly for seasonal summer flights. This is complemented by some of the Star Alliance European members flying singular connections to Findel from their hubs. Luxair is not a Star Alliance member, but was partially owned by the Alliance's founding partner Lufthansa and shares its frequent flyer programme with them. Oneworld and Skyteam offer few connections to Luxembourg, but there is growing traffic from some regional and low-fare airlines. Interestingly, while its passenger traffic is largely limited to flights within Europe and around the Mediterranean, Findel Airport is the base and a major hub for cargo airline Cargolux and Qatar Airways Cargo. Cargolux and other major international cargo airlines fly in huge intercontinental jets in and out of Findel daily.

Getting to the city from Findel Airport The airport is directly connected to Kirchberg, the Ville Haute and the central train station by line T1 of the Luxembourg City tramway, which leaves every 8 minutes and takes 27 minutes to reach Hamilius (the main tram stop serving the old town). There are also regular buses to the city center (bus 16), the train station (bus 16 and 29), and Kirchberg (bus 16), taking roughly as long as the tram. Buses to the city center and train station run at least every 10 minutes (15 minutes on Sunday). Bus number 16 runs to the front of the station (Stop: Gare Centrale), and bus number 29 runs to the rear of the station (Stop: Gare Rocade). The bus stop is on an island across the street on the left as you exit the airport.

Other airports An alternative to flying into Luxembourg, which may be costly and time-consuming from some locations in Europe, is taking a low-fare flight with

Getting around

The best way to get around Luxembourg is by foot, bike, tram and bus. Since 29 February 2020, all public transport has been free nationwide for residents and visitors alike, thus also in the capital city. The mobiliteit.lu website and mobile app is highly useful for finding bus, tram and train routes and timetables.

On foot Due to the city's small size and beautiful scenery, by foot is also the best way to appreciate it. In a few hours (or dividing your trip in two days) you can get to know the whole historical city on foot. Luxembourg city has quite significant height differences. To overcome these, there are two lifts (free access); the most useful for tourists between Grund and Plateau du St. Esprit in the high city, and another one between Parc Pescatore and Pfaffenthal. In addition, there's a funicular between Pfaffenthal and Kirchberg.

By bus Buses serve all quarters. They run frequently (usually every 10-15 minutes during weekdays, less often on Saturdays and especially Sundays). The most useful bus stops for tourists are Gare Centrale at the train station and Hamilius in the city centre. Almost all buses include the section between Gare Centrale and Hamilius in their routes, leading to a bus on this section about every 2 minutes. Public transport is free across the entirety of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

By bicycle The city operates a self-service bike scheme named vel'OH! with stations dotted all around the city and neighbouring communes. You first need to get a pass which can be obtained from one of the terminals at the bike stations. Short-term passes are €3 for day and €5 for three days, with the first 30 min free on each ride. Each additional hour costs €1 for a maximum total of €5 for 24 hr. For more information check the vel'OH website.

By tram The tramway operates only as a single line, no. T1 on the route from the National Stadium in the south to Findel airport in the north-east, serving the Gare area, the city center and the Kirchberg quarter. Its extension to the airport is opened in March 2025. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Luxembourg#/map/0

By train Travel by train within the city does not make sense if your goal is quick and efficient travel, as the trains are too sparse compared to the other options. However, there is a beautiful panoramic view on the section from Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg station to Luxembourg Central station, so it is essentially a free, 4 minute panoramic ride. In addition, the Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg station has a quirky funicular that takes travelers from the Rout Bréck-Pfaffenthal tram

See

Ville-Haute The pedestrianized old town is where the greatest concentration of (rather expensive) shops as well as bars and restaurants are to be found. Specific sights are few but all around town you can spot details that remind you of Luxembourg's historical value.

1 The Bock. The rock on which the first castle stood, founded in 963 by Sigefroy (Sigfried). It is tied to a number of other remains of the old fortifications. Among others, the famous fortress builder Vauban built much in the city. 2 Bock Casemates, ☏ +352 222809. A network of underground fortifications, built in the 18th century. The fortifications and environs are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 3 Eglise St. Michel (On the road from the inner city to the Bock). This church took on its present form in 1688, but was probably built in the early 14th century. It was restored during 2003 and 2004. 4 National Museum of History and Art (French:Musée national d'histoire et d'art, Luxembourgish: Musée national um Fëschmaart, German: Nationalmuseum Geschichte and Kunst.). A very diverse museum, organized around the four departments of archaeology, coins and medals, decorative art, and fine art. Free for permanent collections, but temporary exhibitions may have a cost. (updated Jul 2018) 5 Grand Ducal Palace (Just off Place Guillaume II). Fully restored during the 1990s. It also houses the Luxembourgish Parliament the Chamber of Deputies. The palace is open for a period of 6 weeks over July and August whilst the Grand Duke and his family are away on their holidays. Guided tours last for about 1 hr, are inexpensive, and are available in various languages, including English. Tickets are available from the tourist office in Place Guillaume II. 6 Le Chemin de la Corniche. Pedestrian promenade along the rim of the Alzette gorge, described as Europe's most beautiful balcony. 7 Luxembourg City Museum (Musée d'histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg). Museum about the history of the City of Luxembourg. The entire 1,000-year history is covered, though there is more emphasis on the social and economic history of the period after Luxembourg emerged as a fully independent state in the 19th and 20th centuries. Text displays are all in English, in addition to French and German. 8 Notre Dame Cathedral. Built between 1613 and 1618 by Jesuits and was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1870. Nearby is the Gëlle Fra: literally 'Golden Lady'. This is a golden figure of a woman holding a wreath, a symbol of victory. It was taken down by the Nazis during occupation but stands today as a memorial to t

Do

Football: the men's national soccer team play at Stade de Luxembourg (capacity 9400) 4 km south of city centre, reached by tram. Racing-Union play in National League, the country's top tier, with home games at Stade Achille Hammerel (capacity 5800) in Verlorenkost district. Rugby Union: RCL play the 15-a-side game in 1. Bundesliga, German rugby's top tier - Luxembourg doesn't have its own domestic league. Their Stade Boy Konen is in Cessange, by the ring-road 5 km southwest of city centre. 1 Schueberfouer, Glacis. Held every year in 2 weeks during end of August and early September, this huge funfair with roots dating back to the 14th century attracts enormous crowds. As well as the many stomach churning rides there are numerous places to eat and drink to your heart's content. An important date in the social calendar of young Luxembourgers. National Holiday. While not, despite its official name, the birthday of the current Grand Duke (or any preceding for that matter), June 23 is the country's national day. All-night street parties, fireworks and parades are enjoyed by seemingly the entire population of the country on the evening preceding the holiday. 2 Kinepolis Kirchberg. Largest multiplex cinema in the country, with restaurants and bars on the ground floor. 3 Philharmonie Luxembourg. Classical concerts. 4 LUXEXPO. Exhibition centre. 5 Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg. Major venue for drama, opera and ballet. (updated Jun 2017) Swing Dance Luxembourg. Social dance on Mondays. During the summer it is outdoors in various locations; at other times it is at Scott’s Pub in Grund. (updated Jul 2018) Chamber of Deputies, 18 Rue de l'Eau. Those curious about the country's politics and hearing Luxembourgish spoken in a formal context can attend a public session of the Chamber of Deputies, Luxembourg's parliament. Check this page for the calendar of upcoming public sessions. Visitors must enter through the back entrance on Rue de l'Eau, provide a passport or identity card and go through a standard security check. (updated Aug 2025)

Buy

For information, guidance and ideas, head over to the websites of the UCVL (Luxembourg City Trade Association) and Goodidea.lu.

High-street shopping 1 Cityshopping Info Point, Place D'Armes. Luxembourg takes promoting shopping in the city very seriously to the point that the Luxembourg City Trade Association and the authorities opened an information point in the very centre to provide guidance and suggestions regarding all your possible shopping needs and interests. 2 Smets Luxury Outlet, Rue Beaumont 20. M 11:00-18:30, Tu-Sa 10:00-18:30. Pascaline Smets operates the family-owned business of multiple high-end boutiques throughout Luxembourg, offering the best fashion brands. Whatever doesn't sell by the end of the season, however, ends up at her luxury outlet in rue Beaumont, where you can fetch a bargain with your favourite label. 3 Ernster, rue du Fossé 27. M-Sa 09:00-18:30. A family business operating for over a century, the Ernster bookstore grew to be a five-storey paradise for bookworms with a wide selection of books in many languages, as well as a special section for children. Apart from the main store, you can find Ernster in the Belle Etoile shopping centre and in several other locations throughout the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Markets 4 Monthly Market in Glacis. Every 3rd Sunday of the month. Every month in the expansive Glacis square in Limpertsberg a market takes place, which is a mixture of a flea market, a farmer's market and some local arts & crafts. Browse and enjoy the best Luxembourg has to offer if you are in the city for the date. 5 Weekly Market in Bonnevoie. Every Wednesday, 07:00-13:30. Bonnevoie hosts a weekly market every Wednesday in front of the parish church 6 Market in Place de Paris, Place de Paris. W and Sa 07:00-13:30. The Gare quarter holds markets in Place de Paris twice a week. 7 Market in Place Guillaume II. W and Sa 07:00-13:30. Place Guillaume II plays host to a market twice a week. lët’z go local. The organisation with the jocular name seeks to promote local Luxembourgish produce of all kinds, be it food, drinks, fashion, design or even leisure services. They organize markets multiple times every year in varying locations in Luxembourg to showcase the offer of their members.

Shopping centres 8 Kirchberg Shopping Centre (Auchan Kirchberg), Rue Alphonse Weicker 5. A mixed-use complex, containing offices, a large shopping gallery anchored by a bi-level Auchan hypermarket, and a restaurant plaza. (updated Mar 2020)

Eat

Home to a surprisingly large number of Michelin star establishments, the city houses many fine eateries. Luxembourg also has a very large population of Italians who came to the country in the late 19th century so pizzerias in Luxembourg are always very reliable and frequent. For something cheap and quick the Place d'Armes is the best bet.

Budget 1 KUMPIR The Happy Potato, Entrée Parking, Pl. du Théâtre. The front counter lady is very kind and introduces you to all the dishes. Delicious baked potato with many kinds of toppings. During summer the tables outside are nice. They have other options if you don’t want to eat the potato. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. (updated May 2022) 2 Nirvana Café, 1 Av. de la Gare. The staff is so dedicated and kind. The dish of the day deal is excellent for vegan backpackers. The portion sizes are huge. The food is really tasty, Recommended is the chapati. Great lunch spot close to the train station. Delicious Indian food. (updated Jan 2023) 3 Brasserie Place "Russian Cafe", 11 Rue de Bonnevoie. Delicious food just like home. Some vegetarian options available. The service is very attentive. Always amazing quality food. Blini are hot and crispy, and pelmeni are tasty. Bortsch may be a bit oversavoury. Very local atmosphere. Nice cafe serving Russian cuisine. Large portions. (updated Jan 2023) 4 Café Santos Ribeiro, 70 Rue d'Anvers. Canteen with Portuguese and a little international food. Lots of people from Luxembourg who like to eat well. Great place to eat lunch. Fast and delicious service. Family cooking. It feels like being in Portugal. (updated Jan 2023) 5 Snack Hakan, 16 Av. Victor Hugo. Clean and delicious mashamlah. The cheeseburger is very good. Best kebab. The owner is very customer oriented and very welcoming. Consistently good quality. The meat is tender and well seasoned. It's one of the best addresses for skewers in Luxembourg. (updated Jan 2023) 6 Breaktime Kebab Grill - Gare, 51 Av. de la Liberté. Very good kebab. Good options. Fresh and good ingredients. The boss and his employees are super friendly and courteous, it's always clean. The service is quite fast. (updated Jan 2023)

Mid-range 7 La Fontaine, 25, place de Paris, ☏ +352 494076. One of a number of affordable bistros clustered around place de Paris. The quadrilingual menus run the gamut from pizza and mussels to Luxembourgish classics like judd mat gaardebounen (smoked pork neck with broad beans), and there are daily specials. (updated May 2022)

8 Mousel's Cantine, 46, Montée de Clausen, ☏ +352 470198. Great local plates on the site of th

Drink & nightlife

Luxembourg is a decent place to have a drink. Owing to the number of ex-pats who live in Luxembourg there are a wide variety of establishments in addition to the Luxembourgish bars. Pubs in Luxembourg tend to be a traditional affair, although more modern bars, and English or Irish themed pubs have also become the norm. Luxembourg is a low-key capital city and is generally not the best place for big nights out, although during the months of warmer weather it can have its moments.

1 Britannia Pub, Rue de Clausen 1342. A favourite watering hole of local English ex-pats. Good place for watching football and rugby. 2 Decibel (Gare), 42-44 Rue de Hollerich, ☏ +352 27 36 53 35, [email protected]. A music bar in a courtyard alongside other bars and restaurants off the lively rue de Hollerich, an eclectic range of music can be heard here and Decibel has one of the widest range of Belgian beers in the city on tap and in bottles. It is run by Irish people so the Guinness is decent as well. 3 The Black Stuff (Pulvermuhl), 15 Val de Hamm, ☏ +352 42 54 96, [email protected]. The Black Stuff is an Irish pub on the outskirts of the city that is popular with ex-pats and locals alike. In the winter the log fire makes the cosy back room a good option to enjoy a Guinness or a hot port, the terrace is popular in the summer. It is a popular place to watch Football and rugby and the best place in Luxembourg to watch televised Gaelic Football and Hurling. 4 Pygmalion, Rue de la Tour Jacob 19. Or the Pyg, an Irish pub and the best of the English, Scottish, Irish triumvirate in Clausen. Pub quizzes every other Monday. 5 Crossfire. A Scandinavian pub off Ave. de la Liberté, small and friendly. 6 Scott's. No. 4, Bisserwee (down in the Grund). A common place for a drink (or two). 7 Urban, Rue de la Boucherie 2. A refreshingly modern bar that has a wide mix of clientèle. Although often overcrowded it is a great place to start a night out. Urban also has live music every Sunday evening and has sporting events shown on two massive plasma screens. 8 The Tube. Subterranean, London Underground-themed bar. International young crowd and great tunes for various tastes. Gets extremely packed late on Fridays and Saturdays and overspills into the street during warmer months. 9 Vis-a-vis, Rue Beaumont 2 (Near Place d'Armes), ☏ +352 46 03 26. Hang out with the locals in this charming little Luxembourgish bar. Cheaper than a lot of other watering holes found in the city. 10 Café des Artistes (Grund). Smokey little Luxembourg piano bar illuminated by candlelight. 11 Melusina, Rue de l

Sleep

For a city of its size, Luxembourg has a hotel room supply that is more than ample, thanks to the large number of business travellers visiting the city. Therefore, the industry is geared mostly towards them and consists largely of mid- to high-standard business hotels.

Budget 1 Camping Bon Accueil. In Alzingen 4 km to the south of the city. 100 pitches. Adult €4, kid €2, pitch €5. 2 Luxembourg Youth Hostel, 2, rue du Fort Olisy, ☏ +352 22 68 89 20. A nice clean hostel with a friendly atmosphere, 10 minutes on the bus from the city centre. €35.00 per bed in a shared dorm, discount with HI membership. Breakfast free, other meals €7.50-15.00. 3 Hotel Empire, 34, place de la Gare. Across from central station. Small rooms, but cheap and a good location. July 2011 prices were €65 for single occupancy, €75 for double. Has indoor storage for bikes as well as an air compressor and tool kit. Breakfast included. 4 ibis Budget Luxembourg Airport (formerly Etap), Route de Trèves. This is an older ibis Budget (blue rooms) next to the Findel Airport, which provides the most basic standards for some of the lowest rates in Luxembourg. 5 Campanile Hotel Luxembourg Aéroport, Route de Trèves 22. The Luxembourg Airport Campanile offers the familiar basic comforts to motorized travellers. 6 ibis Hotel Luxembourg Aeroport, Route de Trèves. An old and worn "red-pillow" ibis beside the ibis Budget, offering marginally higher comfort at slightly higher rates. 7 ibis Styles Luxembourg Centre Gare. The "green-pillow" ibis Styles is one of the hotels filling up almost the entire block in front of Luxembourg's train station (although the hotel does not face the station, but rather the narrow Rue Junck leading up to it). Everything in the hotel is on the small side, but breakfasts are always included in the room rates.

Mid-range 8 Grand Hotel Cravat, Boulevard Roosevelt 29 (a few steps off the Place Guillaume II, in front of the Gëlle Fra). Slightly worn but comfortable midrange hotel. 9 Christophe Colomb, 10, Rue d'Anvers, Gare (close to the train station), ☏ +352 4084141. €100. 10 NH Luxembourg, Route de Trèves 1. Luxembourg's NH is an airport hotel, within walking distance of the Findel Airport terminal buildings (although walking through the traffic arrangement around the airport is not recommended). Its common spaces such as the gym, restaurant and conference rooms directly overlook the apron and runway. Otherwise, it is a fairly standard NH hotel. 11 Mercure Grand Hotel Alfa, Place de la Gare 16. The historic Grand Hotel Alfa, opposite Luxembourg's train station

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