Europe's Most Underrated Capital
Luxembourg City is one of Europe's most dramatically situated capitals — built on a high sandstone plateau above a deep gorge carved by the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, with a UNESCO-listed old town above and the atmospheric lower quarters of Grund and Clausen below. The contrast between the clifftop fortifications and the valley villages connected by steep staircases and winding paths creates a photographic richness that surprises nearly every visitor.
The country is tiny — about the size of a large English county — but packs in remarkable variety: Ardennes forests in the north, the Moselle wine valley in the east, and a capital that combines medieval fortifications with modern European institutions.
Luxembourg City
- Chemin de la Corniche: Often called "Europe's most beautiful balcony" — a promenade along the cliff edge above the Alzette valley, with sweeping views over the Grund quarter below and the Bock fortifications alongside. Best at golden hour looking east.
- Bock Casemates: A remarkable network of underground tunnels and fortifications carved into the sandstone cliff — at their peak containing 23km of passages. The clifftop views from the Bock promontory across the valley are the city's finest.
- Grund Quarter: The valley village below the city — reached by steep staircases or a lift through the cliff. Narrow streets, riverside gardens, and the Abbey of Neumünster make it the most charming part of the city.
- Place Guillaume II & Place d'Armes: The twin squares at the heart of the old town — surrounded by café terraces and 19th-century civic buildings.
- MUDAM (Museum of Modern Art): I.M. Pei's glass pavilion built into the ruins of Fort Thüngen — architecturally striking from outside and excellent within.
Beyond the Capital
The Müllerthal region (Luxembourg's Little Switzerland) is a landscape of sandstone rock formations, narrow gorges, and marked hiking trails through beech forest — one of the best walking regions in the Benelux. The Moselle Valley wine road along the eastern border with Germany produces excellent Riesling and Pinot Gris at a fraction of Alsace prices. The Vianden Castle in the north is one of the finest medieval fortresses in Western Europe.
Practical Tips
- Public transport in Luxembourg is entirely free — trains, buses, and trams require no ticket for residents or visitors.
- Luxembourg City is very walkable — most sights are within 30 minutes on foot from the city centre.
- The country is small enough to combine city and countryside in a long weekend; a hire car opens up the Ardennes and Moselle.
- Luxembourg is one of the most expensive countries in Europe — budget accordingly for restaurants and accommodation.