Things to do in Luxembourg on a day trip
- Henna Shah
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
If you’re travelling to Europe and are visiting any of these three cities in Western Europe - Brussels, Paris or Amsterdam, definitely consider taking a day trip to the tiny European nation of Luxembourg. A highlight of Luxembourg tourist places includes the most beautiful balcony in Europe and you can literally explore a whole new country in a few hours. We shall list down the best things to do in Luxembourg on a day trip as we spent about 4 hours in the country.
Table of contents
Where is Luxembourg?
Tucked away in Western Europe, Luxembourg is a tiny, landlocked country which is bordered by Belgium, Germany, and France. Officially, it’s called the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Day trip from Brussels to Luxembourg city
Brussels is the closest major European city to access Luxembourg. You can take a 2.5 hour train ride from Brussels to Luxembourg. That means you will spend about 5-6 hours travelling and will get around 3-4 hours in Luxembourg city.
What is the best way to get around Luxembourg?
We explored Luxembourg city by foot to better admire the beautiful architecture. However, the public transport in Luxembourg is free to use and can be accessed if you are spending more time in the city.
Luxembourg tourist places
We covered a lot of ground when it comes to places to visit in Luxembourg in a span of just 4 hours. This is the exact walking route that we followed all navigated through Google Maps.
Place D’Armes
We kicked things off by heading to Place d'Armes, just a short walk from the station. This lively square sits right in the heart of Luxembourg City's old town and is often called the “Parlour of the City” (fancy, right?). It's a popular hangout for both locals and tourists, always buzzing with energy, well, at least on weekdays. Come during lunch on a weekday, and it’s packed with people grabbing food, chatting, or just soaking up the sun. But on weekends? It’s almost eerily quiet. That’s because a lot of folks who work in the city actually live outside of it or even commute in from neighboring countries like France or Belgium. So once Friday wraps up, the place really empties out.
Grand Ducal Palace
Next up on our list was the Grand Ducal Palace, definitely one of the must-see spots in Luxembourg City. Right in the center of town, this place is full of history and has that classic fairytale look with its stunning architecture. One of the coolest things? You can actually get pretty close to the palace guards. We even ended up interacting with one of them. It’s not like other European palaces where everything feels super distant or overly formal. Here, it feels a bit more relaxed and up close. The palace’s facade is absolutely gorgeous.
Villeroy & Boch
If you have heard of this luxury ceramic dining brand, it has deep roots in Luxembourg with a store near Place D’Armes. Since we are crockery buffs and own a few pieces from Villeroy & Boch, we went to the store to understand how the collection was different back home in India. It was pretty much the same, to our delight.
Chemin de la Corniche
One of the absolute highlights of our trip was walking along the Chemin de la Corniche, often called “the most beautiful balcony in Europe” and honestly, it lives up to the name. This scenic walkway winds along the edge of Luxembourg City’s old fortifications, offering some seriously jaw-dropping views over the valley below. We recommend going in the late afternoon or evening when the city starts to light up, it's magical.
Elevator of Pfaffenthal
One of the coolest (and most unexpected) things we did in Luxembourg City was ride the Pfaffenthal Panoramic Elevator. This super sleek glass lift connects the upper part of the city with the Pfaffenthal district down in the Alzette valley. It only takes about 30 seconds to travel the 60-meter drop, but the real highlight is the view. You can hop on from Pescatore Park up top or Rue du Pont down in Pfaffenthal. Best of all? It’s totally free. It runs daily from early morning (5:45 AM) to after midnight (1:00 AM), with just a short monthly maintenance break (usually the first Monday of the month).
Cathedral Notre-dame of Luxembourg
Before heading back to the train station, we made one last stop at Notre-Dame Cathedral and wow, what a way to end the day. This stunning cathedral sits right in the heart of Luxembourg City and is a beautiful mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. It’s not just visually impressive, though it’s also packed with history and national significance. Inside, it’s peaceful and grand, with soaring ceilings, intricate stained glass, and a sense of quiet majesty. Whether you're into architecture, history, or just love a good photo spot, this place is totally worth a visit.
Vegetarian food in Luxembourg at Beet
Before making our way to Chemin de la Corniche, we stopped for lunch near Place d’Armes at a cozy vegan spot called Beet. The owner was super friendly and even set us up with a lovely terrace seat on the first level, giving us a great view of the square while we ate. And the food? Absolutely delicious. From fresh salads to hearty burgers, colorful mezze platters, and refreshing juices, everything hit the spot. Fun fact: the same team also runs another vegan place nearby called Seed, so clearly they know what they’re doing and owned the vegetarian food scene in Luxembourg.
Before heading back to the station, we couldn’t resist a quick dessert stop at Glacier Bargello, a tiny gelato shop that turned out to be a hidden gem. We tried a flavor called Crema Toscana, a dreamy blend of pistachio and almond and honestly, it might just be the best gelato I’ve had in all of Europe. No exaggeration. The perfect sweet ending to a day well spent in Luxembourg.
Last word: Day trip to Luxembourg or an overnight stay?
If you're heading to Europe from India with a packed itinerary and a long list of must-see places, a day trip to Luxembourg is a great way to check this beautiful little country off your list and cover the famous places in Luxembourg. It’s compact, charming, and totally doable in a day without feeling rushed. That said, if you’re road-tripping across Europe, consider spending the night here, Luxembourg’s evening vibes are just magical, especially when the city lights come on.
Personally, I’d recommend sticking with trains if you can. Western Europe’s rail network is super efficient, and hopping on a train saves you the hassle of finding parking or dealing with traffic. It lets you focus on what really matters, soaking in the sights, eating great food, and making the most of your day.
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