Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City is a compact capital where old fortifications sit above river valleys and a modern financial district, a good stop for a short European city break.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Luxembourg City is the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small country between Belgium, France and Germany. The old town sits on high ground above the Alzette river. The fortifications are the main draw: the Bock promontory, where the settlement began, and the casemates, tunnels dug into the rock. UNESCO lists the city's old quarters and fortifications as a World Heritage Site. Below the plateau, the Grund district runs along the river with old houses and riverside paths.
On the newer side of the plateau, Kirchberg holds several European Union institutions, the Philharmonie concert hall and the Mudam contemporary art museum. Two or three days suit a city break, with walks along the ramparts, museums and meals in the old town and the Grund. Walking outdoors is easiest from spring to early autumn, and winter brings Christmas markets. Two days covers the main areas at a relaxed pace.
Luxembourg City in five
- Check the free bus and tram rules on mobiliteit.luBuses, trams and 2nd-class trains are free to ride in Luxembourg. Check mobiliteit.lu for the current rules before you travel.Getting around
- Set up an eSIM or offline maps before you landThe lanes in the Grund and the stairs up to the Bock are steep. Download offline maps or add an eSIM before you arrive.Phones and eSIM
- Use the Pfaffenthal lift to climb to the Old TownThe stairs from the Grund and Pfaffenthal are long and steep. Take the lift up, and use the stairs on the way down if you want the walk.
- Plan shopping for Saturday or a weekdayMost shops close on Sunday, so buy groceries and souvenirs on other days.
- Carry your passport on the day trip to TrierTrier is in Germany, which is inside the Schengen area, but border checks can still happen on trains. Keep your passport with you on the way.
Things to do in Luxembourg City
See all attractions in Luxembourg City
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Schengen short stays, visa-free for many passports Read more
- Emergency
- 112 general emergency, 113 police
- Tipping
- Service included; rounding up is common
- Time
- UTC+1, with daylight saving to UTC+2 in summer
Weather by month
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, grey
- FebruaryCold, grey
- MarchSpring starts
- AprilShowers, mild
- MayMild, green
- JuneLong days
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustWarm, holidays
- SeptemberMild, quieter
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberGrey, damp
- DecemberChristmas lights
Festivals: Mar Emaischen · Apr Emaischen · Jul Luxembourg Pride
Right now in Luxembourg City
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 14%
Luxembourg City
09:44 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°3°14%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Tue8°2°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed9°2°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°2°0%Thursday: Clear. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°0°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat6°4°6%Saturday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun9°3°14%Sunday: Fog. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 07:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in Luxembourg City
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- Mar–AprEmaischenLuxembourg City
- JulLuxembourg PrideLuxembourg City
Day trips by train
- Viandenabout 1 to 1.5 hours by busA hilltop castle above a river town in the north of the country.
- Echternachabout 1 hour by train or busAn abbey town on the Sûre, with a basilica and a lake nearby.
- Trierabout 1 hour by trainA Roman city in Germany with the Porta Nigra and Roman baths, a short trip across the border.
Before you go to Luxembourg City
Rules for Luxembourg City, checked
- Many passports need no visa for short Schengen stays. Check the current rules at guichet.lu before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the EU threshold when you enter or leave the EU, on the customs form or at the customs desk.
- Dial 112 for any emergency in Luxembourg. Dial 113 to reach the police directly.
Plan around Luxembourg City
Country-wide rules, transport and day trips from the capital
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, trams and trains across the country, and the rules for free rides
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in the Old Town, the Grund and Kirchberg
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and typical prices for beds, meals and sights
Read the guideVisas and entrySchengen rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans and offline maps for the steep old town
Read the guideLuxembourg City FAQ
Is Luxembourg City worth visiting?
Yes. The Bock cliff and the gorges above the Alzette are the main draw, and the centre is small enough to walk in a day. It also works as a base for day trips into the countryside.
How many days do you need in Luxembourg City?
Two days cover the Old Town, the Bock cliff and the Grund, plus one museum. Add a third day for Kirchberg or a day trip to Vianden or Echternach.
How do you get from the airport to the city?
Findel airport is a few kilometres from the centre, reached by bus or taxi. Check the bus route and times on mobiliteit.lu before you go.
Do I need to speak Luxembourgish?
No. French, German and English are used in most hotels and shops, and Luxembourgish greetings are welcome but not needed.
Is Luxembourg City walkable?
Yes, but the centre sits on a plateau above steep valleys. Expect many stairs, and use the Pfaffenthal lift if you carry heavy bags.
When is the best time to visit Luxembourg City?
May, June and September have mild weather. June has the longest days. Winter is grey and quiet, and summer is warm and busier.