A winter weekend in Luxembourg

Unassuming, but incredibly charming, the tiny country of Luxembourg cuddles up beside Germany, France and Belgium, and the short flight from the UK, makes it the perfect spot for a weekend break.

The influences from neighbouring countries make up its eclectic character, but there is a true local hospitality that shines through, and although you can cover most of the country in just a few days, you will leave wanting to return.

Luxembourg was never high up on my list of places to visit. However, after a few friends had relocated there, I knew there was an excuse to get there one day.

I recently took a wander over to this wonderful wee country, to explore this cute new little country and saw my first bit of snow of the year. Prior to getting there, I did question myself:

Is it possible to see Luxembourg in a weekend?

The answer is yes! So if you’re short on time and want to make the most of a weekend, then read on for where you can visit.

The Luxembourg Card

If you’ve only got a weekend, you may want to invest in a Luxembourg card, available at the tourist information point in the city. For €28, this is vaild for three days, but can be used within a one year period (as opposed to consecutively). The card will allow you free or discounted entry into many of the countries attractions, and free travel on all buses and trains – it is a bit of a bargain!

Luxembourg City

Luxembourg city is easy to get about on foot, and you can take in many of the cities sights.

Chambre des Députés (Luxembourg Parliament) 

The Chambre des Députés (Luxembourg Parliament) is in the middle of the city, and is an incredible building, made with beautiful stonework.

Guards stand outside (much like in London), and the Luxembourg flag flies proudly.

Gare De Luxembourg- Luxembourg train station

This building may not seem like a sight you’d want to visit, and it is likely that you will have come into the city this way, but if you take a stroll to where the departure area is, and look up – it has an incredible ceiling and stained glass windows. Almost as beautiful as the Sao Bento station in Porto, Portugal. 

Museums

If the weather isn’t on your side, then there are several Museums in Luxembourg that you can while away your time over. The Museum of History and Art in the centre caught my eye as I was walking past.

Luxembourgish food 

I love to eat local food when I travel. When wandering around the city, my friends suggested we go to Le Cercle, which is quite fancy, but had incredible food, and I grabbed the Waunsoossis to taste a bit of Luxembourg – it was delicious!

Other places in Luxembourg

When you are done in the city, you can head out to some other towns/villages for a little look. It’ll give you a bit of a different flavour for the country itself, and you’ll notice that when it towns bordering Germany or France, the architecture takes on a bit of that country also.

Echternach

Echternach in Eastern Luxembourg is offically a city, and borders Germany (you can cross the border by foot, over a bridge to Echternacherbruck in Germany, which I got a little excited about doing, as I quite enjoy my overland border crossings (mostly!) 

Basilica of Saint Willibrord

The Basilica of Saint Willibrord in Echternach is a beautiful building both inside and out and it is worth a little stroll around.

Overall, the town of Echternach was quiet, as it was not peak time, but it had a lovely market square, which would be bustling in the spring and summer months

Vianden

Luxembourg is home to many Castles, which truly delights my heart. I love the historic structure of Castles, their facade and running around them, pretending to be a princess for the day.

Arguably one of the most beautiful castles in the country is in the little town of Vianden in the North of the country, and bordering with Germany.

Perched on a hill, this grand Castle was established in and around the 10th century, and has been developed ever since. It really is worth a wander around it.

I spent a good hour or more wandering around the Castle, but found in the end that it was difficult to leave, not for its beauty, but the signs were not a good indictor of how to get out, so we ended up going back on ourselves to the front door.

 

I had a wondeful time exploring Luxembourg, for the weekend, but have made it my mission to return in the summer months to see it in a different light. 

 

Weekend Trip to Luxembourg – Info 

Accommodation was provided by the Park Inn by Radisson, Luxembourg City, and a three day Luxembourg Card thanks to Visit Luxembourg.

Return flights with Easyjet from London Gatwick from approx. £50