Luxembourg is one of Europe’s smallest countries, tucked between France, Belgium, and Germany. Despite its size, the country has built an outsized reputation for banking, finance, and one of the highest standards of living in the world. What surprised me most was how much variety was packed into such a small place. You can explore a dramatic historic capital, hike through rocky forests and waterfalls, and visit medieval castles without ever traveling very far. Luxembourg also wasn’t nearly as expensive to explore as I expected, especially compared with some other wealthy parts of Europe.
Explore Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City is the country’s capital and by far its most important urban center. The city combines modern European institutions with a historic center built around cliffs, valleys, and old fortifications. Some of the most interesting places include the Bock Casemates, the Grand Ducal Palace, and the overlooks where you can see the lower historic neighborhoods spread across the valley. For such a small capital, Luxembourg City has a surprising amount of history, museums, restaurants, and nightlife packed into a compact area.
Explore Mullerthal
Mullerthal is one of the best places in Luxembourg to get outdoors. Often nicknamed Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland, the region is filled with wooded trails, sandstone formations, streams, and narrow roads winding through the countryside. The Mullerthal Trail gives hikers plenty of ways to explore the area, while one of the best-known landmarks is Schiessentümpel, a small but picturesque waterfall crossed by a stone bridge.
Explore Vianden
Vianden is a small medieval town in northern Luxembourg and one of the most scenic places I visited in the country. The enormous Vianden Castle dominates the hillside above town and is easily one of Luxembourg’s most impressive landmarks. The surrounding streets, river, and wooded hills make the entire area feel like a classic European mountain village. Not far away, Diekirch is also home to an excellent World War II museum covering the fighting that took place in Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge.
