Luxembourg Holidays

Last updated: September 2026

Luxembourg holidays pack an astonishing amount of history, natural drama and cultural sophistication into a country smaller than many English counties. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg — one of Europe’s oldest and wealthiest nations — offers a UNESCO-listed capital perched on dramatic cliff-top fortifications, a medieval castle rising above the Our River valley, some of the most spectacular river gorges in northern Europe and a wine region that produces some of the finest Rieslings and Crémants on the continent.

Despite sitting at the heart of Europe, bordered by France, Germany and Belgium, Luxembourg holidays remain one of the best-kept secrets in European travel. This page covers everything UK travellers need to know — from the rock-cut casemates of Luxembourg City to the fairy-tale towers of Vianden Castle, the rolling trails of the Mullerthal and the sunlit vineyards of the Moselle Valley.

Why Choose Luxembourg Holidays?

Luxembourg holidays offer something genuinely rare in European travel: a destination that is simultaneously world-class in cultural and historical depth, easy to get to from the UK, and still largely free of the mass tourism that has overwhelmed so many comparable cities. Luxembourg City itself is one of the most dramatically situated capital cities in Europe, built across a series of cliff-top plateaux divided by deep river gorges — the combination of medieval fortifications, elegant 18th-century townhouses and the buzzing European quarter below gives the city a unique and endlessly photogenic character.

The country is tiny enough to see the highlights in a long weekend but rich enough to reward a full week of exploration. Luxembourg holidays suit couples and families equally well — the road network is excellent, distances are short, and the quality of accommodation and restaurants across the country is consistently high. France holidays lie immediately to the south, and Switzerland holidays offer a similarly compact European experience for those building a wider itinerary.

Luxembourg City — UNESCO Capital

The Old Town and Chemin de la Corniche

Luxembourg City’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site jointly designated with the ancient fortifications surrounding it. The Chemin de la Corniche — a pedestrian promenade along the cliff edge overlooking the lower Alzette valley — has been called the most beautiful balcony in Europe, and the views across the red-roofed houses of the Grund neighbourhood below, framed by ancient defensive walls and dense riverside greenery, bear that description out entirely.

The old town is compact and highly walkable, centred on the Place Guillaume II and the adjacent Place d’Armes, both lined with café terraces, restaurant frontages and elegant grand duchy architecture. The Grand Ducal Palace, still used as an official royal residence, faces onto Place Guillaume II and can be toured during the summer months. Luxembourg City rewards slow exploration on foot — an essential element of any successful Luxembourg holiday.

The Bock Casemates

The Bock Casemates are one of the most extraordinary military engineering achievements in Europe — a network of rock-cut tunnels, galleries and chambers stretching for 23 kilometres beneath the cliff-top city, originally constructed from 963 AD and expanded progressively over several centuries of European conflict. The accessible section of these tunnels, open to the public throughout the year, gives a vivid sense of Luxembourg City’s former status as one of the most heavily fortified places on the continent.

At the peak of its defences in the 18th century, Luxembourg City’s fortifications rivalled those of Gibraltar and Namur. The dismantling of the outer fortifications under the Treaty of London in 1867 removed Luxembourg’s status as a military stronghold but left the city with an extraordinary legacy of earthworks, bastions and casemate galleries that form the core of its UNESCO designation and one of the most memorable attractions for Luxembourg holidays.

The Kirchberg Plateau and European Quarter

Across the Alzette valley from the old town, the modern Kirchberg plateau is home to Luxembourg’s role as one of the three capitals of the European Union — housing the European Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors and numerous EU institutions in an impressive contemporary architectural ensemble. The Mudam Luxembourg contemporary art museum, designed by I.M. Pei and completed in 2006, is one of the finest purpose-built art spaces in Europe and well worth including in any Luxembourg holiday itinerary.

The Philharmonie, an elliptical concert hall sheathed in 823 steel columns, hosts world-class performances and is architecturally among the most striking buildings in the country. Kirchberg demonstrates that Luxembourg’s considerable national prosperity has been invested thoughtfully in public cultural institutions of the highest quality.

Vianden and the Ardennes

Vianden Castle

Perched on a commanding rocky promontory high above the small town of Vianden and the Our River valley below, Vianden Castle is the most dramatic and most romantic castle in Luxembourg. Originally built between the 11th and 14th centuries and serving for centuries as the seat of the powerful Counts of Vianden, the castle fell into disrepair in the 19th century before an extensive programme of restoration — still ongoing — returned it to something approaching its medieval magnificence.

The interior is superbly presented, with a sequence of grand halls, a Byzantine-Romanesque palace and a restored kitchen complex giving a vivid sense of medieval aristocratic life. Victor Hugo stayed in Vianden in 1871 and was so captivated by the castle and valley that he returned three times — his house in the lower town is now a small museum. Vianden is a highlight of Luxembourg holidays and is easily visited as a day trip from Luxembourg City, a drive of about an hour to the north through the forested Ardennes hills.

The Our Valley and Northern Ardennes

The northern Ardennes region around Vianden offers some of the finest walking and cycling terrain in the Benelux countries, with waymarked trails threading through dense beech and oak forests, along river gorges and past a string of picturesque villages. The Our River forms the border with Germany along much of its length, and the landscape on both banks is largely unspoilt — a haven for walkers, mountain bikers and those seeking genuine rural tranquillity on their Luxembourg holidays.

The Mullerthal — Little Switzerland

The Mullerthal region in eastern Luxembourg — known as Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland — is one of the most distinctive natural landscapes in the Benelux area. A network of sandstone gorges, sculpted rock formations, waterfalls, mossy boulders and deeply shaded ravines is threaded by the 112-kilometre Mullerthal Trail, one of the most celebrated long-distance hiking routes in northern Europe. The landscape is genuinely unlike anything else in the region and has been attracting walkers since the 19th century.

The market town of Echternach, sitting at the heart of the Mullerthal region on the Sûre River, is the oldest town in Luxembourg and a place of considerable historical and artistic significance. The 7th-century abbey founded by the English monk St Willibrord — the Apostle of the Frisians — is a pilgrimage destination that has drawn visitors to Echternach for over thirteen centuries. The annual dancing procession of Echternach, held every Whit Tuesday, is an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Luxembourg holidays that include the Mullerthal offer the most complete picture of the country’s natural and cultural variety.

The Moselle Valley

Luxembourg’s southeastern border follows the Moselle River for approximately 42 kilometres, and the valley on both banks is one of the most picturesque wine regions in northern Europe. Luxembourg Moselle wines — particularly the dry Rieslings, Auxerrois and Crémant de Luxembourg sparkling wines — are little known outside the country but are of excellent quality, produced from steep slate-soiled vineyard terraces that have been cultivated since Roman times.

The wine route along the Luxembourg Moselle passes through a series of charming viticultural villages — Remich, Grevenmacher, Wormeldange, Ehnen — each with its own wine cooperatives and tasting rooms. Remich, the most lively of the Moselle towns, has a pleasant promenade along the river and a cluster of good restaurants serving traditional Luxembourgish cuisine alongside the local wines. A day spent on the Moselle is one of the most pleasurable diversions available on Luxembourg holidays.

Getting There

Luxembourg City Airport (LUX) is a compact and efficient airport served by direct flights from London Heathrow (British Airways), London Stansted and other UK airports via Luxair and budget carriers. Flight times are approximately one and a half hours from London. Luxembourg City is also directly reachable by Eurostar to Brussels followed by a 45-minute onward train — a comfortable and scenic option for Luxembourg holidays with flexibility on travel dates.

Luxembourg City itself is highly walkable, and an efficient network of free public buses covers the country — Luxembourg made all public transport free for all passengers in 2020, a world first. Car hire from the airport is the most practical option for exploring Vianden, the Mullerthal and the Moselle Valley on a Luxembourg holiday, as driving distances throughout the country are short.

Luxembourg at a Glance

Book Your Luxembourg Holiday

Look for ABTA membership, ATOL protection or ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.

For last-minute Luxembourg holiday deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Luxembourg Holidays

How many days do you need in Luxembourg?

A long weekend of three to four days is sufficient for a Luxembourg holiday focused on Luxembourg City, Vianden and either the Mullerthal or the Moselle Valley. Luxembourg City alone rewards two full days — one for the old town, casemates and city walks, and another for Kirchberg and the museums. A fourth day opens up a day trip to Vianden or the Mullerthal gorges.

A full week in Luxembourg gives the opportunity to explore the country thoroughly — the Ardennes north, the Mullerthal east and the Moselle south can all be covered comfortably with a hire car. Those who enjoy walking and cycling will find a full week passes very quickly given the quality and variety of the trail networks throughout the country.

Do I need a visa for Luxembourg?

UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Luxembourg. The country is a full member of the Schengen Area, and UK citizens may visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Always verify the latest requirements with official sources before travelling, as rules governing UK citizens in Schengen countries continue to evolve.

Ensure your passport is valid for the entirety of your planned stay and ideally has at least six months beyond the return date. Your travel agent will advise on the current entry documentation needed when booking your Luxembourg holiday.

Is Luxembourg expensive?

Luxembourg has a reputation for being expensive, and Luxembourg City’s restaurants and hotels can indeed be pricey by comparison with Eastern European capitals. However, Luxembourg holidays are not dramatically more expensive than a comparable trip to Switzerland or Scandinavia, and budget options exist particularly outside the city. The complete absence of public transport fares — all buses and trains are free — is a meaningful saving throughout the country.

Accommodation in Luxembourg City tends to command a premium, but Echternach, Vianden and the Moselle wine villages offer comfortable alternatives at lower prices. Self-catering gîtes in the Ardennes and Mullerthal are available at very reasonable rates. A well-planned Luxembourg holiday can be excellent value relative to its cultural rewards.

What is the best region of Luxembourg to visit?

For first-time Luxembourg holidays, the capital is the obvious starting point — Luxembourg City alone is world-class and takes at least two days to explore properly. Beyond the city, Vianden and its castle is the single most dramatic excursion in the country and should be on every itinerary. The Mullerthal, with its sandstone gorge trails and the ancient town of Echternach, is the choice for walkers and those seeking natural beauty.

The Moselle Valley is best appreciated in late summer and autumn, when the harvests bring the wine villages to life with festivals and tastings. For those willing to return, Luxembourg rewards multiple visits — each of the country’s distinct regions has enough to justify a dedicated trip, and the whole country remains refreshingly free of the tourist crowds that afflict better-known European destinations.