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Luxembourg Overview

Nestled between Belgium, Germany and France, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is just 51 miles long and 32 miles at its widest point. However, while it may be small in geographic terms, it offers beauty and interest out of all proportion to its size.

The North of Luxembourg merges into the great Ardennes forest, providing glorious scenery and spectacular views. To the South, it is less heavily wooded, with mile after mile of lush, rolling hills and a border that adjoins the glorious Moselle valley.

The capital, Luxembourg City is a thousand-year-old fortress, with ramparts that are sometimes called ‘Europe’s most beautiful balcony.’ It certainly does offer wonderful views, as does the old Town, which is a picturesque blend of cobbled streets, battlements, art galleries and museums. The capital’s neat proportions also make this a great place for walking, with fine buildings and appealing pavement cafés at almost every turn.

Yet within an hour’s bus ride of the capital, there is also some of the most unspoiled scenery in all Europe, with delightful medieval towns such as Vianden and Echternach on the German border, to discover, not to mention Luxembourg’s own wine country that sits alongside the banks of the Moselle. Here you will find many interesting wineries, such as those at Grevenmacher and Remich, and even have the opportunity to travel between them by pleasure boat along the Moselle.

As you might expect from a country with so many near neighbours, the cuisine of Luxembourg has many French and German influences, but those seeking local specialities should look out for the spicy sausages called Thuringer, and the deep fried potato cakes called Gromperekichelcher; both often sold from street carts.

If you would like information about our French and German campsites please see our French campsites and German campsites section for more details.

Places to visit - Sightseeing

While it is one of Europe’s smallest countries, camping in Luxembourg still offers you more than simply wonderful scenery to enjoy. This tiny country has a thriving culture and a number of captivating sights.

Luxembourg City
With more than a thousand years of history behind it, Luxembourg City offers fine buildings and surprises at every turn, not to mention 23km of underground galleries that are a must-see attraction for every visitor here.

Wenzel Circular Walk
The perfect way to discover Luxembourg City, this two-hour stroll is well signposted and shows you around most of the city’s finest buildings as well as the fortifications both above and below.

The Grand Ducal Palace
With its lovely façade in the ornate Flemish Renaissance style and magnificent ceremonial rooms inside, the Grand-Duke’s residence must be seen, though tours are only given from mid-July to the beginning of September.

National Museum of History and Art
With exhibits that stretch from prehistoric remains to 20th century decorative art, the museum really does have something for everyone, including a truly wonderful Roman mosaic.

Larochette
The medieval village of Larochette in the Mullerthal region is as charming as it is well preserved, and overlooked by the superb remains of Larochette castle, a vast sandstone ruin that still dominates the pretty scenery of the White Ernz Valley.

Mersch
The lovely old town of Mersch lies at something of a crossroads in the centre of Luxembourg, in an area of great natural beauty where you can come to see the springs of the Hunnebour, St Michael’s Tower and the prehistoric caves of the Mamer Valley.

The Mullerthal
Also known as Little Switzerland, The Mullerthal is a beautiful area of high rock formations, deep valleys, incredible views, and ruined castles such as those at Beaufort and Larochette; not to mention the wonderful Schießentümpel Cascades.

Great for younger kids

The Butterfly Garden, Grevenmacher
In the Moselle area, this lovely garden allows young ones to discover the life cycle of the butterfly in beautiful surroundings.

The Sound Trail, Hoscheid
In the midst of the ‘Our’ nature park, young children can take this special four-mile trail, with regular stopping off points to discover giant interactive sculptures, each of which enables them to create a variety of sounds.

Great for older kids

Parc Merveilleux
Close to Bettembourg in the South of the country, Parc Merveilleux offers wild animals from five continents, as well as a number of theme park rides with a Brothers Grimm theme.

Adventure Island
In the heart of the Mullerthal, you’ll find Adventure Island on Echternach Lake, where the more daring amongst you can enjoy aerial thrills including a 70m flying fox and a giant swing that moves at up to 70km/h.

Places to visit - Activities & events

Walking
With an extraordinary 5,000km of footpaths, 25 National Footpaths and more than 200 circular walks ranging from 4 to 16km, Luxembourg is a real paradise for walkers; especially with such stunning scenery at every turn.

Cycling
The Grand Duchy offers 575km of dedicated cycle paths, many of which run along former railway lines, which are dotted with old stations that now serve food. You’ll also enjoy excellent way markings and free travel for your bike on all trains here.

Fishing
Great fishing waters criss-cross Luxembourg and its borders in many places. So if you have a licence issued by a District Commissioner’s Office, you can look forward to finding Eel, Pike, Perch, Trout, Char, Gudgeon, Roach and Tench here.

Golf
There are no less than six golf courses in the Grand Duchy, each of them as scenic as they are challenging. However, please note that all of them will expect to see official proof of your UK golf club membership before allowing you to play.

Unmissable events in Luxembourg

Salsalux Festival – Early July, Luxembourg City
Held in the capital’s Alvisse parc Hotel, this vast salsa festival offers more than 40 hours of salsa workshops, not to mention parties and professional performances.

Fete de la Musique – Every June
This international music festival is now a big part of Luxembourg’s calendar, featuring everything from Mozart to performances from the Walter Trout Band and Angel at my Table.

Echternach International Festival
Offering classical music on various dates between March and May, with jazz in September, this popular festival is staged in some of the Grand Duchy’s very grandest venues.

Wiltz Festival - Late June to LateJuly
Ever since 1953, this grand festival of open-air classical concerts has been drawing music lovers to Luxembourg; and it now also offers a retractable roof, so that not even bad weather can stop the music.

Places to visit - Eating out

Lying between France and Germany as it does, Luxembourg’s cuisine is an eclectic mix of the best from both neighbours, with a few local specialities for good measure:

• Thuringer – small, spicy sausages that are often served by street vendors.
• Gromperekichelcher – deep-dried potato and onion fritters, often served with sausage.
• Kniddelen – boiled flour dumplings made with smoked bacon and butter.
• Eau-de-vie – a strong plum liqueur available in most bars and restaurants – with some neighbourhood bars making their own in a variety of fruit flavours.
  

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