Best things to do in Luxembourg City

Dubbed "Europe's most beautiful balcony" Le Chemin de la Corniche offers panoramic views across the river valley and the fairytale-like city as well as heaps of photo opportunities. Running along the 17th-century city ramparts--built by the Spaniards and the French-- this picturesque pedestrian promenade winds down to the cobbled streets by the river and the old town.

Part of a World Heritage Site, Casemates du Bock once played a key role in a network of defensive underground passages. Originally stretching for over 20 km (12.5 mi), the honeycombed passageways housed garrisons of soldiers defending the city, along with their horses, weapons, and other essential equipment. Constructed in the mid-18th century, the casemates provided a shelter for nearly 40,000 locals during World War II. After exploring the city's underground history, enjoy sweeping views from the top of the casements. Expect lots of stairs and prepare for your walk by wearing a pair of comfortable shoes.

Built in the late-Gothic style, Cathedrale Notre-Dame contains the tombs of several important historical figures, including John the Blind, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia from 1310 to 1346. The impressive 17th-century architecture also warrants a close look: note the beautiful sculpted portal and Baroque organ gallery. Politicians and royalty walk these halls every year after Easter, when the national pilgrimage brings people to the closing ceremony at this church.

Grand Ducal Palace features one of the most impressive facades in the city. Built as a city hall during the Flemish Renaissance, the palace suffered greatly during World War II--the Nazis destroyed much of the original furniture and decor and used the building as a tavern. Today, the grand interior is open for tours, but only during the summer. Check the website for dates and times.

You can reach , a city district on the banks of the Alzette River, by foot from the city center or via an elevator that moves through a cliff into the river valley. A part of the city known for its greenery and slow-moving lifestyle, the district is also popular for its nightlife. You can admire the quaint European facades as you walk past pubs and restaurants. Consider wandering the narrow streets to lose yourself among the tiny boutiques and cafes. The district is small enough to tour quickly.

Transport yourself centuries back in time at Vianden Castle, a medieval fortress and palace dating back to the 14th century. Before you enter, notice the guard towers--one white and one black--flanking the main structure. Walk through a total of five gates, including a drawbridge and a descending grid. Afterward, you'll come to the little palace, where you can see the armory and Byzantine hall with its beautiful trefoil windows. Next, find the great palace, the largest section of the castle, featuring a knights' hall. Perhaps the most significant section, however, is the Romanesque-style chapel, which boasts two floors with an opening in the middle and balconies for the nobles.

The National Museum of Military History, abbreviated to MNMH, is a national museum in Diekirch, in north-eastern Luxembourg, that includes amongst its exhibits military vehicles and weaponry, a photographic archive, and lifesize dioramas displaying military servicemen and actions.
The museum originally developed out of the Diekirch Historical Museum, which was primarily dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg in winter 1944–45. The museum is located in the complex of the Diekirch 'old brewery'.
The main topic of the museum remains the balanced and objective historical representation of the military operations in the Ardennes from the American, German, and civilian points of view. Over 3000 square metres of exhibition space and numerous lifesize dioramas enable an insight of the dramatic and tragic situations that both soldiers and civilians were caught in. Special showrooms feature extensive collections of weapons, uniforms, military equipment of all kind, wheeled and tracked vehicles, in addition to numerous personal soldiers' belongings, photographs, documents, and maps. The museum’s core piece is the detailed mock-up of the night-time Sauer river crossing at Diekirch on January 18, 1945 by units of the United States 5th Infantry Division. The museum's World War II collection is regarded as one of the finest of Western Europe.

Letzebuerg City Museum brings together the city's history and its future by building a modern museum inside of four restored historical houses. Beneath the street level, the permanent exhibit of the city's architectural and urban development is displayed chronologically. The upper floors host temporary exhibits with urban themes. Multimedia displays throughout the museum help you understand the cultural, political, and social changes in the city. These are enhanced by 60 different audiovisual elements that bring history back to life. Finally, view the city itself, riding in the elevator inside a floating glass section of the museum. The glass carriage gives you a view of the Grund district and the Rham plateau, as well as all the museum's floors. Visit the vaulted cellars beneath the city museum that were discovered 1990s for an extra treat. A Luxembourg City card gets you admission to the museum, but you can also buy a ticket on arrival.