Ramparts, casemates and a free glass lift
The old town sits on a rock above the Alzette and Pétrusse valleys, and most of what's worth seeing is a viewpoint or a tunnel. Wear shoes for stairs.
1. Walk the Chemin de la Corniche
Chemin de la Corniche runs along 17th-century ramparts built by the Spanish and French. Writer Batty Weber called it "the most beautiful balcony of Europe". I'd walk it from the Bock end in the late afternoon.
2. Book the Bock Casemates
The Bock Casemates are part of a system of galleries running over 23 km. In autumn 2026 the tourist office lists them as guided tours on weekends and Fridays, so book ahead.
3. Ride the Pfaffenthal lift
The Pfaffenthal panoramic lift is free and runs daily from 05:45 to 01:00. It drops you from Pescatore park to the valley floor in a glass box.
4. Look at the Adolphe Bridge from below
The Adolphe Bridge went up between 1900 and 1903, and its big stone arch drew interest from abroad. The best view is from the Pétrusse valley path.
5. Cross the Red Bridge
The Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge crosses the Pfaffenthal about 74 m above the Alzette and is 355 m long. It's the walk to Kirchberg if you parked at Luxexpo.
6. Tour the palace in summer only
The Grand Ducal Palace opens for tours in summer. In 2026 they ran 18 July to 30 August, €18, about 75 minutes.
7. Stand by the Gëlle Fra
Place de la Constitution stands on the old Beck bastion, and the Gëlle Fra memorial went up in 1923. It's also where the winter market goes.
Smoked pork, bean soup and a chocolate spoon
1. Order Judd mat Gaardebounen
Smoked pork collar with broad beans is often called the national dish. It's heavy, so share.
2. Start with Bouneschlupp
A soup of green beans and meat. In cold weather it's the thing I'd order first.
3. Eat Gromperekichelcher hot
Potato fritters, best eaten hot from a stall. Kniddelen, the local dumplings, are the sit-down alternative.
4. Lunch at Kaempff-Kohler
Kaempff-Kohler on Place Guillaume II does Luxembourgish cooking and keeps more than 180 cheeses. Its listed hours are muddled, so ring first.
5. Finish at the Chocolate House
Chocolate House faces the palace and is known for its hot-chocolate spoons. Kachkeis, a runny cheese mixed with cream, is the other thing I'd taste in town.
A fair on the car park, lights in December
1. Avoid the Glacis in late August
The Schueberfouer funfair runs 21 August to 9 September 2026 and 20 August to 8 September 2027, daily 12:00–01:00. It takes over the Glacis car park, so the city sends drivers to P+R Bouillon with shuttle buses.
2. Check Winterlights dates in November
The 2026 dates weren't out when I checked. The 2025 edition ran 21 November to 4 January, with markets on Place d'Armes and Place de la Constitution.
3. Book palace tours in June
The 2027 dates aren't published yet. In 2026 tickets went on sale in late June, a month before the first tour.
What's on
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Late November 2026 to early January 2027, dates not yet published | Winterlights: Christmas markets on Place d'Armes and Place de la Constitution, ice rink on the Kinnekswiss. The 2025 edition ran 21 November to 4 January |
| Summer 2027, dates not yet published | Guided tours of the Grand Ducal Palace; in 2026 they ran 18 July to 30 August at €18 |
| 20 August to 8 September 2027 | Schueberfouer funfair on the Glacis, daily 12:00–01:00 |