Ultimate Luxembourg Travel Guide – Half day in Luxembourg City

Luxembourg City – Day trip from Brussels, Belgium

Travel Month –  August 2025 

Luxembourg City is the capital and most populous city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a historic fortress city perched on cliffs overlooking the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, known for its UNESCO-listed Old Quarters, powerful fortifications (the Gibraltar of the North”), and status as a vital European financial and political hub. It’s a diverse, multilingual city blending medieval history with modern development, featuring stunning valleys, casemates, museums, and grand ducal residences.

 

Luxembourg city
Luxembourg city

Day 1 – Guided tour from Brussels

We took a guided day tour from Brussels (Check out my Belgium post) to the Luxembourg city which took about 3 hours. Our tour started at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a serene contrast to the bustle outside. Inside, the light softens, filtered through stained glass, illuminating centuries of history. Gothic arches meet Renaissance and Baroque details, creating a space that feels layered and deeply rooted. It’s not overwhelming — just peaceful, grounding, and worth a slow walk.
 

 

Old town, Luxembourg city
Old town, Luxembourg city

Just a few steps away stands the Grand Ducal Palace, the official residence of the Grand Duke. Even from the outside, it’s impressive — Flemish Renaissance details, soft stone, and a sense of quiet authority. Outside the summer months, you can’t go in, but honestly, lingering in the square and admiring the façade feels just right. If you time it well, you might catch the changing of the guard, a small but memorable ritual.

Luxembourg - View of the Alzette Valley
Luxembourg - View of the Alzette Valley

Our final stop was Chemin de la Corniche, where the city truly comes into its own. The walkway winds along ancient fortifications before opening up to sweeping views of the Alzette Valley, the Grund district, and centuries of history layered below. Often called “the most beautiful balcony in Europe,” the view lives up to its name — old stone walls, lush green valleys, and distant rooftops coming together in perfect harmony, reflecting how effortlessly Luxembourg blends nature, history, and modern life.

From there, we took the elevator down to the lower level for lunch. Afterward, we spent some time wandering at our own pace, soaking in the atmosphere, before our tour gently came to an end.

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