City guide Luxembourg City
With the chaos that has been ongoing at Schiphol for some time now, I prefer to avoid flying. Why wait in line for over five hours to be allowed to fly somewhere when you can just take the car? And that’s exactly what I did. The plan was a destination that is actually quite close, but where I had never been before. Yes: off to Luxembourg.
I had driven past it a few times and gone through it once or twice, but I had never stopped. And I have now realized that it’s quite a shame, because I have become a bit in love with Luxembourg City. For my weekend in this city, I had zero expectations, so it could only be a pleasant surprise. But wow, I am so surprised by this city.
Because of the huge number of nice terraces, the beautiful streets and boutiques, the lovely atmosphere that hangs everywhere, and the difference between the two parts of the city: Grund and the newer section. I’m sharing all the tips with you because believe me: you want to have a weekend in Luxembourg City on your agenda.
Hotels
La Pipistrelle B&B Hotel
This is the hotel where I stayed, and I was so enthusiastic about it that my parents immediately booked a weekend in September as well. This hotel is located in Grund, the older part that is ‘downstairs’ (hence the name). The rooms are nicely spacious, the beds are wonderfully comfortable (which I always find very important), and when you walk outside, you are immediately in the most beautiful part of Luxembourg City. Just a stone's throw away is Scott’s Pub, also known as the terrace with the longest sun in the city.
Restaurants
Chocola House Nathalie Bonn
A shop where every chocolate lover will cry tears of joy, but you can also have a great lunch there. It has a cute terrace with enough space, but in bad weather, you can also sit inside very comfortably. The menu doesn’t only feature chocolate, you’ll also find really delicious savory lunch dishes. But definitely take the chocolate milk sticks with you; they are truly divine.
Clairefontaine
Fine dining at a star level: that is also possible in Luxembourg City. This restaurant has a Michelin star, but besides the beautiful food, the location is just as lovely. Be sure to secure a spot on the terrace and let yourself be pampered all evening.
Onesto
Italian food lovers: you have to go here. We were in the mood for good pasta and asked a number of people for tips, where Onesto came out as the undisputed winner. And rightly so, because we had a wonderful meal. Tip: reserving is a must, as it is often full here.
Café de Paris
On one of the most famous squares in the city, Place d’Armes, you will find this hotspot. Always busy, but that’s logical: it has a beautiful terrace. Especially with some sunshine, this is a recommendation. We enjoyed delicious rosé and had flammküchen during happy hour. Pure enjoyment.
Um Plateau
A hip, trendy place where you can eat very well, but also go for cocktails. In fact, they have a really gi-gantic menu full of gin and tonics, so you definitely need to order one of those. Here too, reserving is a must, as it is a popular spot in Luxembourg City.
Strogoff
Every plate here is a celebration, and they really have something for everyone on the menu. From pizza to lobster, from cocktails to cheese platters; you’re in good hands here. A plus for this place is that the terrace is very nice, but it also looks beautiful inside. Win-win.
Konrad
An all-day spot in Luxembourg City where you want to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks. And you do the last one downstairs, in the bar that looks a bit like a cave. Very special, because you really don’t expect that when you walk in upstairs. It has a nice living room atmosphere, and if we hadn’t only been there for a weekend, I would have really stayed here all day.
De Gudde Wëllen
The most beautiful terrace in the whole city, without a doubt. Be sure to reserve a table, because otherwise, your chances are slim; everyone wants to sit here. It’s located at the corner of Grund, where you can see the entire neighborhood. With sunset, it’s even more beautiful (as far as possible).
Tips Luxembourg City
- There are various walking routes that run through the city and vary in length. For example, you have the famous Wenzel route that covers all the highlights. Luxembourg City is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and if you were still wondering why, this walking tour will absolutely answer that. This route is about 5.5 kilometers, so it’s doable.
- Discover Kirchberg, the modern district of Luxembourg City. Here you will find many impressive buildings in terms of architecture, but you will also find many museums to visit.
- Take the glass Pfaffenthal Lift. This lift is free and takes you from Grund up. As you can imagine, you have a beautiful view of the city from this lift. Good to know: it operates until two o'clock at night.
