Beautiful places to visit in Luxembourg
Luxembourg is the country in Europe where you can find places to go and things to do just by stepping out of your own front door. Castles, festivals, hiking trails, lakes and rivers are perhaps the most notable points of interest for a traveller in Luxembourg.
Once you move to Luxembourg, you unwittingly wonder, what is there to see outside the cities? And the Grand Duchy has a lot to offer, despite its small size.
Castles and Ruins
I will start with one of the main highlights of Luxembourg. As well as being a country of bankers and farmers, it is also a country of castles. Within such a small territory, there are 76 castles and fortresses to explore.
The best castles are at Vianden, Bourscheid, Beaufort, Clervaux and Larochette. My most recent visit was to Bourscheid a few years ago. A good friend of mine came to stay with me and we decided to tour the castle. Interestingly, many of the castles were not as impressively restored as they are today.
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of castles and chateaus. But when you see them up close you can't help but feel something: their magnificence and the power of a bygone age. I don't know how to explain this feeling of connection, it is simply fascinating.
It is true that the state of the castles varies, but in the last few years, the government has been gradually buying up the most important sites and restoring them. It's a great initiative because it not only preserves the cultural heritage that everyone loves to talk about, but it's also helping to give these places a second life.
Of course, since we're talking about fortresses, it's worth mentioning what's left of them. Not all of them have survived to the present day, and some are partially or completely in ruins. However, these places still have a unique vibe and are at least worth a photo.
Ruins are also often used as sites for festivals, exhibitions, concerts and other events. It introduces people to the historical place and even provides themed activities.
The best ruins in Luxembourg are located in Dudelange, Dalheim, Esch-sur-Sûre, and Esperance.
Festivals
Over the past few years, there have been very few events taking place in the country due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and the people themselves have been cautious about taking any unnecessary risks. However, now that the limits have been lifted, you can regularly see in the news headlines such as «So-and-so festival is making a comeback!» or «This place is opening its doors again!». And yes, you often write about such events.
One of the events that really stand out in my memory is the Medieval Festival in Dudelange. The theme is undoubtedly a matter of personal preference, and it's not my cup of tea, but I can't help but appreciate the excellent execution.
When you come to a medieval festival, you really do find yourself in a village from that time. People dress up, and craft workshops are open everywhere. There is even a stage where you can see a reconstruction of the battle: sword fighting, all that.
There is also a lot to buy here: delicacies, utensils stylized as medieval objects. Of course, gastronomic delights are not for everyone: there are also ordinary tents with barbecues and pastries for less demanding visitors. But it's cool to try something like ham on a spit.
Another interesting event is the Nuss Fest in Vianden or Nëssmoort. As the name suggests: EVERYTHING here is about nuts. Nut dishes, drinks with nuts, nuts with honey, nuts without honey, nut cakes, and nuts without cakes.
Vianden is an amazing place to visit. When you go there, you meet half your village. It doesn't matter where you live.
It is indeed impossible to list all the interesting festivals and fairs. There are simply too many of them. Keeping an eye on the news for upcoming dates is the best way to stay informed. They are usually announced in advance.
Hiking and walking tours
Hiking is indeed a fantastic activity. It can easily turn an ordinary walk into an adventure, especially in Luxembourg, where the natural beauty is so captivating that you can't help but look around.
Not many people know that the modern forests of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg were created by planting. In 1815, a natural disaster struck the northern hemisphere: three years without summer and winter temperatures. Many people and plants died as a result.
In the years that followed, the forests were restored. Now they are a little wild and look as if they have always grown here, but they have not. So when you go hiking, keep that in mind.
One of the most popular routes is the Valley of the 7 Castles. This is a route of national importance. Its length, as I remember, is about 37 kilometres and, as you might guess, it passes by 7 medieval fortresses.
Obviously, such a distance is difficult for even the most experienced tourists to cover in one day, so you can split the trip into several stages. The route follows the Eisch River and there are plenty of fields, forests and villages along the way. This is a really rewarding way to spend a holiday.
One of the easier routes is, of course, Mullerthal, or Little Switzerland, as it is also known. Guided tours are organised here, and you can walk yourself.
Just bring sandwiches and a thermos with water, tea, fruit drinks, whatever you like. It is easy to organise a half-day mini-trip here.
Lakes and rivers
When it comes to places to swim, the Haute-Sûre Lake, in particular, comes to mind. Located in the middle of the park of the same name, it is the largest and also the most man-made body of water in the country.
But there is one other river in Luxembourg that is no less popular with the locals — the Zauer, which translates from German as "sour". Although, of course, there is no acid in it.
In Luxembourg, the Sur is perhaps the more popular name. The water here is crystal clear and it is the largest tributary of the Moselle.
However, there are also disadvantages: the water is quite cold because the river has its source in the Ardennes. But that doesn't stop people. It is always very busy in the summer.
If I'm not mistaken, you can even barbecue here. In any case, it's definitely worth a look around.
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