7 Magical Spots: Our 1.5 Day Luxembourg Itinerary for a Dreamy Anniversary
Celebrating Our 9th Wedding Anniversary
If you are looking for a charming, low-effort getaway near Switzerland, Luxembourg is a hidden gem. In December 2024, we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary with a relaxed family trip to this historic country. Driving from Aargau, with a brief stop in Strasbourg, we discovered that Luxembourg offers a perfect blend of fairytale architecture and cozy winter vibes.
Here is our tried and tested itinerary for a 1.5 day winter trip to Luxembourg, featuring the 7 most magical spots we encountered.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
📸 Image Rights: All photos are our own. Please contact us for permission to reuse.
Arriving in Luxembourg
- Via Train or Bus: Nestled in the heart of Western Europe, Luxembourg is easily accessible by rail and road from neighbors like France, Belgium, and Germany. To compare the best routes and prices for your journey, you can book through Busbud here.
- Via Flight: Land at Luxembourg Airport (LUX), commonly known as Findel, located just 15 minutes from the city center. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Essential Travel Resources for Your Trip
- Over-night Stays: To book a hotel, explore the options available here.
- Stay Connected: Stay connected without worrying about roaming fees. Grab a local eSIM that fits your data needs here:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs.Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
Day 1
Vianden Castle
We began the day at Vianden Castle. The entrance ticket was 13 Euros and we spent 2 hours at the castle. While searching for locations to visit, I noticed that Vianden Castle popped up quite a lot. It was appreciated for its stunning architecture, great size, and the scenic beauty of the area. I also saw that it was widely compared to the Hogwarts Castle from Harry Potter. As a huge Harry Potter fan and an admirer of breathtaking architecture, I could not possibly miss out on this castle.
We went around the castle and enjoyed the information displayed about the past inhabitants. However, the highlight for us was the scenic beauty of the area and how the castle added to it. We especially loved the panoramic view of the town and valley from the castle terraces. Our only disappointment was the lack of ramps to cater to wheelchairs and strollers. We had to take turns exploring and missed out on experiencing the tour together.
Winterlights Wantermaart
From Vianden Castle, we drove back to the area near our hotel. We were looking for lunch options and stumbled upon Winterlights Wantermaart. We love going to Christmas markets and always enjoy the warm and delicious snacks. We parked our car at the nearest parking spot and walked to the market.
It was unlike any other Christmas market we had visited in the past. It was extremely beautiful, almost as if we were experiencing a fairytale. Once we got over the beauty, we indulged in food which boosted our moods. We tried spinach dumplings, chocolate covered strawberries, French fries, and churros with chocolate sauce. Everything was delicious and we were extremely happy to have made the decision to visit this market. After food, we rode the carousel and enjoyed the view of the market from the top.
Day 2
On the second day, we stayed in Luxembourg until lunch and then started our journey back to Switzerland. We were interested in doing a walking tour of the main areas and used the “Wenzel Walk” to come up with checkpoints.
Place de Clairefontaine
The first checkpoint was Place de Clairefontaine, a popular tourist spot in Luxembourg. There is a monument in the square made in the honor of Grand Duchess Charlotte. This was a good spot to start the tour as we entered the beautiful old town.
Chambre des Deputes
The next stop was Chambre des Deputes. This beautiful building is the parliament of Luxembourg and holds the power to control the country’s legislation.
Grand Ducal Palace
Next, we walked towards the Grand Ducal Palace. This is the official residence of the Grand Ducal family. During summer, there is an opportunity to explore this site from the inside through booked guided tours. Since we visited in December, we enjoyed the stunning architecture from the outside.
Bock Promontory and Chemin de la Corniche
The next impressive location was Bock Promontory. This contains the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bock Casemates which features fascinating underground tunnels. Directly adjacent is the Chemin de la Corniche, a walkway known as “Europe’s most beautiful balcony.” It offers stunning panoramic views of the Alzette Valley. This was a location that needed dedicated time to do justice to the views.
Neumünster Abbey
Chemin de la Corniche gave us stunning views of Neumünster Abbey as well. We chose not to use the stair pathway to go down to the Abbey since we had a stroller with us. Instead, we enjoyed the view from the top, which captured the architectural harmony of the valley perfectly.
Food
Chocolate House Nathalie Bonn
At the end of our walking tour, we went to Chocolate House Nathalie Bonn. I had read a lot of reviews about this chocolate house known for their hot spoons. Basically, you choose your flavor of hot spoon and they give you hot milk along with a spoon with chocolate tempered on it. You then go through the magical experience of watching your hot chocolate come to life.
Our daughter loved the whole experience of watching the chocolate melt bit by bit. In addition to hot chocolate, we also ordered some desserts but did not find them to be too impressive. If you visit, my advice is to skip the desserts and focus entirely on the hot chocolate experience.
Restaurant Little India
- 🥘Cuisine: Authentic Indian & Nepalese
- ⭐ Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 🌙 Halal Status: 100% Halal
- 📸 Socials: Instagram
- 💰 Budget: €20 – €35 per person.
Restaurant Little India is a Halal Indian restaurant in Bettembourg. We dined at the restaurant on the day we arrived in Luxembourg. We ordered Chicken Makhani, Special Mix Grill, a meat dish, Naan, and Mango Lassi. We also bought some Mango Pudding to go.
The food took very long to arrive but tasted great. The Special Mix Grill and soft Naans were the highlights of the meal. However, the Mango Pudding had no flavor and it was like eating Mango Puree. If you visit Restaurant Little India, enjoy the savory foods but skip the desserts.
Final Remarks
Our trip to Luxembourg was an anniversary celebration and we kept it extremely low effort. We had a very big trip coming up in a few days and saved our energy for that while relaxing in the beautiful country of Luxembourg. The highlight for us was the city tour and Winterlights Wantermaart.
Love this itinerary? We’d be happy to build a personalized one just for you! Head over to our Custom-Plans page to get started.
If you are looking for travel essentials, check out our Resources section for hand-picked products that make travel stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vianden Castle accessible for strollers?
Unfortunately, no. The castle has many stairs and a lack of ramps, making it difficult for strollers or wheelchairs. It is best to use a baby carrier if visiting with an infant.
What should I order at Chocolate House Nathalie Bonn?
The “hot spoons” are the signature item. They come in various chocolate flavors and are designed to be melted into hot milk for a customizable hot chocolate drink.
Is public transport free in Luxembourg?
Yes, all standard-class public transport (buses, trains, and trams) throughout the entire country is free of charge for both residents and tourists.
