Luxembourg tours & holidays

At this stage, we don't have any organised trips to Luxembourg.
That said, Intrepid can create tailor-made tours to many destinations, including Luxembourg. Our fully customised trips still offer the same small group experiences with local leaders but made just the way you want them. Simply fill out your details on our Tailor-Made page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch. Or why not visit other destinations in Europe like France, Germany or Denmark?
Our Luxembourg trips
Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.
Explore Tailor-Made tripsLuxembourg at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Luxembourg City
POPULATION
645,000
CURRENCY
EUR
LANGUAGE
Letzebuergesch, German, French
TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris
CALLING CODE
+352
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin)
Learn more about Luxembourg
Best time to visit Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s terrain varies considerably from north to south, and the weather accordingly. The northern one-third of the country, which forms part of Ardennes, is known as Oesling and the southern two-thirds Gutland. Summer (May to September) is the best time to visit when the weather is at its warmest and driest, although rain does still fall across both regions throughout the year. On the whole, Oesling is slightly cooler and wetter than Gutland. Autumn can also be a good time to visit the north, as this is when the leaves turn and the carpet of autumn colours is breathtaking.
Top 5 castles
1. Bock Casemates/Luxembourg Castle
Bock Casemates, in the centre of the capital, is where the country’s obsession with castles all began. Built by Count Siegfried back in AD 963, it inspired the development of Luxembourg City and was deemed so well fortified that it became known as the ‘Gibraltar of the North’. In 1867, as part of the conditions for the country’s independence, the demolition of the fort was ordered – an unfortunate edict that cost 16 years and 1.5 million gold francs. Fortunately some of the casemates and gates couldn’t be blown up without also destroying parts of the city, so there’s still 17 km of real-deal tunnels and staircases to wander through.
2. Beaufort Castle
This castle, which boasts an impressive moat, dates from the 11th century and is particularly interesting for the various renovations and extensions that its succession of owners have made. Passing from the Beauforts to the Orleys to the Velbrucks, the castle had to be sold following destruction incurred during the Thirty Year War (1618–48) and Johann Baron von Beck came out as the successful bidder. Governor of the province of Luxembourg on behalf of the Spanish King, von Beck ordered its revamping in the Renaissance style that was all the rage at the time before expiring from battle injuries. Passing into his son’s hands, the castle fell into disrepair and even served as a quarry for a time until Henri Even and Joseph Linckels, evidently thinking it deserving of greater glory, painstakingly restored it.
3. Vianden
Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, Vianden Castle features Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque style architecture and exists as one of the largest fortified castles west of the Rhine. As is generally the fate of all Luxembourg’s castles at some stage, the castle fell into disrepair from the 17th century, helped none by a buyer’s decision to rip off and sell its tiles, windows, doors and furniture. Restoration began seven years later when the King bought Vianden back, and these days the castle ranks as one of Europe’s most important historical monuments.
4. Esch-sur-Sûre
Relatively small and modest in comparison to many of Luxembourg’s other castles, Esch-sur-Sûre is cleverly constructed on a neat bend of the River Sûre. The fortress is really only approachable from one direction – which rendered it pretty difficult to attack. A charming little town soon sprung up around it, and strolling along its riverside boulevards by evening with the illuminated ruins in the background makes for a very pleasant experience indeed.
5. Wiltz Castle
Don’t be thinking Luxembourg’s castles are all just about history, rubble, lords and dungeons – because there’s also Wiltz. Sure, the castle’s past may follow the usual tune – built, defended, defeated, deteriorated, restored – but nowadays it plays host to an annual music festival and houses the National Museum of Brewing. So when it comes to sheer coolness, you could probably say that Wiltz is king of the castles.
History and government
Luxembourg as we now know it began in AD 963 when Siegfried, the Count of Ardennes, obtained sovereignty over a promontory called the Bock and had Lucilinburhuc Castle built. Enticed by the security this impressive fortification appeared to offer, migrants flocked in and a city grew (the ruins of Lucilinburhuc Castle can still be seen in Luxembourg City). Unfortunately the fortifications were also the envy of many a surrounding empire, and the population had to endure centuries of military invasions by jealous foreign armies looking to bolster their own strongholds. Successively occupied by the Bourbons, Habsburgs, Hohenzollerns and French, Luxembourg was finally granted its independence in 1867 in the Treaty of London (at the stipulated cost of having its fortifications demolished). Down a castle and with swathes of the country’s fertile lands having been usurped by Belgium over the years, the country diversified its economy and developed into an attractive haven for squillionaires who subscribe to the belief that paying tax sucks.
As well as regularly ranking as one of the world’s richest and safest countries, Luxembourg is the globe’s only remaining Grand Duchy. What this means on the ground is that executive power over parliament rests with Grand Duke Henri – who looks exactly like what one would imagine a Grand Duke would – and his ministers. Admirably cognisant of the fact they have things pretty good, Luxembourg and its nationals are happy to share their good fortune and host the highest proportion of immigrants in the EU.
Luxembourg travel FAQs
Bars and restaurants will often add a 15% service charge to the bill. If you believe the service you received was particularly good, feel free to throw in a few more Euros (this goes for hotel staff too). Higher-end restaurants will likely expect an additional 10% tip, as will taxi drivers.
There are only a few internet cafes in Luxembourg, but plenty of hotels and cafes have Wi-Fi (and it’s often free).
Mobile phone coverage in Luxembourg is excellent and roaming agreements exist with most international mobile networks.
Toilets in Luxembourg are western-style and flushable.
Yes, the tap water in Luxembourg is perfectly safe to drink.
Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores and hotels in Luxembourg. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, or have a minimum spend, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases.
ATMs are common and easily found throughout Luxembourg.
Luxembourg is a Schengen area country that allows many travellers to enter without a visa for travel up to 90 days. However, if you are from a country not on the visa-exemption list or are staying for a period of longer than 90 days, you may need a visa before entry into Luxembourg.
To enter Luxembourg you may need:
- An undamaged passport valid for at least three months from the date you exit Luxembourg
- A passport that was issued less than 10 years before the date you arrive
- One blank passport page for an entry stamp
- A return or onward ticket from Luxembourg
- Proof of funds to financially support yourself while travelling in Luxembourg
- Documentation supporting the purpose of your stay, like accommodation or tour booking
- Proof of travel insurance.
The major festivals celebrated in Luxembourg are Buergbrennen (bonfire festival) in March, Festival de Wiltz (July), and various harvest festivals occurring in Autumn.
The climate in Luxembourg is considered to be fairly continental with cold, often freezing, winters and mild to warm summers. Rainfall is expected every month throughout the year, however, the summer months of June, July, and August are the driest. Snowfall is also likely from December through to April.
Luxembourg is extremely LGBTQIA+ friendly with the country's own Prime Minister marrying his long-term, same-sex partner after the bill for same-sex marriage was legalised in January 2015. LGBTQIA+ travellers to Luxembourg should expect to be welcomed and not discriminated against with queer culture largely integrated into the heterosexual social scene.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.