Our fantastic adventure in Luxembourg was so unexpected and completely unplanned. Usually, those are the ones that come out the best in the end!
Prepare to embark on this incredible journey with your family in the captivating Grand Duchy of Luxembourg! This little gem is rich in history, breathtaking landscapes, and modern attractions, all packed into such a small territory. It is truly unique!
We drove our campervan there and spent all our time in the capital, Luxembourg City, but we still had a great feel for this delightful country.
We didn’t arrive with a long list of things to do or a carefully planned itinerary. Instead, we gave ourselves the freedom to wander around and see what we discovered. And Luxembourg City surprised us!
Let’s dive into the heart of Luxembourg City with kids, but first, let me share some interesting facts.
Fun Facts About Luxembourg
Language: Luxembourg is like a linguistic melting pot! Luxembourgish is the national language, while Luxembourgish, French and German all play important roles in everyday life and administration. English is also widely spoken, especially in Luxembourg City, so we had no problems communicating during our visit.
Party in June: June 23 is Luxembourg’s National Day, also known as the Grand Duke’s Official Birthday. Interestingly, it doesn’t necessarily fall on the reigning Grand Duke’s actual birthday! The country celebrates with ceremonies, music, fireworks and festivities. It sounds like it would be a pretty fun time to visit!
UNESCO: Despite being tiny, Luxembourg has some serious history! The Old Quarters and Fortifications of the City of Luxembourg has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. When you’re walking around the old city, you’re literally surrounded by centuries of European history.
Money: Luxembourg is known as one of Europe’s major financial centers and attracts businesses, investors and financial institutions from around the world. Its banking and financial sector plays a huge role in the country’s economy. Luxembourg is also known for having one of the highest minimum wages in Europe.
Public transportation is free: This is one of my favorite Luxembourg facts! Since 2020, public transportation has been free throughout the country. That includes buses, trams and second-class travel on domestic trains. For a family of five, that is a pretty amazing travel perk!
It also meant that while we were staying outside the city with our campervan, we didn’t have to worry about driving it into town every day.
Let the Exploration Begin in Luxembourg City
We didn’t go on a set tour or have a preplanned idea of exactly what we were going to do.
I had looked up a few intriguing spots around town, but instead of routing everything out beforehand, we simply wandered and then realized where we were!
Sometimes that is my favorite way to explore a new city.
Let’s dive into Luxembourg City, a place that at times really does feel like stepping into a fairytale storybook.
Exploring Luxembourg City’s Old Town
We started our adventure in the charming Old Town. Cobblestone streets, historic buildings and little squares, it feels like walking back in time!
We wandered around without a set goal. We just wanted to stumble upon famous sites and be surprised. The kids loved it, and along the way we found some adorable cafés where we could stop and take a break.
One in particular had been recommended to us because of the interesting hot chocolate they made: the Chocolate House of Luxembourg. Here, all you had to do was pick your chocolate flavor. But this wasn’t simply choosing dark or milk chocolate. You actually chose a piece of chocolate on a stick, with all kinds of different options, nuts, candy, spices and more. Then you put it into hot milk and let it melt. Add one of the best homemade marshmallows I have ever tried and maybe a slice of cake to the mix…
A fun and delicious experience!
And its location couldn’t have been much better.
The Grand Ducal Palace
Right in front of the café is the Grand Ducal Palace, or Palais Grand-Ducal, one of Luxembourg City’s most recognizable landmarks.
The building originally dates back to the 16th century and was constructed as a city hall. Over the centuries, it underwent numerous renovations and changes before eventually becoming the official palace of Luxembourg’s head of state.
Today, it is an important working palace connected with the duties of the Grand Duke.
Another thing that has changed since our visit is Luxembourg’s monarch. When we were there, Grand Duke Henri was the head of state. In October 2025, he abdicated, and his son Grand Duke Guillaume became Luxembourg’s new head of state.
During the summer, parts of the palace are traditionally opened for guided tours, giving visitors the chance to see inside a building that you normally only admire from the street.
When we visited, we were also hoping to see more of the guards. We weren’t there at the right moment for any larger ceremonial event, but we did see the guards marching and changing positions with each other.
Still interesting to see!
One of the Best Views Over Luxembourg City
One of my favorite things about Luxembourg City is its unusual layout.
Instead of being completely flat, different parts of the city sit at different levels, with bridges, cliffs, valleys and historic fortifications connecting everything together.
One of the best places to appreciate this is Le Chemin de la Corniche, often nicknamed the “Most Beautiful Balcony in Europe.”
This scenic promenade offers stunning views across the lower parts of the city, the Alzette River and Luxembourg’s historic fortifications.
It is one of those places where you just want to stop for a while and look around.
From here, you can also see the area around the famous Bock Casemates.
The Bock Casemates
The Bock has played an important role in Luxembourg’s history for centuries.
The rocky promontory became the location of the original fortress associated with Count Siegfried and the beginnings of Luxembourg City in the 10th century. Over the centuries, Luxembourg developed into one of Europe’s most formidable fortified cities.
The underground casemates themselves were created much later as Luxembourg’s defenses were continually expanded. These tunnels, chambers and defensive passages eventually formed part of an enormous underground military system.
Today, visitors can walk through sections of the Bock Casemates and learn more about Luxembourg’s military past.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to go inside because all the available times were booked during our visit.
So this is one activity I would definitely consider booking ahead if it is important to you! We didn’t get to explore the tunnels, but even seeing the fortifications from the outside and understanding how the city was built around this dramatic landscape was fascinating.
Exploring the Grund
Another part of Luxembourg City that we loved exploring was the Grund.
The Grund is a picturesque historic district in the lower part of the city, nestled in the valley along the banks of the Alzette River. It is one of the oldest areas of Luxembourg City and is known for its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, bridges and beautiful views.
What makes exploring Luxembourg City even more fun is figuring out how to move between the upper and lower parts! You can walk, take public transportation or use the city’s elevators. One of the most famous is the glass Pfaffenthal Panoramic Elevator, which connects the upper city with the Pfaffenthal district below and gives you incredible views along the way. There are other elevators and connections between the upper and lower parts of Luxembourg City as well, making it surprisingly easy to explore despite all the hills.
Our plan was basically to go down into the lower city, walk through the different neighborhoods and then eventually find our way back up again.
Our Mission: Find Melusina!
While walking around the lower city, we had a mission. We wanted to find Melusina. We had spotted the statue while looking down from the Chemin de la Corniche, and of course once we saw it, we had to go and find it! Melusina is one of the most famous figures in Luxembourg folklore and is closely connected with the legendary origins of Luxembourg City.
According to the legend, Count Siegfried, who is associated with the founding of Luxembourg in the 10th century, fell in love with a mysterious woman named Melusina.
She agreed to marry him under one condition: He must never see her during her private time on Saturdays.
For many years, they lived happily together and had a family. But eventually curiosity got the better of Siegfried. He secretly watched her and discovered her true form, part woman and part serpent or fish, depending on the version of the legend. When Melusina realized he had broken his promise, she disappeared.
The legend has been told in different forms over the centuries, and Melusina became an important symbol of Luxembourg’s folklore and its connection with the waterways surrounding the old city. And, of course, when we finally found her…Luca had to give Melusina a hug!
Sculptures and Fountains Around Luxembourg City
As we wandered around Luxembourg City, we also came across several interesting sculptures and fountains.
They might not necessarily be the first things you see on a list of Luxembourg’s major attractions, but those are often the little details that make wandering around a city fun.
First of all, the Hämmelsmarsch Fountain. At first glance, you see sheep and musicians, but there is actually a cultural tradition behind it. The Hämmelsmarsch is an old Luxembourgish tradition associated with the Schueberfouer, Luxembourg’s famous annual fair. Traditionally, musicians would walk through the streets playing the Hämmelsmarsch while accompanied by sheep, announcing the arrival of the fair.
So the sheep aren’t simply a reference to Luxembourg’s rural past. The fountain represents a tradition that is closely connected to one of the country’s most important celebrations.
I love discovering things like this. You can walk past a fountain thinking, “Oh, cute sheep!” And then suddenly there’s an entire story behind them.
The Gëlle Fra, or Golden Lady, is impossible to miss. Located on Place de la Constitution, this is one of Luxembourg’s most recognizable monuments. At the top stands a golden female figure holding a laurel wreath high above her head.
The monument was originally created to honor Luxembourg citizens who volunteered to serve with the Allied forces during World War I. Its meaning later broadened, and today it is an important memorial connected with Luxembourg’s experiences and sacrifices during the wars and conflicts of the 20th century.
It is a beautiful monument, but also a reminder of how much history is hidden throughout this small city.
As we continued walking through the city, we came across another sculpture that caught our attention: Les Saltimbanques, or “The Acrobats.”
The figures immediately stand out because of their playful positions and sense of movement. They look as though they have been frozen right in the middle of a performance. I always enjoy finding sculptures like this when we’re exploring with the kids because they don’t require an explanation before they become interesting.
You see them. You stop. You look at what they’re doing. And suddenly you’ve discovered something you weren’t actually searching for.
That’s basically how we explored most of Luxembourg City!
Where Did We Stay in Luxembourg?
Unfortunately, I can’t recommend hotels or Airbnbs from our time in Luxembourg City.
This stop was part of our campervan tour, so what I can genuinely recommend from our experience is the campsite where we parked for more than five days: Camping Kockelscheuer. What a fantastic place!
The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and we loved the setting. The campsite was surrounded by nature and sat beside a large recreational area where you could walk, jog, bike or simply spend time outdoors. When we stayed there, there was also a large playground, mini golf, a small market and a restaurant.
For the kids, having that much space after spending time sightseeing in the city was perfect.
One of the more unusual accommodation options we saw there was the possibility of sleeping inside converted wine barrels.
Super fun, right?
But one of the biggest advantages for us was transportation. We didn’t have to drive our campervan into Luxembourg City every time we wanted to explore. There was public transportation nearby and, because Luxembourg’s buses and other public transportation are free, getting into town was incredibly easy. No searching for campervan parking. No worrying about navigating narrow city streets.
We could leave our little house on wheels at the campsite and simply go exploring.
It was a win-win for all of us!
Is Luxembourg City Worth Visiting With Kids?
Absolutely!
What made Luxembourg particularly interesting for us was that we arrived without many expectations.
This wasn’t one of those destinations we had dreamed about for years.
We didn’t have a huge itinerary. We weren’t racing around trying to see ten famous attractions in one day.
We simply arrived in our campervan and started exploring. And somehow, those trips often become some of the most memorable.
The kids drank crazy hot chocolate.
We wandered through the Old Town.
We watched the guards outside the Grand Ducal Palace.
We looked across the city from the Chemin de la Corniche.
We tried, and failed, to get into the Bock Casemates.
We explored the lower city.
We went searching for Melusina so Luca could hug her.
We discovered fountains and statues we hadn’t planned to find.
And every evening, we returned to our campervan surrounded by nature.
With hearts full of memories and plenty of smiles, our family eventually had to say goodbye to Luxembourg and Luxembourg City.
We had no big expectations for our time here and were pleasantly surprised by everything it offered.
I do wish we had had more time to explore other parts of the country because, despite spending more than five days there, we concentrated almost entirely on Luxembourg City.
Maybe that simply gives us another reason to return.
If there is one thing this stop reminded us of, it’s something we’ve learned over and over again during our travels: You don’t always need a perfectly planned itinerary to have an amazing adventure. Sometimes you just need to arrive, start walking and see what you find.
Happy travels, and remember…
Adventure is just around the corner!
Continue the journey with:
If you are planning a trip to Europe, these family adventures should definitely be on your radar:
- Discovering Bruges With Kids: 10 Amazing Things to Do on a Family Trip
- 20 fun things to do in Copenhagen with your family
- Ireland by Campervan: Our magical 2019 trip
- Croatia with Kids: Three Months of Slow Travel, History, and Nature
- Lake Ohrid: 7 fun things to do with our kids
- Our Montenegro travel itinerary
I hope our experiences help you plan an unforgettable European adventure of your own!
