Luxembourg has a reputation as an expensive country, and hotel rates and restaurant dinners can certainly be high. But the capital is also one of the easiest places in Europe to explore cheaply, because the government has made so much of the experience free. With a little planning you can see the best of the city for the price of a few meals. Here is how.
Transport costs nothing
All buses, trams and second-class trains across the country are free, and that includes the airport buses and the tram to Kirchberg. You never need to buy a ticket in the city, and day trips to Vianden, Echternach and the Mullerthal cost only your time. First-class rail travel and some cross-border trains still charge, so check before you board a train that leaves the country.
The best sights are free
The Chemin de la Corniche, often called the most beautiful balcony in Europe, costs nothing, as do the Old Town squares, the Grand Ducal Palace exterior, the Pétrusse Valley and the Adolphe Bridge. Notre-Dame Cathedral is free to enter, and the Pfaffenthal panoramic lift and the public lift to the Grund are free as well. The permanent collection of the Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart is free, which makes it one of the best-value museum visits in Europe. The American Cemetery at Hamm and the Mullerthal Trail are free too, so a full itinerary can be built without buying many tickets.
Choose your paid tickets carefully
A few things are worth paying for. A Bock Casemates tour is one of the most atmospheric experiences in the city, and the entry price is modest. If you plan to visit several museums, a museum pass can pay for itself in a day or two, especially if you include Mudam and the Dräi Eechelen museum. A castle ticket for Vianden, Beaufort or Larochette gives you a full half-day of entertainment. Skip anything that duplicates what you can see for free, such as a paid viewpoint when the Corniche is a few steps away.
Self-guided walking
A guided walking tour can be a fun introduction, but if you are watching your budget, a self-guided route is cheaper and flexible. Start at the Place d’Armes, follow the Corniche to the Bock, drop to the Grund, and climb back by the lift. Audio guides and walking apps cost very little, and the tourist office can supply free maps.
Eating for less
Lunch is the bargain meal. Many restaurants serve a fixed midday menu at a lower price than dinner, and bakeries and delis sell good sandwiches and savoury pastries. Markets in the upper town are ideal for fruit, cheese and bread, and a picnic on the lawns of the Pétrusse Valley or the Kirchberg park is hard to beat on a sunny day. Tap water is safe and often served free, and service is included in the bill. Save your restaurant dinner for one special night, and eat simply the rest of the time. The station district has some of the best-value restaurants, with Portuguese and Italian cooking a particular strength.
Where to stay
Rates are often driven by business travel, so weekends and school holidays are usually cheaper than weekdays, and December can be pricey because of the Christmas markets. The station district tends to be better value than the upper town, and it is only a short tram ride or a walk away from the sights. A hotel with breakfast included can save money, since adding breakfast separately is expensive. If your budget is tight, consider staying slightly outside the centre and using the free buses, or basing yourself nearby for a few nights and exploring by day.
Timing and small savings
Visit outside conference season and the December rush for the best prices. Carry a refillable water bottle, use contactless payment to avoid cash fees and check which museums offer free late openings. Most importantly, build your plan around free highlights, then add one or two paid experiences that you will really remember.
A budget day, sketched
Take the free lift from the station area, walk the Corniche, spend the morning in the Nationalmusée, picnic in the valley, ride the free tram to Kirchberg for the ramparts and views, and finish with a set-menu dinner. It will cost very little and still show you the best of the city.