When spending time in, or touring, Western Europe, it’s almost too easy to overlook a visit to the small, landlocked country of Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in favour of Belgium, France, Germany or Holland.

The world’s only remaining grand duchy, Luxembourg has a great deal to offer the adventure-hungry traveller, although many guide books afford it little space.

If time is limited, we’d suggest spending a few days in Luxembourg City itself which, as the country’s capital, is also central to its culture and entertainment.

Essentially comprising four main regions, you’ll want to spend most of your time in the old town, or Vieille Ville, where you’ll find museum culture, grand architecture and café society collide in a gentle assault on the senses, and the river valleys, or Grund quarter, which can be reached by a scenic zigzag path or, for the more sedentary, a lift. Here you can spend leisurely hours meandering through quiet streets, stopping for a beer or coffee at one of the handful of excellent bars, before crossing the bridge which straddles the River Alzette, to pay a visit to the St-Jean Baptiste church and Neumünster Abbey.

Most of the city’s hotels are situated in the less desirable and rather crass station district, or modern quarter, but this is only a few minutes’ walk from all that is good. The fourth district is the Kirchberg, Luxembourg’s government and commerce hub – worth a short bus ride to witness the impressive architecture of the ultra modern Philharmonic Hall and the quietly majestic Fort Thüngen, a recently restored historic fortress which now forms part of the city’s Museum of Modern Art. This area is also abundantly populated with more than a dozen sculptures and statues, but finding them all in its expanse of three kilometres by one and a half is quite a laborious task on foot, with little else to turn the head.

Overall, the City of Luxembourg has much to offer the tourist and, for the completists among us, ticks the final box when completing the Benelux tour.

World Travel Blog especially recommends:

Café de Paris
While away a couple of hours on the pavement terrace, or enjoy delicious food and drinks inside the sumptuously modern interior…
Find out more

Oscar’s Bar
Adorned with Oscars from Wilde to Muppet, this excellent bar restaurant is one of Luxembourg Grund’s finest; deny yourself their burgers at your peril…
Find out more

Liquid Café
Anciently modern, relaxed and trendy, this superb live music venue snuggles up along the River Alzette, waiting to cosset you in its timeless charm…
Find out more

updown bar
Situated right at the foot of the elevator separating Vieille Ville from Grund, this friendly little bar is the perfect vantage point for a spot of people watching…
Find out more

La Boucherie
With mouthwatering steaks, cooked to perfection and well under 20€ with sauce, salad and fries, what’s not to like about this old town favourite..?
Find out more

Given the past few years’ prevailing exchange rates, European breaks for Brits can work out to be quite expensive, Luxembourg – although a stunning city – proving no exception.

To this end, it’s always comforting to find a good, reliable bar or restaurant to serve you honest, well-prepared food at a price that keeps you coming back.

Such an establishment exists at 9, Place D’Armes, Luxembourg city’s main square – La Boucherie is a meat lovers’ paradise, offering steaks cooked to perfection, as well as a range of salads and other mouthwatering fare, served in quirky but engaging surroundings, fast and with a smile.

Add a couple of beers or glasses of wine, and you still won’t break the bank, with all ‘classique’ steaks coming in at under 20€ including a sauce, fries and salad.

If you’re looking for quality on a budget, you can’t go wrong at this trendy little restaurant which seems popular with both locals and tourists. Veggies can enjoy a good choice of salads and entrees, and desserts are delicious. You can even go for a two course ‘meal deal’ for 16€ or a three courser for under 20€.

Fantastic value and a great location.

La Boucherie Restaurant
9 Place D’Armes
L-1136
Luxembourg

Visit www.laboucherie.lu

Tel.: 00 352 26 10 38 83

Email laboucherie.lux@gmail.com

At the foot of the elevator, which leads from the edge of Luxembourg’s old town down to the picturesque Grund, can be found the delightful watering hole known simply as updown bar.

This quietly trendy little establishment affords an excellent range of alcoholic and soft drinks, teas, coffees and hot chocolate, perfectly revitalising the intrepid explorer of this Luxembourgian river valley.

The ‘cave’, partially hollowed out of the main rock face of this multi levelled city, is the ideal vantage point from which to watch the comings and goings of tourists eager to discover Luxembourg’s secrets. It’s a fine spot both outside in the sunshine, or indoors when the weather is less clement. Friendly staff and excellent service, quite apart from the obvious locational advantages, truly set this little gem apart from its competitors.

updown bar
28, Montée du Grund
1645 Luxembourg

Visit www.updown.lu

Tel.: 00352 26 20 22 75

Email welcome@updown.lu

Well. What can we say? It’s a real rarity to stumble across such an ancient drinking house, originating from the 13th century and, pretty much, unaltered.

Nestling unobtrusively in a quiet corner of Grund, Liquid Café is a find in a million; one of the bastions of a characterful evening’s entertainment.

Offering live music a couple of nights a week, this jewel in Luxembourg’s crown is equally pleasant on its quieter evenings, where a glass of red couples harmoniously with an abundantly atmospheric charm, making this one of those experiences to be treasured and relived for many years to come.

If your time in this wonderful city is limited, and you can only sample one bar, let this be the one. Its influence will stay with you for a very long time.

Liquid Café
15-17 Rue Munster
L-2160
Luxembourg-Grund

Visit www.liquid.lu

Tel.: 00 352 22 44 55

Although it seems this remarkable little establishment was originally named after Oscar Wilde, we now have pictures of other Oscars adorning the walls, Peterson and a certain muppet to name but two.

This aside, this genial bar and restaurant, hiding on Bisserweg in Grund, Luxembourg’s river valley quarter, is an unassuming but completely relaxing watering hole. In fact, I can honestly say that some of my best times in the city were spent here.

Offering a simple but delicious menu, the star attraction has to be the stupendous burgers, served as nature intended, or with bacon, cheese, egg, guacamole or blue cheese, for a small supplement.

A pleasing range of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails provide an ample choice of liquid refreshment and, in particular, the draught Battin can be recommended.

A perfect afternoon into evening can easily be spent in Grund, but in our opinion, it would have to be at Oscar’s.

Oscar’s
9 Bisserweg
L-1238
Luxembourg Grund

Visit www.facebook.com/oscarsbarluxembourg

Tel.: 00352 26 20 30 15

Luxembourg City literally buzzes with a chilled and relaxing café society, and very soon you’ll no doubt stumble across your favourite.

One of ours was undoubtedly the wonderful Café de Paris, right on the Place d’Armes, just opposite the bandstand, which often provides a free concert as the perfect backdrop for your evening.

Whether you’re after a refreshing local beer, a glass of vino or a colourful cocktail, this is the place to enjoy it – for those wanting something a little lighter, try one of their amazing frappés or smoothies.

There are plenty of tasty culinary treats to be had too, from a simple but delicious bread and cheese selection to more substantial salads and mains, as well as inspired snacks. Many simply pop in after a busy evening to round off with one of their heavenly desserts, presented to perfection.

So while you’re soaking up the exhilarating atmosphere of this landlocked European cultural melting pot, take a little time out to appreciate the charm of Café de Paris.

Café de Paris
6 Place d’Armes
L-1136
Luxembourg

Visit www.facebook.com/pages/Café-de-Paris/

Tel.: 00352 26 20 37 70

Email info@cafedeparis.lu