Travel to the heart of the Gibraltar of the North and spend a weekend in Luxembourg. Landlocked between Belgium, Germany, and France, this tiny country is filled with well-preserved ancient structures that can take tourists a millennial back in time. While Luxembourg is overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, France and Germany, the capital city known as Luxembourg City has slowly welcomed more and more tourists each year that speak highly of the city and what it can offer. Spending a weekend in Luxembourg is a perfect getaway for couples, families, and even solo travellers that are looking for a breath of fresh air.
Before you purchase your plane tickets to Luxembourg, you may need to apply for a Schengen visa first to be allowed entry to this tiny country. Luxembourg is one of 26 countries that comprise the Schengen area that implement the same visa for foreign visitors. This means that you can enter any one of these countries with the same visa. The application process for a Schengen visa is quite easy to do; here are the requirements that you need to prepare:
- Valid passport and copies of the front and back pages
- Current passport-sized photos with white background
- Completed Schengen Visa application form
- Proof of travel such as flight booking, travel itinerary, and hotel booking – You may get a Flight Booking for Visa and Hotel Reservation for Visa just for your visa application without having to pay for the airfare or hotel booking.
- Travel Insurance – It is better to acquire this from Schengen Travel Insurance, an affordable and reliable insurance company.
- Personal Coverage Letter
- Bank Documents
- For employed travellers, a No Objection Letter is highly recommended
A Weekend in Luxembourg – Start the Journey
Your weekend in Luxembourg will focus on going around the capital, Luxembourg City. If you are coming from outside the Schengen area or outside Europe, it is better to arrive on a Friday afternoon so you can have 2 full days to roam around the city.
Day 1 – Arrival in Luxembourg City:
If you plan to fly to Luxembourg City, you will notice as soon as you arrive in the city’s international airport that Luxembourg is a more laidback place than it’s more popular neighbors. You will surely have a hassle-free experience from the moment you deplane, meet the immigration officer, and get your luggage from the carousel. There isn’t much people in the airport and that is the perfect welcome that you can get in Luxembourg.
If you plan to take public transportation from the airport to the city center and just commute during your weekend in Luxembourg, then it best to purchase the famous Luxembourg card. For €28, this card will give you free access to the airport bus that can bring you to the city center plus a 3-day free ride with the main train and public city buses within the city. In addition, you will also get free access to more than 50 museums and tourist destinations. You can purchase this card in the airport or get it online.
A budget hotel you can stay in that is close to both the shopping and the tourist attractions is Hotel Ibis. As soon as you get to your hotel, check-in and settle down first. Spend your first late afternoon or evening walking around the vicinity. You can choose to eat at a nearby restaurant or spend a night with a swig of beer at a nearby bar.
Day 2 – Get to Know the Old Luxembourg:
Rise and shine! Luxembourg is famous for its appetizing brunches so you must not miss having brunch in this city. Luckily, if you choose to stay at Hotel Ibis, a famous brunch and desserts place known as Kathy’s Deli and Cupcakery is literally just a few steps from the hotel’s entrance. Order a plate of pancakes or beans with toast and finish your brunch with a not-so-sweet cupcake and a cup of tea or coffee.
After your filling brunch, you are now ready to see the old part of the city. A good 1 ½ km walk from the cupcakery will bring you to the famous Place Guillaume II. This public square was built in the 13th century and it is probably the oldest open-air market and events area in Luxembourg. Since you will visit on a weekend, expect to see a lot of flower farmers and sellers. Enjoy the colors of the square as well as the warm welcome of the locals.
While in the area, take snapshots of the classic statue dedicated to Grand Duke William II. You will not miss this because it is right at the middle of Place Guillaume II. As you walk towards another square, you will see the Hammelsmarch statue. This famous statue symbolizes the local tradition of enjoying music at a community fair.
Spend the afternoon going around the UNESCO Heritage Site of the City of Luxembourg. The fortifications in Luxembourg City proves that the country was once a setting for the thriving empires like the Holy Roman Empire, Spanish Empire, French Empire, and the Prussians. From the Place Gaillaume, walk to the famous Musee Drai Eechelen and see the fortification yourself.
Day 3 – Before Saying Goodbye:
Before leaving Luxembourg City, you must see a one-of-a-kind castle that can only be found in the city. This castle is known as Bock Casemates. It is also an UNESCO Heritage Site because this castle has more than 20 kilometers of manmade tunnels which were used as refuge of soldiers, kitchen where soldiers’ meals were prepared, and many more. Now a part of the tunnel is used as a theatre or concert hall. You can walk along the tunnel which is partly converted to a museum.
Finally, before going back to the airport, take a quick stop to the Palace of the Grand Duke. This 16th century structure used to be the home of Luxembourg’s Grand Duke but is now transformed into a museum. Use your Luxembourg card to enter it for free. You can also take a quick coffee break to one of the many coffee shops right across the palace.
A Weekend in Luxembourg – Plan your itinerary now!
Spend a stress-free vacation in Luxembourg and see the history and grandeur of the city. Make sure you have an approved Schengen visa to be able to see this country. Should you have more queries about the visa application process, you may contact us through our website or Facebook page.
Have that much needed quick break and take a weekend in Luxembourg.
