Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Royal traces in city and countryside

You’d like to get a glimpse of royal splendour in everyday life? No problem! Along the route of the city promenade through the capital, you’ll not only see the palace façade but also the “Corniche” and the Bock rock – a UNESCO World Heritage Site where stone, history and views come together on a grand stage. But even in the countryside, it becomes clear that this small country has a grand and noble past. Between cliffs, river valleys and vineyards, the Grand Duchy unveils a fairytale-like landscape of castles and fortresses in its charming regions, where royal traces from the past remain alive today. Luxembourg has more castles and fortresses per square kilometre than any other country in the world.

There are many royal favourite spots to discover: besides the Grand Ducal Palace in the capital’s old town, other sites include the impressive Berg Castle in Colmar Berg (the Grand Duke’s main residence, not open to the public) and the charming surroundings of Fischbach Castle, which was once the residence of Grand Duchess Charlotte and can be explored via local trails. The Grand Duke himself is known to enjoy hiking – in the same places where locals go to walk, unwind and connect with history. If you want to dream of being a castle lord or lady, you can stroll through the gardens of Ansembourg Castle in the Valley of the Seven Castles. Or, following in the footsteps of the long-deceased chatelaine in Beaufort, you can experience the magic of the past on a guided tour.

If you’d like to combine royal heritage with castle romance, the whole country offers stone stages set in natural landscapes: such as the radiant Bourscheid Castle overlooking the Sûre River, and the Romanesque-Gothic Vianden Castle high above the Our Valley – complete with guided tours. Luxembourg’s Castles & fortresses tell many inspiring and royally entertaining stories.  

There’s so much to enjoy here – local hiking trails that the Grand Duke himself likes to explore, hidden gems related to art and culture, relaxing boat rides along the Moselle, past meticulously tended vineyards with chances to taste some great wines and crémants, a visit to the Philharmonie, and of course plenty of cafés, brasseries and restaurants around Luxembourg – from rustic eateries to Michelin-starred venues – offering experiences that make every stay a culinary highlight.