Luxembourg City took me by surprise! A green, historic city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, only a five and a half hour train ride from Amsterdam, and public transport is completely free throughout Luxembourg! The catch? The city is built on several levels, so where you sleep decides how many stairs you climb before dinner. In this guide I share where to stay in Luxembourg City, my favourite hotels and which area suits which kind of trip. Planning your days too? My Luxembourg City Guide has all my tips. And if you want more European city inspiration, check out my Lille City Guide too!

Luxembourg City has some beautiful boutique hotels, although accommodation in the city centre comes at a price. Expect to pay around 150 to 200 euros a night for a comfortable double room in or near the old town. The good news? The city is compact, easy to explore on your own and public transport is completely free throughout Luxembourg. A nice bonus for solo travellers!

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The view during the Wenzel route | where to stay in Luxembourg City

The short answer: stay in Ville Haute, the old upper town, if it is your first visit. Grund is the most atmospheric area, down in the valley. Gare works best for train arrivals and longer stays, while Kirchberg is where you find the contemporary hotels, one free tram ride from the centre.

Best hotels in Luxembourg City

The best hotels in Luxembourg City are spread over 4 areas: Ville Haute, Grund, Gare and Kirchberg. These are my top picks across different styles and budgets. Note that prices in Luxembourg are generally higher than in other European cities, so booking in advance pays off.

Mama Shelter Luxembourg in Kirchberg

Hotel Mama Shelter is the most fun place to stay in the city. Upon entering you will find a warm welcome on the mirror in the bathroom; at breakfast you can make fresh juice with a slow juicer and pick your favorite bread. There is even freshly baked brioche waiting for you. In addition, the hotel has a cinema, a boulangerie and a beautiful rooftop bar. Loved it! I would go back in a heartbeat. You are in Kirchberg here, so the old town is a quick, free tram ride away.

Mama Shelter Luxembourg | best hotels in Luxembourg City

Hotel Le Place d’Armes in Ville Haute

Hotel Le Place d’Armes, Relais & Châteaux sits right on the most beautiful square in the old town. Think exposed stone walls, real attention to detail a design that blends Art Deco and Baroque styles, and a restaurant that locals actually choose for special occasions. If you want to feel properly treated, this is the luxury hotel for you. It is also the shortest walk to everything in the upper town. The perfect place to unwind and relax.

Villa Pétrusse above the Pétrusse valley

Villa Pétrusse is a pretty, smaller property in a quieter part of the city. Lovely interiors, a personal atmosphere and a garden that feels very un-city-like. If you want something low-key but well done, this is a solid choice. The villa has 22 rooms on Avenue Marie-Thérèse, at the edge of the upper town, with a view of the Pont Adolphe across the valley.

La Pipistrelle in Grund

La Pipistrelle is on my wishlist for next time. A guesthouse with just 4 rooms and suites in a historic building on Montée du Grund, the steep street that climbs from Grund to the upper town. You sleep in one of the oldest parts of the city, without a big hotel lobby in sight. Pack light: there is no lift and the rooms are spread over 4 floors. Expect to pay upwards of 250 euros a night.

Hotel Simoncini in Ville Haute

Hotel Simoncini is an art hotel on Rue Notre-Dame, a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral. Contemporary art hangs throughout the building and there are temporary exhibitions. It gives you the old town location without the Relais & Châteaux price tag. Light sleepers: you are right in the middle of the city, so ask for a quiet room.

The Central City in Gare

The Central City, Luxury Serviced Residence is a great option if you are staying a few nights and want more space. Well-equipped apartments in the city centre, with the flexibility of self-catering. A smart pick for longer stays or if you are traveling as a small group. You will find it on Avenue de la Gare, halfway between the station and the old town, with a supermarket around the corner.

Meliá Luxembourg in Kirchberg

Meliá Luxembourg offers a modern, polished stay with panoramic city views. Well-located and popular with business travelers, but the rooms are spacious enough to enjoy as a leisure guest too. The breakfast is particularly good. Yum! The MUDAM museum is right next door.

Mercure Luxembourg Off Kirchberg in Neudorf

Mercure Luxembourg Off Kirchberg is a reliable mid-range option whose rooms offer comfort and good transport connections to the city center. Comfortable, consistent and one of the better-value options in a city where hotel prices can be steep. It is on Rue de Neudorf, just below Kirchberg, with a bus stop right outside the door.

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Best areas: where to stay in Luxembourg City and Esch su Alzette

The best area to stay in Luxembourg City depends on how much you like stairs. The 4 neighbourhoods that matter for a city break sit on different levels, connected by free lifts, trams and buses. Here is which one suits which traveller.

Ville Haute: where to stay in Luxembourg City on a first visit

Ville Haute is the old upper town and the easiest base for a first trip. It sits in the heart of the city center. You walk out of your hotel straight onto Place d’Armes, the shopping streets and the start of the Wenzel route, with the Grand Ducal Palace, the official residence of the Grand Dukes, and the National Museum close by if you want to dive into the city’s history.

My favourite terrace is here too: from De Gudde Wëllen you have the best view over the city. Such a nice place! For solo travellers it is the obvious choice, with short and well lit walks back to your hotel after dinner.

Grund: where to stay in Luxembourg City for atmosphere

Grund is the lower part of the city, along the river Alzette, and the prettiest place to wake up, surrounded by historic buildings in the valley. You will find photogenic, winding streets and fun hangouts in Grund, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, such as Café des Artistes, where you can sing along with a pianist in the evening. If you dare. The trade-off is that everything else is uphill. My tip: the free Ascenseur Plateau St. Esprit lifts you from Grund to the upper town, so you skip most of the stairs.

With only 4 rooms, La Pipistrelle is the one that goes first, so book ahead!

Café des Artistes | Grund, Luxembourg City

Gare: where to stay in Luxembourg City by train

Gare is the station district and the most practical base for visitors arriving by train and relying on public transportation. From Amsterdam the ride takes about five and a half hours, and from the station the tram takes you to the old town or the airport. When traveling by train, you do not have to worry about the weight of your suitcase, which is very convenient when buying souvenirs. Avenue de la Gare is full of shops and cafés, with The Central City at the old town end of it. Walk down from here to Skatepark Péitruss, tucked under the stately arches of the Passerelle Bridge.

One honest note for solo travellers: the few blocks right around the station are the scruffiest part of town after dark, and the police have stepped up patrols there. I would pick a hotel closer to the Passerelle than to the station itself.

Staying connected in Luxembourg is easy. I always use Saily when I travel; download an eSIM in minutes and stay connected as soon as you land. No roaming fees, no SIM card stress. Click here to get your eSIM.

The terrace of De Gudde Wëllen | Luxembourg City tips

Kirchberg: where to stay in Luxembourg City for modern hotels

Kirchberg is the plateau with the EU institutions, glass office towers and the MUDAM museum, and it is known as the business district of Luxembourg City. It empties out in the evening and on weekends, so it can be perfect if you want a calmer base outside the old town. You trade cobblestones for a rooftop bar and more space for your money. The free tram gets you to the centre in minutes, and a funicular connects Kirchberg with Pfaffenthal in the valley. A short walk from there, the glass Pfaffenthal elevator takes you up to the old town.

The local market | tips Luxembourg City

Looking specifically for small hotels with personality? I picked out the best boutique hotels in Luxembourg City in a separate guide.

Best things to do in Luxembourg City near your hotel

The best things to do in Luxembourg City are all within walking distance of the hotels above, as long as you do not mind stairs. As the country’s capital, Luxembourg City blends historical layers with contemporary culture. These are the 3 tours I would book.

Start with the Wenzel route. During this walk of about 3 hours, you go from the upper town to the district of Grund and will see vineyards, fortifications and the river Alzette. Book the guided city walk with wine tastings if you want a local guide to show you the best spots along the way.

Luxembourg City is hilly, and an e-bike is the smartest way to cover more ground without arriving at every viewpoint completely out of breath. The guided e-bike tour covers the best of the city in 3 hours.

One of the best ways to discover Luxembourg City is through its food scene! The guided food tour with tastings takes you through the best local spots in the city. In the evening, give your leg muscles some well-deserved rest at one of the city’s wine bars: Vins Fins, Pas Sage and Flûte Alors! Try the ceviche with pineapple and melon at Um Plateau, it is one of the better things I ate on this trip. So good! Follow me on Instagram for more travel inspiration from Luxembourg and beyond.

Restaurant Piri Piri and the ceviche at Um Plateau | Luxembourg City tips

MY FULL LUXEMBOURG CITY GUIDE

Getting to and around Luxembourg City

Public transport is completely free throughout Luxembourg, including buses, trams and trains in second class. That changes the maths on where to stay: a hotel in Kirchberg or Gare costs you nothing extra to get around. The free tram connects Findel airport with Kirchberg, the city centre and the central station, which makes it easy for guests to get around for free. Landing late with a big suitcase? A private airport transfer drops you at the door.

My tip: Luxembourg City has a lot of height differences. To minimize the climbing up and down, you can take a free elevator to the higher part of the city at several places. Try the glass Pfaffenthal elevator and the centrally located Ascenseur Elevator Plateau St. Esprit Grund. Ideal!

For a longer trip through Europe, sort your travel insurance before you go.

Lunch at Kaale Kaffi | Luxembourg City tips

Where to stay in Luxembourg City: Frequently asked questions

Where to stay in Luxembourg City for a first visit?

Ville Haute, the old upper town, is the best area to stay in Luxembourg City for a first visit and a perfect place for a first stay. You can walk to Place d’Armes, the Casemates du Bock, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Wenzel route, and Grund is one free lift ride down. Hotel Le Place d’Armes and Hotel Simoncini are both right in the middle of it.

Is Luxembourg City safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, Luxembourg City is a safe city to explore on your own. The old town is compact and well lit, and you rarely need more than a 10 minute walk or a free tram ride. The only area where extra attention after dark makes sense is the few blocks right around the central station.

How many nights do you need in Luxembourg City?

2 nights is enough to see the main highlights of Luxembourg City. Add a third night if you want to do a day trip to the Mullerthal Trail, which is about 30 minutes by car from the city. Müllerthal is known as “Little Switzerland” for its natural beauty, is famous for its hiking trails, and draws visitors to its rock formations and waterfalls. The perfect nature escape!

When is the best time to visit Luxembourg City?

May to September is the best time to visit Luxembourg City, when the terraces are open and the Wenzel route is at its greenest. December is a close second for the Christmas markets. Boutique hotels offer a more personal, home-like atmosphere and fill up fast in both peak seasons, so book your hotel early.

How do you get from Luxembourg airport to the city centre?

Take the free tram from Findel airport; it connects the airport with Kirchberg, the city centre and the central station. A taxi or private transfer is easier with heavy luggage or a late landing.