Wake up in
Luxembourg

The UNESCO old town on the plateau — palace guards, cathedral bells, and rue Philippe II boutiques above the Pétrusse valley.

The riverside village 70 meters below the old town — stone bridges, the Neumünster abbey, and the only late-night bars in the capital.

The old brewery quarter turned nightlife hub — Rives de Clausen bars, birthplace of Robert Schuman, and the Trois Tours fortifications.

The tiny working-class village in the Alzette valley — panoramic lift, the Vauban towers, and the Pescatore park just above.

The station district — cheapest hotels in the capital, budget restaurants, and a slightly rough edge on rue Joseph Junck.

The plateau of EU institutions, banks and the Philharmonie — glass towers, the tram spine, and Luxembourg's biggest shopping mall.

The mixed working-class neighborhood east of the station — cheap ethnic eats, the Bonnevoie swimming pool, and no tourists.

The leafy uphill neighborhood north of the old town — university buildings, the Théâtre des Capucins annex, and the Glacis Sunday market.

The affluent residential quarter west of the old town — quiet streets, embassies, and the Merl-Belair park for weekend runners.

The former industrial district turning into Luxembourg's creative and startup quarter — warehouse offices, ethnic restaurants, cheaper hotels.

The green residential district around Merl-Belair park — schools, Portuguese cafés, and a Sunday running community.

The residential plateau east of the city — Kalchesbrück industrial edge, Neudorf border, and easy tram to Kirchberg.

The narrow valley village between Clausen and Weimerskirch — Portuguese cafés, quiet streets, and no tourists.

The preserved medieval village core on the Alzette upstream of Neudorf — Saint Peter and Paul church, cobbled lanes, no tourism.

Luxembourg's second city and former steel capital — Belval university campus, industrial heritage, and cheaper hotels than the capital.

The third city and steelworks town on the Belgian border — Fond-de-Gras narrow-gauge railway, Chiers valley walks, cheap stays.

The steel town on the French border — Waassertuerm photography museum, Ginzebierg tower walk, and easy trains to the capital.

The northern transport hub at the Alzette-Sauer confluence — General Patton museum, gateway to the Ardennes, and cheap rail access.

The small Ardennes town on the Sauer — National Military History Museum, brewery heritage, and walking trails into the Herrenberg forest.

The postcard Ardennes castle town on the Our river — Luxembourg's most spectacular medieval site, Victor Hugo house, and a chairlift.

The oldest town in Luxembourg and gateway to the Mullerthal — Saint Willibrord's basilica, the dancing procession, and sandstone hiking trails.

The northern Ardennes town with the Family of Man photography exhibition — Edward Steichen's UNESCO-listed collection in the castle.

The riverside wine town on the Moselle facing Germany — Caves Saint Martin sparkling wine cellars, river cruises, and vineyard walks.

The thermal spa town on the French border — Mondorf Domaine spa, Belle Époque casino, and a small park circuit for a slow weekend.

The station quarter is where the capital’s cheapest beds are — here are the ones under about $210 a night, with real walking times from the platforms.

It's possible — free public transport helps enormously, and there are 6 hostels and cheap eats under $12.

For $200 you can genuinely upgrade — 4-star hotel, a Michelin lunch, and still have change for wine.

Only about 12 hotels in the capital actually have a proper pool — here are the ones worth booking.

Central parking runs $25-$40 a night, so these 9 hotels with genuinely free parking save real money.

About 15 hotels in the country genuinely welcome dogs — here are the 8 that actually do it well.

The country has 12 Michelin-starred restaurants — but the 10 places below cover both stars and honest local food.

Coffee prices average $4.50 — here are the 8 places that actually earn it.

Seven national dishes worth ordering, in the order I’d recommend eating them.