Luxembourg family holiday itinerary - the best things to do with kids

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If you’re planning a trip to Luxembourg with the kids, here some of the things you’ll want to include in your family holiday itinerary, as well as some money saving tips to make your trip more affordable. Luxembourg, though often overlooked, has lots on offer for a unique and peaceful family holiday. And, despite it being an affluent country, thankfully there are actually lots of things you can see and do in Luxembourg inexpensively – perfect for families travelling on a budget.

Luxembourg may be one of Europe’s smallest countries, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in charm, natural beauty and family-friendly activities. Nestled between Belgium, France and Germany, Luxembourg is a fantastic destination for country-hopping too! So, to help you plan the perfect family holiday itinerary, here are the 10 best things to see and do in Luxembourg (and the surrounding areas) with the kids. And, as well as some itinerary options, make sure you keep reading as I’ve added in some other useful information for your holiday too – including the closest airport, road trip info if you’re driving from Calais and budget-friendly family accommodation options in Luxembourg.

1. Head to Schiessentumpel (Schießentümpel) Waterfalls

Schiessentumpel Waterfalls, in the Mullerthal Region, is the perfect free adventure to have with the kids. It’s such a short route from the carpark – just 500m – that it’s doable even with little ones. Simply park in the free carpark, cross the road and follow the Mullerthal trail route 3. (There’s also a bus stop directly next to the parking area if you’re using public transport.) The trail isn’t tricky at all, and the pathway runs between cliffs and the beautiful river – it’s such a gorgeous area to explore. You’ll eventually come to some steps, and when you go up and along and down the other side you’ll be greeted by the Schiessentumpel cascades. From there you can continue on the trail through the woods if you’d like, there are lots of signposted hiking routes, or head back.

2. Wander the castle ruins in Larochette

Just a 10 minute drive from Schiessentumpel Waterfalls you’ll find the little town of Larochette. It’s a quaint area with a square with a few shops and restaurants, so somewhere to pop to for a coffee if you’d like. The old market town also has woodland walks, an industry museum and the ruins of Larochette Castle if you’d like to do some exploring. It was destroyed in 1565 by a large fire and, with the heirs having disagreements, it was never restored – but it makes an interesting place for a little family hike.

3. Spend a day in Luxembourg City

You obviously can’t come to Luxembourg and not venture into the city – until now, even with all of our adventures, Italy’s cities were my unrivalled favourites but Luxembourg definitely wowed us. (I think I’ll give it joint first place! 😲) The roads aren’t busy and everyone seems to drive calmly in Luxembourg, so it was an easy drive to reach the city. We parked at Rue de Bouillon Park and Ride (follow the P&R signs when you get near the city) and parking is free for up to 24 hours. We then hopped on a bus (head towards ‘Central Gare’ which is the main train station) to reach the city centre. We absolutely loved our day in the city – it was one of the most gorgeous places we’ve been.

Honestly, if you’re looking for the perfect budget city break then it doesn’t get much better than Luxembourg. Free parking, free transport which you can hop on and off all day, and if you take a picnic you needn’t spend a penny. The Wenzel Circular Walking route is the best place to start. It’s a well signposted walking route (2.5km) around the older parts of the city and it’ll take you past sights like Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg Cathedral, Neumunster Abbey, the Adolphe Bridge, Rham Plateau and the Bock Promontory. There’s also a free panoramic lift viewing point, and if you want to go inside the Cathedral that’s free too. If you’re thinking of visiting Luxembourg City, check out my article for more information: How to spend a day in Luxembourg City on a budget with kids.

4. Explore the caves in Mersch

If you love nature and exploring, the area of Mersch is a great place for walk. It’s an area rich in natural beauty with interesting rock formations and caverns. The Mamerleeën caves, which can be found in the forest between Mersh and Keispelt, blend natural sandstone caves with a network of manmade tunnels so it’s easily accessible by foot. Or for an easy 1 hour route with the kids, try the Bissen Circular Trail which is one of the best child-friendly walks in Mersch. So pack up a picnic and have a wander – Luxembourg has such beautiful countryside and you can enjoy it all without spending a penny!

5. Spend a day in Vianden

Vianden is a lovely little town, with a gorgeous river and castle on the cliffside. Running up the hill towards it is a chairlift, which (as someone who isn’t a fan of heights!) I have to admit was slightly terrifying! 😂 But, it was totally worth it because the views surpassed my expectations, and we all really loved it. It cost €28 for a return trip for our family of four. You can see the whole town, the castle and the river from the viewing point, and if you want to visit the castle it’s just a 15 minute walk from the top of the chairlift. Vianden is a great place for a day trip, so for the best things to do make sure you check out my full itinerary article: Luxembourg with Kids: The best things to do in Vianden.

6. Visit the animals at Parc Merveilleux

Parc Merveilleux is a small amusement park and zoo in Bettembourg which is perfect for younger children – preferably for those under age 10. It’s small enough to enjoy at a relaxed pace (great for little legs) but it’s still packed with things to see and do – including animals, play areas and miniature train rides. The enchanted houses in the forest tell the stories of popular fairy tales, there’s a mini-golf area, and the petting zoo allows you to feed and stroke some of the friendlier animals.

7. Wander the city of Trier

Depending on where in Luxembourg you’re staying, you’ll be pleased to know that you can pop across the border into Germany to visit the city of Trier in as little as 20 minutes. We absolutely loved our day in Trier – it’s Germany’s oldest city and it’s just stunning. It offers a mixture of Ancient Roman and traditional German architecture, and it’s another one of those cities that doesn’t feel like a city at all (my favourite kind!). It’s so easy to navigate the main sights on foot and a very budget friendly place to visit too – parking in the city centre was just €2 per hour.

You can begin your day at the Porta Nigra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, before heading to some of the other historical sights. The grand Roman Catholic church is the oldest in Germany and a must-see for any family visiting the city. Entry is completely free, and it’s a fantastic way to introduce your kids to the beauty of medieval architecture. Or head to Trier Roman Amphitheater, located just outside the main city. So, if you’re heading to Luxembourg with the kids definitely have a day trip to Trier – it is a stunning and interesting city to visit and a must for your family holiday itinerary. Check out my article for more info: How to spend a day in Trier on a budget with kids.

8. Splash around at Aquatic Center Les Thermes

If your kids love water, head to Aquatic Center Les Thermes which is a family-friendly pool complex in Strassen. The weather can be pretty hit and miss in Luxembourg, so an afternoon at the pool offers the perfect wet weather activity for the whole family. There’s a sauna and wellness centre for the grown-ups, and waterslides, swimming pools (including a wave pool) and a baby pool for the little ones. With an outdoor swimming pool and splash area too – if you’re lucky with the weather you can enjoy the outdoor facilities as well.

9. Go tobogganing in Saarburg

Saarburg is a lovely little town in Germany – and it’s another place you can reach in as little as half an hour dependent on where you’re staying in Luxembourg. There’s a brilliant toboggan run next door to the Landal Warsberg Campsite – my kids absolutely loved it and it was only €3 per go so it’s a great pocket money option. Next to the toboggan run is a chairlift that takes you to and from the town of Saarburg, with beautiful views of the countryside and the Mosel Valley. We loved being able to leave the car behind and explore the local area on foot, the chairlift takes you down into the town area and the views were incredible. This was €23 for a family return trip and we thought it was really reasonable.

10. Enjoy a thrilling day at Walibi Belgium

Belgium’s biggest theme park, Walibi, is a great family day out – and you can head there from Luxembourg in around 90 minutes. Walibi Belgium offers over 40 attractions, ranging from high-thrill rollercoasters like Kondaa (one of Europe’s tallest and fastest coasters) to gentle family rides in Walibi Playland, making it appealing to visitors of all ages. Walibi Belgium is unique in that it also includes Aqualibi, an indoor tropical water park located right next to the main theme park. This adds an extra dimension to the experience, allowing visitors to enjoy slides, wave pools and water-based fun even if the weather isn’t on your side. So, if you’re looking for a bit of family fun to add to your Luxembourg itinerary, the pop over the border into Belgium for a fun day out with the kids at Walibi Belgium.

Top tips for visiting Luxembourg with kids

Use public transport: Luxembourg offers free public transport across the entire country, which is a massive bonus for families traveling on a budget, so make the most of it when you’re exploring.
Pack snacks: While Luxembourg isn’t outrageously expensive, dining out can add up quickly. Keep costs down by packing snacks and picnics for your outings.
Be weather-ready: Luxembourg’s weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers and waterproofs just in case. We had a huge storm one morning, but by 1pm the same day we were back in t-shirts and boiling hot!

Use your language skills: Most people speak English, but learning a few basic words in French, German or Luxembourgish can be fun for the kids and appreciated by the locals – they speak a range of languages in Luxembourg and it’s really interesting to listen to.
Save on activities: If you want to venture inside some of the attractions (in and outside of the city – there are lots of castles a short drive away) then it might be worth getting a Luxembourg Card. For 2024 it costs €14 for one day / €22 for 2 days / €31 for 3 days and it’ll get you in to lots of the main attractions for free or at a discounted rate so you can avoid lots of individual entry prices.

Getting to Luxembourg from the UK

Luxembourg is such an easy place to come for a road trip from the UK. My husband found it a pleasure to drive around, and it’s only 4 hours 15 minutes from Calais, so it’s perfect for a Le Shuttle or ferry crossing. We travelled down the side of France and through Belgium, which also meant that we didn’t encounter a single toll, and we got there using only around half a tank of petrol from door to door. So, if you’re trying to travel with the kids on a small budget then Luxembourg is a great option. If you’re new to road trips, this article is a great place to start: How to road trip on a budget around Europe – the ultimate family guide!

If you’d prefer to fly then you’ll want to secure flights to Luxembourg airport. And, given that all public transport across the whole of Luxembourg is free, you don’t need to worry about expensive transfers – you can continue your journey on and explore throughout your trip without needing to worry about transport costs! Use the Skyscanner website to find the cheapest flight prices – it’ll compare airlines, airports, dates and times for you without you having to do all of the leg work!

Affordable family-friendly accommodation in Luxembourg

If you’re looking for an affordable base in Luxembourg, we stayed in a Eurocamp Premium holiday home at Birkelt Camping Village and it was less than £250 for 5 nights. (Though we were looking at that price per night had we stayed in the city centre!). You can find my full review here: Eurocamp Holiday Review: hu Birkelt Village Campsite, Luxembourg. The campsite comes with swimming pools, activities, entertainment and everything else that makes a good child-friendly family holiday. It’s an excellent, budget-friendly base for a family holiday in Luxembourg – and it’s not far from all of the things you’ll want to see and do with kids, it was in a fantastic location for everything on our holiday itinerary without too much driving. We loved Luxembourg and our stay at Birkelt Camping Village.

What’s the best time of year to visit Luxembourg?

Luxembourg is known for rain, and we had such a mix of weather when we visited. We stayed there in mid June and had storms, torrential rain and brilliant sunshine! 😂 Pretty much like the UK! But as long as the weather is mild, there are lots of things you can enjoy with the kids (just bring some raincoats) so I would suggest planning your trip to Luxembourg between May and September. Though, if you’re able to travel somewhat off-peak then you’ll most certainly save money on both flights and accommodation – July and August will likely be the most expensive months to travel. If you’re still on the fence about whether Luxembourg is for you, check out my article: 10 reasons why you should visit Luxembourg with kids! It’s definitely worth a visit!