Luxembourg with Kids: The best things to do in Vianden

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If you’re heading to Luxembourg with the kids, then you’ll definitely want to spend a day in the lovely town of Vianden – it’s the perfect place for a day trip with some great family-friendly things to see and do. So, check out my family-friendly Vianden itinerary as well some useful information for your visit too, including money-saving tips to keep costs down for a budget-friendly day out with the kids.

Is Vianden worth a visit?

We stayed in Luxembourg at Birkelt Village Campsite, and the gorgeous little town of Vianden is about a half an hour drive from there. Famous for Vianden Castle and the chairlift nearby, it’s a great place to spend a day with the kids – it’s such a lovely part of Luxembourg and there are some interesting things to do too. Vianden is an absolute gem, and it’s a great destination for an affordable day out. If you’re travelling to Vianden from Luxembourg City it’s about an hour away, and it’s easily accessible by car or public transport. If you’re driving, parking is relatively easy, with spaces near the town and the castle. Alternatively, you can take a train to Ettelbruck and then a bus straight to Vianden. The bus stop is conveniently located near the castle and town centre, and all public transport in Luxembourg is free!

The best things to do – here’s how to spend a day in Vianden, Luxembourg, with the kids:

1. Start your day with a ride on Vianden Chairlift

There’s a chairlift which runs up the hill towards Vianden Castle – start your day there, as you can then visit the castle whilst you’re at the top. As someone who isn’t a fan of heights, I have to admit it was slightly terrifying! 😂 But it was good fun and the kids really enjoyed it. It was totally worth it too because the views surpassed my expectations – looking out over Vianden was one of our favourite moments of our Luxembourg trip. A return ride on the chairlift cost €28 for our family of four – so it’s an affordable family activity too. 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. At the top there are also toilets and a quaint little restaurant where you can sit and admire the view, and the kids can enjoy an ice-cream.

2. Next wander around Vianden Castle

Vianden Castle is one of the largest and most famous fortresses in Europe. It dates back to the 10th century and is perched majestically on a hill overlooking the town. Restored to its former glory, it’s a great place for kids to explore, with its winding staircases, knight’s halls and spectacular views. As I mentioned above, you can reach Vianden Castle with a short walk from the top of the chairlift, so it works well to combine the activities. Admission costs for Vianden Castle are very reasonable: around €10 for adults and €2.50 for children. But if you have a Luxembourg Card you can enter for free, so if you’re going to visit multiple attractions whilst you’re in Luxembourg it can be pretty cost effective. 2024 prices are: €14 for one day / €22 for 2 days / €31 for 3 days and it’ll get you free or discounted entry to lots of the main attractions.

3. Enjoy a relaxing lunch by the river

If you’re wondering where to eat with kids in Vianden, Hotel Petry comes highly recommended with their child-friendly Italian menu choices – perfect if the kids love pizza. You can grab a margarita pizza for about €10 so it’s not too expensive either, if you do fancy a cooked meal. But, the best way to save money is always packing a picnic! And, luckily there are plenty of scenic spots along the river where you can enjoy a homemade lunch with a view – so if you’re on a budget bring some sandwiches and a picnic blanket. There’s also a bakery in the centre of Vianden so, if you need some affordable picnic treats, pop in there to get some supplies.

4. After lunch, explore the town

After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through Vianden’s charming streets. The cobbled lanes are lined with colourful houses, and there are lots of little shops selling souvenirs and local treats. Then take the lovely riverside path, enjoying the picturesque surroundings, to the An de Our playground where the kids can release some energy. The little ones can enjoy the playground by the river whilst the adults relax on a bench and take in the peaceful surroundings. If you’ve got the budget, you could even take a boat ride along the river during the summer months too!

5. End your day at Vianden Outdoor Swimming Pool

It wasn’t warm enough during our trip but, if you’re visiting Luxembourg over the summer months, then one of the most fun things that you can do with the kids in Vianden is to go for a swim at Freibad Vianden Outdoor Swimming Pool. The pool is heated, and there’s a 65m long waterslide to keep the kids entertained. It’s a great budget-friendly activity too, as the whole family can enjoy a 2 hour swim for just a few euros per person. It’s the perfect way to end a great family day out in the beautiful little town of Vianden. For a full itinerary for stay in Luxembourg with the kids, make sure you check out my article: Luxembourg family holiday itinerary – the best things to see and do with kids.

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. 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!