if you wish to explore Luxembourg city, one of the best options is to follow the Wenzel Walk, an itinerary that the city has set up to guide visitors around its many highlights.
Perched over the deep narrow valleys where the Alzette and Petrusse rivers meet, Luxembourg city is one of Europe’s most scenic capitals. With its rich cultural heritage and cosmopolitan vibe, there are many interesting things to see and do in Luxembourg. In fact, if you wish to explore the city, one of the best options is to follow one of the walking itineraries (there are two) that the city has set out to guide visitors on their quest.
Since my time in Luxembourg was limited, I picked the Wenzel walk to see a bit more of the city. Rated by the Council of Europe as an outstanding cultural itinerary, this trail combines information about the natural and man-made environments around Luxembourg city.
The circuit covers 4.3 kilometers and highlights some of the oldest parts of the city, which date back from the Middle Ages up to more recent works from the 19th century. You can get a free leaflet with information and a map at the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (located on Place Guillaume II).
If you are considering a trip to Luxembourg, don’t miss my post listing seven reasons why you should visit this off-the-beaten-path destination!
The Wenzel Walk
The itinerary starts at the Bock promontory, the cradle of the city, which is the place where the first castle was built and started the development of the town that later became the capital of Luxembourg. This is also the site of the world’s longest casemates, a series of underground defense tunnels with fortified gun emplacements. If you can, spend some time exploring the Bock Casemates before continuing the walk.
After crossing the Castle Bridge, you’ll reach the Chemin de la Corniche, a promenade lined up with pretty houses in warm pastel tones that offers impressive views on the valley below. As you continue descending the views keep getting even better and you’ll see some curious details, like the love locks on a fence and a peculiar circular viewpoint.
While I marched down to the river, there was a building that kept catching my attention because it really stands out among the rest. With its needle-like tower and its location on the banks of the Alzette river, the St. Jean du Grund church is one of the most recognizable buildings in the Grund, the quarter located in the valley below the center of Luxembourg city.
After walking to the other side of the river and admiring some of the historic structures in this complex, I continued on to the Plateau du Rham, where you can see some defensive installations from different times. After this point, there were almost no other people on the trail, so I had these pretty views all to myself! 😊
Continuing on the Wenzel walk, and after crossing a large retirement complex, I came across a few viewpoints where you can admire the Chemin de la Corniche from the other side of the valley. The views from here were just stunning and well worth the walk.
The walk then continues on to an old defensive bridge before reaching the end at the Grund. There you can enjoy a well-deserved treat in one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area. And if you want to head back up to the city center, you can easily do so via a public elevator.
This time, I chose to take a detour instead. A couple of days before I went on this walk, I had seen from the Place de la Constitution a beautiful green area in the valley below along with a perfectly manicured little garden area. I could not find a way there from above, so I wanted to see if I could reach it from below.
So instead of following the Wenzel walk till the end, I decided to keep walking along the Petrusse valley. The area was full with locals enjoying a pleasant Saturday afternoon. There were people playing mini-golf, having a picnic, rolling around the skate park, jogging, and walking their dogs.
Also, there is a road that passes right beneath the Pont Adolphe and goes all the way to the city centre. However, just before reaching the top, make a right turn on the small road and you will reach the gorgeous garden that stands just below the Place de la Constitution. There are no signs for it, so it stays empty most of the time. It was kind of amusing watching the people above trying to figure out how to reach the garden.
Overall, I really enjoyed following the Wenzel walk because it showed me a few of the highlights in Luxembourg city. Plus, I also saw some of its off the beaten path sites.
The walk takes between 2 – 3 hours, depending on your speed and how many photos you take. Although most of the walk is paved, there are a few steps and places that are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Also, bring some water and snacks, because there are no places to buy anything along the way.
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Have you been to Luxembourg city? Do you have any tips about things to do or see in Luxembourg? Leave a comment and let us know!
Bianca Bauza
Travel Writer
Bianca is a world citizen who spent almost four years traveling around South America and Europe. Her passions include photography, street art, outdoor sports, and cooking exotic dishes. She’s now based in the Netherlands where she lives with her partner and young daughter. She still enjoys traveling, on her own or with her family, and is always looking for an opportunity to see new places.
Gorgeous views Bianca – looks like a really cool trail to follow. Certainly showcased Luxembourg City – it’s on my list.