Walking tour of historic Luxembourg & Casemates du Bock

Explore the multiple levels of Luxembourg City on this four-hour guided walking tour, from the old city on top of a cliff and the tunnels beneath it, to the postcard-worthy districts in the riverside valley. You’ll get to learn about the history of the city, dating back to the Roman times, while enjoying the varied architecture, cobblestone streets and centuries-old squares.

Your walk will bring you to the Bock Casemates, where you can explore underground tunnels that were built beneath the former fortress. You’ll also get to see the old city, or Ville Haute, including a lively central square, the only cathedral in the country and the heart of Luxembourg’s government.

You’ll then head down into the valley and stroll along the rivers Alzette and Petrusse, where you can take in the many bridges and viaducts while looking up at the cliffside to marvel at the city’s original fortifications.

You’ll meet your private guide at your hotel before embarking on a four-hour walking tour around Luxembourg City. First, head to the Bock Casemates, a series of underground stone tunnels built beneath Montée de Clausen, the cliff where Count Siegfried built his fortress in the late 10th century.

There were 23 km (14 miles) of tunnel in total, and 17 km (10.5 miles) were spared when the fortress above them was dismantled in 1867. Built on different levels, the tunnels at their deepest point reach 40 m (131 ft) down into the ground.

As you head into the old city, you’ll see Place d’Armes, a 17th-century square in the heart of Luxembourg City. The square is in the city’s pedestrian zone, and is surrounded by cafés and restaurants, where you can enjoy a drink or a meal from the paved terraces in the warmer months. The square also hosts flea markets twice a month, and is home to the city’s Christmas market in December.

Your tour will take you by the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, built in the early 17th century by Jesuits in Luxembourg. The now-Catholic church is the only cathedral in all of Luxembourg, elevated to the status by Pope Pius IX in 1870. Since 1794, the church has housed the statue of Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted, and the building’s crypt is the final resting place for many notable people, including members of the grand ducal family and John the Blind, the former King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg.

You’ll get to see the heart of the country’s government when you visit the residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. In addition to being the home of the duke and duchess, this 16th-century Flemish Renaissance building is also the location of staff offices and state rooms used for meetings and addresses.

When you’re done in the old city, you’ll head down into the valley where the Alzette and Petrusse rivers flow through the Ville Basse part of the city. The rivers are spanned by many bridges and viaducts, including the double-decked arched Adolphe Bridge, the futuristic, minimalist Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge and the dramatically vaulted Passerelle viaduct.

From down alongside the rivers, you’ll have an excellent view back up at the old town, including the Fortress of Luxembourg and old city walls.