Vianden is a charming little town in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Its medieval castle perched on a hill gives it a fairytale vibe. With just 2,000 residents and its quaint houses, Vianden feels more like a cosy village than a city. If you enjoy both nature and castles, this is a perfect spot to spend a few days!
In this blog, we’ll share the best things to do in Vianden and its surroundings. Plus, at the end, you’ll find tips to make your stay even better and a video showcasing the highlights of the area.
Tip #1 Take the Chairlift for Great Views Over the Our Valley
The chairlift is an absolute must-do in Vianden! Within a few minutes, you’ll be at an altitude of 440 metres, enjoying fantastic views of the Our Valley, the town, and Vianden Castle. You can even spot the dam from here.
Next to the viewpoint, there’s a restaurant where you can grab something to eat or drink. For the best views, sit at the front of the restaurant. Prices here are slightly higher than in town (€0.25 to €0.60 extra per drink), but still very reasonable.
You don’t need to buy tickets in advance. Simply go to the starting point, purchase your tickets there, and board the chairlift.
You can choose between a return ticket or a one-way ticket to the top. With a one-way ticket, you can walk back down and even stop by Vianden Castle along the way.
At the time of writing, a single ticket for the Vianden chairlift costs €6.50 per person, and a return ticket costs €9 per person.
If you’d like a nice souvenir, don’t forget to smile during the last few metres to the top—your photo will be taken! Whether or not you buy the photo (costing €8.50) is entirely up to you. 😉
Reader tip
Ilona recommends the Hot Stone Chalet restaurant, located right at the bottom of the chairlift. Here, you can enjoy a fun and delicious stone-grill experience!
Tip #2 Visit Vianden Castle
A visit to Vianden isn’t complete without exploring its stunning medieval castle.
Inside the castle, you can wander through various rooms and halls, getting a glimpse into the past. You’ll learn about the castle’s history, and afterwards, you can grab a bite or drink at the small restaurant. Are you curious to see more? Check out the video at the bottom of this blog for extra footage of the castle.
While we find the castle’s exterior more impressive, the interior visit was still worth it and added a nice change. We wouldn’t have wanted to miss it!
Admission: €10 per person. For an additional €2, you can get an audio guide in your language if you prefer not to read the signs.
Getting there: Take the chairlift and walk from the top, hike up from the village, or park at the nearby car park (€1 per hour).
Opening hours: In summer, the castle is open from 10:00 to 18:00. Check current opening hours here.
For a stunning view of the castle, head to the Panoramablick viewpoint. The second photo in this blog was taken from there!
Tip
Arrive right at 10:00 when the doors open to avoid the crowds. This is one of Vianden’s most popular attractions, often visited by large tour groups.
Tip #3 Watch a film at the Cinéma Cafe
Vianden might not be buzzing with nightlife, but Ancien Cinéma Café Club is an absolute gem and the perfect spot for an evening out.
This cosy café has a charming interior, chill music, and classic films playing silently in the background. From Tom & Jerry to Charlie Chaplin classics, the atmosphere is laid-back and inviting. Grab a seat, order a drink, and enjoy the vibe—you don’t even have to stay quiet like in a regular cinema! Chatting and laughing are part of the experience here.
It’s a great way to wrap up your day in Vianden, and to be honest, it’s the only ‘hip’ café in town.
Bonus tip: If there’s no film playing when you arrive, just ask the staff—they’re happy to put one on for you!
Tip #4 Visit Bourscheid Castle, Luxembourg’s Largest
Bourscheid Castle is the largest castle in Luxembourg, and it’s an absolute must-see!
While history enthusiasts might find it less detailed than Vianden Castle, the stunning views more than make up for it. Perched in a gorgeous valley along the Sûre River, every window and turret offers breathtaking scenery.
Practical Information:
- Entry is €7 per person, granting access to the entire castle complex. An audio guide is available for an additional €2.
- There’s a small restaurant where you can grab a bite. For the best experience, sit on the rooftop terrace and enjoy the view—it’s far more charming than sitting downstairs.
- The castle is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Be sure to check current opening hours before your visit.
- Distance from Vianden: Bourscheid Castle is just 23 kilometres away, making it a perfect day trip.
Check out our video at the bottom of this blog for more stunning footage of Bourscheid Castle!
Tip #5 Visit the Schiessentümpel Waterfall
Had enough of castles? The Schiessentümpel waterfall is a refreshing change of pace! Located just a 30-minute drive from Vianden, this charming waterfall is easily accessible after a short walk from the free car park.
Keep in mind:
- It’s a popular spot, so it can get quite crowded, especially in the afternoon. We visited around 3 PM, and it was packed. I managed to snap a quick photo when the bridge and water were clear for a moment, but early morning visits tend to be quieter.
- On hot summer days, the waterfall is a great place to cool off, as swimming is allowed!
- If you’re in the mood for a hike, the area is perfect for that too. The Mullerthal region, also known as Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland, offers many scenic trails. From the waterfall, you can pick up a route from the Mullerthal Trail and start exploring.
Tip #6 Walk across the wooden footbridges of the Ourdall Promenade
Not in the mood for a challenging hike but still want to enjoy a scenic walk? The Ourdall promenade is perfect for you! This route consists of wooden footbridges winding along the rocks, offering beautiful views of the valley.
The promenade stretches from Vianden to Stolzembourg and is about 9 kilometres long. You can walk the entire route and return, or take bus 570 or 664 back to Vianden.
Tip #7 Admire the dam with Reverse Graffiti
The Lohmühle Dam, built for a hydropower plant, is home to a unique form of art: reverse graffiti.
Created by Klaus Dauven, this artwork was made using high-pressure cleaners, a technique called ‘selective cleaning,’ which reveals patterns on the dirty surface. The four portraits shown on the dam are of workers who contributed to its construction in 1959.
You can also walk across the dam or enjoy a great view of it from the chairlift (see Tip #1) or Vianden Castle (see Tip #2).
Tip #8 Walk along the old city wall
From our charming little balcony, we quickly noticed Vianden’s well-preserved, old city wall.
Along the main road (Grand Rue), there are several access points to this historical wall. A few steps up, and you’re there!
The walk offers unique views of the castle and the town. We did it before visiting the castle, but it might be even more enjoyable to do it afterward. That way, you’ll have a better sense of the history and can imagine what the view from the city wall looked like in the past.
Tip #9 Visit the Brandenbourg Ruins
Vianden isn’t just home to castles, but also to some beautiful ruins.
Brandenbourg, located just 12 kilometres from Vianden, is a stunning castle ruin with free entry.
You can explore the grounds and even climb the tower. See us standing next to the flag?
If you’re in the mood for more hiking, there’s a 6-kilometre trail that takes you past the ruins.
Tip #10 Breakfast at Boulangerie Patisserie Croissant D’Or
While Vianden may not be packed with bakeries, there’s one standout we highly recommend.
Boulangerie Patisserie Croissant D’Or offers delicious local treats and a great breakfast. You can enjoy sandwiches, charcuterie, jams, coffee, and fresh orange juice.
There are several breakfast menus to choose from, and we found the price-quality ratio here much better than at our hotel. Definitely worth a visit!
Tip #11 Visit the White Castle of Clervaux
I’ll be honest, I’m pretty picky when it comes to castles. During my search for the most beautiful castles in Luxembourg, only a few really stood out, like Vianden and Bourscheid.
But Clervaux Castle was also on my list. Known for its striking white exterior, it’s one of the more beautiful castles in Luxembourg. Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit due to rain, but it’s definitely worth mentioning as a must-see!
Tip #12 Stroll through Luxembourg City
When the rain kept pouring in Vianden, we decided to take a short drive to Luxembourg City, just under an hour away.
Luxembourg City beautifully combines old and new, with plenty of green spaces. You’ll find all the well-known shops, restaurants, and cafés, plus many historical sites.
Visit the Luxembourg Casemates (book in advance online) and the Thüngen Fortress, or relax in the large Municipal Park. Luxembourg City is a charming place where you can easily spend an entire day exploring.
Tip #13 Go for a long walk
Looking for a challenging yet beautiful hike? Vianden has got you covered. You can choose from three ‘Nat’Our routes’ starting from the town:
- Nat’Our route 4 (17 km)
- Nat’Our route 5 (12 km)
- Nat’Our route 6 (14 km)
For more details on these scenic hiking routes, check out the Visit Vianden website.
Tip #14 Go mini golfing
If you enjoy mini-golf, Vianden has a fun 18-hole course waiting for you.
You can play between 2PM and 5PM, and entry costs just €4 per adult.
For more details, check the Visit Luxembourg website.
Tip #15 Stock Up on Spirits at Cactus
Luxembourg can be a bit pricier than Belgium or the Netherlands, but when it comes to spirits, petrol, and cigarettes, it’s much cheaper.
After comparing a few stores, we found Cactus supermarket to be the best deal, with brands like Smirnoff and Bacardi being around €6 cheaper than in Belgium.
You can find the nearest Cactus store 16 km from Vianden in Ingeldorf.
Found a cheaper spot? Let us know in the comments and we’ll update the blog!
Bonus Tip: Useful info for your Vianden trip
In Belgium, we’re used to finding night shops in every village or town, but Vianden doesn’t have that. However, you can visit the Delhaize to Go at the Q8 petrol station, which is about a 15-minute walk from the centre, until 9pm.
This is the only supermarket in the area. There’s also a small shop called ‘Epicerie Matos’ in the centre on the main street, where you can find almost anything you need. Just be aware that prices are a bit higher here than at Delhaize.
We learned this the hard way when we were looking for a bottle of water in the evening and ended up paying a bit more at the kebab shop. Not a huge deal, but good to know!
Another tip: In Vianden and the surrounding area, cash is often the preferred method of payment, especially for small amounts. There’s an ATM in the centre of Vianden, and most places do accept card payments for amounts over €10 to €20.
Where to Stay in Vianden?
We stayed at hotel Heintz in Vianden, and it was a fantastic choice! The highlight for us was definitely the view from our balcony.
We could see both the hotel garden and the old city wall. The back of the hotel, where the balconies are, is covered with climbing plants, which added a lovely touch. It’s so refreshing to wake up like this—right in the city centre, yet surrounded by greenery.
The hotel also has a cosy terrace where you can enjoy a drink.
The only downside we experienced was the breakfast, so we recommend skipping it and heading to Boulangerie Patisserie Croissant D’Or instead.
Hotel Heintz is located on the main street (Grand Rue), but it’s still peaceful and free from noise. You can check out the hotel here.
