After leaving Madrid and putting end to a 3-year ex-pat experience, I finally spent some quality time in my home town Echternach, Luxembourg.
Usually, I just went home for Christmas or family reunions! After 3 years abroad, I realized that Luxembourg is full of things to be visited and enjoyed!
Suddenly I saw my own country with the glasses of a visitor. That’s why it is about time to share with you the best things to do in Echternach, Luxembourg’s oldest town.
Do you think there is nothing to do in a town with 5000 inhabitants?
Let me show you why the oldest town of Luxembourg, Echternach, is a true hidden gem with plenty of things to do and why you should absolutely include it in your visit to the only Grand-Duchy of the World!
Basilica Towers
1. Hiking
The region Mullerthal – Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland around Echternach is a paradise for experienced and less experienced hikers!
The region recently got the label “Nature Park“. With its 112 km of top-quality hiking trails, the Mullerthal Hiking Trail will make you discover unique rock formations like in a fairy tale.
From time to time, the ruins of a medieval castle become the setting for your next daydream.
My preferred castles are the ones in Beaufort, Larochette, and Vianden (even French writer Victor Hugo felt in love with it!). If you want to see the beauty of Vianden Castle and the medieval town of Vianden, then a round-trip train ride with the Vianden Express is a perfect idea. – Get tickets here.
If you haven’t got the necessary hiking equipment, the information center in Heringermillen will rent you hiking boots, sticks and even backpacks to carry kids!
If you’re traveling on a budget and you’re “surprised” about Luxembourgish hotel rates, I recommend you the recently opened Trail Inn in Berdorf.
It persuades with the very good price-quality relationship. Upon request, many hotels are also pleased to prepare a lunch box for your next hike.
There is no reason why your hiking boots should remain longer unused!
READ: A Local’s Guide on Where to Stay in Luxembourg for hikers
These views are included in your hike!
2. Dancing Procession
Final Destination of the Procession: the shrine inside the basilica
At first, Echternach’s most important tourist attraction may seem quaint: the only Dancing Procession in the World!
They call it “praying with your feet”, but for many, it’s rather a large get-together of families, friends, and different cultures. Who’d say that “religious” stuff can’t be fun?
Declared UNESCO World Heritage in 2010, this centuries-old tradition (it can be tracked back until 1497!) is all about jumping together through the streets of Echternach on Whit Tuesday.
Rows are composed of 5 people each, all dressed in white shirt, dark blue trousers and connected by a white handkerchief.
There are about 40 dancing groups jumping altogether to the same polka melody. Everybody is invited to participate! At first, this might sound weird, but it’s actually great fun!!
Dancing Procession on the market square
Yet the best part of Whit Tuesday starts once the procession is over. During the entire afternoon until late at night, locals mingle with tourists in the bars of Echternach to enjoy Luxembourg’s wine & beer culture.
If you plan to come to Echternach, make sure to visit during Pentecost and be part of this large gathering.
I can’t wait for next year’s edition!
After Procession Mood (Don’t forget your white shirt!)
3. Lake
Details in Echternach Lake, Luxembourg
Echternach’s lake is a paradise for amateur athletes: here you can practice running, skating or biking in a unique natural setting.
The Youth Hostel, right next to the lakeshore, comes with a climbing wall, trampolines, and beach volleyball court.
You can easily spend an entire day at Echternach’s green lung! Despite its large leisure options Echternach’s lake still remains an oasis of peace and tranquility!
It has a lot of picturesque and hidden corners for all those who want to spend some ‘me’ time amidst nature. With some luck, you’ll see rare fish or bird species in their natural habitat.
Recently there have been spotted a lot of turtles too!
Peace & Serenity
But once a year the lake’s characteristic silence is interrupted: e-Lake Festival in August attracts every year around 20.000 visitors. Each edition has a huge lineup: Seeed, Samy Deluxe, Itchy Poopzkid… all have been here!
And best of all: the entrance to the festival is FREE!
4. Enjoy Portuguese Culture
Folklore Parade
The Portuguese culture has a long tradition in Luxembourg. Portuguese immigration started in the 1960s and nowadays the Portuguese community represents 16.2% of the Grand-Duchy population.
Like many Luxembourgish towns, Echternach has Portuguese shops, and Portuguese bars, and Portuguese traditions are firmly integrated into the local event calendar.
The Portuguese bars don’t only prepare delicious authentic food, but they also make the strongest coffee in town!
In Echternach every year a Portuguese festival is celebrated in June and other Portuguese associations from Luxembourg and Germany are invited to perform their traditional dances.
It lasts for 2 days: Saturday a pop band from Portugal is playing until late at night and on Sunday a Folklore parade goes through the streets of Echternach followed by dance performances all afternoon long.
Traditional Portuguese Sardines (Image from www.lequotidien.lu)
The festival is very colorful and the traditional food, like grilled sardines or “caldo verde“, is just delicious!
I simply love the way the Portuguese community enriches daily life in Luxembourg both socially and culturally. A little Mediterranean influence is always appreciated… especially in cold northern Europe! 🙂
5. Welcome to Abbey Town
Entering the old abbey of Echternach
The former abbey is the crown jewel of Echternach. It is very well maintained and it’s one of Luxembourg’s most important pilgrimage centers.
It has all a medieval abbey needs: an impressive basilica, the shrine of St.Willibrord, the only saint buried on Luxembourgish territory, a picturesque patio, and even a scriptorium.
In the middle ages, Echternach’s scriptorium was considered one of the most important in Europe! You’ll remain speechless in front of the beautiful manuscripts and facsimiles exposed at Abbey’s museum!
6. Viewpoints
View from “Thoull” street
I love Echternach’s viewpoints set amidst lush nature! The viewpoints are places of serenity and peace where you can let your thoughts run free.
All of them can be included in your hiking trails. At the viewpoint “Liborius chapel“, on the German side, you get the most complete panorama view of the town.
Here you’ll appreciate the marvelous old abbey complex in all its beauty. “Thoull”, a viewpoint near the lake, is set in a cornfield and offers the best view of the towers of the basilica framed by treetops.
I also recommend viewpoint on the way to the “Wolfsschlucht“. Just ask at the local tourist office where each viewpoint is located!
“Thoull” Viewpoint
Viewpoint “Liborius Chapel”
7. Park & Pavilion
Municipal Park and its Jewel: the Pavilion
Echternach’s hidden gems are its Rococo Pavilion and the surrounding park, the former Abbey gardens. It is set next to the border river “Sauer“.
Formerly the Pavilion was a “summer house” and hosts nowadays a rather neglected exposition about rural Luxembourgish architecture.
There are plans to convert this precious building into an event location and I can’t wait to see the final results!
The abbey gardens are the perfect recreation place!
8. Biking
Riding my Bike next to border river “Sauer”
Even if it’s just a ride around the lake or a short transit to Germany, the bike is the best way of getting around in Echternach.
The entire town is flat and is well connected to the capital Luxembourg City or other pretty Luxembourgish towns like Diekrich or Grevenmacher.
Apart from the cycling trail to the capital, most of the bike tracks go along the Sauer or Moselle river. On your way, you’ll see, with some chance, herons, otters, gooses… your way.
If you want to rent a bike, I recommend the bike rental network “Rent A Bike Mellerdall” where you can pick up and drop your bike at different rental stations throughout the region.
If your bike needs a small reparation, I recommend TriSport Echternach (now in Junglinster).
Happy Girl in Echternach!
There is no better way to benefit than one-third of Luxembourg is green! And it is definitely one of the best things to do in Echternach.
9. Orangerie
Orangerie in Echternach
The “Orangerie” is a hidden jewel that is often overseen by tourists when visiting Echternach. It may not be the most animated sight of the town, but may be one of its most picturesque!
Its garden is the perfect setting for daydreaming. Set in the abbey garden, the “Orangerie” was the former guesthouse of Echternach Abbey.
Maybe Echternach’s most photogenic sight?
The entrance gate and the fountains are a testimony of artistic refinement.
The space that is now occupied by a vivid green lawn, was covered by exotic fruit trees in the past.
10. Have a Wine at the Market place
Market Square: where Echternach’s heart beats!
Luxembourgish people love their wine and sparkling wine! You can’t leave the Grand Duchy without having tried at least one of its many wine types!
The best place for wine tasting is at one of the many terraces of Market Square where you’ll enjoy local delicacies surrounded by centuries-old buildings.
The most important is the “Denzelt“, the former Justice Palace and the Cross of Justice, a symbol of the former power of the abbey.
Market Square during Christmas
The Market Place (“Moartplaatz“) is also the best place to meet the locals from Echternach.
Whereas Nightlife is relatively quiet during the week, the bars can get crowded during weekends. Especially in summer or after a sold-out concert in the convention center Trifolion!
If you want to discover the historic old town and top monuments of Luxembourg City on foot with a local guide and taste local flavors of wines, then a guided city walking tour with wine tastings is a great idea – Get tickets here.
Hotels in Echternach
Budget
B&B Roudenhaff (countryside, on a traditional farm close to Echternach Lake but not in Echternach town. Ideal for absolute relaxation and hikers.)
Youth Hostel Echternach (located at Echternach Lake, 20 min walking from city center)
Mid-Range
Hotel de La Sure*** (in the historic city center)
Hostellerie de la Basilique**** (on the historic Market Place)
Luxury Experience
Hotel Eden Au Lac **** (located at Echternach Lake with beautiful Panorama views)
Bel-Air Wellness & Sport **** (outside the town center, located close to hiking trails, great for wellness)
READ: A Local’s Guide on Where to Stay in Luxembourg incl Echternach
You are planning to visit Echternach? Just send me a message, if in town, I’ll be happy to show you around!
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For more information about tourism in Echternach, I recommend Echternach’s offical Tourist Information Page (English).
Bruce Christopher
Saturday 20th of August 2022
Hi Paulina, I discovered your website, & travel blog recently. And, have enjoyed reading about all the different places you have lived & things you have done. I went to Norway, when I was 16 years old in 1972. I went with my father, brother, aunt & uncle. We stayed with relatives, & toured the country for a month. I got to see the town my grandfather was born in. At the time I had over 60 aunts, uncles, & cousins. I saw cruise ships in Oslo, & told my Dad I wanted to work on a ship like that one day. We’ll, 3 years later I did. I ended up working on 3 different ships between 1975-1979. I went around the world twice, & visited numerous countries in those 4 years. This Oct., 7th through the 19th our group of (8) is planning on doing a Paris to Alps river cruise on the Rhine River. That is if the trip isn’t canceled because of low river levels due to the drought. I am hoping we can still go. We are starting in Paris, & will spend 2 nights there before motoring over to Reims, Luxembourg, & then boarding the boat in Trier, Germany. It would be a pleasure to meet you if your still in Luxembourg when our group comes. I can give you a more definite day, & time if we decide to meet. We do have a itinerary, but am not sure what we’re going to do in Luxembourg. I am excited about this trip. This is my 1st time doing a cruise down the Rhine. So, I’m hoping it won’t be canceled. I won’t know what going to happen since our trip doesn’t start for another 7 weeks. Bye for now, Bruce Christopher. P.S. I live in North Carolina