Vianden

One of Luxembourg's main tourist attractions, Vianden is a delightful historic town with a stunningly restored medieval castle, spectacularly situated on a rock high above town. Think charming cobblestoned streets with typically pastel-coloured Luxembourg mansions and a gorgeous Our valley backdrop. Vianden is a traveller's favourite and although high season will bring in some crowds, it's a most pleasant little town with a restaurant at every corner and all the fairytale atmosphere you could ask for. Coming here, you'll follow in the footsteps of countless celebrities, famously going back to Victor Hugo, who repeatedly spent time here.

Vianden's history goes far back, with a Gallo-Roma castellum preceding the current castle. The earliest documented mentions of the town, then called Viennensis, date from the end of the 7th century. Building of the castle began in the 11th century and Vianden soon became the seat of the counts of Vianden, but the city gained its charter only in 1308. The town flourished in the Middle Ages, when it was known for its craftsmen, and later on for its leather works. The last leather tannery closed in the 1950s.

The power of the counts of Vianden was at its peak in the 13th century, and so was the grandeur of their castle. A Renaissance-style structure was added to the castle in the 17th century, but over time the state of the fort diminished with the stature of its lords. As Luxembourg fell under Dutch rule, the town became of little consequence, with earthquakes and a fire further damaging its castle. Things worsened when William I of the Netherlands, uninterested in Vianden and its castle, eventually sold the premises to a local merchant, who in turn sold off its interior piecemeal, leaving the place in ruins. There were several largely unfruitful attempts at restoration, but it was only in the late 1970s that serious repairs took place and the castle was returned to its former glory. For anyone who's interested in the town's history, a visit to the castle is a must-do, as it provides a wealth of information on the matter.

The revival of the castle immediately turned Vianden into a major tourist destination in the region. With its winding roads and rolling hills, the area around town is particularly popular among motorcyclists, who are welcomed by local establishments for the business they bring. On sunny summer afternoons the town can get a bit crowded and noisy because of the many motorbikes and visitors, but early risers will find a peaceful village even in high season.

• Tourist Information Office, 1A, rue du Vieux Marché, +352 83 42571. Tu-F 08:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00, Sa-Su & holidays 10:00-14:00. The tourist office has information on all the sights in and around Vianden, and it can arrange guided tours and make reservations for hotels or the adventure park. It can also provide information on hiking routes starting in Vianden.

Tourist Information Office, 1A, rue du Vieux Marché, +352 83 42571. Tu-F 08:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00, Sa-Su & holidays 10:00-14:00. The tourist office has information on all the sights in and around Vianden, and it can arrange guided tours and make reservations for hotels or the adventure park. It can also provide information on hiking routes starting in Vianden.

The town's Grand-Rue is as much its functional main street as it is an attraction, with its cobblestoned course and centuries-old buildings on both sides. Most buildings remain in use, as hotels, restaurants of residential houses. Particularly picturesque is the Place de la Resistance, along the main street, where you'll find the town hall and a small fountain.

• Vianden Castle, +352 83-41081. Apr-Sep 10:00-18:00; Mar,Oct 10:00-17:00; Nov-Feb 10:00-16:00. There's no way to miss the grand castle of Vianden, overlooking and dominating the little town beneath it. It was impressively restored in 1977 and has been a real visitor's magnet ever since. A route leads visitors through 20 different historic castle rooms, after passing the modern entrance and soon to be opened visitors centre. Some of the rooms (including the kitchen) have been fully refurbished, in order to give a real peek into life as it would have been in the castle in the middle ages. Others have been restored but leave more to the imagination, including the upper chapel, the impressive Knight's hall and the beautiful Byzantine Gallery. There's an arms room and a genealogy room, where the family history of the castle masters is explained. In short, take your time to wander through these ancient halls. It's a fine trip for adults and children alike. €6, student €4.50, senior €5, child (6-12y) €2, children (<6y) free.
• Maison Victor Hugo, 37, rue de la Gare, +352 26-874088. Tu-Su 11:00-17:00. During his 19 years of exile from France, Victor Hugo stayed in Vianden a few times, most notably for 3 months in 1871. He left behind a painting of the castle ruins as they were at the time and reportedly got the castle architect fired as he thought his work to be insufficient. The Maison Victor Hugo is a small museum displaying some original works (manuscripts and drawings) as well as the original rooms with furniture as the famous visitor has used it. From the museum windows, there's a lovely view of the castle. Audio guides are available in English, French, Dutch and German. €4 for adults, €3.50 for young people (13-25) and €2.50 for children (6-12).
• Trinitarian church and cloister, Grand-Rue, +352 26-950566. This old church of the Trinitarians is an excellent example of Gothic architecture in the country. It was built as early as 1248, with the large choir originating in 1644. The main Rococo-style altar was created by Michel Weiler in 1758. Adjoining is a small former cloister, from the same 13th century origin. Don't miss a peek in its wonderfully tranquil courtyard. The entrance is a simple door on the side of the building, in the alley between hotel Heintz and the church. Note the late 13th century effigy of Marie de Spanheim.
• City ramparts. In the Middle Ages, Vianden was a fully fortified town, surrounded by city walls with 24 half-round towers and five gates. Most of those ramparts are now gone, taken down by Marechal de Bouffiers in 1679. A few restored ruins and a bell tower remain, however. Take a quick detour via the small stairway between Grand Rue numbers 58 and 60. It will lead you to the 1603 belfry and some nice views over the village.
• Stadtmuseum, 96-98 Grand-Rue, +352 83-4591. Open Easter to Oct., daily 11-17, although in low season it's closed on Mondays. A charmingly small museum, housed in two adjoining buildings on the main street. One of the buildings still has its 19th century interiors, while the other serves as a bakery museum, with part of the décor of the 1950s bakery that was housed here on display. The house that now has the bakery museum, was once the home of famous poet Edmond de la Fontaine, famous under his pen-name Dicks. A tablet on the façade reminds of the buildings famous former inhabitant. All the text in the museum is in German, but there's an English translation text available on request. The entrance ticket also gives free access to the copper mine museum in Stolzembourg, about 6 km out of Vianden. €3, child €1.50.
• Vianden Pumped Storage Plant, +352 84-90311. 10:00-16:00, Easter-Sep 10:00-20:00. If you have a taste for major industrial sights or large water basins, and would like to get away from the crowds, hike a few kilometres up along the river Our, until you reach the Pumped Storage Plant. It has two large reservoirs and was recently expanded. The total reservoir capacity is about 10,800,000m³, making it the largest hydro-electric power plant in Europe. It has a visitors' centre, which allows a peek into its underground power plant. It's a pleasant walk, along the water, but uphill. Free.

Vianden Castle, +352 83-41081. Apr-Sep 10:00-18:00; Mar,Oct 10:00-17:00; Nov-Feb 10:00-16:00. There's no way to miss the grand castle of Vianden, overlooking and dominating the little town beneath it. It was impressively restored in 1977 and has been a real visitor's magnet ever since. A route leads visitors through 20 different historic castle rooms, after passing the modern entrance and soon to be opened visitors centre. Some of the rooms (including the kitchen) have been fully refurbished, in order to give a real peek into life as it would have been in the castle in the middle ages. Others have been restored but leave more to the imagination, including the upper chapel, the impressive Knight's hall and the beautiful Byzantine Gallery. There's an arms room and a genealogy room, where the family history of the castle masters is explained. In short, take your time to wander through these ancient halls. It's a fine trip for adults and children alike. €6, student €4.50, senior €5, child (6-12y) €2, children (<6y) free.

Maison Victor Hugo, 37, rue de la Gare, +352 26-874088. Tu-Su 11:00-17:00. During his 19 years of exile from France, Victor Hugo stayed in Vianden a few times, most notably for 3 months in 1871. He left behind a painting of the castle ruins as they were at the time and reportedly got the castle architect fired as he thought his work to be insufficient. The Maison Victor Hugo is a small museum displaying some original works (manuscripts and drawings) as well as the original rooms with furniture as the famous visitor has used it. From the museum windows, there's a lovely view of the castle. Audio guides are available in English, French, Dutch and German. €4 for adults, €3.50 for young people (13-25) and €2.50 for children (6-12).

Trinitarian church and cloister, Grand-Rue, +352 26-950566. This old church of the Trinitarians is an excellent example of [[Gothic architecture]] in the country. It was built as early as 1248, with the large choir originating in 1644. The main Rococo-style altar was created by Michel Weiler in 1758. Adjoining is a small former cloister, from the same 13th century origin. Don't miss a peek in its wonderfully tranquil courtyard. The entrance is a simple door on the side of the building, in the alley between hotel Heintz and the church. Note the late 13th century effigy of Marie de Spanheim.

City ramparts. In the Middle Ages, Vianden was a fully fortified town, surrounded by city walls with 24 half-round towers and five gates. Most of those ramparts are now gone, taken down by Marechal de Bouffiers in 1679. A few restored ruins and a bell tower remain, however. Take a quick detour via the small stairway between Grand Rue numbers 58 and 60. It will lead you to the 1603 belfry and some nice views over the village.

Stadtmuseum, 96-98 Grand-Rue, +352 83-4591. Open Easter to Oct., daily 11-17, although in low season it's closed on Mondays. A charmingly small museum, housed in two adjoining buildings on the main street. One of the buildings still has its 19th century interiors, while the other serves as a bakery museum, with part of the décor of the 1950s bakery that was housed here on display. The house that now has the bakery museum, was once the home of famous poet Edmond de la Fontaine, famous under his pen-name Dicks. A tablet on the façade reminds of the buildings famous former inhabitant. All the text in the museum is in German, but there's an English translation text available on request. The entrance ticket also gives free access to the copper mine museum in [[Stolzembourg]], about 6 km out of Vianden. €3, child €1.50.

Vianden Pumped Storage Plant, +352 84-90311. 10:00-16:00, Easter-Sep 10:00-20:00. If you have a taste for major industrial sights or large water basins, and would like to get away from the crowds, hike a few kilometres up along the river Our, until you reach the Pumped Storage Plant. It has two large reservoirs and was recently expanded. The total reservoir capacity is about 10,800,000m³, making it the largest hydro-electric power plant in Europe. It has a visitors' centre, which allows a peek into its underground power plant. It's a pleasant walk, along the water, but uphill. Free.

• Télésiège. Take the 11min chairlift ride up for a scenic view over town or to spare you a fairly steep hike. To get to the start, follow the Grand-Rue down, cross the river and go left. Follow that street and you'll find it after about 500 m. If you only want to go one way, for logistic convenience it's best to take the lift up and stroll down to the castle and then back to the village. In terms of the view, however, going down it's easier to look around and take pictures. Note that as you go upwards and get close to the exit point, a picture is taken of you, with the Our valley and the town as a backdrop. You can buy a copy for €6.50 as you get out. €4.90/3.60 for a return/single ticket.
• Indian Forest Adventure Park, +352 83-42571. Mar 30-Oct 31 10:00-18:00; 1 Nov-29 Mar W-Mo 10:00-18:00. Near the castle, the park can be reached either on foot (there are clear signs near the path to the castle, best to park your car at the castle parking) or by taking the chairlift and walking downhill (about 15min). They offer about 60 different climbing routes and courses at different difficulty levels, allowing beginners and children and advanced climbers alike to have a go. It's not just a climbing wall, but rather adventure routes including different kinds of obstacle courses, typically a few metres off the ground. Of course, all participants are secured. Reservations are usually required, especially in high-season. English-language instruction/introduction is available, but limited, so it's best to call well ahead. €18, €13 (5-15y), €5 (0-4y).
• Swimming pool, rue du Sanatorium, +352 83 45 32. Dive into the heated, 65 m long outdoor swimming pool. This bath with Olympic measures has a slide and is open from the end of May to the beginning of September. €4, €1.50 for children.
• Catch a movie at the Ancien Cinema (see the Drink section for details). It shows a variety of movies and houses a number of books on various aspects of the film industry.
• As in all Luxembourg regions, there are great hiking opportunities all around. Taking the chairlift up, the crowds will go left to find their way down to the castle. Go right, however, and you'll walk straight into the forest with plenty of walking trails going on from there.
• Nut market. If you happen to be here the second Sunday in October, you'll be able to join in the charming local nut festival. The Vianden region has a long history of nut productions, most notable walnuts, and this annual festival is a celebration of that tradition. The streets of the village fill with music, lots of walnuts and anything you can make using nuts, from liquor to candy and cheese.

Télésiège. Take the 11min chairlift ride up for a scenic view over town or to spare you a fairly steep hike. To get to the start, follow the Grand-Rue down, cross the river and go left. Follow that street and you'll find it after about 500 m. If you only want to go one way, for logistic convenience it's best to take the lift up and stroll down to the castle and then back to the village. In terms of the view, however, going down it's easier to look around and take pictures. Note that as you go upwards and get close to the exit point, a picture is taken of you, with the Our valley and the town as a backdrop. You can buy a copy for €6.50 as you get out. €4.90/3.60 for a return/single ticket.

Indian Forest Adventure Park, +352 83-42571. Mar 30-Oct 31 10:00-18:00; 1 Nov-29 Mar W-Mo 10:00-18:00. Near the castle, the park can be reached either on foot (there are clear signs near the path to the castle, best to park your car at the castle parking) or by taking the chairlift and walking downhill (about 15min). They offer about 60 different climbing routes and courses at different difficulty levels, allowing beginners and children and advanced climbers alike to have a go. It's not just a climbing wall, but rather adventure routes including different kinds of obstacle courses, typically a few metres off the ground. Of course, all participants are secured. Reservations are usually required, especially in high-season. English-language instruction/introduction is available, but limited, so it's best to call well ahead. €18, €13 (5-15y), €5 (0-4y).

Swimming pool, rue du Sanatorium, +352 83 45 32. Dive into the heated, 65 m long outdoor swimming pool. This bath with Olympic measures has a slide and is open from the end of May to the beginning of September. €4, €1.50 for children.

Catch a movie at the Ancien Cinema (see the Drink section for details). It shows a variety of movies and houses a number of books on various aspects of the film industry.

As in all Luxembourg regions, there are great hiking opportunities all around. Taking the chairlift up, the crowds will go left to find their way down to the castle. Go right, however, and you'll walk straight into the forest with plenty of walking trails going on from there.

Nut market. If you happen to be here the second Sunday in October, you'll be able to join in the charming local nut festival. The Vianden region has a long history of nut productions, most notable walnuts, and this annual festival is a celebration of that tradition. The streets of the village fill with music, lots of walnuts and anything you can make using nuts, from liquor to candy and cheese.

Vianden is a village and for any major shopping you'll need to head out to larger towns in the region, e.g. Diekirch. However, there is a pharmacy and a few small shops to supply travellers' basics like local delicacies, candy, drinks and souvenirs. The castle also has a small gift shop offering the usual tourist souvenirs with images of Vianden castle and Luxembourg as a whole. Remarkably, there's a model car shop in town. ATM's can be found on the main street.

• Boulangerie-Patisserie Au croissant d'or, 31 Grand-Rue. Good for self-caterers or those who want to pack a lunch. It sells sandwiches, drinks and lush sweet pastries, as well as the usual breads. It can also serve as a cheap lunch of breakfast spot and has a few plastic chairs to sit.
• Saveurs des Ardennes Delicatessen Shop, 35, rue de la Gare, +352 834675. The shop window of this place has a mouth-watering effect on meat-lovers, as it show a fine collection of regional delicacies, in particular all kinds of fresh and cured meats. They also sell some good wines and liquors. It's located next to the bridge, in the same building as the Auberge de l'Our . If you really can't wait, they're happy to serve you a platter on its terrace.
• Pharmacie de Vianden, 27 Rue de la Gare, +352 834614. The pharmacy is housed in a 1475 towered building, once a mansion for Vianden's nobility.
• Modell Auto Shop "Den Dinky", 29, rue du Sanatorium, +352 834095. M-Tu & Th-Sa 08:30-12:00, M-Tu & Th-F 13:30-18:00.

Boulangerie-Patisserie Au croissant d'or, 31 Grand-Rue. Good for self-caterers or those who want to pack a lunch. It sells sandwiches, drinks and lush sweet pastries, as well as the usual breads. It can also serve as a cheap lunch of breakfast spot and has a few plastic chairs to sit.

Saveurs des Ardennes Delicatessen Shop, 35, rue de la Gare, +352 834675. The shop window of this place has a mouth-watering effect on meat-lovers, as it show a fine collection of regional delicacies, in particular all kinds of fresh and cured meats. They also sell some good wines and liquors. It's located next to the bridge, in the same building as the Auberge de l'Our . If you really can't wait, they're happy to serve you a platter on its terrace.

Pharmacie de Vianden, 27 Rue de la Gare, +352 834614. The pharmacy is housed in a 1475 towered building, once a mansion for Vianden's nobility.

Modell Auto Shop "Den Dinky", 29, rue du Sanatorium, +352 834095. M-Tu & Th-Sa 08:30-12:00, M-Tu & Th-F 13:30-18:00.

Virtually every non-residence building in Vianden, mostly along the Grand-Rue, is some kind of hotel or restaurant, and places to eat are all around. Prices and cuisines vary wildly; you can find everything from €5-7/meal snack bars (hamburgers, chicken patties, fries, etc.) to restaurants serving traditional French and/or German cuisine (€30+). You can also find pizza, pasta, Chinese food, and all manner of desserts.

Some of the best places to eat belong to hotels, with pretty much all catering to guests who are not staying in the hotel as well as those who are.

Note that restaurants tend to close early or even entirely in winter. If you find yourself all out of options, try the snack bar near the tourist office.

• Lajolla Lounge (under Auberge de L'Our), 35, rue de la Gare (Near the bridge. Without doubt one of the nicest terraces in town, right on the waterfront and under street level, so away from the cars. The menu is rather extensive. The service is not too attentive or fast, but still, this is a nice spot for lunch or dinner. The rack of lamb is especially good. From €12.50 for an omelet to >€300 for a ribeye steak..
• Le Châtelain, 126 Grand-Rue. Part of the Hôtel Oranienburg, this place next to the castle is one of the best restaurants in town. In the restaurant you'll be served from the fine dining menu, while on the outdoor terrace you can pick some simpler dishes from the "brasserie" menu. It is nonetheless possible to order restaurant dishes on the terrace, on request. Mains from €30, menu's from €65.
• Petit restaurant Bistro City Corner, 1 Rue du Vieux Marche. Family-run place near the river with a nice outdoor terrace. It gets somewhat mixed but overall positive reviews. Expect simple, bistro-style food. In terms of budget, this is one of the cheaper options in town. Think fried eggs and hamburgers for breakfast and lunch, or schnitzels, ribs or fried fish for dinner. Lunch from €6, dinner mains from €12.50.
• Cafe Du Pont, 1 Grand-Rue, +352 834061. All the way down at the river, this place offers nice views over the water. It's run by a Dutch owner and as many of the guests are Dutch, so are some of the options on the menu. They whip up a pretty good schnitzel too. Soup €4.75, salad €9, mains from €12.

Lajolla Lounge (under Auberge de L'Our), 35, rue de la Gare (Near the bridge. Without doubt one of the nicest terraces in town, right on the waterfront and under street level, so away from the cars. The menu is rather extensive. The service is not too attentive or fast, but still, this is a nice spot for lunch or dinner. The rack of lamb is especially good. From €12.50 for an omelet to >€300 for a ribeye steak..

Le Châtelain, 126 Grand-Rue. Part of the Hôtel Oranienburg, this place next to the castle is one of the best restaurants in town. In the restaurant you'll be served from the fine dining menu, while on the outdoor terrace you can pick some simpler dishes from the "brasserie" menu. It is nonetheless possible to order restaurant dishes on the terrace, on request. Mains from €30, menu's from €65.

Petit restaurant Bistro City Corner, 1 Rue du Vieux Marche. Family-run place near the river with a nice outdoor terrace. It gets somewhat mixed but overall positive reviews. Expect simple, bistro-style food. In terms of budget, this is one of the cheaper options in town. Think fried eggs and hamburgers for breakfast and lunch, or schnitzels, ribs or fried fish for dinner. Lunch from €6, dinner mains from €12.50.

Cafe Du Pont, 1 Grand-Rue, +352 834061. All the way down at the river, this place offers nice views over the water. It's run by a Dutch owner and as many of the guests are Dutch, so are some of the options on the menu. They whip up a pretty good schnitzel too. Soup €4.75, salad €9, mains from €12.

Most restaurants have nice outdoor terraces and you'll be welcome for a drink virtually everywhere. This isn't really a town for late nights out or clubbing, but several places double as a pub, staying open after dinner time. Hotel establishments in particular offer after dinner opportunities as they have to be open for guests anyway.

• Ancien Cinema Cafe, 23 Grand-Rue, +352 26-874532. usually open until 1am. A bar with a cultural touch, where a fun, old-school jazzy atmosphere meets live concerts of all kinds, cultural film screenings and a range of other activities.
• Buvette du Télésiège. This establishment high up the hill awaits you with beer, coffee and other drinks as you get out of the télésiège. Its terrace offers some stunning views. They also serve some small, mostly sweet dishes to go with your drink. €2.10 for a coffee, €2.75 for a beer.

Ancien Cinema Cafe, 23 Grand-Rue, +352 26-874532. usually open until 1am. A bar with a cultural touch, where a fun, old-school jazzy atmosphere meets live concerts of all kinds, cultural film screenings and a range of other activities.

Buvette du Télésiège. This establishment high up the hill awaits you with beer, coffee and other drinks as you get out of the télésiège. Its terrace offers some stunning views. They also serve some small, mostly sweet dishes to go with your drink. €2.10 for a coffee, €2.75 for a beer.

Many hotels offer free Wi-Fi for guests, but the connections are not always stable and sometimes slow. Mobile 3G works fairly well.

• Post Office, 27 Grand-Rue, +352 83-413121. Mo-F 08:00-12:00 and 13.30-17:00. The post office is easy to find, right on the main street.

Post Office, 27 Grand-Rue, +352 83-413121. Mo-F 08:00-12:00 and 13.30-17:00. The post office is easy to find, right on the main street.

As the country is so small, any Luxembourg destination can serve as your next stop, as they are never more than 2 hours away.

• Luxembourg (city) – the country capital is a must-do for any visitor of the country.
• Diekirch – is just a 15-minute drive and has an excellent WWII museum.
• Echternach – and the surrounding Müllerthal region is a top destination for nature lovers, as it offers some of the best hiking opportunities around, even for those less trained.
• Bitburg – across the border in Germany, this town is famous for its beer.