Echternach

The oldest town in Luxembourg and gateway to the Mullerthal — Saint Willibrord's basilica, the dancing procession, and sandstone hiking trails. Echternach is on the Sauer river forming the German border, about 45 minutes east of the capital. It claims to be the oldest town in Luxembourg — Saint Willibrord founded the abbey here in 698 — and the basilica containing his tomb still draws visitors, especially for the Whit Tuesday Dancing Procession, a UNESCO-listed intangible heritage event where thousands of pilgrims dance-hop through the streets. The town's arcaded market square and preserved abbey buildings make it the prettiest small town in the country after Vianden.It's also the gateway to the Mullerthal, Luxembourg's 'Little Switzerland' — a region of sandstone formations, gorges and forest trails that provide the best hiking in the country. The Mullerthal Trail (112 km in three loops) starts and ends in Echternach. Suits hikers, medieval-history travelers, and anyone wanting a quiet base with a good German-border food scene. Skip if you’re not interested in either walking or church history — there's not enough beyond those two threads.

Towns & villages

Where to base yourself

Diekirch Vianden Remich

Good to know

Questions, answered

▸

Is Echternach worth staying overnight?

Yes, especially if you want to hike the Mullerthal Trail in the mornings before day-trippers arrive. Two nights lets you cover two of the trail's three loops. For a purely urban visit, half a day is enough.

▸

When is the Dancing Procession?

Whit Tuesday, which falls 50 days after Easter — late May or early June depending on the year. Book accommodation months ahead if you want to be in town, and expect the whole small city to be closed to normal traffic that day.

Where to stay