Bourscheid Castle
Luxembourg's largest castle ruin, ringed by 11 towers on a rocky spur 150 metres above the Sûre.
Bourscheid Castle ruins on a promontory above the Sûre valley
What to expect at Bourscheid Castle
Bourscheid sits on a triangular schist promontory almost surrounded by the Sûre river, and its curtain wall — 12 metres high in places and reinforced by eleven flanking towers — encloses one of the largest fortified enclosures in the region. First mentioned in 1095, expanded through the 14th and 15th centuries, and abandoned after 1785, the castle has been consolidated as a stabilised ruin: you climb open staircases through the Stolzembourg house, the chapel foundations and the outer bailey, with sweeping views over the gorge on every side.
It is less polished than Vianden but far quieter — often you have entire towers to yourself. Audio guides in English are included in the ticket and are genuinely worth using; they cover both the military history and the everyday life of the counts. Combine Bourscheid with a picnic down at Bourscheid-Plage on the Sûre, or with a walk on the Escapardenne Lee Trail that skirts the castle bluff. The steep climb from the valley is real — save your legs by driving up if possible.
Questions about Bourscheid Castle
Adults $7, students $5, children 6-17 $3, under 6 free. Family ticket $16.
No free entry, but LuxembourgCard holders enter free. Audio guides are included in the ticket.
Around 90 minutes for the full circuit with the audio guide; less if you skip the outer walls.
Open daily year-round except 25 December and 1 January. Winter hours are shorter (11:00-16:00).
No advance booking for individuals — tickets are sold at the castle gate. Groups over 20 should call ahead: +352 99 05 70.
Bus 545 from Ettelbruck stops at "Bourscheid, Buurschter Plaz" in the village, a 15-minute walk to the castle. Public transport nationwide is free.
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