Echternach (in Luxembourgish, Iechternach) is a city and commune in Luxembourg. It borders the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, located in the self-titled canton and Grevenmacher district (in Luxembourgish, Gréiwemaacher).

Echternach is the oldest city in the country, having been founded in the late 7th century. Known as the “Small Switzerland of Luxembourg,” it has kept its medieval atmosphere from its origins, with labyrinthine streets and buildings fenced by the ruins of the ancient wall!

So, do you want to know more about 1 Day In Echternach: The Perfect Echternach Itinerary? Keep reading!

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Brief History of Echternach

The story of Echternach dates back to 698, the year in which a Benedictine monastery was created – which is now known as the Abbey of Echternach (in Luxembourgish, Iechternacher Abtei; in French, Abbaye d’Echternach; and in German, Abtei Echternach).

Considered the historical and cultural center of the Mullerthal region (in Luxembourgish, Mëllerdall; in French, Mullerthal; and in German, Müllerthal), the small medieval city of Echternach has grown and developed, and today it has diverse tourist spots.

Visiting Echternach

In my opinion, the best way to visit Echternach is on a day trip from Luxembourg. To get there from the Luxembourg capital, you have two options: travel by car (around 33 km) or public transport (45-55 minutes by bus).

However, Echternach is also an excellent stop on a road trip through the Grevenmacher district or the country itself! In that case, I suggest exploring other destinations in the vicinity: Mullerthal (11 km), Beaufort (14 km), Larochette (19 km), Vianden (26 km), or Ettelbruck (33 km).

Echternach Itinerary

Rue de la Gare

This Echternach itinerary begins on Station Street (in Luxembourgish, Statiun Strooss; in French, Rue de la Gare; and in German, Bahnhofsstraße), a street in the middle of the city center with numerous shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, banks, real estate agencies, beauty salons, etc.

At 500 meters long, Station Street is one of Echternach’s longest streets. The diversity in the supply of commerce and public services also makes Station Street one of the city’s most frequented sites by tourists and locals.

Place du Marché

The next stop in this Echternach itinerary is the Market Square (in Luxembourgish, Maartplaz; in French, Place du Marché; and in German, Marktplatz), the heart of the city’s historic center, where the streets met since Roman times.

The current setting of the Market Square has been documented since the mid-sixteenth century, and the founding of some of these houses traces back to the 14th century. Nevertheless, its current appearance is the fruit of reconstruction that occurred after World War II.

Hôtel de Ville

This Echternach itinerary continues in the City Hall (in Luxembourgish, Stadhaus; in French, Hôtel de Ville; and in German, Rathaus), which consists of two buildings present in the photograph below: an ancient one (called “Denzelt”) and a modern one.

The “Denzelt” was the former city court, with parts of the property dating from the 14th century and Gothic and Renaissance elements present in the façade. With arches, statues, and towers, this towering monument resembles a medieval castle!

Basilique Saint-Willibrord

The next stop on this Echternach itinerary is the Basilica of Saint Willibrord (in Luxembourgish, Basilika vu Saint Willibrord; in French, Basilique Saint-Willibrord; and in German, Basilika Sankt Willt), a Benedictine monastery founded in the 7th century by the Luxembouro patronier.

Saint Willibrord was an Anglo-Saxon Christian missionary and the first Bishop of Utrecht, who lived between 658 and 739. In 698, he received some land in Echternach from the abbess Irmina of Oeren, with the intent of building a great monastery – where he ended up being buried.

Due to the growing number of pilgrims, the Merovingian church was replaced by a Carolingian church around 800. At the same time, a crypt was designed to host a sumptuous white marble sarcophagus, where they rest the remains of its founder.

When a devastating fire destroyed the monument in 1016, a Romanesque church was erected in place. By the middle of the 13th century, the religious temple received a gothic-style reform. Five centuries later, for fear of collapsing, the abbey was fully renewed in neogothic style.

The Abbey of Echternach received the minor basilica status in 1939 by Pope Pius XII, for its importance as a pilgrimage center to the grave of Saint Willibrord. In December 1944, the monument was bombed during the Battle of the Bulge, being rebuilt with public funds.

These days, the Abbey of Echternach is a tourist attraction because of the so-called “Echternach Dancing Procession,” a tradition held annually on Tuesday of Pentecost, which was integrated into the UNESCO Humanity Cultural Heritage listing list in 2010!

Orangerie

This Echternach itinerary continues in the Orange Grove (in Luxembourgish, Orange Grouf; in French, Orangerie; and in German, Orangenhain), the ancient garden of the abbey. The pavilion itself which gives it the name, was completed in 1736 and was intended to house exotic plants during the cold season.

Originally dubbed the Garden of the Prelates (in Luxembourgish, Prelat Gaart; in French, Jardin des Prélats; and in German, Prälatengarten), was drawn by the abbot Grégoire Schouppe after 1731 on a terrain of the city’s medieval wall, according to the French models.

Lycée Classique d’Echternach

The next stop on this Echternach itinerary is the Classic High School of Echternach (in Luxembourgish, Lycée klassesch vun Iechternach; in French, Lycée Classique d’Echternach, and in German, Klassisches Gymnasium Echternach), a public high school of classical and general teaching.

Installed in one of the structures of the Abbey of Echternach, the Echternach Classical Secondary School self-proclaims itself the “oldest Luxembourg school”. This is because Saint Willibrord established a school in the abbey enclosure between 697 and 698!

Musée de Préhistoire Hihof

This Echternach itinerary continues at the Hihof Pre-History Museum (in Luxembourgish, Musée fir Virgeschicht Hihof; in French, Musée of Préhistoire Hihof; and in German, Urgeschichtsmuseum), a 15th-century monument that has already served as a high school.

Opened in 1984, the Hihof Pre-History Museum hosts a collection of prehistoric artifacts from Luxembourg, France, and northern Europe, which witness the history of humanity for over a million years!

Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul

The next stop in this Echternach itinerary is the Church of the Saints Peter and Paul (in Luxembourgish, Kierch vun Saints Peter a Paul; in French, Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul; and in German, Kirche der Heiligen Peter und Paul), the first resting site of the relics of Saint Willibrord.

Erected at the top of a hill in the late 17th century, the Church of the Saints Peter and Paul came to replace an ancient fortification with Roman towers, which allowed them to watch the Sûre River. Inside, it’s possible to admire decorative elements of different styles and times.

Rue de la Montagne

This Echternach itinerary ends on Mountain Street (in Luxembourgish, Bierg Strooss; in French, Rue de la Montagne; and in German, Bergstraße), a street with several cafes, restaurants, shops, beauty salons, and other small local businesses.

Despite having only half the length of Station Street, Mountain Street is another of the streets I advise you to travel through Echternach, to purchase Luxembourg’s traditional products, or simply for lunch/snack/dinner before or after your visit to the city!

Map of the Echternach Itinerary

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Where Do I Make My Reservations?

• Hotels and Accommodation: Booking.com
• Tours and Activities: GetYourGuide

What Photography Gear Do I Use?

• Camera Body: Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless
• Camera Lens: Fujinon XF 18-55 mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
• Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action
• Small Tripod: Manfrotto PIXI Mini
• Smartphone Adaptor: Manfrotto PIXI Clamp
• Memory Card: SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC