Vianden

Ancien Cinema Cafe

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.

usually open until 01:00

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

Maison Victor Hugo

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.

Tue-Sun 11:00-17:00·€4 for adults, €3.50 for young people (13-25) and €2.50 for children (6-12)

Petit restaurant Bistro City Corner

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

Stadtmuseum

Musée d’Histoire de la Ville de Vianden

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.

Open Easter to Oct., daily 11-17, although in low season it's closed on Mondays·€3, child €1.50

Swimming pool

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

Trinitarian church and cloister

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.

Télésiège

Take the 11-min 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

Vianden Castle

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 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.

Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·€6, student €4.50, senior €5, child (6-12) €2, children (<6) free

Vianden Pumped Storage Plant

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 expanded in 2013. The total reservoir capacity is about 10,800,000 m³, 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.

10:00-16:00, Easter-Sep 10:00-20:00·Free

Boulangerie-Patisserie Au croissant d'or

Bakery

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.

Cafe Du Pont

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

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.

Indian Forest Adventure Park

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 and introduction is available, but limited, so it's best to call well ahead.

Mar 30-Oct 31: 10:00-18:00; 1 Nov-29 Mar: Wed-Mon 10:00-18:00·€18, €13 (5-15), €5 (0-4)

Lajolla Lounge (under Auberge de L'Our)

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

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, menus from €65

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.

Pharmacie de Vianden

The pharmacy is housed in a 1475 towered building, once a mansion for Vianden's nobility.

Saveurs des Ardennes Delicatessen Shop

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.

Modell Auto Shop "Den Dinky"

29, rue du Sanatorium

Mon Tue Thu-Sat 08:30-12:00, Mon Tue Thu Fri 13:30-18:00