Diekirch and Ettelbruck: the duo everyone underestimates

Between the centre of the country and the Ardennes, two neighbouring towns form what's known as the Nordstad: Diekirch and Ettelbruck. Neither of them tries to play the star, and maybe that's why people skip them too quickly. Yet for a relaxed day by the water, or as a launchpad towards the north, the duo has real arguments.

Diekirch, the donkey town

The first thing that strikes you in Diekirch is the omnipresence of its emblem: the donkey. Statues, a fountain, nods to it all over town - Diekirch owns its symbol with a sense of humour that makes it instantly likeable. Around that, a pleasant pedestrian zone, cafés, a few museums and an old church: plenty to fill a wander without ever getting bored.

The Sûre as the common thread

The river runs through the Nordstad and gives it its best asset: landscaped banks where you can walk, run or simply sit by the water. The cycle path following the valley is flat and accessible, perfect for a bike ride without traumatic climbs. A picnic on the banks of the Sûre on a summer afternoon is simple, free and surprisingly restorative.

Ettelbruck, the gateway to the north

Ettelbruck is above all a crossroads: its station connects the centre of the country to the Ardennes valleys, and buses head out in every direction. The town itself has shops and cafés for a break, but its real superpower is logistical: this is where Vianden, the Upper Sûre and the whole far north begin. With free public transport, the distance excuse no longer holds.

The Nordstad will never make the cover of a travel magazine, and that's perfectly fine. It's a region you live rather than visit: no pressure, no crowds, moving at the river's pace. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.