The capital of Belgian Luxembourg sits among rolling hills, with medieval castles dotting the landscape. Narrow streets and squares fill its center, known for active nightlife.
Arlon, the capital of Belgium's Luxembourg province, sits at a crossroads near the borders of Luxembourg and France. In the Archaeological Museum, you'll find over 450 Roman sculptures and artifacts. The 97-meter tower of Saint-Martin Church rises above the city center, while St. Donat's Church perches on La Kippchen hill, offering views into three countries. The local specialty drink, Maitrank, combines white wine with sweet woodruff herbs gathered from the Anlier Forest.
Getting to Arlon
Regular trains connect Arlon to Brussels (2 hours 45 minutes), Namur (1 hour 40 minutes), and Luxembourg City (20 minutes). The E411 motorway runs just south of town, linking Brussels (190 km) with Luxembourg City (30 km). The French town of Longwy lies 25 km to the south along the N81 road.
Exploring the City Center
You can easily walk through the compact historical center. At the tourist center on Rue des Faubourgs, you'll find bike rentals, including three e-bikes and two regular bikes for exploring beyond the center. La Kippchen hill forms the natural focal point of the old town, with St. Donat's Church at its peak.
Roman History and Museums
The Archaeological Museum displays Roman artifacts discovered throughout Luxembourg province. The Gallo-Roman section contains well-preserved sculptures from the 2nd and 3rd centuries, along with Merovingian funerary art. On the Grand Place, you can see two original Roman towers - Jupiter and Neptune - and sections of the 3rd-century city wall.
Churches
Saint-Martin Church (1907-1914) showcases neo-Gothic architecture with detailed stained glass windows and a prominent rose window. Its 97-meter tower makes it the tallest church in Wallonia. St. Donat's Church, built in the 1620s on La Kippchen hill, occupies what was once a medieval fortress site.
Walking and Cycling
Multiple marked paths wind through the Anlier Forest and agricultural fields around Arlon. You can get detailed route maps at the tourist office, with paths ranging from 5 to 20 kilometers. The Visiorama platform gives you clear views across the Belgian-French-Luxembourg border region.
Local Food and Drinks
Arlon's regional cuisine includes specialties like pâté gaumais (meat pie with a distinctive pastry crust) and Maitrank, a white wine flavored with sweet woodruff herbs. You'll find these local dishes and drinks in restaurants throughout the city center.
Shopping and Markets
The Espace Shopping Hydrion contains over 40 stores across 33,000 square meters, attracting shoppers from Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. From March to May, weekend markets and festivals bring local vendors to the city center streets.
