3 Best Sights in Echternach and Little Switzerland, Luxembourg

Around 15 km (9 miles) west of Echternach, at the top of the Ernz Noire valley, a short detour leads to Beaufort. Near the village stand two splendid castles, side by side: a magnificently imposing medieval shell only partially restored after World War II bombing left it in ruins, and a Renaissance-style chateau dating from the 17th century. 

At the top of the Ernz Noire valley, a short detour leads to Beaufort. Just west of the village, a splendid ruin, the Château de Beaufort, only partially restored to its 15th-century form, rises over green grounds full of sheep and forests laced with walking trails. You can step into guard towers with archers' slits, look down wells, visit the kitchen fireplace, cross a drawbridge, and ogle torture equipment, including a rack, in a dungeon. At the ticket counter, you can buy (drink) samples of the local kirsch and cassis. An easy nature walk is across the street.

Larochette has the striking step-gabled Larochette Castle, which looks out over the town. The castle is privately owned and occupied, but adjoining ruins from an earlier incarnation (with evocative views over the small houses below) may be visited. An easy footpath, or a nice driving road, leads from town up to the ruins.