Luxembourg Travel Tips and Insider Guides

One of the smallest countries in Europe, Luxembourg’s total population is just under a half million, and one fifth live in the capital, Luxembourg City. Hiking or cycling in the rural countryside, which is home to green highlands, the broad valleys of the Moselle River, and forests, is a restorative experience, and the medieval castles are the cherry on top. Here are tips to help guide you on your trip to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

 Landlocked and bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany, Luxembourg is the Europe’s most powerful investment management center, and it vies with Qatar for the country with the highest income per capita in the world. Accordingly, Luxembourg is expensive, and budget travelers should consider staying along the border in France, Belgium or Germany and making daytrips into Luxembourg.

Luxembourg City is a manageable city that can be explored on foot, with cathedrals, a palace, and historical museums. The Casemates du Bock, a network of tunnels and caves built into the cliffs that overlook the city, is one of its most important sights. Openings in the cliff walls provide exceptional views of the city. It is only open during the warmer months.

Vianden is the most touristy city, especially in the summer, thanks to the exceptionally creepy medieval castle of Vianden. To get great views of the area, you can take a chairlift over the Our River and up the hillside to a viewing platform.

Luxembourg’s best hiking locations include the area around the village of Echternach and the Moselle Valley, home to the Moselle River. The banks of the Moselle River, where vineyard-covered slopes and medieval towns abound, are the ideal location to stroll or cycle, then picnic with a local white wine. River cruises are also popular.

The official currency of Luxembourg is the Euro, and the national language is Luxembourgish, a variation of German. French and German are commonly spoken. English is spoken by most, but youth and tourist industry businesses will almost certainly speak it. The best way to get around Luxembourg is rental car, and trains and buses run to most areas.