Did you know that Luxembourg is Europe's richest country? This place may be small, but it sure is mighty- and it's becoming increasingly popular! This July was my second time visiting Luxembourg, allowing me to really explore all that the country has to offer.
Luxembourg is definitely one of those places that some may love, and some may not. In this guide I'm going to cover everything that we learned while visiting Luxembourg, to help you see if it's a right pick for you!
We'll be going over the best things to do in Luxembourg, how to get around, the best time to visit, and so much more. Let's jump right in!
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Where is Luxembourg Located?
Luxembourg is located in Western Europe, and is a landlocked country. Countries that border Luxembourg are Germany to its east, France to its south, and Belgium to its north and west.
Luxembourg is between Belgium, Germany, and France.
Visiting Luxembourg: How to Get There
Luxembourg may be small, and seem like the middle of nowhere, but it is actually quite accessible to get to!
Where Do You Fly Into for Luxembourg?
Luxembourg actually does have its own airport, which is just outside the center of the capital Luxembourg City. The airport is pretty small, and very easy to go in and out of.
European cities that fly to LUX include Ajaccio, Alicante, Almeria, Amsterdam, Antalya, Athens, Barcelona, Bari, Belgrade, Berlin, Biarritz, Bordeaux, Brindisi, Bucharest, Budapest, Burgas, Cagliari, Calvi, Copenhagen, Corfu, Dublin, Faro, Figari, Florence, Frankfurt, Fuerteventura, Funchal, Hamburg, Heraklion, Geneva, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Istanbul, Izmir, Lanzarote, Lamezia Terme, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Malaga, Marseille, Menorca, Milan, Monastir, Montpellier, Munich, Naples, Nice, Olbia, Oslo, Palermo, Palma de Mallorca, Paris, Pescara, Podgorica, Porto, Prague, Rimini, Rome, Stockholm, Thessaloniki, Tivat, Tenerife, Toulouse, Varna, Venice, Vienna, Warsaw and Zurich.
There are also a couple of other destinations that connect to Luxembourg outside of Europe. A few of them are Djerba and Endfidha in Tunisia, Hurghada and Marsa-Alam in Egypt, Agadir in Morocco, and Cape Verde.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can put from "your city" to "everywhere". This way you can see if there are cheaper nearby airports to fly to. Also, you can check the calendar to see which are the cheapest dates for flights to Luxembourg.
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What is the Cheapest Way to Get to Luxembourg?
If you happen be in one of the closer countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, (or one that doesn't fly direct to Luxembourg) then chances are getting a flight won't be your best option. Also, if you don't happen to find an affordable flight, then you'll have to look at crossing Luxembourg via land.
Two of the cheapest options for visiting Luxembourg are via Flix Bus (which is what we used doing from Amsterdam to Luxembourg), or you can get a Blabla Car, which is a great carpooling app that is popular in Europe.
Here are some popular bus trips you can take to Luxembourg:
Buses from the Netherlands
Buses from Belgium
Buses from France
Buses from Germany
Requirements for Visiting Luxembourg
Now that you know the different ways for visiting Luxembourg, let's dive into the country's entry requirements, and cover any questions you may have.
Do I Need a Visa to Fly to Luxembourg?
Luxembourg is part of the Schengen Zone, so if you are required to have a Schengen visa when in Europe, this will also apply to visiting Luxembourg. The US, UK, and many other nationalities are able to enter the Schengen Zone without needing a visa for a period of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The 90/180 Rule
This is called the 90/180 rule, and applies to all countries within the Schengen Zone. For example, if you spent 60 days in France, and 20 days in Germany, (both countries which also are from the Schengen zone), you would have used 80 days out of 90. This means you'll be able to stay for a maximum of 10 days visiting Luxembourg, or any of the other countries inside the Schengen Zone.
We use the Schengen visa calculator, which is extremely helpful for those that are planning on traveling in and out of the EU for a long period of time.
Are There Covid Restrictions in Luxembourg?
Luxembourg, as well as almost everywhere else in Europe, has dropped all Covid-related restrictions.
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Local Adjustments for Visiting Luxembourg
Whenever you travel there are things that may be different from where you are coming from, especially in Europe. Here are a few of the local adjustments to keep in mind while traveling to Luxembourg.
What Language is Mostly Spoke in Luxembourg?
For being such a tiny country, it's actually crazy how many languages that Luxembourg has! There are three different languages in Luxembourg, so you can drive just a few minutes away and there will be a completely different language being spoken.
The three different languages spoken in Luxembourg are French, German, and Luxembourgish. Suprisingly enough though, the language you'll here mostly is French, not Luxembourgish, and most people in the capital speak French more than anything else.
What is the Currency in Luxembourg?
The currency used in Luxembourg is the same as the surrounding countries, which is the euro. Most places take credit card, so you won't need to have too much cash on you, unless you are leaving a tip in a restaurant.
How Expensive is Luxembourg?
Luxembourg is pretty expensive, even compared to a lot of other European countries. It isn't as outrageously expensive as Iceland or Norway, but it certainly has prices closer to Switzerland than to Germany for example.
Typically, a meal in a restaurant costs around 20 euros, and a night in a hotel averages between 100-150 euros per night.
Electrical Outlets in Luxembourg
Luxembourg uses the same plug types as the rest of Europe, which are types C & F. The standard voltage in Luxembourg is 230 V with a standard frequency of 50 Hz.
Can I Drink the Water in Luxembourg?
The tap water in Luxembourg is perfectly safe to drink. Bottled water is pretty standard in restaurants, but we definitely suggest asking for tap water, as it is just as good, and doesn't cost anything compared to the pricy bottled water.
Is it Customary to Tip in Luxembourg?
Tipping is customary in Luxembourg, but is not nearly as much as in some other countries. It is recommended to leave an extra 5-10% tip on top of your bill, and to do so in cash.
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Things to Do While Visiting Luxembourg
Now that you know almost everything you need to know about visiting Luxembourg, Here are the best things to do around the country.
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Visit the Castles
One of the things you definitely shouldn't miss out on while visiting Luxembourg are its beautiful castles! There are over 100 castles in this tiny country, but we're just going to share some of the top ones with you.
Vianden Castle
If you are going to visit one castle in Luxembourg, let it be this one! Vianden has been listed as one of the 21 most beautiful castles in the world, and it is certainly the most iconic one in all of Luxembourg.
Vianden Castle is actually one of the most unusual castles we have been to, as there are vendors all throughout the different rooms, and souvenirs and ar you can buy from locals along your visit.
Tickets to enter are Vianden Castle are 10 euros for adults, 5 for students, and 2.50 for children 6-12. It is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
Bourscheid Castle
We showed up at this castle to simply get a picture on the outside. The doors were open in the evening and there was actually a festival going on! Apparently they do them often, with live music and local food and drinks being served.
Set up in a hill, Bourscheid castle can also be admired from several different viewpoints around it, so we suggest asking the locals for the best trails, and saving yourself a bit of time to see it from all the different angles.
There are a lot of viewpoints where you can see Bourscheid castle.
Beaufort Castle
This medieval castle is super cool because it looks like a huge set of ruins from afar, but actually has been restored and can be visited on the inside. There are also some trails around it, and if you go inside your ticket includes tastings of local black currant liquors.
Beaufort castle looks like it's in ruins but it has actually been restored.
Meysembourg Castle
This one is a true hidden gem. While you can't visit inside, it's really beautiful to see from the outside, and is just outside the city of Luxembourg.
Bourlingster Castle
This cute castle is located just 20 minutes north east of the city of Luxembourg. The 12th century castle is unlike any of the others, because it has been awarded as the "best vegetable restaurant in the world" (we think they mean vegetarian!).
Check Out Chateau de Turelbaach
Chateau de Turelbach is technically considered a castle, but to us it was much more of a small hidden gem that felt like a fairytale.
It is private property, so you can't enter inside, but the outside is just stunning. You can park just off the side of the road where the forest is. Walk around the lake and then you'll find it in just a few minutes.
Hike Around Mullerthal
One of the top things to do in all of Luxembourg is to go hiking, and the Mullerthal trail is definitely the most popular.
There are plenty of different trails that you can take, letting you explore different areas of nature. We didn't have time to hike the trail itself, but are going to share the top two spots in the area.
Schiessentümpel Cascade
This is the most famous waterfall in Luxembourg. it is located along the Mullerthal trail, but you can also simply park in a lot nearby and walk there in minutes, as it is just off the side of the main road.
It looks truly out of a fairytale, but make sure to go super early, or the place will be mobbed with people. This is actually the only place in the country where we saw crowds!
Kuelscheier
This is a stretch of the Mullerthal trail where you need to hike to, and is a unique rock formation worth visiting. There is an area that is a rock tunnel that is 100 meters long, with a closing at the top!
Discover Hollhay Cave
This is another hidden gem of Luxembourg, which is a set of caves tucked away in the forest. One of our favorite parts of this is that they look like giant windows!
Take in the Views From the Burfelt Viewing Platform
This was one of our favorite views that we saw in Luxembourg. Perched over the Lac de la Haute-Sûre, the long platform has a glass wall at the end, overlooking the turquoise waters below. We particularly suggest going here for sunset!
Check Out Aussichtspunkt Runtschelt
Just up the river from the Burfelt Viewing Platform is an area that you can enjoy more beautiful views of the river. There are several trails that you can walk around and get different perspectives of the river from above. You can get great views in just a few minutes walk from the parking area, or you can continue if you'd like to hike all the way down.
Stop by Houfels
This is a spot worth stopping by when you are in the area of Burfelt and Turelbaach. Houfels has an adorable hut with beautiful views of the valley below. It really is just a quick stop, but cool to see while exploring the other fun sites.
Enjoy the Small Towns
Visiting Luxembourg in general, you'll really have the small village vibes. While there are plenty fo cute small towns scattered around the country, here are a few of the bigger ones worth adding to your list:
Clervaux
This is located in the north of Luxembourg, and has a beautiful cathedral on a hill, as well as different art installations inside its city walls. We even saw a magic show happening in the main square, and had pastries outside with a lovely atmosphere.
Clervaux is a great city worth spending a few hours or a night.
Viaden
This is the most charming town in all of Luxembourg, and a must visit! While everyone visits for the castle, don't miss out on strolling the cobblestone streets, or walking along the beautiful riverfront.
Vianden is one of the most beautiful town in Luxembourg.
Explore the City of Luxembourg
The capital is where you'll find a ton of history, beautiful streets, and plenty of things to see and do. Here is a list of the best things to do in Luxembourg's capital city:
- Bourbon-Platte: one of the most iconic buildings in the city
- Pont Adolphe: a stone arch bridge with great views of the city
- Parcs de la Petrusse: a beautiful park underneath Adolphe bridge
- Petruse Casemates: the ruins of a medieval fort with underground tunnels
- Constitution Square: city square featuring an obelisk monument
- Rue du St Espirit: a cute street with art installations (there were colorful lanterns when we went)
- Chemin de la Corniche: the most beautiful walkway and views of the city
- Cathedrale Notre Dame: the most emblematic church in the city
- Pont du Chateau: where you can find one of the best views in Luxembourg
- Bock Casemates: a complex of underground tunnels and galleries used a past bomb shelters
- Palais Grand Ducal: palace and residence of the grand duke of Luxembourg
- Eisebrunnsbeck: a beautiful medieval bridge that looks like an aqueduct
- Grund: the most beautiful quarter of the city where you can simply wander around
- Fort Obergrunewald: ruins of a medieval castle perched on a hill
- Pont Grande-Duchesse Charlotte: a bright red bridge connecting the new and old parts of Luxembourg
- Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg Funicular: a free glass elevator up to a beautiful viewing platform
Luxembourg city has a lot of things to see around it.
Visiting Luxembourg: Local Food & Drink
Now that you know the best things to do while visiting Luxembourg, here is a bit about the local cuisine.
Does Luxembourg Have Good Food?
Luxembourg has some great food! To us, we felt like it had a cool mix of Belgian, German, and French specialties, and we found a lot of pastries and pies were very popular. Despite having a lot of the same dishes as the surrounding countries, Luxembourg does have quite a few of its own dishes worth trying.
What Foods Are Luxembourg Known For?
Here are some of the Luxembourgish foods that you should add to your list:
- Bouneschlupp: the national soup of Luxembourg consisting of green beans, potatoes, bacon, and onions.
- Gromperenzopp: potato based soup made with leeks and cream
- Kuddelfleck: tripe served in a spicy tomato or white wine sauce
- Träipen: blood sausage
- Riesling Pork Pies and Riesling Pâté: meat-filled pies with pate and flaky crust
- Huesenziwwi: hare baked in wine and onions
- Wäinzoossiss: pork and beef sausage served with a wine and mustard sauce
- Flammkuchen: a thin German-style pizza, kind of like a flatbread
- Judd mat Gaardebounen: smoked pork collar and broad beans (the national dish)
- Letzeburger Kniddlelen: bread dumplings (similar to gnocchi) often served with a bacon-cream sauce
- Paschtéit (Bouchée à la Reine): a small puff pastry with poultry and a creamy sauce
- Gromperekichelcher: crispy potato pancakes typically served at festivals
- Salaisons Fumées – Marque Nationale Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: dried & cured ham (similar to Spanish jamon or Italian prosciutto)
- Verwurelter: deep fried pastry knots (Luxembourgish donuts)
- Quetschentaart: plum tart typical in the Autumn
- Äppelklatzen and Äppelkuch: apple tart and apple cake
- Schwengshax: slow-roasted pork knuckle
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Visiting Luxembourg: How to Get Around
Now that you know all of the best things to do while visiting Luxembourg, let's talk about how to get around to all of these places!
How Easy is it to Get Around Luxembourg?
As Luxembourg is such a small country, it is very easy to get around! You can either rent a car or take public transport to explore the capital, as well as different areas of the country.
Is Luxembourg Public Transport Free for Tourists?
As of 2020, public transport is completely free of charge! This is not just for locals, but also for tourists as well. This is great for those on a budget, as you can at least take away one major expense from your travels, and not feel limited on where you can go.
Being that Luxembourg is such a small country, getting around by public transport is totally doable. Most lines run all night, which gives you a lot more flexibility than many other places. Keep in mind though that during the weekends and at night the rides are a bit more sparse, so you'll have to plan accordingly by giving yourself some extra time.
Are Taxis Free in Luxembourg?
Taxis are not free in Luxembourg. Actually, they are extremely expensive! We had arrived in Luxembourg at 4 am and just missed the bus that came once and hour so were thinking of getting a taxi to our car rental. Once we saw the prices we quickly changed our minds. Luckily, there are bus stations that are walking distance apart, so there are always alternatives for routes if your particular bus isn't running frequently from the stop you're at.
Renting a Car in Luxembourg
Despite public transport being free, we opted to get a rental car while in Luxembourg. As we had four days, we wanted to visit some of the nearby attractions in both Germany and Belgium. The best way to do this is to rent a car, which gives you much more flexibility, and bought us a lot of time in the few days we had to enjoy the area.
There are actually no rental car companies located at the airport, but there are several companies that are located nearby. Our car rental went extremely smooth, and the people working were efficient and easy to work with (despite them only speaking French).
It is important to note though that when we were dropping off the car on a Sunday, the place was closed, and we were not advised of this! We left the car with the key on the windshield, and the rental company was very relaxed about it. If you happen to be picking up or dropping off on the weekends, we would suggest reaching out to the company beforehand just in case.
Is it Easy to Drive Around Luxembourg?
Driving in Luxembourg is super easy! The capital can be a bit tricky to navigate if there are any road closures, but once you are out of the city center, driving there is a breeze. We loved driving there because there was so much beautiful nature that we wouldn't have been able to experience without having the freedom to stop along the routes.
Rent a car in Luxembourg:
Parking in Luxembourg
The one thing we weren't fans of, was that we did have to pay for parking quite a bit. Most cities around Luxembourg it's only possible to find paid lots, so make sure you are looking for the signs and paying so you don't get a ticket. Luckily the parking rates were never astronomical, and this made it quite easy to find parking everywhere we went.
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Where to Stay While Visiting Luxembourg
The best place to base yourself while visiting Luxembourg is in the capital, also named Luxembourg. This is where you'll find the most action, with plenty of great restaurants, bars, and shops.
As Luxembourg is such a small country, we definitely like the idea of keeping this as a base, and then doing day trips around other areas of the country. However, if you would like to stay in different places, then some other great towns to stay in are Clervaux and Vianden.
Luxembourg city is a great place to base yourself while visiting Luxembourg.
Here are some hotel recommendations for Luxembourg city:
- Youth Hostel Luxembourg City: the most affordable option in Luxembourg - it is in the city, and great for young travelers looking to meet new people
- Mercure Luxembourg Off Kirchberg: one of the most beautiful hotels in the city with affordable rates (in Luxembourg standards)
- Legere Hotel Luxembourg: another great option for value, with a lovely patio and bar
- Hotel Le Place d'Armes: stunning boutique hotel in the dead center of the city with a bar, gym, and private parking lot
- Designer Luxury Penthouse: for the ultimate luxury stay - this is perfect for large groups. It includes 3 bedrooms, fully-equipped kitchen, gym, washing machine, and your own personal concierge!
Here are some recommendations for Vianden:
- Youth Hostel Vianden: the most budget friendly option, great for young travelers
- Hotel- Restaurant Victor Hugo: a stunning hotel with a cozy restaurant, playground, terrace, and wellness center
Here are some recommendations for Clervaux:
- Koener Hotel & Spa: beautiful hotel in the center with a spa that is included in your stay
- Golf & Country Hotel: for those wanting a more peaceful environment - this is a 5 minute drive away and has a golf course on site
- Hotel du Commerce - Restaurant La Table de Clervaux: boutique hotel with an extensive wine cellar and wellness center
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Is Luxembourg Safe?
Luxembourg is actually rated one of the safest cities in all of Europe, and in the world! We always felt extremely safe whether it was during the day, or at night. The crime rates are very low in this country, and locals are very welcoming to tourists.
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Other Things to Know About Visiting Luxembourg
Now that you know the best things to do in Luxembourg, we have a few final things for you to keep in mind while visiting Luxembourg.
What is the Weather Like in Luxembourg Year Round?
If you're wondering- it is worth visiting Luxembourg? You may want to ask yourself if weather plays a factor. The thing is- the weather in Luxembourg can be pretty harsh- even in the summer! We visited in July, and when we landed it was raining and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). We couldn't believe just how cold it was, and the locals didn't seem shocked at all.
Out of the four days that we were visiting Luxembourg, we had a few hours here and there that were sunny and warm, with the rest being very dreary and wet.
It rains a lot in Luxembourg.
Unlike the UK though, Luxembourg doesn't just get the cold and rain in the winter. Luckily it gets cold enough to snow, which is pretty magical in this fairytale looking country.
The Best Time to Visit Luxembourg
The two best times to visit Luxembourg are in the summer, or in December. The summer is when you will have the best chances to experience warmth and sunshine, if you plan on doing any of the hiking. We also chose December because Luxembourg has a great Christmas market to experience!
In summer you can have warmer weather and beautiful flowers in bloom.
Packing For a Trip to Luxembourg
Here are some of the thing we suggest bringing with you while visiting Luxembourg:
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature well)
- Umbrella
- Jacket (especially for the night time)
- Nice clothes for going out in the city (people dress really well there)
- Sneakers (for the hikes)
- Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
- A Drone for the amazing castles (We use the Mavic Mini Pro 3 because it's super light and doesn't sacrifice quality)
- Travel Adapter (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)
- Travel toiletries (our favorites are from Sheer Alternatives because they're all natural and 100ml)
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Is it Worth Visiting Luxembourg?
We definitely think it is worth visiting Luxembourg! It also has so many great places around it in Germany and Belgium that you can do day trips like we did.
It is definitely worth visiting Luxembourg for a few days.
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
So are you ready to explore the wealthiest country in the world? We suggest spending 3-4 days visiting Luxembourg, so that you can truly explore all that it has to offer.
Want to explore some other awesome locations nearby? We have a bunch of other European travel guides to check out. We also are currently creating guides for nearby destinations in France and Germany, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the know (as well as to get exclusive content and discounts!).
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