Western Europe · Europe

Luxembourg

Discover Luxembourg - the only Grand Duchy in the world, where medieval fortifications meet EU institutions, three languages coexist, and the GDP per capita is the highest on Earth.

Where Is Luxembourg?

Luxembourg is a country in Western Europe. Its capital is Luxembourg City.

Where Luxembourg isWestern Europe · Capital Luxembourg City

Capital Luxembourg City
Population 687K
Area 2,586 km²

Luxembourg is the world's only remaining Grand Duchy, and it acts exactly like you'd expect a country run by a Grand Duke to act - quietly, efficiently, and with an absurd amount of wealth. The GDP per capita is the highest on Earth, the unemployment rate is nearly nonexistent, and the banking sector is larger than the country itself. Nearly half the workforce commutes in daily from France, Belgium, and Germany.

But Luxembourg is more than a financial center with a fancy title. The old town of Luxembourg City sits on dramatic sandstone cliffs above the Alzette and Petrusse rivers, its Casemates du Bock tunnels carved into rock over centuries of military engineering. The countryside is dotted with ruined castles straight out of a fairy tale - Vianden, Bourscheid, Beaufort - perched above forested valleys that feel completely untouched. People here switch between Luxembourgish, French, and German in the same conversation without pausing, and somehow the whole country runs on this trilingual autopilot. It is tiny, peaceful, and uncommonly pleasant.

At a glance

Language

Luxembourgish, French, German

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Calling Code

+352

Drives On

Right

Internet

.lu

Timezone

CET (UTC+1)

Script

Latin

Government

Constitutional Monarchy (Grand Duchy)

Independence

1839

By population

Largest cities in Luxembourg

Luxembourg City

Capital with UNESCO-listed old town on dramatic gorges, home to major EU institutions and a world-class financial center

132,000

Esch-sur-Alzette

Second city in the south, a former steel town reinvented as a cultural hub and university town

36,000

Differdange

Third largest town, part of the southern steel belt now transitioning to services and education

28,000

Dudelange

Southern town known for the Centre Pompidou-inspired contemporary art center and hiking trails

22,000

Ettelbruck

Northern town at the confluence of rivers, gateway to the Ardennes and host of the annual agricultural fair

10,000

People

Famous people from Luxembourg

Robert Schuman
Politics
Born in Luxembourg, became one of the founding fathers of the European Union and proposed the Schuman Declaration
Hugo Gernsback
Science
Publisher and inventor who founded Amazing Stories magazine, the father of modern science fiction
Edward Steichen
Art
Pioneer of fashion and art photography, curated the legendary Family of Man exhibition
Grand Duchess Charlotte
Politics
Reigned for 45 years through two World Wars, becoming a symbol of national unity and resistance
The Schleck Brothers (Fränk and Andy Schleck)
Sport
Brothers who both reached the podium at the Tour de France, Andy winning the 2010 edition
Michel Rodange
Literature
Author of Renert the Fox, the national epic poem written in Luxembourgish in 1872

Food

Traditional cuisine of Luxembourg

Judd mat Gaardebounen: Smoked pork collar with broad beans in a cream sauce, the national dish of Luxembourg
Bouneschlupp: Green bean soup with potatoes, bacon, and onions, a hearty traditional soup served year-round
Gromperekichelcher: Crispy potato fritters seasoned with parsley and onions, the most popular street food at Luxembourg fairs
Kniddelen: Luxembourgish flour dumplings served with bacon cream sauce or in a stew, simple and comforting
Rieslingspaschteit: Pate in pastry crust made with Riesling wine from the Moselle valley
Quetschentaart: Plum tart made with local damson plums, a beloved autumn dessert
Kachkeis: Cooked cheese spread unique to Luxembourg, a soft melted cheese served on bread

Nature

Nature and landmarks in Luxembourg

Mullerthal TrailForest: Luxembourg's Little Switzerland - a network of trails through sandstone rock formations, mossy gorges, and dense forests
Upper Sure Natural ParkNational Park: Protected area around the Upper Sure lake and dam in the Ardennes, ideal for hiking and watersports
Vianden CastleLandmark: One of the finest feudal castles in Europe, perched above the Our River valley in the Ardennes
Moselle ValleyRiver: Wine-producing region along the Moselle River forming the border with Germany, known for Riesling and Cremant
Bourscheid CastleLandmark: Dramatic hilltop castle ruins overlooking the Sure River, one of Luxembourg's largest medieval fortifications
Bock CasematesLandmark: UNESCO-listed underground tunnel network carved into the rock beneath Luxembourg City over 400 years

Sport

Sports in Luxembourg

Cycling: Andy Schleck won the Tour de France in 2010, and Luxembourg regularly produces world-class professional cyclists
Football: The national league has produced several Europa League competitors, with F91 Dudelange making Champions League history
Tennis: Gilles Muller reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2017, the best result by a Luxembourgish player

Facts

Did you know?

Luxembourg is the world's only remaining sovereign Grand Duchy, ruled by a Grand Duke
Nearly half of Luxembourg's workforce commutes from France, Belgium, and Germany every day
The country has three official languages - Luxembourgish, French, and German - and most residents speak all three
Luxembourg has the highest GDP per capita in the world, consistently over $120,000
The Bock Casemates beneath Luxembourg City are 17 kilometers of tunnels carved into solid rock
Luxembourg is a founding member of the EU, NATO, and the United Nations
The country is so small that it has only one commercial airport and one university