Luxembourg
One of Europe's smallest and richest countries, Luxembourg fits a UNESCO-listed capital on gorge-cut cliffs, a string of castles and quietly excellent Moselle wines into an area you can drive across in about an hour. Hike the sandstone ravines of the Mullerthal, explore Vianden's hilltop fortress and ride the trains and buses for free.
Overview
Luxembourg is a Grand Duchy of about 680,000 people wedged between Belgium, France and Germany, and nearly half its residents are foreign nationals. The capital, built on cliffs above the Alzette and Pétrusse valleys, is the obvious base, with its old quarters and fortifications on UNESCO's list. The rest of the country divides neatly into day trips: the wooded Éislek uplands of the Ardennes in the north, with Vianden and the castles of the Sûre valley; the sandstone gorges of the Mullerthal to the east; the vineyard-lined Moselle along the German border; and the old iron-mining Minett in the south. Three or four days cover the essentials.
Everything is close and orderly, and free public transport makes car-free touring genuinely easy. Prices are high, especially for hotels and eating out in the capital, though rates at business hotels often drop at weekends. Daily life is multilingual: Luxembourgish is the national language, French dominates shops and restaurants, German fills the newspapers and English is widely spoken. It suits walkers, cyclists, wine lovers and anyone combining it with Belgium, Trier or the Ardennes. Many visitors are surprised by how green and hilly the country is once they leave the banks and EU institutions of Kirchberg behind.
Map of Luxembourg
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Bock Casemates and the Old Quarters
The fortress once called the 'Gibraltar of the North' left kilometres of tunnels carved into the Bock promontory. Explore them, then follow the Wenzel Walk down through the Grund past a thousand years of fortifications.
- 2Architecture
Vianden Castle
A huge, carefully restored castle, built between the 11th and 14th centuries on a rock above the Our river and a slate-roofed town. Victor Hugo stayed in Vianden in 1871, and his house is now a museum.
- 3Nature
Mullerthal Trail
Luxembourg's 'Little Switzerland' is a 112 km network of waymarked routes through mossy sandstone gorges, narrow rock clefts and beech woods around Berdorf and Echternach, passing the photogenic Schiessentümpel cascade.
- 4Food
Moselle wine route
Along the river border with Germany, terraced vineyards produce crisp Rivaner, Riesling and Crémant de Luxembourg. Taste at cellars around Remich and Grevenmacher, and stop at Schengen, where the 1985 border agreement was signed.
- 5Nature
Upper Sûre Lake
A reservoir in the Ardennes uplands with swimming beaches, kayaking, solar-powered boat trips and lakeside trails. The village of Esch-sur-Sûre, curled inside a river loop beneath its castle ruins, is among the country's prettiest.
Biggest cities
Luxembourg City
A compact capital split between the clifftop old town and the riverside Grund below, linked by free public lifts. See the casemates, the Grand Ducal Palace and the Chemin de la Corniche ramparts walk.
Esch-sur-Alzette
The second city, near the French border, is the heart of the old steel country; Belval's preserved blast furnaces, now surrounded by university buildings, are the main reason to come.
Differdange
Another former steel town of the Minett, with a castle now used as a university campus and the Fond-de-Gras heritage site nearby, where vintage trains run on summer Sundays.
Figures are commune populations; Luxembourg has no large conurbation beyond the capital.
When to go to Luxembourg
Best time: May–Sep.
Average climate in Luxembourg City
Festivals & events
- May–JunHopping Procession of Echternach
On Whit Tuesday, thousands of pilgrims hop in lines through Echternach to a jaunty folk tune in honour of St Willibrord; the procession is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
- JunNational Day
The Grand Duke's official birthday, 23 June, begins on the evening of the 22nd with a torchlight procession, fireworks over the Pétrusse valley and street parties across the capital.
- Aug–SepSchueberfouer
Luxembourg City's huge funfair, held since 1340, takes over the Glacis from late August to mid-September with rides, beer tents and stalls of fried fish and potato fritters.
How much does Luxembourg cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Judd mat Gaardebounen
The national dish: smoked collar of pork, simmered and sliced, with broad beans in a creamy sauce and boiled potatoes; at its best in early summer.
Gromperekichelcher
Crisp, onion-flecked potato fritters fried at every fair and Christmas market, especially the Schueberfouer, and eaten hot, often with apple sauce.
Rieslingspaschtéit
A golden pastry pie filled with pork and veal marinated in Riesling and set with wine jelly, sold in slices at bakeries and wine taverns.
Getting around
Since 2020, buses, trams and second-class trains have been free nationwide, so you only need a ticket for first class. CFL trains run from the capital to Esch, Ettelbruck, Clervaux and Wasserbillig, and buses fill the gaps to Vianden, Echternach and the Moselle villages. A tram line links Kirchberg, the city centre and the central station. The mobiliteit.lu app plans every journey; hire a car or e-bike for remoter castles.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +352
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Service is included in menu prices, so tipping is optional; round up or leave 5–10% for good restaurant service.
- Etiquette
- Greet shop staff with 'Moien' or 'Bonjour'; switching between French, German and English is normal, so don't assume one language. Punctuality matters, and many shops close on Sundays.
- Main airports
- Luxembourg Airport (LUX), Luxembourg City
Visas & entry for Luxembourg
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Luxembourg, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Luxembourg are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat Lyssavirus
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Luxembourg
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Saint Stephen's Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Sun 9 May 2027 | Europe Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Pentecost Monday |
| Wed 23 Jun 2027 | National Day |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Luxembourgish
| English | Luxembourgish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Moien | MOY-en |
| Thank you | Merci | MAIR-see |
| Please | Wann ech gelift | van esh guh-LIFT |
| Excuse me | Entschëllegt | ent-SHUL-ekt |
| How much is this? | Wéi vill kascht dat? | vay fill KASHT dat |
Know before you go
- Public transport is free, but first-class train seats still need a ticket; check the CFL website for weekend engineering works, when buses often replace trains.
- Business hotels in the capital and Kirchberg often cut prices at weekends, so consider timing a city stay for Friday to Sunday and spending weekdays in the countryside.
- Fuel, tobacco and alcohol are cheaper than in neighbouring countries, so filling up before driving on to France, Belgium or Germany saves money; border petrol stations get busy.
Luxembourg travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Luxembourg?
The best time to visit Luxembourg is generally May–Sep. Peak months are May, June, July, August and September. Average highs in Luxembourg City range from 3°C to 23°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Luxembourg cost per day?
Roughly £90 a day on a tight budget, £180 mid-range and £350+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Luxembourg?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Luxembourg use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Luxembourg?
Traffic drives on the right in Luxembourg, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Luxembourg?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Luxembourg?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Luxembourg, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Luxembourg before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/luxembourg/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Luxembourg?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
