One of the richest countries in the world is a small European nation that very few people put on their bucket list: Luxembourg. Or as it is officially known: The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The country of much less than one million inhabitants and smaller than 1,000 square miles, is a mysterious one for many. The head of state is a Grand Duke, there are three official languages, and all public transports are free.
Photo: username/Shutterstock
In This Small and Very Rich European Country, All Public Transport Is Free
- Where is Luxembourg?
- Is Luxembourg a country? Is it part of the EU?
- What is the capital of Luxembourg?
- How many people live in Luxembourg?
- Is Luxembourg the richest country in the world?
- How big is Luxembourg?
- What is the flag of Luxembourg?
- What is the currency used in Luxembourg?
- What language do people speak in Luxembourg?
- Does Luxembourg have a royal family?
- How to get from Paris to Luxembourg by train?
- How to get from Brussels to Luxembourg by train?
- How to get from Amsterdam to Luxembourg by train?
- Does Luxembourg have an airport?
- What to do in Luxembourg?
- The best hotels in Luxembourg City
Where is Luxembourg?
Luxembourg is located in Western Europe. More precisely, it is a landlocked country that is sandwiched between France, Belgium, and Germany.
Is Luxembourg a country? Is it part of the EU?
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is indeed its own country and it has been a member of the European Union since January 1, 1958.
What is the capital of Luxembourg?
Photo: username/Shutterstock
The capital and the most populated city in the country is Luxembourg City. It is located in the south of the country.
How many people live in Luxembourg?
According to official statistics, 660,000 people live in Luxembourg and 197,000 more commute to the small nation daily from surrounding countries to work. Of the 660,000 inhabitants, 47.4 percent does not have Luxembourgish nationality.
Is Luxembourg the richest country in the world?
According to a report by Global Finance Magazine, Luxembourg ranks as the second-richest in the world behind Ireland in 2023 with a GDP-PPP per capita of $142,490.
The Grand Duchy’s tax regime and its system of banking secrecy attracts some of the wealthiest people in the world.
How big is Luxembourg?
It is 998 square miles or 2,586 square kilometers. It is the second-smallest country in the European Union behind Malta, and it is the seventh-smallest country in Europe, behind Vatican City, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and more.
What is the flag of Luxembourg?
Right: Flag of Luxembourg. Left: Flag of the Netherlands. Sabino Parente/Shutterstock and Harald Lueder/Shutterstock
The Luxembourgish flag consists of three horizontal bands: one red, one white, and one blue. Its composition is extremely similar to that of the flag of the Netherlands, except for the fact that the colors of the Luxembourgish one are lighter.
What is the currency used in Luxembourg?
The country has been a member of the Euro community since January 1, 1999, but it only started using euros exclusively in February 2002. Prior to the Euro, the country used the Luxembourgish Franc (LUF).
What language do people speak in Luxembourg?
The three official languages of the country are French, German, and Luxemburgish. Luxemburgish “sounds close to Dutch, being a mixture of German and French with regional and even locally varying dialects,” according to the country’s official website.
Does Luxembourg have a royal family?
The Grand Ducal Palace. Photo: username/Shutterstock
The nation, being a Grand Duchy, has a Grand Ducal family, the head of which is HRH the Grand Duke Henri, Prince of Nassau, Prince of Bourbon-Parma. The Grand Duke is married to HRH the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and they have five children and six grandchildren.
The nation is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with the prime minister as head of government and the Grand Duke as head of state. The Grand Duke only has symbolic powers.
How to get from Paris to Luxembourg by train?
There are multiple daily, direct high-speed trains that run between Paris Gare de L’Est (one of the six train stations in the French capital) and Luxembourg City. The journey takes around two hours and 15 minutes. You can book this train ride on the website of the national French railway company SNCF.
How to get from Brussels to Luxembourg by train?
The National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB) has intercity trains (IC) that run between the Belgian capital and Luxembourg city almost hourly, every day of the week. The ride is cheap, direct, and takes around three hours and 15 minutes.
There are also direct Regiojet buses that run between Brussels and Luxembourg city several times weekly. The ride is three-hour long.
How to get from Amsterdam to Luxembourg by train?
There are no direct trains between Amsterdam and Luxembourg City. The easiest way is to book your train trip is to consult the website of the the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB) where you’ll see all the possible connections, prices, and multiple railway companies that can take you between those two cities. The trip can be done with one connection (usually in Brussels) and in around 5.5 hours.
Does Luxembourg have an airport?
There is only one international airport in in the country: Luxembourg Airport (LUX). There are 14 airlines (including low-cost ones) flying into this airport:
- British Airways
- Aegean
- LOT Polish Airlines
- ITA
- EasyJet
- KLM
- Lufthansa
- Luxair
- Ryanair
- Swiss
- TAP Portugal
- Turkish Airlines
- Volotea
- Wizz Air
What to do in Luxembourg?
While in the capital city, you should make sure to take a guided tour of the Grand Ducal Palace, the place of work of the Grand Duke. If you have your own wheels or feel comfortable using public transports (which is free throughout the country), go check out Berg Castle, the principal residence of the Grand Duke. It’s 25 minutes away by car and less than one hour by train and bus. Outside of the capital city, the small town of Clervaux, surrounded by the Ardennes Forest, has a 12th-century castle worthy of your time; the town of Remich has excellent wineries; and the town of Echternach on the border with Germany is very charming and is one of the starting points of the beautiful, 70-mile Mullerthal Trail.
The best hotel in Luxembourg City
If you’d rather stay in a rental than a hotel during your trip, check out Matador’s selection of the 10 swankiest Airbnbs in all of Luxembourg.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
Hotel Le Place d’Armes
The Hotel Le Place d’Armes is located in the heart of the old town of Luxembourg City, making for an ideal base to explore the rest of the capital. The five-star property has 30 rooms and suites, one bar, and three restaurants. The decor is an impeccable mix of modern and classic, for a homely, intimate, yet luxurious atmosphere. There is a fitness center on site, as well as a spa offering various body treatments.
Le Royal Hotels & Resorts
Located in the center of the capital city (only eight minutes on foot from the Grand Ducal Palace), Le Royal Hotels & Resorts is a modern, five-star property with 230 spacious rooms and suites. There is a restaurant and a piano bar on site, as well as an indoor pool, a sauna, a steam room, a fitness center, and a spa offering relaxing treatments.
Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal
While part of a chain, the five-star Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal is a truly luxurious property of 128 rooms and suites. Located a 14-minute walk to the Grand Ducal Palace and only 10 minutes on foot from the train station, this hotel is a great place from where travelers can explore the city. There is a restaurant, a fun bar with great views, and a fitness center on site, and those who wish can book spa treatments. 