Small but surprising, Luxembourg combines a fairytale capital perched above deep ravines with medieval castles, the wooded trails of the Mullerthal and the vineyards of the Moselle valley, all within very short distances.
Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe and also one of the richest, but as a travel destination it surprises: its capital, Luxembourg City, is perched above deep ravines crossed by bridges, with fortifications carved into the rock that are a World Heritage Site. Beyond the capital, the Grand Duchy hides medieval castles, the wooded trails of the Mullerthal (the 'Little Switzerland of Luxembourg') and the vineyards of the Moselle valley. For a Latin American traveller it's a perfect stop on a trip through central Europe, easy to combine with Belgium, France or Germany.
The country is so small you can cover it in a few days. The capital has the essentials: the upper town with the old quarter and the lower Grund by the river, plus the museums and the European district of Kirchberg. To the north lie the Luxembourg Ardennes, with castles such as Vianden and Clervaux; to the east, the Moselle and its white wine and crémant (sparkling wine) cellars; and to the northeast, the Mullerthal, with rock formations and waterfalls that are ideal for walking.
The best thing about Luxembourg is that in a tiny territory it brings together a spectacular capital, nature and castles, all within half an hour of each other; plus a unique detail: since 2020 all public transport in the country has been free. What surprises (for better and for worse) is how expensive everything else is, since it's one of the countries with the highest purchasing power in the world.
The local currency is the euro (€). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but it's worth carrying some cash for small villages, markets and the odd little café in the Ardennes. Let your bank know before you travel and check the day's exchange rate.
Findel airport (LUX) is six kilometres from the centre. What sets the country apart is that all public transport has been free since 1 March 2020 (buses, trains and tram) for residents and visitors alike: it was the first country in the world to do this. The only things you pay for are first class on the train and journeys that cross the border. That means getting around the country, including the trip from the airport to the centre and day trips to Vianden or Echternach, costs nothing. Brussels is about three hours away by train, Paris just over two by TGV, and Trier, already in Germany, less than an hour.
The best time to visit Luxembourg is from May to September, when the weather is nicest, the days are long and the forests and vineyards are green or golden. Summer (June to August) is high season, with mild temperatures (rarely oppressive) and all the castles, trails and wineries open and in full swing. May, June and September are ideal for hiking in the Mullerthal, with good weather and fewer people. Autumn adds the appeal of the grape harvest on the Moselle.
Winter (December to February) is cold with short days, but the capital puts on a charming Christmas market and everything lights up. Spring brings flowering landscapes and the famous Echternach dancing procession at Whitsun (May or June, depending on the year). In any season it's worth packing warm clothes and a waterproof, because the weather is changeable and it rains often. Since the country is small and public transport is free, getting between towns and regions is easy all year round.
Luxembourgish cuisine is a tasty mix of German and French influences, hearty and rooted in country cooking. The national dish is 'Judd mat Gaardebounen' (smoked pork collar with broad beans), and other classics include 'Bouneschlupp' (green bean soup), 'Gromperekichelcher' (fried potato fritters sold at markets and fairs) and river fish from the Moselle, such as trout. To go with it, the local white wines and crémant, which are excellent and little known abroad.
Eating out in Luxembourg is expensive, in keeping with one of the richest countries in the world. A simple meal costs around 20 to 30 USD, and a set menu at a good restaurant can easily top 45 USD per person (checked July 2026). To save money, make use of bakeries, markets, 'friteries' and street stalls. A glass of local wine costs around 5 to 8 USD. Tipping isn't mandatory because service is included, but it's customary to round up or leave 5-10% if the service was good.
Luxembourg is one of the safest and most stable countries in the world, with very low crime levels. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare; the most common issue is the occasional pickpocket at the central train station and the surrounding area, the least well-kept part of the capital. Beyond that, you can walk around at any hour without worry. The basic precautions you'd take in any city are more than enough; there are no areas a tourist needs to avoid.
No vaccinations are required to enter, and the healthcare system is top-notch. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. Always take out travel insurance, because medical care without cover in western Europe is very expensive. The single emergency number is 112 (ambulance and fire brigade); for the police, 113 also works (checked July 2026).
Luxembourg is one of the most expensive destinations in Europe, in line with its very high standard of living, with the big exception of public transport, which is free throughout the country (trains, trams and buses). A backpacker needs around 70 to 100 USD a day; a mid-range budget, with a three-star hotel and meals out, comes to around 150 to 220 USD; and a comfortable trip starts at 280 USD a day (checked July 2026). These figures don't include the international flight from Latin America, which almost always involves a stopover in Europe.
For reference (July 2026): accommodation is what hits hardest, since there are few hostels and a dorm bed costs between 30 and 45 USD, while a basic double room starts at 110 to 140 USD. A meal at a mid-range restaurant costs 20 to 30 USD and a glass of local wine 5 to 8 USD. The big advantage is that you spend nothing on getting around: since it's free, moving around the capital and taking the train to the castles or the Moselle doesn't cost a cent. Many travellers stay in neighbouring Trier (Germany) or in France, where it's cheaper, and come in on day trips.
Luxembourg has three official languages: Luxembourgish (a Germanic language used in everyday life and a mark of national identity), French (dominant in administration, shops and restaurants) and German (widely used in the press and education). It's a deeply multilingual and cosmopolitan country, where almost half the population is foreign. English is spoken very well, especially in the capital and the financial sector, so a Latin American traveller gets by without any trouble; with basic French, even better. People are polite, reserved and used to diversity.
Plugs are type C and F, at 230 V and 50 Hz, so from much of Latin America you'll need an adapter (and should check your device is dual voltage if it runs on 110 V). Connectivity is excellent: an eSIM or a European prepaid SIM is the way to go, and since Luxembourg is part of the EU it works across the whole bloc. Two tips from someone who's been: take advantage of transport being 100% free to get around without thinking about tickets, and use the country as a base to explore the 'Greater Region' (in less than an hour you're in Germany, France or Belgium), which goes a long way on a European trip.
Luxembourg is one of those countries whose size is deceptive. At just 2,586 square kilometres (smaller than many Argentine provinces) and with a little over half a million people, this Grand Duchy wedged between Belgium, France and Germany was for almost a thousand years one of the most coveted strongholds on the continent. It all began in 963, when a count named Siegfried traded some land for a rocky outcrop above the River Alzette and built a small castle there that he called Lucilinburhuc, the "little fortress". The country's name comes from that word. And that rock became a fortress so formidable that it was nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the North", fought over through the centuries by Burgundians, Spaniards, Austrians, French and Prussians.
Telling the story of Luxembourg means telling the story of a crossroads. Everything passed through here: Holy Roman Emperors born into its own ruling house, the tercios of Charles V, Vauban's engineers, the armies of the French Revolution, two German occupations in the 20th century and the Ardennes Offensive, Hitler's last big gamble. The country was partitioned three times and lost three quarters of its territory before settling into its present borders. But that devilish position also gave rise to its European calling: a man born in Luxembourg, Robert Schuman, was one of the founding fathers of the European Union, and today the country is at once home to EU institutions, one of the biggest financial centres on the planet and a trilingual society where almost half the people were born abroad.
Read the full history of Luxembourg →Pick a region and open each destination to see what to do, prices and how to get there.
These are the sources we cite most across this country's guides, with how many times each appears. Hard data —tickets, opening hours, requirements, transport— comes from the official source and carries the date we checked it. Restaurant and hotel picks come from guides and reviews, and we say so on each page.
