A Traveller's Guide to Luxembourg

Luxembourg has a population of just over 600,000, most of whom live in and around the capital city. Though dwarfed by its neighbours, Luxembourg is a compelling destination for anyone looking to discover more about the history of Europe. Less than half the population is made up of native Luxembourgers, with the largest number of immigrants coming from a Portuguese background.

Luxembourg’s national motto is “Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn“, meaning “We will stay what we are”, a statement of independence directed at its neighbours, who have historically attempted to conquer Luxembourg.

The name is derived from a castle known as Lucilinburhuc, which was constructed in 963 AD. The remains of the castle still exist today in the capital city, with the fortifications being built into the rocky cliff faces that naturally occur in the region. Lucilinburhuc literally means ‘little fortress’, fitting for a country with numerous fortifications built up over centuries of battles and invasions.

Luxembourg is one of the three capitals of the European Union, alongside Brussels and Strasbourg, with several European institutions setting up operations here. As such, a number of central banks and European courts have been built in recent years, leading to rapid population growth – the population is expected to double within the next decade. Large financial institutions have transformed the Kirchberg area in the northeast of the capital, which was nothing more than fields less than a few decades ago, into a business hub.

The marriage of old and new is evident in the Three Acorns Park, where the historic fortification of Fort Thüngen sits in front of the Mudam Museum of Modern Art. The glass structures of the latter were designed by IM Pei, who also designed the giant pyramid that greets visitors to The Louvre in Paris.

There have been great efforts made to maintain historical sites, with a number of UNESCO-listed attractions throughout the city. The underground passages that lie beneath the cobbled streets at the centre of Luxembourg provide insight into the the battles that raged over two world wars.

Another attraction not to be missed is the Pfaffenthal lift, a glass elevator that leads straight from the old part of town into the modern business hub of Kirchberg.

There is plenty to see and do outside the capital, too. The towns of Vianden and Echternach are easily reached and ideal for a day trip from Luxembourg City – although it’s worth remembering that English isn’t widely spoken in rural parts of the country, so pack a phrase book.

Echternach feels like a quaint French village and has been awarded EDEN (European Destination of Excellence) status, thanks to its sustainable tourism efforts. You can cross over to Germany via one of the many bridges here, and it’s also a popular spot for cyclists.