Luxembourg: 21st in our ranking
At just over 50 km in size, Luxembourg is a small city that is nonetheless a major player on the international European stage.
It only came 21st in our ranking because other European cities received more support in the survey results. Marked by the high cost of living, there is no single aspect for which Luxembourg has made it into the top 10 categories.
Luxembourg is small in size, but it is one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. It is the capital of the duchy of the same name and has an important financial base. It is home to more than 100,000 people, 70% of whom are foreigners. This is a source of attractiveness to the outside world because of its wealth, but also a weakness because of the lack of identity and charisma that it has projected in the opinions of our respondents.
According to the responses, it does not have temperatures that are unpleasant, far from it. In fact, Luxembourg’s climate is quite satisfactory compared to other parts of Europe, especially during the winter, when the highs are only as low as 2 degrees Celsius.
Throughout the summer it enjoys a high temperature that can become too stifling, especially when the thermometer reaches 33°C as can sometimes be the case. Its main weakness in surveys has been that the weather is accompanied by rainfall throughout the year which changes the forecast and reduces the amount of summer heat.
Luxembourg was a pioneer in introducing free use of public transport in the city. This means that, with certain exceptions and services, trams, buses and trains can be used free of charge without limits.
This allows for really advantageous travel around the city, although one should not avoid mentioning that, at the same time, it is not the best transport network in Europe either. As much as it is free, there are downsides, such as the fact that its connection system is a bit complex. This aspect has been pointed out as a weakness in a high percentage of responses.
Among the various universities in the city, there is a large group of international study centres, which makes it very easy for families to move to Luxembourg to live.
Some of the most famous international universities include the University of Luxembourg, Sacred Heart University Luxembourg, Miami University, Lunex University and others. As a small city, the number of students attending university is also small, at less than 10,000 per year.
Considering the high cost of living and the lack of internationally renowned gastronomy, it is not one of the city’s main attractions according to those surveyed. Nevertheless, Luxembourg’s food is rich in flavour and tradition, but also has similarities to dishes from other countries that are easily recognisable, such as pastaschutta, the local version of pasta Bolognese.
During the winter, bouneschlupp is typical, while other more classic dishes commonly eaten in Luxembourg include kuddelfleck and tierteg, which, as with other flavours of the region, finds potato as a main ingredient.
Formerly known as Luxembourg Findel Airport, Luxembourg Airport is located 6km from the city, making it easy to reach. It handles international flights, but its main activity is freight transport.
Some of its main international flights are to or from the airports of Oporto, Lisbon, Munich or Frankfurt. In its international relations, Luxembourg is part of the QuattroPole group of cities and is twinned with Metz, Prague and Tambov Oblast.
In this category, Luxembourg also did not receive enough support from respondents to establish itself in the top 10. This is not to say that the city is not safe, but neither is it one of its strengths.
In reality, it is not a place to be overly concerned about, except for a number of specific areas that should be avoided after dark. This is the case in the Luxembourg Station area, where there can be suspicious activity at times.
Since 2020 Luxembourg has been working towards a more sustainable way of life, which is reflected in a number of initiatives, such as trying to promote a carbon-neutral economy, promoting public transport and preserving nature as much as possible.
Ensuring that natural sources of production are used and that biodiversity is supported are other of the city’s actions in its defence of the environment. Above all, it seeks to prevent the loss of natural habitats and to ensure that, no matter how much is built, green spaces remain at the forefront.
There is no doubt why Luxembourg was not chosen in our survey as one of the best cities in this category, as it is known for its high prices. It is one of the most expensive cities in Europe and the world.
Renting a house, filling the shopping basket and leisure activities are all very expensive. This is compensated for by the fact that wages are also very high, but it is still a problem. The only thing that relaxes the family economy is that transport is available free of charge.
It has been called the capital of culture on several occasions, although this is surprising given the small size of the city. However, a great deal of work has been done in such a small space to build a multitude of museums and cultural venues.
Some of the most important are the National Museum of History and Art, which is highly rated by respondents, although not enough to give Luxembourg a place in this top list. Other notable mentions include the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art or the Luxembourg City History Museum, as well as the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg and Théâtre des Capucins theatres.
This is not one of the categories where respondents find value in Luxembourg’s offer. However, the Europa-Park is famous for its attractions and leisure areas where fun is guaranteed. Its parks and gardens, a visit to the castle or shopping in the Hauptmarkt area. It is a city that, due to its size, is known from top to bottom by those who move there. It is therefore essential to think of new ideas to keep you entertained throughout the year.