Luxembourg City is the capital city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which is located in the heart of Western Europe. Despite its small size, it is home to numerous renowned museums as well as four Michelin-starred restaurants. Luxembourg is a popular business destination and SilverDoor have a great range of serviced apartments in Luxembourg perfect for your next business trip to the city. If you didn’t know that Luxembourg had the world's highest per capita GDP in 2022, here are 16 more facts about Luxembourg that might surprise you.
1. In terms of wealth, Luxembourg is the second-richest nation on earth
Luxembourg residents earn twice as much as Americans and have one of the lowest GDP debt ratios. According to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts' forecasts, Luxembourg’s GDP will reach 111500 USD by the end of 2022. Luxembourg is progressively promoting itself as a technological hub and data centre hub, attracting several large corporations to establish their European headquarters there. This could also have something to do with the low taxes that make it a tax-haven for the most affluent in Europe. So, whether relocating or visiting Luxembourg, investing in the city is not a problem because it is relatively open to international investors and offers tax incentives.
2. Luxembourg is home to the restaurant with the largest wine lists in the world
You may choose from more than 2200 different wines at the Chiggeri restaurant, which were produced by talented winemakers from France, Luxembourg, and other nations. Joao and Sandra, the restaurant's owners, share their enthusiasm for cuisine and their appreciation of delicious food in a trendy and elegant setting. Chiggeri also offers a one-of-a-kind experience called the dinner in the dark, in which customers eat from surprise menus accompanied by carefully selected wines in complete darkness, with servers wearing night vision googles to complete the experience.
3. Luxembourg is the fourth cheapest place to drive
Another fact about Luxembourg is the city is ranked fourth in the EU for lowest petrol price, at £0.87 per litre, and second-best in the world for diesel-powered vehicles, with diesel at £0.72 per litre. Keeping fuel prices per litre in the top four nations under £0.90 and diesel prices per litre in the top four countries under £0.80.
4. Skype's and Amazon’s headquarters are in the city
The main focus of the Luxembourg-based Skype's operations is the development and promotion of its video chat and messaging computer software which has its headquarters in the city. Amazon, a global technology business based in the United States that focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence, also maintains its European headquarters in Luxembourg, along with other major corporations.
5. There are three official languages in Luxembourg
Luxembourgers are trilingual, speaking German, French, and Luxembourgish, or Letzebuergesch. While German and French are frequently used in administration, Luxembourgish is commonly used in conversation. French is commonly used in business, hotels, restaurants, and cafés, although German is the dominant language in print media. Before visiting Luxembourg, it is advisable that you learn a little French.
6. In the EU, Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage
With a minimum wage of €2313 per month and an average wage of €4910 per month in 2022, the city has the highest minimum wage in the EU. However, Luxembourg has one of the highest costs of living globally.
7. Luxembourg offers free public transportation
Being a landlocked nation, it was the first city and then nation in the world to provide free public transportation for the whole country which includes trains, trams, and buses. While visiting Luxembourg, getting about is simple and affordable.
8. Luxembourg is the only city to have twice been appointed European Capital of Culture
The first time was in 1995, and the second time was in 2007. A European Capital of Culture is a city chosen by the EU to host a series of cultural activities over the course of one calendar year. This programme debuted in the summer of 1985 and has been running ever since.
9. Luxembourg City has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
One of the well-known facts about Luxembourg is that it is currently the sole UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country, the entire historic portion of the city is recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The first defence fortifications were established in 963, and the stronghold was constantly expanded by the foreign powers who governed Luxembourg during the subsequent centuries. Burgundian, Spanish, French, Austrian, and Prussian kings competed for the best-fortified walls one after the other. In 1994, the Old Town was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
10. Since 1991, the Luxembourg Open has been hosted in the city
The Luxembourg Open is a women's tennis tournament that began as an exhibition event before becoming a WTA (Women's Competition Association) international level tournament in 2009. While visiting Luxembourg, make sure to keep an eye out for matches.
11. Luxembourg City is home to Europe's largest entertainment network
The RTL (Radio Television Luxembourg) Group owns and runs 68 television channels and 31 radio stations in Germany, France, and other European nations.
12. The city is one of the EU's de facto capitals
The EU's seven institutions are located in four different cities: Brussels, Frankfurt am Main, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg. Of the seven EU institutions, Luxembourg is the EU capital that can lay claim to having the most. The majority of these institutions are concentrated in the Kirchberg district, which is located in the city's northeast.
13. Under Luxembourg, there is a 23 km long network of tunnels
These tunnels, some as deep as 40m into the rock face, were built in 1644. Another fascinating fact about Luxembourg is that it was given the nickname "Gibraltar of the North" because of its remarkable defence works.
14. Foreigners account about 70.6% of the city's population
When visiting Luxembourg, be prepared to interact with people from all over the world. The city's population is made up of 170 different nationalities, and the number of foreign-born residents grows substantially each year. Luxembourg had 645,397 residents on January 1, 2022, with a total area of 2,586 km2 and an average of 249 individuals per km2. This makes it one of Europe's most densely inhabited regions. The five largest foreign communities in Luxembourg are Portuguese, French, Italian, Belgian, and German, accounting for 31.1 percent of the city's population.
15. The city of Luxembourg is home to three castles
Out of the over a hundred castles in the country, the castles in Luxembourg city are the Petrusse Casemates, Luxembourg old quarters and fortifications, and the Grand Ducal Palace. When visiting the city, all three castles provide excellent tourist experiences.
16. The city is home to the only cathedral in the country
The approximately 400-year-old Notre-Dame Cathedral is a notable example of late Gothic architecture, and its crypt is the final resting place of certain members of the royal family. The tranquil cathedral with exquisite stained-glass windows is a popular attraction for people visiting Luxembourg being the country's sole cathedral. When visiting the city, all three castles provide excellent tourist attractions.
So, whether you're relocating, investing, or simply visiting the city, you can be confident that you now have the top facts about Luxembourg to guide you. Contact us here to book a serviced apartments, or alternatively read our blogs on Amsterdam, Zurich, and Berlin for more surprising facts and activities to do in European cities.
