Geography and climate in Luxembourg

Luxembourg, a small country in Western Europe

Luxembourg, the "Land of Three Borders" in the heart of the Greater Region

Located in the center of Western Europe, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small country covering less than 3,000 km². It is also known as the "land of three borders." It shares borders with:

• the Kingdom of Belgium to the northwest (148 km of border)
• Germany to the east (135 km of border)
• France (73 km of border) to the south.

Together, these form the Greater Region, which includes the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the German states of Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate, Lorraine in France, and Wallonia, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, and the German-speaking Community of Belgium.

The Greater Region has a population of 11.8 million and generates a GDP of over 400 billion euros.

Nearly 270,000 people cross the borders every day to work in a neighboring country. Luxembourg alone hosts more than 215,000 cross-border workers.

A harmonious blend of diverse landscapes in Luxembourg

It is very easy to explore Luxembourg over the course of several weekends. Indeed , the country stretches only 82 km from north to south and 58 km from east to west.

The country has a moderate elevation. The highest point in the country, the Côte de Kneiff, is located at an elevation of 560 meters in the northern town of Wilwerdange.

With an area of just2,582 square kilometers, Luxembourg offers varied landscapes ranging from plains and forests to lakes and rivers. The vast green spaces are pristine and showcased in magnificent natural parks. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate its diverse flora and fauna.

Looking for nature? Luxembourg is the ideal destination

Luxembourg reveals picturesque landscapes along the Moselle and Sûre valleys, as well as within its flagship region, the Müllerthal, also known as Little Luxembourg Switzerland.

It’s a paradise for hikers and cyclists, with numerous cycling routes.

Luxembourg is divided into two main regions: the Oesling in the north and the Guttland in the center/south.

The Oesling or Eisleck, in northern Luxembourg, within the Ardennes Mountains

In the north of the country, the Luxembourg landscapes are very green, featuring numerous forests and narrow, steep-sided valleys, lakes, and rivers. The region is primarily rural and agricultural.

It is home to magnificent nature parks such as the Haute-Sûre Park and the Our Nature Park. The Haute-Sûre Lake, located in the region, is the largest body of water in Luxembourg. It also supplies 70% of the country’s drinking water.

The Our Nature Park is equally impressive and well worth a visit.

Sources Rosport produces excellent natural mineral water found on every table in Luxembourg’s restaurants, as does the Lodyss brand, which offers water sourced from an underground reserve dating back to the Ice Age.

The most important towns in the north of the country are: Diekirch, Vianden, Clervaux, Trois-Vierges, Wiltz, Ettelbrück, and Redange-sur-Attert.

The Ardennes plateau, including the Wiltz basin, features extensive forests and varied landscapes.

The climate is rather harsh in this part of the Ardennes Mountains. The Trois-Vierges Plateau in northern Luxembourg is the coldest and rainiest region in the country. It contains extensive arable land.

The Guttland or "good country," the center of Luxembourg

The central region of the country is home to the majority of Luxembourg’s population. It is the region surrounding the capital, Luxembourg City.

The Guttland stretches across the center and west of the country and makes up 68% of Luxembourg’s territory. In addition to villages, the region features restored farms, castles surrounded by meadows, fields, and forests that form a green belt around the city of Luxembourg.

Notable attractions include the Valley of the Seven Castles, as well as Gallo-Roman sites near Dalheim and the Moselle Valley.

You’ll also find the village of Nospelt, famous for its potters and its Péckvillercher.

The Luxembourg Sandstone Plateau

This region is the largest in the Guttland. It is home to Luxembourg’s most beautiful forests. There are also wide valleys, primarily used for agriculture.

The Müllerthal or Little Luxembourg

The Müllerthal region is very popular with hiking enthusiasts. You can enjoy magnificent hikes there, amidst a very picturesque landscape formed by eroded rocks. The valleys are narrow and steep-sided, dotted with trees rooted in the rock. The regional capital is Echternach.

The Luxembourg Moselle

The Moselle region, located in the southeast of the country, also offers very beautiful landscapes. The roads wind between the Moselle Valley and the Luxembourg vineyards.

You can also take short cruises on the Moselle, which forms the border between Luxembourg and Germany. The main towns are Grevenmacher on the German border and Remich in the southern part. The Moselle Valley is a region known for producing wines and crémants.

The Red Earths in Southern Luxembourg

In southwestern Luxembourg lie the Red Lands, whose name derives from the presence of iron ore.

This steel-making heritage ensured Luxembourg’s prosperity from the second half of the 19th century until around the 1980s. These sites are worth visiting as they bear witness to the country’s mining history. The main towns in the south are Esch-sur-Alzette with the Belval industrial park, Differdange, and Dudelange.

Today, this part of the country is transitioning to high-tech industries, while transforming industrial sites into modern urban landscapes. Many companies are setting up shop here, as well as the university district and the country’s largest concert hall.

Would you like to visit Luxembourg? We’ll tell you more here.

Luxembourg’s River Network

Luxembourg is crisscrossed by numerous waterways. The regions tend to be quite humid. The four most important rivers are the Moselle, the Sûre, the Our, and the Alzette.

All of Luxembourg’s rivers are part of the Rhine basin, via the Moselle, one of its main tributaries. The Moselle forms the border with Germany and flows into the Rhine at Koblenz.

The Pétrusse Valley in Luxembourg flows intothe Alzette, the setting for the famous Duck Race, all of which offers beautiful places for residents to stroll.

Luxembourg’s semi-continental climate

Luxembourg’s climate is semi-continental, with oceanic influences. The climate varies with more or less pronounced seasonal differences, with precipitation throughout the year.

Mild winters in Luxembourg, depending on the year

Winters in Luxembourg can be harsh, or conversely mild and rainy. Average s range between 0° and 5°C.

Snowfall can be frequent, especially in the north of the country. Freezing temperatures are common, particularly at night, and the thermometer can drop to minus 10°C. Depending on the year, there can be significant snow accumulation—up to about 10 centimeters deep—as well as black ice on the roads.

Check the winter regulations.

Colors and scents of spring in Luxembourg

In early spring, Luxembourg witnesses a much-anticipated phenomenon : the passage of common cranes as they head north as temperatures gradually rise. The "March showers" alternate between sunny spells and short but heavy rains. This is when bulb flowers emerge from the ground and bring color to villages and gardens: crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and more. A feast for the eyes!

If you want to take advantage of these milder temperatures, a few local events will tempt you outdoors. First of all, the whistling birds at the Eimaischen Market beckon you with their pretty colors and their whistles.

It’s also time for Springbreak or the Spring Fair to discover new trends.

You can also take the opportunity to go shopping and refresh your wardrobe with Fréijoershopping.

Spring is also synonymous with spring cleaning. Luxembourg is no exception, and every year in March and April, the Aktioun Grouss Botz mobilizes citizens to clean up their surroundings.

Generally warm summers in Luxembourg

In summer, temperatures average between 16° and 22°C. On , temperatures can reach highs of 30°C in summer with beautiful blue skies, especially in July and August. The hottest months are June, July, and August.

Indian summer and fall colors before the gray and cold

September and October can bring an Indian summer before the autumn season begins. The trees take on shades of red, yellow, and orange before November arrives, bringing grayer, rainier, and colder weather. We can’t wait for the Advent markets, which bring warmth, light, and festive moments!

The seasons can also be rainy, with fairly gray skies. The north and south of the country experience temperature differences of 2 degrees on average.

Want to learn about Luxembourg’s history? Check out this page.