Luxembourg City and Strasbourg are two cities that have strong influences from France and Germany. They are also both capital cities of the European Union. When comparing Luxembourg City and Strasbourg, you quickly realize that they offer very different experiences. If you are trying to decide between Luxembourg City or Strasbourg, here is the ultimate guide for you.
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Luxembourg City or Strasbourg Overview
Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City is the capital and largest city in Luxembourg with just 123,000 residents. The official country name is actually the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The country is one of the smallest in the world. It is known for having the 2nd highest GDP per capita in the world and for ranking first for personal safety. The city is also one of the four capital of the European Union, along with Brussel, Frankfurt, and Strasbourg.
The people of Luxembourg are commonly trilingual speaking Luxembourgish, German, and French. Luxembourg City is most famous for its picturesque Old Town with the Alzette River winding through it. The Old Town was known for centuries for being one of the best-fortified cities in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a city of nearly 300,000 people, sitting right next to the German border in the Alsace region of France. It is one of the capitals of the European Union and is home to the European Parliament. It is also a university city being home to the second-largest university in France, the University of Strasbourg.
It was in Strasbourg that Johannes Gutenberg perfected the printing press which made the city one of the first major centers for printing in the world. Grande Île, or the Grand Island, is one of the most famous parts of the city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Strasbourg Cathedral is the most iconic aspect of Strasbourg because of its elegance and its ornate Gothic architecture.
Things to See
Luxembourg City
Luxembourg Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is, for the most part, unchanged through the centuries.
Notre Dame Cathedral of Luxembourg is a Gothic Catholic cathedral that began construction in 1613.
The Old Fortress was originally fortifications built by the Romans and then added to in the 1300s. The fortress was destroyed as an act of liberation in the late 1800s.
Neumünster Abbey has a long history of being destroyed and rebuilt and for being used for many different purposes through the centuries.
Constitution Square is a World War II memorial with a beautiful view of the Pétrusse Valley and the Adolphe Bridge.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg Cathedral is a large Gothic church that was the tallest building in the world for 227 years, from 1647 to 1874.
La Petite France is a historic quarter in the city, known for its waterways and timber-framed architecture.
Ponts Couverts is a series of three bridges and four towers built in 1250 to protect the city.
European Parliament is the legislative branch of the EU. You usually have to pay to get a tour.
Palais Rohan is a palace near the Strasbourg Cathedral that is now home to multiple museums.
Food
Luxembourg City
Traditional foods in Luxembourg are unique because they have touches of cuisines from Belgium, Germany, and France. Many of the dishes found here involve pork of some sort. Bouneschlupp is a soup dish that is considered a national dish of Luxembourg. It is made up of green beans, potatoes, onions, and bacon. Träipen is a dish that is typically made with hog’s head or other parts of the pig, it is another traditional dish in Luxembourg. Judd mat gaardebounen is a dish that originated in Luxembourg. It is made up of smoked pork, broad beans, and often times potatoes.
Strasbourg
Nearly sitting on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg’s cuisines are definitely influenced by both cultures. Baeckeoffe is a common dish in Strasbourg. It is a casserole dish that comes from the Alsace region that consists of potatoes, onions, mutton, beef, and pork. Flammekueche is a popular street food that is very similar to pizza and is typically topped with onions and bacon.
Getting Around
Getting around Luxembourg City is rather easy because it isn’t a very big city. You should be able to walk most of the city. If you don’t want to walk somewhere, there is a system of buses that can take you about anywhere you need to go. A single ticket is 1.50 Euros or you could buy the day ticket which is just 4 Euros. You may also want to invest in the Luxembourg Card. The Luxembourg Card gives you free admission to 60 museums and attractions and it is a pretty good deal at 1-day costing 13 Euros and 2-days costing 20 Euros.
Strasbourg
Trams and buses make up public transportation in Strasbourg. One way tickets will cost you 1.80 Euros if you buy it before hopping on or 1.70 Euros if you buy the ticket using the app. You can also buy a 24-hour pass for only 4.60 Euros. There are also biking lanes though out the city so renting a bike might be the most efficient way to get around the city. Strasbourg is also an excellent city to explore on foot, especially if you are in no rush for time.
Nightlife
Luxembourg City
Luxembourg is probably not the first place you would choose for a night of partying but there are still many options for nightlife. A lot of the bars in the city can be found in the area around Place Guillaume. If you head to this area there are plenty of bars and pubs for you to bounce around to. If you want a place a little crazier than the bars or pubs you could try some of the nightclubs. Spot 48 and M Club are both good options for more of a club scene and Melusina can be a good option as well. Overall, for a city of just over 100,000 people, Luxembourg actually does pretty well when it comes to nightlife.
Strasbourg
Since Strasbourg has a lot of university students, you can expect the nightlife here to be quite lively. The city has an abundance of bars and pubs that you can explore and hop around to for the night. If you grow tired of the bar and you want to dance the night away you can go to one of the clubs.
La Salamandre and Live Club are two of the most popular nightclubs for university students. Barco Latino is a fun place to check out as well because it’s on a boat! Half of the boat is a bar and the other half is like a club. You can find just about any vibe nightlife you want in Strasbourg, just do a little research before hitting the city.
Day Trips
Luxembourg City
Vianden Castle is a large fortified castle overlooking the River Our. It is open to visitors.
Mullerthal Trail is a long trail that would be a perfect getaway from the city.
Trier is a German city less than an hour from Luxembourg City. It is known for its Old Town and for its well-preserved Roman ruins.
Strasbourg
Baden-Baden is a German city in the Black Forest known for its spas.
Metz is to the west of Strasbourg. The city is 3000 years old and is known for the Metz Cathedral.
Kaysersberg is a small city to the south of Strasbourg. It is known for the castle overlooking the city.
Stuttgart would be a great way to spend a few days from Luxembourg or Strasbourg. Frankfurt, Cologne, and Brussels are also not too far from Luxembourg.
Overall
Luxembourg City and Strasbourg are two cities with very different city personalities. Both cities are respected around the world for being two of the capitals of the European Union. Luxembourg City is known for its Old Town and its unique setting.
Strasbourg is known for its timber-framed buildings, its cathedral, and French and German influences. Luxembourg City and Strasbourg are both incredible cities that offer unique experiences. If you are trying to decide between Luxembourg City or Strasbourg, you need to decide what aspects of a city are most important to you.