Our Essential Travel Guide to Strasbourg, France
One of the most charming cities in all of France is Strasbourg. Sandwiched between France and Germany, you get the best of both cultures; quaint Medieval architecture along pedestrian-friendly streets, German cuisine (albeit with French names), and a wine selection like no other. If you are looking for things to do here or want to better understand the culture, use this travel guide to Strasbourg.
Travel Guide to Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is a small medieval town located along the Alsace Wine Route in France.
Because of its historical significance, it has two classifications as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When you arrive in Strasbourg, you will feel like you have stepped into Germany.
This is because it sits on the border of France and Germany, and for centuries has changed hands between the two.
While the people speak French, the culture to me is much more German.
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Popular Strasbourg Food & Drink
When visiting Strasbourg, be sure to take time to indulge in their food scene!
While the menu in Strasbourg may be in French, the dishes are quintessentially Germanic.
Menus feature many German specialties like sausages served with sauerkraut or boiled potatoes and pork schnitzel with spaetzle (small pasta like mini dumplings).
Another popular regional dish is Coq au Riesling (chicken cooked in white wine).
Snacking in Strasbourg is also a real treat (no pun intended).
Bretzels (pretzels) are everywhere you look. Usually, served with beer, you can also pick them up at food stands and take them to eat on the go!
There are plenty of bakeries also serving up gingerbread, strudels and the regional cake of choice: Kugelhopf, a bread-like bunt cake with raisins and almonds.
Consider doing a food tour of Strasbourg to learn more about their unique cuisine.
You’ll find several breweries nearby: Fischer, Karlsbräu, Kronenbourg, and Heineken, to name a few. There are also local microbreweries as well.
Not only is this part of France known for beer, it is also known for delicious wine.
The wines in Strasbourg are regional and mostly white (most notable are the dry rieslings).
Visiting Strasbourg in the Summer
When it comes to visiting Strasbourg in the summer months, there are some things you should know.
Strasbourg can get quite warm in the summer.
When we visited in June, the temperature in Strasbourg was 90 degrees.
There are two things that we did during that trip that I do not recommend because of the heat: the Little Train Tour and the Batorama boat-tour on the river Ill.
While I am sure that both are wonderful during other times of the year, if it is hot during your visit, I suggest you skip both of these.
Strasbourg does not use air conditioning for either of these tours and you are in the hot sun during most of them (depending on where you sit it could be entirely in the sun).
Instead of wasting money on these, I would suggest you to purchase a local walking tour with a guide.
It is fairly inexpensive and a better option for the warmer months of the year.
Visiting Christmas Markets in Strasbourg
If you happen to be in Strasbourg in December, you will find one of the most famous Christmas markets in all of Europe right at the base of the cathedral.
Referred to as the Capital de Noël (the Capital of Christmas), this is the perfect place to buy souvenirs or Christmas gifts.
You will also get to see the Great Christmas Tree which stands over 30 meters. It can be found in Place Kléber, the same town square where fir tree sellers would gather in days gone by.
Popular Things to do in Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg has several places to explore and you will find it very pedestrian friendly.
When visiting, these are some of the best things to experience in this French city:
1. Strasbourg Cathedral
Victor Hugo saw the cathedral and remarked that it was a ‘gigantic and delicate marvel.’
It is easy to see why.
Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame Cathedral is unmistakably Gothic with so much detailing that it almost appears fragile.
When you walk up to it, you will be overwhelmed by its size. Its pink sandstone façade appears to be jetting straight into the sky.
For nearly 200 years (1647-1874), it was the world’s tallest building.
Today, it is the sixth-tallest church in the world.
A climb up the spiral staircase to the platform (a total of 332 steps) will give you a feel for just how tall the structure is (with a wonderful view of the city below).
While glorious from the outside (it actually changes color depending on how the sun hits it), the true gems lie in its interior.
Medieval churches are known for their beautiful stained glass and this cathedral is no different.
Along with these colorful displays of light, you will also find beautiful murals behind the high altar.
One of the main things to see inside the cathedral is the Astrological Clock.
This clock doesn’t just tell time; it shows the day of the week, the month, the year, the sign of the zodiac, the phase of the moon, and the position of the planets.
Time your visit near noon so that you can make it in time to see the famous astrological clock come to life.
Added in 1842, this astrological clock comes to life each day at 12:30 with a processional of Apostles coming before Jesus.
2. the Strasbourg History Museum
If you want to understand the history of this region of France, spend some time at the Strasbourg History Museum.
There you will find artifacts that give insight into the political, economical, social and cultural history of Alsace.
Take time to explore the various paintings, military weapons and objects from everyday life.
If you are traveling with children, they will appreciate that this museum is fully interactive and has an activity-based guidebook.
Admission to all museums is free on the first Sunday of each month and for those under 18. Audio guides are provided.
3. La Petite France
If you have ever imagined stepping into the world of Beauty and the Beast, you can almost imagine it being here.
Spend some time just walking around and taking in the breathtaking beauty of the half-timbered homes and Île River that flows through this part of the city.
The city of Strasbourg is divided by the Île River which surrounds the Grand Île (Big Island) on which the old town and most of the city’s famous buildings are located.
This island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.
4. Vauban Dam Bridge
A walk along the Île will take you to the Barrage Vauban, or Vauban Dam bridge.
This bridge dates back to the 17th century and offers great views of the canals.
5. Visit Palais des Rohan
This is home to the second of Strasbourg’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Located in the Neustadt district, this Prussian-style building is considered a historical monument.
Originally built for Cardinal Prince Bishop Armand-Gaston de Rohan-Soubise (the supposed illegitimate son of Louis XIV), this former Episcopal palace now houses three museums: Musee des Beaux Arts, Musee Archeologique and Musee des Arts Decoratifs.
Many consider this palace to be the mini Versailles, and it is easy to see why.
Robert de Cotte (who helped complete the Royal Chapel at Versailles) is the architect who designed the palace.
Art lovers will enjoy seeing works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Monet, among many others while history buffs will find the prehistoric and medieval artifacts found during local excavations fascinating.
Strasbourg: 7-Day City Pass
If you plan on visiting Strasbourg for more than just one day, consider getting the city pass. It pays for itself when you see just a few attractions.
These are some of what’s included in the pass:
- Strasbourg boat tour
- Municipal museums admission
- Climb to the platform of the Strasbourg Cathedral
- Sightseeing train tour (offer valid only on the Neustadt route)
- Château Vodou museum admission
- Guided walking tour (only in French and German)
- Admission to the Vaisseau (a science center for kids)
- Bike rental
- A session to discover the night sky full of stars at the Planetarium at Jardin des Sciences
- Guided bike ride
- Segway® tour
- Electric boat ride
- Chocolate Museum admission
- Audio-guided city tour
Day Trips from Strasbourg along the Alsace Wine Route
Wondering which stops to make along the Alsace Wine Route? These are the places we think you should check out:
Obernai
Obernai is located about 25 kilometers south of Strasbourg which makes it an easy day trip.
Like many of the towns along the Alsace Wine Route, you will find colorful Medieval homes, cobblestone squares, and a mix of French and German cuisine.
Be sure to spend some time in the historic Market Square. The Corn Market has been here since the 15th century.
The buildings that line the square are some of the best examples of Medieval half-timber architecture in the region.
Orschwiller
The main attraction in Orschwiller is Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle, a medieval castle built in the 12th century.
Perched on the side of a cliff, the castle occupied a strategic position in order to protect the wine and wheat routes to the North and the silver and salt routes from West to East.
After the Thirty Years’ War, the castle was abandoned and wasn’t rebuilt until 1899. Kaiser Wilhelm II decided to rebuild the castle to use it as a museum.
It is the only medieval castle in this region that has been fully restored.
You can tour the castle and see medieval relics along with pieces from the Renaissance.
Saint Hippolyte
This small town sits at the foot of the Haut Koenigsbourg.
Saint Hippolyte features colorful half-timbered homes with flower boxes at the windows. To say it is charming is an understatement!
If interested in trying wine, Saint Hippolyte is known for its Pinot Noir.
Ribeauvillé
A favorite Medieval town along the Alsace wine route, Ribeauville is best seen by foot.
There are free guided tours of the old town and Town Hall that you should take advantage of.
There are also remains of 3 castles that overlook Ribeauvillé and if you have the time and packed hiking shoes, you certainly should take the time to explore them.
One thing to take notice of while you are visiting towns on the Alsace Wine Route is the storks.
The stork is a dominant feature of decor in many Alsatian villages and towns.
You will find them adorning everything from plates to cookies.
Why is this?
For centuries Storks have visited the region during their mating season before heading back to the Middle East & Africa for the winter.
Tradition has it that these majestic birds bring good luck and babies.
The love for these creatures runs deep. There are even stork sanctuaries that keep the population growing.
You will want to make sure that while you are in town, you look at the tops of the buildings.
Stork nests are perched high on top of towers and if you are lucky, you will be able to catch a glimpse of one sitting in it!
Riquewihr
This walled city contains some of the best-preserved medieval structures around.
The pinnacle is the Dolder (highest point). It has stood since 1291 when it was used as a watch tower.
All along the Rue du Général de Gaulle are the winemaker’s homes that date to the 16th century.
They are lovely. Painted in bright colors, they have timbered walls and arched doorways.
Spend time walking the cobblestone streets, sample wines from the region and do some shopping.
You will find this a great place to pick up a souvenir (and a bottle of wine).
Colmar
One of the best day trips from Strasbourg is to Colmar.
This lovely French town is my favorite of all the cities along the Alsace Wine Route.
You feel like you have stepped into the storybook village in Beauty & the Beast with its colorful homes on cobblestone streets and picturesque canals.
If you visit Colmar on a day trip, you will be surprised at how much you will be able to see.
Eguisheim
Just a few minutes outside Colmar, Eguisheim is probably my favorite stop along the Alsatian Wine Route!
Filled with colorful half-timbered homes and cobblestone streets that seem to go on forever, it is the perfect place to explore on foot.
Grab a glass of wine or a crepe at a cafe and spend the rest of your time here walking the winding streets and enjoying the views.
The Alsace Wine Route is filled with beautiful towns and if you are nearby, you really should take the time to visit at least a few. Strasbourg is a great place to stay because it is so close to many of these destinations.
Strasbourg truly is an amazing place to visit while in this region of France. If you are deciding on things to do in Strasbourg, I hope you found this travel guide to Strasbourg helpful.
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