Strasbourg, France: travel guide
Half-timbered canals, a Gothic cathedral and a Franco-German table
The capital of Alsace and de facto capital of the European Union — a fairy-tale city of half-timbered houses, a soaring Gothic cathedral and canals threading through the Petite France quarter.
About Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace, a city on the Rhine where French and German influences meet in its architecture and its kitchens. The Gothic cathedral with its single tall spire rises above the old town, and the Petite France quarter is a tangle of canals and half-timbered houses.
Things to do in Strasbourg include climbing the cathedral, taking a boat along the waterways, tasting tarte flambée in a traditional winstub and cycling the flat riverside paths. The city is also the seat of European institutions, which lends it an international feel.
It makes a rewarding short stay, and a good base for the Alsace wine villages. Summer is lively, and December is the season of its famous Christmas market.
- Country
- France
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris
- Nearest airport
- SXB
Last updated
Top places to visit in Strasbourg
Strasbourg European Parliament
eu-parliament · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The European Parliament — one of the official seats of the EU Parliament, with guided tours of the spectacular semi-circular debating chamber, the Louise Weiss building, and the EU heritage.
Strasbourg Palais Rohan
rococo-palace · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The Palais Rohan — the 18th-century palace housing three museums (Fine Arts, Decorative Arts, Archaeology), with the spectacular Rococo interior, the historic bishop's apartments, and the Versailles-inspired architecture.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg
Gothic cathedral · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Europe, largely completed 1439 — the world's tallest building for 227 years. The west facade has 2,000 carved figures. The 13th-century Astronomical Clock performs at 12:30 daily. Climb 332 steps to…
Strasbourg Christmas Capital
christmas-market · 4.9 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The famous Strasbourg Christmas Market — the oldest Christmas market in France (since 1570), spread across 12 squares in the historic centre, the title-bearing Capital of Christmas in Europe.
Strasbourg Colmar Day Trip
medieval-town · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip to Colmar — the spectacular medieval Alsatian town with the Little Venice canal quarter, the spectacular half-timbered houses, the Unterlinden Museum (Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece).
La Petite France Strasbourg
historic quarter · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Strasbourg's most picturesque quarter — islands in the River Ill lined with 16th- and 17th-century half-timbered houses reflected in still canal water. Originally the tanners' and millers' district. The Barrage Vauban terrace (free) is the…
Strasbourg Place Kléber
main-square · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Place Kléber — the largest square in Strasbourg, with the famous Christmas tree (one of the tallest in Europe), the historic Aubette building (the Sistine Chapel of abstract art), and the daily life of the city.
Strasbourg Alsace Wine Route
wine-route · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
The Alsace Wine Route from Strasbourg — visiting the 170km wine route with the famous Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris producers, the spectacular flower-covered medieval villages.
Strasbourg Boat Tour Ill River
river-tour · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A boat tour on the Ill River through Strasbourg — the elegant cruise on the historic boats, with views of the Cathedral, La Petite France, the European Parliament, and the historic ramparts.
Strasbourg Black Forest Day
black-forest · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip to the German Black Forest — just across the Rhine from Strasbourg, with the spectacular forest landscape, the historic Triberg waterfalls, the cuckoo clock makers, and the Black Forest cake.
Strasbourg Vauban Dam Viewpoint
historic-dam · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Vauban Dam — the 17th-century covered bridge and dam over the Ill River, with the spectacular panoramic terrace offering the most iconic views of La Petite France.
Strasbourg Wineries Day Trip Riquewihr
wine-village · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip to Riquewihr — one of the most beautiful Alsatian medieval wine villages, with the spectacular flower-covered houses, the medieval walls, the famous wine producers, and the storybook atmosphere.
Things to do
- Strasbourg Christmas Market Evening Walking Tour Cultural · 2 h · from EUR 37 per person
- Alsace Wine Route Private Day Tour — Riquewihr & Colmar Cultural · 10 h · from EUR 120 per person
Day trips and tours
- Black Forest and Rhine Day Trip from Strasbourg 10 h · from EUR 66
Where to stay in Strasbourg
- Grande Île & Petite France about EUR 155 per night
Strasbourg's entire historic island is a UNESCO site — half-timbered Alsatian houses, the soaring Gothic cathedral and the romantic canal quarter of Petite France are all within walking distance.
Hotels
- Régent Petite France & Spa 5-star · EUR 280 to EUR 780 per night
- Hôtel Cathédrale Strasbourg 4-star · EUR 130 to EUR 250 per night
- CIARUS Hostel Strasbourg 2-star · EUR 22 to EUR 80 per night
Where to eat
- Winstub Zum Strissel alsatian, french · about EUR 28 per person
- Stub La Krutenau alsatian, french · about EUR 22 per person
- Au Crocodile french, alsatian, fine_dining · about EUR 160 per person
Getting to Strasbourg
Airport: Strasbourg (SXB)
Getting around
- Tram
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Christmas Market Pickpocket Gangs
Grande Ile markets Place Broglie and Place Kléber, November–December
Professional European pickpocket gangs travel to Strasbourg specifically for the Christmas market crowds, operating in the densest bottlenecks.
How to avoid it: Use a crossbody bag with a zip. Keep phone and wallet in inner jacket pockets. Extra vigilance after dark.
More in France
Frequently asked questions about Strasbourg
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Strasbourg?
- The highest-rated places in our Strasbourg guide are Strasbourg Christmas Capital, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Colmar Day Trip, La Petite France Strasbourg, Strasbourg Alsace Wine Route.
- Where should I stay in Strasbourg?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Strasbourg: Grande Île & Petite France.
- How do I get around Strasbourg?
- Ways to get around Strasbourg covered in our guide: Tram, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Strasbourg?
- Scams reported to us for Strasbourg include Christmas Market Pickpocket Gangs. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Strasbourg?
- The nearest airport to Strasbourg has the code SXB.