The Best Things to do in Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, located in the heart of Alsace, France, is a captivating blend of French and German culture. From its adorable half-timbered houses to its world-famous Christmas markets, Strasbourg offers a unique experience in France. My things to do in Strasbourg guide include the must-see historical sites and the delicious dishes, charming shops, and more.
My aunt and uncle moved to Strasbourg in 2023 and I jumped on the opportunity to visit them when they landed. I spent about a week, exploring the town with my cousins and taking in the city from a newcomer’s perspective rather than just a tourist (yes, I visited the Ikea!).
I spend a week in Strasbourg but you just need 3 days in Strasbourg to soak up all the history and activities before continuing your trip around France (or Germany, it’s right on the border!).
If figuring out what to do is overwhelming, then check out my super simple 3-day Strasbourg itinerary.
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A Little Bit About Strasbourg
The history of Strasbourg is a little dizzying. The city has shifted between German and French rule since the 1600s. First, it was French, then it was ceded to the German Empire in 1871 and remained under German control until the end of World War I in 1918. After the war, Strasbourg returned to French control as part of the Treaty of Versailles… It was briefly under German occupation during World War II from 1940 to 1944, and then once again returned to France.
That said, most people speak French, not German, and plenty speak English too. If you don’t speak any French, you’ll manage just fine.
Even though it may not feel like it, the old town of Strasbourg is actually an island!
Peeps, let me introduce you to my fam: Aunt Cherry, and my cousins Philip and Vivienne!
How to Get Around and Where to Stay
I suggest you stay in Strasbourg’s old town. Here, you won’t need to take any buses or trams, unless you’re doing a day trip. I stayed in an Airbnb 20 min outside of town by bus that my aunt booked for a long-term stay. For a 3-day stay, I’d stay in this apartment that sleeps 2 or this one that sleeps 4. To splurge, I’d suggest the gorgeous Hôtel Cour du Corbeau, Hôtel & Spa Régent, or the Hotel & Spa Le Bouclier D’Or.
Tip: if you’re coming for the Christmas markets, then book as early as possible.
If you’re staying outside of town (like I did because it’s cheaper!) then you should get a 3-day pass at the CTS ticketing machines so you can use the bus to get back and forth.
For any day trips, you can use the official SNCF website to book tickets.
Things to do in Strasbourg
Although Strasbourg, the city, hosts almost a million people, the old town is small, and you can walk from one end to the other in 20 minutes (around 1.5km). There are two touristy “hubs” that you should explore while you figure out things to do in Strasbourg. The first is near Notre Dame de Strasbourg. The second is around the Ponts Couverts de Strasbourg.
Notre Dame Cathedral
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg is incredible. You can walk into the Cathedral for free but you should pay to climb up to the top for €8. It took about 10 minutes to walk through the inside of the cathedral.
The tower is 142 meters (465 feet), which is about 30 stories high, but have no fear! For moderately fit people it will probably take 5-ish minutes if you push yourself. There are some viewpoints to use to pretend you are looking out rather than catching your breath (which is what I did, hehe).
Look out for the names etched into the wall from the builders over the years.
Visiting hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 11:15am, then again from 12:45pm to 5:45pm and on Sundays + public holidays from 2pm to 5:15 pm.
The Cathedral is gorgeous all times of day, in the rain, the sun, the evening, the winter…
Wander Petite France
There are two main highlights of Petit France. The first is the Ponts Couverts de Strasbourg, a set of 3 bridges and two 13th-century towers. Go to the Barrage Vauban to get the best view of the bridges.
Second is the Maison des Tanneurs, which is now a restaurant. This historic building is a classic example of an Alsatian building.
In Petite France, you’ll find some Christmas and touristy shops too.
Churches to Visit
St. Thomas Church is a pink(ish) church that’ll take just a minute or two to walk through. When my cousin and I visited, someone was playing the organ and it felt like were in an ethereal space. It’s on the way between the Notre Dame area and the Ponts, so you can easily make a stop in.
Museums
You could spend an entire day exploring the myriad of things to do in Strasbourg within its museums. Although I do enjoy my share of museums, especially on a rainy day, I opted for just a few. I expect as I visit Strasbourg more often and visit my family, I’ll go to more! My cousin Philip and I went to the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg. Here we learned a lot about how Strasbourg went between German and French rule. I was fascinated and would recommend this if you only have time for one museum! We spent about 1.5 hours here.
There are three museums located in the Palais Rohan, the Strasbourg Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Archaeological Museum (€7.50 each). I only ended up visiting the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s a small museum and it took me 30 minutes to walk through. If you have the time, I suggest visiting the Archaeological Museum instead. I plan to visit the Modern Art Museum (€7.50) next time.
The Strasbourg Museum of Fine Arts
The Alsatian Museum features Alsatian art, folklore, and rural life. The building is also lovely (it’s the red one!).
Read about all the museums here and see all the ticket prices. If you plan accordingly, you can visit all the museums for free on the first Sunday of every month.
Also, although not really a museum, you can visit the EU Parliament for free. During Plenary Sessions, members of the parliament meet to debate and vote on European legislation.
Thrift Shops
I love thrifting and it’s one of the unique things to do in Strasbourg; you may even feel like a local by the end of it. Although I didn’t find anything for myself on my first trip, I had fun wandering in and out of shops like Le Grenier, Le Concept, Franfreluches et Colifichets, Le Léopard, and Les trésors du quai.
Flea and Farmers Markets
Start here for the Strasbourg Flea Market. There are clothes, chandeliers, and trinkets that I’m sure could go into a museum. It’s fun to walk around (with a cup of coffee or hot wine in hand).
The market is open Wednesday and Saturdays from 7am-6pm. I suggest visiting around 10am. I went both days. Saturday is more lively than Wednesday in my experience, but it was also raining on Wednesday so that could have pampered some vendors.
Here are my Aunt Cherry and cousin Philip walking away with an antique glass table purchased from the market.
Place Broglie (outside the Opera House, where you should see a show if you can) has a Wednesday farmers market where you can get cheese, bread, olives, prepared meals, veggies, fruits, and more. If you’ve got a kitchen while you’re staying in Strasbourg, this is a perfect place to pick up breakfast and snack items. The market closes by 11am, so get there early. Sometimes, the market is replaced by a fair and this area turns into the main Christmas market during the winter season.
Boat Cruise around the Island
Take a boat cruise on the canals around the island of Strasbourg. These leisurely tours, one of the most captivating things to do in Strasbourg, typically start at 10am and take an hour and 15 minutes.
Walk around Parc de l’Orangerie
Take the tram out to Parc de l’Orangerie for a nature walk. The park is huge and Philip and I accidentally ended up on an 11km hike. The walk is flat and easy. Several people bike ride around here too. If you’re seeking a green escape, this is it. We used Google Maps to make our own loop.
What and Where to Eat in Strasbourg
Due to its German-French history, you’ll find a mix of both cuisines. I ate my first garlicky escargot, had my first raclette experience, and ate the best fruit tarte of my life in Strasbourg! I suggest you book restaurants in advance whenever possible, either online or by calling. Most restaurant staff speak English in my experience. Some places close between lunch and dinner so beware of that if you’re planning to “wing it.” For dessert, try to get the Café Gourmand for an espresso with a small selection of desserts (perfect for sharing too).
Cathedral Views at Maison Kammerzell
Maison Kammerzell is a masterpiece in its own right. The building has Gothic foundations from 1467 and is covered in intricately sculpted figures and stained-glass windows. You can sit outside the enjoy the view of the cathedral. I showed up with my fam just as the restaurant was opening and got an outdoor table with a perfect view. This is also where I first ate escargot! The buttery-garlicy-parsley covered snails were delicious and tasted kinda like an earthy mussel.
Sitting inside is also magical so it’s a tough choice between inside and out…
Tarte Flambée at Au Pont Saint-Martin
Tarte Flambée, known as Flammkuchen in German, is a long flatbread “pizza.” Pizza is a generous description. Although true, it’s a dough with toppings, if you’re expecting sauce and several toppings, a Tarte Flambée is not that. It’s a much simpler version with just one or two toppings and a crème fraiche smeared as the base. If you don’t think of it as pizza, you’ll love it! Many restaurants around town serve it and I ate it several times throughout my visit.
Try Tarte Flambée at Au Pont Saint-Martin. The restaurant has mixed reviews on Google Maps, but I found the service fine and the Tarte Flambée delicious. The waterfront views and gorgeous setting may make up for the priceyness and (potential for) slow service. I think if you stick to the Tarte Flambée, you won’t feel cheated. The restaurant is in the Petite-France part of the old town, which is inherently touristy but a must-see in any case.
Le Tire-Bouchon for All the Classics
Le Tire-Bouchon is one of the most popular restaurants in town. The interior gives old cellar vibes. The service was friendly. I had the “Bibeleskaes,” which included fried potatoes (delish!), smoked salmon, salad, and creamy yogurt.
For dessert, I tried the classic Café gourmand.
Tea at Au Fond du Jardin
For a unique tea experience, head to Au Fond du Jardin for madeleines inspired by feelings, perfumes, and classics. If you’re looking for an insta-worthy photo location, this is it. It feels a little bit like Alice in Wonderland mixed with the Queen of France vibe. The owner will come up and describe the experience to you.
You must book in advance year-round. Wednesday to Saturday there are seatings at 2:30pm and 4:30pm. On Sunday, there is just one seating at 3pm. Read more on the website.
Tartes and More at Naigel
If you love tarts, like I do, then you’ll fall in love with Naegel. This patisserie spot can get a line outside, but it’s worth it. Be sure to get your tarte or tartelette early in the day because they often run out by 4pm (which was always when I was ready to pick one up). Naegel also serves sandwiches and soups—I saw several (likely) office workers come in for their lunch break. There is no seating inside, but you could take your tartelette to the cathedral or riverfront and eat it there.
I bought a tarte for me to share with my aunt and cousin—it was definitely the best I’ve ever had in my whole life. The fruits were fresh, the cream was creamy, the crust was excellent and buttery. Wow.
It’s worth it to wait in line, but make sure you walk by the glass storefront so you can see if your tarte is available or not.
Raclette at La Cloche à Fromage
Cheese should be its own food group, right? If you agree with me then you’ll love La Cloche à Fromage, which specializes in raclette. Raclette is a dish that involves melting cheese using a special machine and then scraping the cheese ( or letting it melt) over potatoes, meats, pickles, and bread.
Pick one cheese to share amongst your table and then you’ll get all-you-can-eat sides. I loved the pickles and potatoes best! The raclettes range from 37€ to 50€. With my aunt and cousin, we got the Raclette du Jura which was excellent (and the cheapest option).
This was so fun and special. Although there are a ton of other menu items, I suggest you stick to the raclette specialty—try not to get distracted! You’ll get so full of just the cheese, pickles, potatoes, and meat.
Be sure to make a reservation.
Authentic Laotian experience
For something totally unexpected, make the trek out to Bane Lao. A couple of the buses in Strasbourg reach here in 20 minutes. Our Airbnb was just around the corner and so after a long day, Bane Lao was the perfect spot for take-away. If you’re staying downtown, I still think the food is worth the journey. On both nights we ordered take-away, it was clear this was where Laotians frequent. I loved the “Lap poisson” which is the national dish of Lao and the “sakhou,” tapioca ball starters.
Hot Chocolate at Bistrot & Chocolat
Hot chocolate in Strasbourg is an experience like no other. To me, hot chocolate means powered chocolate and milk. In Strasburg, it means melted chocolate. At Bistrot & Chocolat you can order chocolate drinks by the location + percent. Honestly, I can’t even eat chocolate bars that are over 72% so I stuck to the 65% Madagascar option. For the authentic experience, I ordered the “noir” option, but you can also get it with milk, to make it more drinkable. I suggest if you get the noir, just get one and share it amongst your table before each ordering one. I couldn’t manage to have more than a couple of sips before it became too much for me (personally).
Wine it up at Maison Zeyssolff
Go on a wine tasting in a cellar at Maison Zeyssolff. Here, you’ll taste five different Alsatian wines, accompanied by the regional specialty kougelhopf (Alsatian brioche). If you don’t have time to go on a wine tour (or it’s the dead of winter), then do this.
Cafes Henri for Americano
If you’re craving a proper Americano, then head over to Cafés Henri. Here, you can also pick up some coffee beans to give as gifts (like I did!).
Croissants at Café Broglie
Café Broglie has a lovely coffee and croissant breakfast to live like a local. It’s also one of the few spots that has wifi and won’t mind you working on your laptop. I think the food reviews are not great for the restaurant so maybe stick to a coffee and croissant.
Cheese at Maison Lorho
My cousin Philip found the best cheese shop in town, Maison Lorho. There is usually a line outside because the shop is small. Don’t be deterred. Wait it out to get your cheese.
Day Trips from Strasbourg
If you haven’t rented a car, then I suggest you book a day trip experience that includes transportation. This will make the most of your time. That said, using the trains from the Strasbourg train station is very convenient.
I took two different day trips to Colmar and to Soufflenheim. Using the train to get to Colmar was perfectly fine.
Storytime: However, when we did a half-day trip to Soufflenheim, as we arrived at the station to head back to Strasbourg, the train was canceled… and then the train after that was canceled… The only way to get back to Strasbourg by public transit was to take a train into Germany and then transfer twice again. Instead, I tried both Uber and Bolt (as Soufflenheim is just 30 minutes away) and luckily a Bolt accepted the ride. The driver had to drive from Strasbourg to Soufflenheim and back. Considering the drama, the ride only cost €80. I’m not sharing this to scare you but just explaining my reasoning why it could be worth it to book an experience in some cases…
Day Trip Tours
- Take a Wine Route tour with visits to two different towns.
- Explore Alsace with a day trip to Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle in a small group or in a bus. If you want a private driver, consider this option instead.