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Things to do in Strasbourg
Located just 4km from France’s border with Germany, Strasbourg benefits from a combination of the two cultures which makes it a very interesting holiday destination, and its position on the Rhine River makes is just as picturesque as it is fascinating.
Home to the European Parliament building, one of Europe’s best Christmas markets, and named as France’s most cycle friendly city, there are plenty of things to do in Strasbourg that make this city worth visiting.
It takes around 6 hours to drive from Calais to Strasbourg, or you could choose to extend your journey by an hour and drive through parts of Belgium and Luxembourg too for a true European adventure.
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One of the most popular things to do in Strasbourg is to discover the Old Town which stretches across the Grande Île and is a wonderland of half-timbered houses, colourful flowerboxes, and cobbled squares encircled by gently flowing canals.
Cross the historic Barrage Vauban bridge and you'll come across Petite France, a beautiful paradise full of restaurants, bars and cafés where you can sit and watch the world go by. Just a short walk away is the rose coloured sandstone masterpiece, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and a climb up its 332 step tower will reward you with views of the mountains of the Black Forest as well as your next stop, the grand Palais Rohan.
Built by the same architect that created the Palace of Versailles, this former home to bishops and cardinals now serves as three museums covering archaeology, decorative arts and fine arts. If you want to marvel at some of the city's finest architecture, stroll past the stained glass windows of Maison Kammerzell, a gem of Alsatian architecture, to arrive at the Aubette Palace which takes pride of place in the largest central square, Place Kléber.
When you need a little break from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can head to one of Strasbourg’s parks where you will be able to relax, take a walk, and explore what they have to offer.
The Parc de l’Orangerie is the city’s oldest park and offers lots to do. Simply wander across the green spaces, visit the zoo where you can spot monkeys, birds, and other small animals, or visit the bowling centre. Children will love the playground, and there is also the opportunity to rent a boat and sail on the lake where you will find a lovely waterfall.
History fans may feel more at home in the Parc de la Citadelle which is located among the citadel’s ruins. Parts of the old citadel are still in place so you can imagine what it must have looked like in the past, and you can explore by walking along the winding paths and over the bridges which cross the moats.
Strasbourg is home to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and there are so many things to do in the city during the festive period that you will be spoilt for choice.
With more than 300 stalls, thousands of twinkling fairy lights, a choir on every corner, and decorations hanging from house, shop, and church windows, Strasbourg truly comes alive with the magic of Christmas and offers a fantastic atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.
One of the main attractions is the Great Christmas Tree which can be found in the centre of Place Kléber, and don’t forget to indulge in mulled wine and traditional bredele biscuits which are either glazed or decorated and come in a variety of flavours, including almond, honey, and lemon.
Due to its mix of French and German cultures, one of the best things to do in Strasbourg is to experience the results of this combination at the dining table. Here, French culinary classics like coq au vin, crème brûlée, and the Alsatian fried pasta spätzel meet German pizzas (flammkuchen), pretzels, and sausages, providing plenty of choice for foodies.
Visit the city's various food markets, like the farmers' market on Place du Marché aux Poisson, and pick up delicious specialties including locally produced fruit, foie gras, cheese, and sausages which you can eat during your trip or bring home with you.
Don’t leave the city without visiting the wine cellar in Strasbourg City Hospital. Wine was donated to the hospital by patients as payment which resulted in a brick-vaulted medieval basement where you'll find one of the oldest wines in the world, plus there's a wine shop where you can pick up a souvenir or gift.
There are so many fantastic things to do in Strasbourg, so book your Dover to Calais crossing today and discover this picturesque city for yourself.
Strasbourg boasts many amazing annual events throughout the year, take a look at some of our favourites.