A multicultural city, cradled in a history that is both rich and tormented, visiting the city of Strasbourg is a must-do while you are in the Alsace region of France. The city is one of France’s favorite national destinations – and you can visit this city’s iconic places in a just a couple of days.
Strasbourg is also a land of wines, especially if you enjoy walks in nature. Discover the best wineries to visit in Alsace around the Strasbourg for a complete discovery of the local terroir. Now, let’s explore the best places to visit in Strasbourg, France.
See all the best wineries to visit near Strasbourg.
Visiting Strasbourg: things to know before you go
Whether you are just passing through Strasbourg on a trip to France, or you’re considering settling in this city for a nice stay in famed Alsace, we’re here to assist you. Winalist will help you discover the best places to visit in Strasbourg, France. The practical information below will help you plan and organize your trip!
Where is Strasbourg?
Strasbourg is located in the Alsace region of France, in the northeast of the country, next to the German border. It is very easily accessible:
- By train: from Paris, expect about a 2 hour, 20 minute high-speed train trip – and about the same from Frankfurt. From Luxembourg, the trip is a little longer and not direct, but also worth considering if you land in Luxembourg.
- By plane: you can land in the minor international Airport of Strasbourg, or in one of the airports in Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt.
- By car: like all capital cities, Strasbourg has a highway network. Coming from Paris, you’ll drive on the A4 – coming from Dijon, on the A36.
Once in Strasbourg, you can choose to rent a car to be able to explore and drive around beautiful Alsace region. The city is also pedestrian-friendly, so renting a car is not a must if you just wish to visit Strasbourg. Instead, you can spend your time walking or biking around.
Best Hotels in Strasbourg, France
Where should you stay in Strasbourg? You’ll be pleased to find many accommodations in Strasbourg – whether in the City Center or in more remote districts. Just to mention a couple of nice spots:
- Le Moon: right in the city center, close to famous Strasbourg Cathedral;
- Hotel Cour du Corbeau: a renovated 16th-century building, typically Alsatian architecture;
- Hotel Les Haras: historical building with modern features.
You will have plenty to do while visiting Strasbourg, so our suggestion is to plan staying at least 3 or 4 days! From sight-seeing, shopping, cultural activities, and wine experiences, you will probably regret staying less. We have listed below the musts you can see in a couple of days!
Visiting Strasbourg’s city-center: essentials
1. The Cathedral & its tower for a panoramic view of the city
It is the main place of interest in the city center, from which many visits start.
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is a true symbol of the city and of Alsace. It is a remarkable work of Gothic architecture, in particular thanks to its spire 143 meters high. Inside, it is just as sumptuous with its huge stained glass windows which, on beautiful sunny days, illuminate the entire nave.
And the height of the visit is at height. To enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole city, it is possible to climb to the top of the platform of the cathedral tower at 65 meters high.
2. Stroll through the Petite France district
Located on the Grande Île of Strasbourg, this picturesque district par excellence is one of the most-loved places in Strasbourg by international tourists. La Petite France, as it is nicknamed, is a tangle of canals and locks lined with large half-timbered houses and balconies adorned with sumptuous geraniums. It’s a real postcard-worthy landscape!
Some essential points of passage in this district:
- Benjamin Zix Square;
- Street of Bain-aux-Plantes;
- the Tournant bridge and the Saint-Martin bridge;
- the Vauban dam.
3. The Rohan Palace
Built in 1742 on the model of the great Parisian hotels, the Palais Rohan houses the Archaeological Museums, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Decorative Arts. A sumptuous residence by its design and its decorations, which is today one of the most important cultural places in Strasbourg.
The Palais Rohan is located at 2 Place du Château.
4. The Neustadt district
Also called the German Imperial District, it is an urban extension that has almost no equivalent following the bombardments of the 2nd World War. The buildings and mansions are steeped in history in the Neustadt district.
Among the places to discover in this corner of Strasbourg, we have the Place de la République, the main avenues (Vosges, Black Forest) and especially the Egyptian House.
5. The cellar of the Hospices de Strasbourg
In the Middle Ages, wine was still used as a medicine (for some it still is today!). This is how the Hospices of Strasbourg were created, and more particularly their wine cellars which date from 1395! At the time, religious caregivers provided a full welcome, with room and board, for the sick. In order to pay for their treatment costs, many patients bequeathed a plot of vineyard land, or even part of their harvest. Donations and legacies have also greatly contributed to the land enrichment of the Strasbourg Hospices.
You will find hundreds of barrels of wine, to taste, or just to admire. Indeed, the oldest wine in the world in barrels still kept in these cellars dates from 1472.
The cellar of the Hospices de Strasbourg is located at 1 Place de l’Hôpital.
6. The European quarter
Headquarters of many European institutions, the European district of Strasbourg represents this multicultural city with a turbulent past. Since 1949 and the creation of the Council of Europe, this district has been a gathering place for the various Western powers. It includes the European Court of Human Rights, created in 1959, and of course the European Parliament.
To find out, go to the Lieu d’Europe located at 8 rue Boecklin. A walk of about 1h30 allows you to tour the most important buildings in the district.
Best activities in and around Strasbourg
7. Strasbourg Bike Tour – discover the Alsatian vineyard
Strasbourg city is known for its bike trails along the districts, it has one of the biggest cycling network in Europe! I can be very fun to rent bikes and discover the city under a new angle.
Want to go green for a day?
Discover the electric bike ride and picnic in the Alsatian vineyard with our partner Évindez-vous. These winegrowers from Dorlisheim propose to discover the Alsatian vineyard through magnificent landscapes. For your escapade, you will be provided with a delicious picnic of local products, and will end the day with a well-deserved wine and Crémant tasting at the estate.
8. Swimming and canoeing on the Ill
Are you coming to visit Strasbourg in the summer ? Take your swimsuit, because there is plenty to cool off in the surroundings of the Alsatian capital:
- The Wittisheim lake.
- Lake Huttenheim.
- Brumath Beach.
And for a nice canoe or kayak trip, go to Strasbourg Eaux Vives, rue Pierre de Coubertin, very close to the European Parliament.
9. Taste Alsatian specialties in authentic restaurants
In Alsace, we like to cook. The traditional cuisine, known to be rich in taste, is as delicious as can be. Devour starters, main courses, desserts and local liqueurs, without forgetting the wine.
Here are some of the most famous tables in Strasbourg:
- Uncle Freddy’s (9 street of Moulins).
- Bistrot des Tanneurs (36 street of Fossé-des-Tanneurs).
- Zuem Strissel (5 Place of Grande Boucherie).
- Au Bon Vivant (7 street of Maroquin).
10. Visiting Alsace wineries
If you are in Alsace, it would be too bad not to visit an Alsatian winery on the Alsace Wine Route!
Next to Strasbourg, you can find many wine estates that offer wine activities: wine tours, wine tastings and other fun experiences. Let yourself be immersed into Alsace wine-making traditions and know-how by meeting with wine-growers happy to meet you!
If you come during the winter, you will be delighted by one of most famous and beautiful Christmas market in Europe: the Strasbourg Christmas Market!
FAQ & Useful resources
How to get to Strasbourg?
Traveling to Strasbourg is easy. Strasbourg is accessible by car via the A4 and A35. By train, the TGV connects Strasbourg to Paris in 1h45, to Lille in 3h, Lyon in 3h50 and Bordeaux in 5h30. An airport is also located 10km from the city center.
Which museums to visit in Strasbourg?
While in Strasbourg, be sure to visit the Alsatian Museum, the Palais Rohan, the Museum of the Work of Notre-Dame, the Planetarium and the Museum of Modern Art
What is Strasbourg famous for?
Strasbourg is one of the most popular cities in France for its architecture, its cuisine, its walks on the Big Island but also for its culture. Strasbourg is indeed one of the central places of Europe. During the winter holidays, the unmissable Christmas market in Strasbourg is one of the attractions not to be missed in the region.
Where is the Tourist Office located in Strasbourg?
The Strasbourg Tourist Office is located at 17 Place de la Cathédrale.
Is one day in Strasbourg enough?
If you are just passing through Strasbourg, it is possible to see the city’s main spots in one day. However, should you have the opportunity to stay a little longer, our suggestion is to plan staying at least one night, as you may regret your short length of time that a single day offers you.
Is Strasbourg beautiful?
Strasbourg is not only beautiful, but also very dynamic with many cultural sites to visit (museums, operas,…) and events to attend to along the year. Strasbourg is a true reflection of the Alsace region: unique and typical food, wine, language and architecture.
