Strasbourg is the capital city of the Alsace region, and its UNESCO protected center is like something from a fairy tale. With its old half-timbered homes and cobblestone streets, the city combines the best of French and German cultures.
Get your bearings
Strasbourg’s center, Grande-Île, is what most visitors come to see. The Cathédrale de Notre-Dame with its magnificent Gothic exterior was completed in 1439 and is a sight to behold. The towering spire alongside the gargoyles and stained-glass windows make for a picture-perfect setting.
During the winter months, the outside courtyard around the Notre-Dame Cathedral transforms into one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, attracting visitors from far and wide. Explore the 300 stalls which set up shop for the event and the live music which is guaranteed to get you in the festive mood.
Afterward, many go over to explore Petite France, the old tanners’ district by the River Ill. Surrounded by canals, this is the historic center of the city and where you’ll find gems like the Musée Historique de Strasbourg – which showcases the history of the area Place Kléber, home to a string of luxury stores.
EU political institutions
It’s a 10-minute drive from Grande-Île to the Palais de l'Europe – the European Parliament building and the European Court of Human Rights.
You can also explore these institutions, with political exhibitions and guided tours taking place throughout the day. Due to the popularity of the area, it’s worth reserving tickets online before you go.
Day trips from Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a prime location for day trips in the Alsace-Lorraine region. By renting a car, you can explore the French countryside with ease. Just by driving around, you can visit enchanting villages and take in the local architecture, history, and cuisine.
Spend the day in Colmar, which lies on the outskirts of the Ballons des Vosges Nature Park. The medieval town is home to stunning half-timber houses and cobbled streets. It's famous internationally for being the birthplace of Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty. Driving from Strasbourg to Colmar takes around an hour and is just south of the city via the A35 freeway.
Once you arrive in Colmar, you can explore medieval villages such as Saverne and Bouxwiller. If you’re traveling here for the day, don’t forget to visit the magnificent Haut-Koenigsbourg castle in the Vosges mountains just west of Sélestat.
Halfway between Strasbourg and Colmar lies the Cœur d’Alsace, which offers rolling landscapes, vineyards, and forests. Cœur d’Alsace is on the Romanesque Route and invites visitors to discover beautiful religious buildings in Rosheim, Obernai, and Andlau. It’s only 30 minutes from Strasbourg via the A35 freeway, making it the perfect day trip.
Skiing heaven
Heading to Strasbourg during the winter season? The stunning Vosges mountains are the backdrop to one of the best skiing areas in the whole of France. Just over a two-hour drive from Strasbourg, you’ll find top resorts such as Gerardmer – La Mauselaine, Lac Blanc, Le Markstein and Ventron.
With more than 100 miles of slopes for every level of skier, served by around 150 ski lifts, you’ll have plenty of fun on and off the slopes. Having a rental car makes it easy to try out several of the resorts during your stay.
When you rent a car in Strasbourg, you can see the best of the city as well as exploring more of the beautiful and fascinating Alsace-Lorraine region beyond.