Strasbourg is the largest city of France’s Alsace region. It is crisscrossed by the river Ill which creates a close knit cluster of islands through which you can easily walk by foot over the course of a couple days stay. The most famous attractions in Strasbourg are it’s gorgeously quaint historic city center, La Petite France, (A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988), the world-famous Strasbourg Cathedral, and some of the best white wines in the world.
Things to do in Strasbourg
Strasbourg Cathedral
Dating back to the 1100’s, this building was actually the tallest in the world until 1874. Make sure to take a trip to the top of the North Tower from which you can see the Black Forest which is a good 15 miles away.
At the top of every hour the astronomical clock comes to life and provides onlookers with a free automated show. Like most automated medieval astronomical clock shows its pretty boring and not worth planning your day around or waiting very long to see. But, if you happen to be standing there around the right time anyways, you might as well go inside the cathedral and check it out. The clock is located inside.
La Petite France
This is the most photogenic bra of the city, consisting almost entirely of the fairytale style, half-timbered houses that look like they come right from a Disney movie. Cobblestone streets connect winding thoroughfares connected by restaurants, bars, cafes and boutique shops.
Tasty Trips Pass
This booklet and map can be picked up at the local tourism kiosk in town. It is essentially a self guided walking food tour through the town that brings you to different family owned businesses where you can try 7 typical Alsatian food items. To enjoy the tastings you must have one booklet per person and not be in a group larger than 5 people. You can enjoy this opportunity year round, except for during the Christmas Markets. The entire tour takes about half a day. You’ll try beer, wine, cheese, tarts, pretzels, gingerbread and more.
You can also pick up a 3-day Stradbourg Pass that includes free or half-priced entry to 10 key sites and activities, including boat tours, museum entry as well as access to the cathedral’s terraces.
Barrage Vauban
This fortified bridge, built in the 1600s on the River Ill was a cornerstone of the city’s defenses up until the late 1800s. The bridge acts as a dam that can raise the level of the Ill River and flood the lands to the south. It’s also capable of dropping barriers to prevent invaders from passing through. There are both an internal corridor and access to the roof that you can visit on your trip to Strasbourg.
There’s a ton of nearby palaces and castles to visit outside the old town area of Strasbourg
Parc de l’Orangerie
Palais des Rohan
Neustadt
Saverne Castle
Hochkönigsburg
Haut-Barr Castle
Fleckenstein Castle
The Highland Castle
Lichtenberg Castle
Ferrette Castle
Andlau Castle
Nideck Castle
Kayersberg Castle
The Monastery of Mont Sainte-Odile
The Five Castle Road (Route des Cinq Châteaux) – 20km long hike that leads you to several destroyed castles.
Visit a Brewery
Strasbourg is the center of France’s most productive Beer Region. Fischer, Karlsbräu and Kronenbourg are famous breweries and Meteor is the regions most famous microbrew and has been in existence since 1640. Today you can visit the Meteor brewery for a 90 min guided tour followed by a tasting session.
Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Located in the Petite France district you can enjoy works by Picasso, Brauner and Monet in this small museum while enjoying a drink on their panoramic terrace afterwards.
Boat tour of Strasbourg
Leaving from the foot of Rohan Palace, the company Batorama provides tours of the city via two types of boats, covered and uncovered. They also offer 2 different tours, a 70min tour that takes you through La Petite France, the Vauban Dam and the European Parliament, as well as a 45 min tour that focuses just on the city center, so everything listed above except the Parliament building. You can book your tickets in advance HERE.
Do a Wine Tasting
Check this website for an excellent, up to date resource on local wine tastings:
Best Restaurants in Strasbourg
Au Pont Corbeau: Possibly the best restaurant in Strasbourg. Serving the epitome of Alsatian comfort food in a rustic setting. Its choucroute garnie steals the show. Beware, this dish is not for the faint of heart. It features towering portions of salted bacon, smoked bacon, smoked sausage and knack de Strasbourg. They also have a phenomenal pork knuckle.
The Tire-Bouchon: 100% home cooked, traditional Alsatian winstub cuisine.
Binchstub: Takes tarte flambée to another level entirely.
Mun’s: For Munster cheese lovers, this restaurant provides ample dishes with this melted cheese added.
La Petite Mairie: Family owned and operated, featuring local, fresh ingredients. They have 8 different types of special homemade flamecake, of which you must try at least one.
Jeff de Bruges – Ice Cream Shop
Jacques Bockel: Chocolate shop that makes some of the best liquid chocolate straight from the fountain anywhere on earth.
Best Bars in Strasbourg
Academie de la Biere: Great spot for craft French Beers
Les BerThoM: Another great spot for craft beers with an excellent happy hour.
Café Atlantico: Floating pubs on the Quai des Pecheurs where three moored boats provide riverside seating to enjoy a drink.
What The Cake: One of Strasbourg’s trendiest brunch spots.
La Graffateria: An amazing café that offers different events every week. One week you might find yourself at a Persian themed brunch, the other at an art exhibition with a wine tasting. Either way, check out their events calendar and see if anything grabs your interest. It’s located within the Hotel Graffalgar.
