The 12 things to do in Strasbourg

Green, cosmopolitan, historical... Visit Strasbourg reserves many surprises!

Are you looking to visit Strasbourg? You're in the right place. Prefecture of the Bas-Rhin, the city is also and especially the capital of Alsace. At the border Germany , crossed by the Rhine and Ill, ranked at UNESCO World Heritage... The city will show you many different faces. So you will fall in admiration in front of its cathedral, Petite France or Grande Île. You will like to explore its museums and streets full of history. Your taste buds will be delighted to eat or drink a drink in one of its winstub Traditional. But don't think Strasbourg's been looking into the past. Because Strasbourg, it is also a European capital that welcomes many institutions of the Union.

On foot, tram, bus, bicycle... There are only good ways to visit Strasbourg. So take your bag and get ready: its urban landscape will overflow you as well as a trip to the other end of the world. Is that good? So here, just for you, our advice of the 11 things to do in Strasbourg.

1. The Great Island

If there is one thing to do in Strasbourg, it is the visit of the Grande Île. Indeed, it is neither more nor less than the historic heart of the city. Entirely listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is very representative of what was a medieval city. By going to visit Strasbourg, you can’t make the impasse on the Grande Île because you’ll find the main tourist points of the city.

Thus, in a restricted area are Notre-Dame Cathedral, Gutenberg Square, Kléber Square, Kammerzell House and Rohan Palace. All are must-sees in Strasbourg.

2. Notre-Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg

The cathedral is undoubtedly a must when you visit Strasbourg. With its 142 meters high at the tip of its arrow, it is the second highest cathedral in France behind Notre-Dame de Paris. All built of pink sandstones, you can admire magnificent stained glass windows and a beautiful astronomical clock. In addition, climbing the 330 steps that lead to its panoramic platform is a sporting activity like another to do in Strasbourg, to eliminate pretzels and tarts.

3. La Petite France

La Petite France is located southwest of the Grande Île. It also ranked at Unesco and offers a landscape with a wild charm, typical of Alsace. Visiting Strasbourg is also strolling between its houses with all flowers, admire the Vauban Dam and the Couvert Bridges and get lost in its medieval streets.

The European Quarter

Just like Brussels en Belgium and Luxembourg (in... Luxembourg, bravo to the following!), Strasbourg is a European capital. As such, it is home to many institutions. If it is, of course, not possible to visit all of them from the inside, you can still admire their buildings by walking in the European district of the city by going to visit Strasbourg.

4. The European Parliament

Going to admire the building while rounding the Parliament of the European Union is definitely one of the things to do in Strasbourg. Glass, metal and wood are mixed to compose the figure of a floating boat. In addition, and it’s good to know if you want to visit Strasbourg by night , this magnificent building is illuminated every night. And for those interested in the functioning of our institutions, it is possible to visit the hemicycle of more than 800 places.

5. The Council of Europe

The European Council currently sits in Palais de l’Europe . The buildings of Parliament and the Council are interconnected with each other by a magnificent bridge that spans the Ill River. Inaugurated in 1977, the square building is very impressive, and so much better. For here we are concerned about the protection of human rights and democracy, but also about culture, education and the environment.

If you are looking for things to do in Strasbourg, it is possible to visit the interior of the Palais de l’Europe, in group only. If you want to visit with your family, you can be incorporated into an existing group.

6. The Palace of Human Rights

Built by Richard Rogers and inaugurated in 1995, the seat of the European Court of Human Rights is a building that cannot be missed when visiting Strasbourg. Its bold architecture represents the balance of justice in a very modern style. A family visit during a hearing is a great civic education activity to be done in Strasbourg with children.

7. The historic cellar of the civil hospices of Strasbourg

If you are looking for an unusual visit to Strasbourg, think of the wine cellar of the Strasbourg hospital. Going back to the Middle Ages, this timeless place was probably created in the hospital to store the wine from the parcels of vines offered in care. Since 1995, it has been again exploited in its first function and has been producing delicious Alsatian wines.

Additional curiosity: the oldest wine in the world is found in the cellar of the civil hospices of Strasbourg. Dating from 1472, it has only been tasted three times in historical events to date.

Alsatian gastronomy

It would be a shame to visit Strasbourg without discovering the secrets of manufacturing three pillars of Alsatian gastronomy: pretzels, beer and sauerkraut.

8. La Maison de la Choucroute

If you are looking for a thematic visit to Strasbourg, turn to the Maison de la Choucroute Le Pic. For five generations, the Muller family has fermented cabbage and today it is 5000 annual tons that leave their business. The guided tour of the place will allow you to discover the history of the sauerkraut, from the field to the plate. And, of course, at the end, gourmets can taste.

9. The Perle Brewery

But what would be the sauerkraut without a good beer? To complete your gastronomic education by visiting Strasbourg, head your steps to the Perle artisanal brewery. Driven by the rear-rear-grandson of the brand’s founder in 2009 after 40 years of closure, it now produces six different kinds of beer. Again, the guided tour will end with a tasting... With moderation of course!

Two unusual and original museums

Even if you are not a big fan of museums, here are two that are worth a visit to Strasbourg.

10. Tomi Ungerer Museum – Centre international de l’Illustration

Tomi Ungerer was an Alsatian author, painter and illustrator born in Strasbourg. From 1975 until his death, he gave much of his personal collection and work to his hometown, which opened a museum dedicated to his work in 2007. It is also the only French museum dedicated exclusively to the illustration of the twentieth century. You can admire the original works of Tomi Ungerer, author for the youth who considered it “good to traumatize children”. A visit to Strasbourg absolutely!

11. Castle Vodou

Vodou Castle is a unique private museum of its kind because it houses a huge collection of objects related to voodoo worship in West Africa. The scenography allows you to discover this still very vibrant culture of today. Statuettes, costumes, skulls and ex-votos are also exhibited in a magnificent place: an ancient 19th century dove water castle. To see if you are visiting Strasbourg.

12. Our Strasbourg workshop

You are conquered by the pretty city of Strasbourg and would like to bring with you a "handed" souvenir? Let yourself be tempted by a culinary workshop and make your pretzels from A to Z with Léonie, a bakery craftsman. For 50€ per person, follow training 2:30 and go back with 5 delicious pretzels made by your care! This culinary specialty will no longer have any secrets for you!

How to get to Strasbourg?

By plane

It is very easy to visit Strasbourg by plane. Indeed, many French and international companies serve the Strasbourg airport. To find the most suitable route for your budget and dates, don’t hesitate to use a flight comparison as Ulysses For example. Once on site, a shuttle train will allow you to connect the city centre in less than 10 minutes.

By train

If you prefer to visit Strasbourg by train, you will only have the embarrassment of choice because the city is very well served. In addition, the TGV train station is located in the city centre. It is therefore on several bus and tram lines. From Paris , count 1h45 travel. Finally, know that of all major French metropolises ( Bordeaux , Lyon , Marseille ), none is more than 5:30 train.

By bus

The bus is probably the most economical solution to visit Strasbourg. Many companies serve the city such as Flixbus, BlaBlaBus, Eurolines and Isilines.

By car

It is very easy to come to Strasbourg by car because two highways cross: the A4 and A35 . However, depending on what you come to do in Strasbourg, it is best to choose another means of transport. Indeed, parking can quickly come back expensive. In addition, it is easy to get around town without a car thanks to public transport and bike paths.

Where to stay in Strasbourg?

Depending on what you want to do in Strasbourg, there are several options. To stay according to your budget and your tastes you can prefer the hotel or, of course, make your choice on Airbnb . To decide, do not hesitate to use a Compare hotels . As far as the neighbourhoods are concerned, the city centre is a logical choice. However, the price of the night can be high. If you want a cheaper offer, the Gare district, in addition to being convenient for mobility, offers more attractive rates.