Christmas in Strasbourg and Colmar: a 3-day guide

Why visit at Christmas

In Strasbourg, Christmas is not confined to a square lined with wooden chalets. It spreads around the cathedral, across the façades of old houses, over bridges and into patisserie windows. In the morning, you can see the city more clearly, before the crowds build. After dusk, the same route is transformed: the lights come on, the scent of cinnamon fills the air and everyone pauses for a cup of mulled wine.

Colmar adds a smaller scale and a different pace to the trip. Its half-timbered houses, narrow streets and canals make it easy to spend almost the entire day exploring on foot. The two cities are less than an hour apart by fast regional train, so you can combine them without changing hotels. For a first three-day visit, basing yourself in Strasbourg and taking a day trip to Colmar is the most practical option.

Alsatian tradition blends French and German influences, apparent in both the architecture and the food. If you are comparing European destinations, take a look at the reasons to visit Vienna at Christmas too: the main difference here is that you can explore two distinctive cities within a small area.

Getting there

From Athens and Thessaloniki, start by looking for flights to Strasbourg, Basel and Frankfurt, comparing the overall journey rather than just the fare. Winter schedules change, and you should not assume direct flights operate every day. Reaching Strasbourg Airport often involves a connection, while Basel and Frankfurt are useful alternatives, depending on your departure city.

Where direct flights to nearby airports are available, allow roughly 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes flying time from Athens, and around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes from Thessaloniki. With a connection, flights and waiting time can easily add up to 5 to 8 hours or more. Add time for baggage collection and onward ground transport.

From Strasbourg Airport, Entzheim-Aéroport station has a rail connection to the main station, with a journey time of around ten minutes. From Basel EuroAirport, the practical route into Alsace is by bus to Saint-Louis station, followed by a train. Allow roughly 1 to 1.5 hours in total for Colmar and 1.5 to 2 hours for Strasbourg, depending on connections.

From Frankfurt Airport, there are rail connections to Strasbourg, often requiring a change and usually taking around 2 to 3 hours. Leave a generous buffer after landing, especially if you have separate tickets. Before booking, consider your arrival time alongside the areas to stay in Strasbourg, so you avoid dragging suitcases unnecessarily through the historic centre.

The Christmas markets

Strasbourg: different squares, different stops

The historic Christkindelsmärik, with a tradition dating back to 1570, is now associated with Place Broglie. It is a key stop for decorations, seasonal sweets and hot drinks. Around Place de la Cathédrale, the cathedral forms the backdrop to the stalls, while Place Kléber is home to the large Christmas tree and festive activities, including events involving local associations.

Look out too for the smaller clusters of stalls on Place Benjamin-Zix, in Petite France, and around Place du Marché-aux-Poissons. The exact layout, themes and number of markets may change. It is better to follow a walking route between the squares than try to tick them all off like a sightseeing checklist.

Strasbourg's main market season usually runs from late November until around Christmas Eve. Do not assume the stalls stay open until New Year simply because the lights remain on. For December 2026, check the official programme, daily opening hours and any variations between squares.

Colmar: markets throughout the old town

In Colmar, the main markets are spread across Place des Dominicains, Place de l'Ancienne Douane and Place Jeanne d'Arc. The first sits beside the Dominican church, the second surrounds the old customs house, while the third has a strong focus on local produce. The Koïfhus usually houses craft stalls indoors, offering a welcome break when the cold starts to bite.

Petite Venise traditionally has a family-oriented market, while Place de la Cathédrale hosts a gourmet market. The Christmas season usually starts in late November and runs until the final days of December. Opening hours vary by day and market, particularly on 24 and 25 December, so check before choosing the date of your excursion.

In both cities, opt for a weekday if you have some flexibility. On Saturday afternoons, the most popular squares become packed, and even a short distance can take a while to cover. Go early for shopping and return after dark only to the places you really want to see again.

Things to see and do

In Strasbourg, start at Notre-Dame Cathedral, with its intricately carved sandstone façade and astronomical clock. The clock's special presentation has specific admission arrangements and times, separate from a standard visit to the cathedral. If you are considering climbing to the viewing platform, check that it is open and expect plenty of steps: it is not suitable for everyone, nor is it ideal in slippery conditions.

Continue to Petite France, where the channels of the River Ill wind between old houses and bridges. The Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban offer lovely views of the neighbourhood. A covered sightseeing boat trip can provide a restful break, subject to availability. For a worthwhile indoor visit, consider the Musée Alsacien or the museums in the Palais Rohan, checking for any renovation work and closing days.

In Colmar, stroll through Petite Venise and along Quai de la Poissonnerie, but venture beyond the most photographed spots too. Maison Pfister and Maison des Têtes are worth stopping at to admire their architecture from outside. The Musée Unterlinden, home to the celebrated Isenheim Altarpiece, deserves a proper visit rather than a hurried look before catching your train.

With children, divide the day into short walks and plan a warm indoor break before tiredness sets in. The same approach helps in larger cities, as explained in the family guide to Christmas in London. Distances are shorter here, but the cold and time spent standing at the markets can still be tiring.

What to eat and drink

The easiest place to start is tarte flambée, also known as flammekueche: a very thin base topped, in its classic version, with cream, onion and bacon. Order it to share and eat it straight away while it is still crisp. For a hearty winter meal, try choucroute garnie, sauerkraut with various meats and charcuterie, or baeckeoffe, a slow-cooked dish of meat, potatoes and wine.

Traditional winstubs offer a fuller introduction to Alsatian cooking than the market stalls. Book a table, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, and do not leave dinner too late. As a rough guide, allow around €25 to €45 per person for a simple sit-down meal, depending on your order and drinks, while more upmarket restaurants cost considerably more.

For sweet treats, look for bredele, the small Alsatian Christmas biscuits, pain d'épices and kougelhopf, the region's distinctive tall cake. Vin chaud is served warm with spices, in red or white versions. Cups often carry a refundable deposit, charged separately from the drink. Allow around €10 to €20 for a snack and a hot drink, depending on what you choose.

With a meal, Alsatian Riesling and Gewurztraminer are worth trying, as is sparkling Crémant d'Alsace. If you avoid alcohol, look for hot apple juice. If you have allergies, follow a vegetarian diet or avoid pork, ask specifically about ingredients: stocks, animal fat and charcuterie often feature in traditional recipes.

A 3-day itinerary

Day 1: the cathedral and your first markets

This itinerary assumes you arrived the previous day or early in the morning. Drop off your luggage and head to the cathedral before it gets busier. Explore the surrounding streets, stop for a coffee and keep lunch simple. There is no need to try everything at the first market you come across.

In the afternoon, head to Place Broglie and then Place Kléber to see the tree. Leave time to browse the stalls and return towards the cathedral when the lights come on. Finish with a pre-booked dinner at a winstub. If you arrive late, skip the cathedral interior and visit it on the third day instead.

Day 2: a full day in Colmar

Take a morning train from Strasbourg to Colmar. The faster regional services take around 30 to 40 minutes, followed by a walk of roughly 15 to 20 minutes from Colmar station to the old town. Start with Petite Venise and Quai de la Poissonnerie to see the façades in daylight.

Continue towards the Koïfhus, Place de l'Ancienne Douane and Place des Dominicains, with a sit-down lunch along the way. If you are interested in the Unterlinden, spend less time at the markets and give the museum a good two hours. Stay until dark for one last walk under the lights, but check return services beforehand and avoid relying solely on the last train.

Day 3: Petite France and a quieter side of Strasbourg

Set aside the morning for Petite France, the Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban. Then choose between a museum, a boat trip or a walk towards the Neustadt, the district with distinctive architecture from the period of German rule. Do not add another excursion to an Alsatian village: the two cities already comfortably fill a three-day itinerary.

Before leaving, pick up some biscuits or a small decoration, allowing space in your luggage. If you have an afternoon flight from another airport, keep the third day's plans light. The Strasbourg accommodation guide will help you choose a base that works for both sightseeing and departure.

Where to stay

The Grande Île is the most convenient option if you want to walk back from the markets. Petite France offers a characterful setting, although cobbles and pedestrianised streets make handling suitcases a little harder. The area around the main station is particularly handy for the trip to Colmar and airport connections, provided you check the property's exact location.

For a quieter base, look towards Orangerie and Conseil des XV, accepting that you will use public transport more often. At the height of the market season, indicative rates for a double room range from around €140 to €260 in simpler central accommodation, and from €260 to €550 or more in higher-end properties. If a spa is a priority, take a look at hotels with heated pools for Christmas too, but confirm facilities, charges and age restrictions directly.

• Cour du Corbeau MGallery: Suits travellers looking for a historic building within easy walking distance of the cathedral area. Check availability on Booking
• Hotel & Spa Regent Petite France: Suits couples who prefer an upscale stay amid the canals of Petite France. Check availability on Booking
• Hôtel & Spa Le Bouclier d'Or: Suits travellers seeking historic atmosphere and wellness facilities in Petite France. Check availability on Booking
• Boutique Hotel Des XV: Suits those who prefer a quieter stay in the Conseil des XV area, away from the thickest market crowds. Check availability on Booking
• Madame C Hôtel Particulier: An option for those seeking a townhouse-style stay rather than a large conventional hotel. Check availability on Booking
• Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile: Suits those wanting the services of a large hotel and a central location close to Place Kléber. Check availability on Booking
• Hôtel Graffalgar: Suits travellers who appreciate individually designed, artistic rooms and proximity to the station. Check availability on Booking
• ibis Strasbourg Centre Historique: Suits those seeking a practical base near the Musée d'Art Moderne and within walking distance of Petite France. Check availability on Booking
• Le Kléber Hôtel: Suits those whose main priority is immediate access to Place Kléber and the central shopping area. Check availability on Booking
• Maison Rouge Strasbourg: Suits those wanting an upscale, central stay for exploring between Place Kléber and the cathedral. Check availability on Booking

December weather

Expect cold, damp weather, with typical temperatures of around 0 to 7 degrees Celsius and possible overnight lows below freezing. Fog and drizzle are more likely than a consistently snowy landscape. Snow is possible, but it is not guaranteed and should not be the reason for booking a particular week.

Wear layers, a waterproof outer jacket, gloves and shoes with good grip. Standing at stalls feels colder than walking. It gets dark at around 16:30, so plan photography and longer outdoor walks for earlier in the day, leaving museums, cafés or markets for the rest of the afternoon.

Practical tips

• Book early: accommodation and popular restaurants fill up, particularly on Advent weekends in the weeks before Christmas.
• Leave the car outside the centre: walking, Strasbourg's trams and trains between the two cities are all you need.
• Check transport services: consult SNCF or TER Grand Est for trains, and CTS for changes to tram stops and services.
• Carry a small bag: there may be security checks and access restrictions at entrances to the festive zone.
• Bring a card and some cash: cards are widely accepted, but small purchases and cup deposits are easier with change.
• Allow for public holidays: many places have restricted opening on 25 December, and 26 December is also a local public holiday in Alsace.
• Check your booking details: review cancellation terms, arrival times and hotel access, especially if you arrive while checks are in place in the city centre.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit the markets?

Early or mid-December, preferably on weekdays. You will usually find the full festive programme without the heaviest weekend crowds, but always check the dates for the year you are visiting.

Are three days enough for Strasbourg and Colmar?

Yes, provided you have three proper days rather than two half-days spent travelling and one full day. You can cover the main neighbourhoods and markets, but not lots of museums or additional villages.

Where is the best place to base ourselves?

For this itinerary, Strasbourg. It has a wider range of transport connections and more options for dinner, while Colmar is easy to reach by train without changing accommodation.

Do we need a hire car?

Not for these two cities. A car adds parking costs and access difficulties. It makes more sense only if you extend the trip to villages along the Alsace Wine Route.

Is this trip suitable for young children?

Yes, with short walks, frequent breaks and a flexible schedule. Pushchairs can be awkward on cobbles and in the afternoon crowds, so visit the most popular markets in the morning.

Will the markets be open if we visit on Christmas Day?

Do not take it for granted, especially in Strasbourg, where the main season usually finishes around Christmas Eve. Colmar often continues later into December, but you need to confirm opening arrangements for each public holiday.