Strasbourg tours and tickets
Strasbourg is easy to see with little booking, apart from December, when the Christmas market fills hotels and boats. The cathedral tower, the canal boat and the museums have simple tickets. Colmar and the wine villages are easy by train or with a guide. Winstub tables are worth reserving.
Book these first
- Hotels in the Christmas market season
- 3 to 5 months ahead. Rooms near the cathedral sell out first, and prices rise for weekends in December.
- A table at a winstub
- 1 to 2 weeks ahead, longer in December. The best-known rooms are small and fill every evening in winter.
- A canal boat
- A day or two ahead in summer and December. Evening departures sell out, and you can book online.
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Churches and palaces
Strasbourg Cathedral
A Gothic cathedral with a tall spire, an astronomical clock and a viewing platform on the tower. Entry to the nave is free, and the tower and clock have separate tickets.
Which to pick. Climb the tower in the morning for a clear view. See the clock show at its set time, and check the schedule.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPalais Rohan museums
A baroque palace housing three museums: decorative arts, fine arts and archaeology. A combined ticket is sold, and the rooms of the former bishops' apartments are a highlight.
Which to pick. Buy the combined ticket at the door. It is a good option on a wet day, and a visit to one or two museums is enough.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Canal boat trip
A covered boat tour around the Grande Île, passing Petite France, the locks and the European quarter, with commentary. It takes about an hour.
Which to pick. Take it in the late afternoon for the light. In December and summer, book a day ahead.
A day ahead in December and summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPetite France
A quarter of half-timbered houses on the canals, with the covered bridges and a viewpoint on the Barrage Vauban, the dam and terrace that overlooks the district. It is free to wander.
Which to pick. Walk it in the early morning or evening, when it is quiet. No ticket needed.
Not needed, entry is freeTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Old town walking tour
A walk through the cathedral square, Petite France and the market squares, with the history of the city and its changes of nationality.
Which to pick. Take a morning tour to get your bearings. You can also explore alone, since the center is small, and the sights are signed.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorEuropean quarter tour
A visit to the area with the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, with rules for visiting the buildings.
Which to pick. Check the visiting rules a few weeks ahead, since access is controlled. A guide helps explain the institutions.
Check a few weeks aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Christmas market
A market with stalls in many squares around the cathedral, running from late November to Christmas. It is free to enter.
Which to pick. Book hotels three to five months ahead. Visit on a weekday evening, which is calmer.
Rooms 3 to 5 months aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorWinstub dinner
A traditional Alsatian restaurant serving tarte flambée, choucroute and local wine in a warm, wood-paneled room. Winstubs are small, and the best ones fill on weekends.
Which to pick. Reserve a table a week or two ahead, especially in December. Ask the staff for the local specialities and a regional wine.
1 to 2 weeks ahead, longer in DecemberTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Colmar
A small city of half-timbered houses and canals, about 30 minutes by train. A guided tour can cover the old town.
Which to pick. Take the train and walk. Book a guided trip if you want a wine stop.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorRoute des Vins villages
A road of wine villages such as Riquewihr and Eguisheim, with tastings and views of the vineyards. A guided tour handles the driving.
Which to pick. Take a guided trip if you do not drive. Choose a small group with tastings.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBaden-Baden
A spa town in Germany, about an hour away by train, with thermal baths, a casino and a pleasant old center set against the Black Forest hills.
Which to pick. Take the train and bring a swimsuit. Book a spa slot ahead in busy weeks.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Strasbourg
Do I need to book the cathedral?
No, entry to the nave is free. The tower and the clock sell tickets on the day.
Is the canal boat worth it?
Yes, it gives a good view of Petite France and the locks. It is a pleasant start to a visit.
When is the Christmas market?
It runs from late November to December 24. Book hotels months ahead, and visit on a weekday evening, which is calmer than a weekend.
Can I do Colmar in a day?
Yes. Colmar is 30 minutes by train, and the old town is walkable, so both fit into a day with time to spare.
Is there a city pass?
There is a pass for museums and boats. Check the tourist office page for the current options.
What can wait until I arrive?
The cathedral, Petite France, the markets and the museums can be done on the day. Book Christmas hotels and winstub tables first.