10 things to not miss on a weekend trip to Strasbourg
Have you heard of the fairytale town in the Alsace? Strasbourg is located in the East of France and the biggest city in the region of the Alsace. Did you know that Strasbourg cannot only be easily reached from Paris, the South of Germany, Switzerland or Belgium but is as well one of the most beautiful cities in France?
Many travellers do not know about what Strasbourg really is about. The city might seem a little inconspicuous at first, until you discover its beauty. If you are up for a city trip and would love to get away for the weekend, this is your best choice. This guide is all about the best places you need to see in Strasbourg and the must-dos in the town.
Where to stay in Strasbourg?
The first step before getting into the highlights of Strasbourg is finding a good accommodation for your weekend trip. As Strasbourg is very popular to tourists, you will find a huge variety of hotels, hostels or Airbnbs. You can either stay directly in the city or a little outside of town and take the public transport to the city center each day.
In the city center itself, you will find beautiful hotels in the traditional Alsace houses. Outside of Strasbourg, you can stay closer to nature and as well explore the surroundings of the city. The choice is yours and you will for sure find a place fitting your budget!
Visit the impressive Cathedral Notre-Dame de Strasbourg
Probably the most important monument in Strasbourg is the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg. It is located directly in the center of the city. It truly is a master piece of the Gothic architecture and you can book a ticket to enter the Cathedral and ascend to the viewing platform. From the top you do not only get a unique overview over the city, but can as well see the German Black Forest on the horizon.
If you do not fancy walking all the way up to the top of the Cathedral, you can as well spend some time at the square in front of the Cathedral and take some pictures from below.
Stroll through the picturesque destrict of La Petite France
Welcome to the most beautiful part of Strasbourg. The Petite France is a little quartier in the city center which attracts all the travellers coming to Strasbourg. It is located directly at the canals with cute cafés and restaurants and traditional houses. This might be a reason why some call Strasbourg “a city straight out of a fairy tale”.
La Petite France is the historic center of Strasbourg and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With the peaceful atmosphere by the riverside and the narrow streets and old houses, the area is one of the best places to be in all of Strabourg.
To experience La Petite France best, just stroll around and collect all those moments. You can enjoy a coffee in the morning or have your dinner in one of the restaurants. La Petite France is a place where you can come multiple times during your weekend trip to Strasbourg. Compared to other parts of the city, the area is peaceful and quiet and invites you to really enjoy the city from a different angle.
And of course, do not forget to take pictures of the unique side of Strasbourg!
Spend an afternoon in the inspiring Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
If you are an art lover, this is an absolute must-do in Strasbourg. But even if you are not, you should put the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art on your list of things to do in the gem of the Alsace. The museum is located about 10 minutes by foot outside of the historic center La Petite France. In order to reach the museum, you need to cross the river over a historic bridge. It is called the Barrage Vauban and has an internal corridor where you walk through.
When exploring Strasbourg, a visit to the museum is a great way to get to know another perspective of the city. Due to the low entry fees, this is ideal for budget travellers as well.
Have a breakfast by the riverside to start your day best
The best way to enjoy any city trip and to feel like a local is to get your breakfast outside of the hotel and find a place by the river. In Strasbourg you have the picturesque canals where you can find a nice and (hopefully) sunny spot on a bench. Get yourself a typical French breakfast with some baguette and cheese from the Alsace and enjoy the first rays of sun in the morning.
Strasbourg is ideal for taking it slow. Start your mornings slow and enjoy a long breakfast. The city is not meant to be discovered with hassle and stress but rather with an eye for the small moments.
Visit the EU Parliament and learn about politics in Strasbourg
Did you know that Strasbourg plays an important role in the EU politics? It actually is one of the most important cities as it is home to the European Parliament. If you love politics, this needs to be high up on your list of to-dos.
The Parliament is located a little outside from the city center but can easily be reached with the public transport. You can as well book yourself a tour to the Parliament and get to know more about the political side of the city.
You can as well book a tour through the Parliament – this is for those who really love the EU politics and want to see the building from the inside. Get ready for some juicy insiders and an exciting afternoon!
Check out the historic Pont Couverts over the canals
Strasbourg is full of old and beautiful bridges crossing the river. Most of them might even remind you of Paris.
Two of the most popular bridges in Strasbourg art the Pont Couverts. The Pont Couverts are part of the historic center of the city where you can also find the Petite France. A while ago, the bridges were part of the towers which were once used to protect the center of Strasbourg.
Have a little break at the Place Kleber and watch the city
The Place Kleber is the ideal spot to not only get a little rest from your exploring tour but as well to watch the people and the life in Strasbourg. From the place you can see the top of the Cathedral and you are surrounded by beautiful houses with different shops, cafés and restaurants.
The Place Kleber, for some, is the center of the life in Strasbourg. The locals come here to meet and during the festive season in December the area turns into a Christmas Wonderland.
Especially if you decide to go on a little shopping tour during your weekend trip to Strasbourg (which can be highly recommended) you will find yourself at the Place Kleber to take a break and sit down for a while. During the warm days, you will get to enjoy some live music and take a moment to soak in the Alsace atmosphere. Like already said, Strasbourg can be a little fairytale!
Visit Strasbourg during Christmas and start to feel festive
Strasbourg is well-known for its colorful and attractive Christmas season. The city is all about feeling festive and spending an unforgettable Christmas. You will not only find beautiful and unique Christmas markets, but as well the picturesque decoration and some fun activities to.
Of course, this can only be on your life of to-dos if you visit Strasbourg in late November or December. But still, keep this in mind, if you plan to visit the city again!
Stroll through the streets and see where it takes you
One of the best tips for exploring a city such as Strasbourg is to simply walk through the streets and see where it takes you. This can lead you to the most unique places in town and you might end up in a beautiful café or in a cute shop.
Strasbourg has no “number 1 route” you need to follow to not miss out on any highlight. Due to the beautiful houses all around the city and the unique charm, it can be explored on your own way. Especially in the city center, you should take an afternoon to stroll around.
Dive deeper into the culture in the Musée Alsacien – get to know the area
You cannot not fall in love with the Alsace and Strasbourg. The region has its unique atmosphere which attracts the travellers and tourists. If you have either been travelling through the Alsace or you simply would love to know more about the area, you should check out the Musée Alsacien in Strasbourg.
It teaches you all about the art, the history and the culture of the Alsace. You can dive deeper into the past of the region and get to know the city even better. This is ideal for a rainy day or during the morning after you have enjoyed your morning coffee in a cute café! You will be surprised how informative and interesting such a small museum can actually be.
Strasbourg is waiting – book your weekend trip
With these tips and know-hows in mind, you can pack your bags and travel to France. Make sure to take your time and enjoy Strasbourg at its very best.
For even more Alsace travels, check out this full guide on How to explore the Alsace in just two days (Strasbourg included).
