10 Best Things to do in Strasbourg, France in Winter

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Heading to Strasbourg this winter? You’re in for a treat.

Few cities feel as magical in the colder months as Strasbourg. With its half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and festive atmosphere, the city looks like it belongs in a storybook—especially when the air turns crisp, and the lights begin to glow. Winter is the perfect time to slow down, warm up with local wine, and experience Strasbourg’s history in a cozy, more intimate way.

To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve put together the 10 best activities you can do that blend iconic sights, scenic viewpoints, and memorable experiences. From Christmas markets to exploring historic castles and villages, this guide balances must-see highlights with seasonal comforts. So bundle up, embrace the chill, and get ready to discover Strasbourg at its winter best.

Things to do in Strasbourg, France

1. Visit the famous Christmas Markets

Strasbourg is Europe’s self-proclaimed “Capital of Christmas”. The Christmas markets here are collectively known as Christkindelsmärik, and this annual tradition dates back to 1570. Not bad! 

The markets are spread across various squares, and they typically run from the last week of November until Christmas, from 11:30 am until 9 pm. The best way to explore the markets is to simply walk around and take in Alsatian Christmas culture. Place Broglie is the center of it all, so we recommend starting there. And while 13 Christmas markets might sound like a lot to cover, one day really is enough to enjoy them and soak in their festive atmosphere.

The markets are great places to shop for Christmas decorations and festive souvenirs, but for us, the biggest highlight is the food! Personally, I recommend trying spätzle, Alsatian egg noodles or dumplings served with a creamy cheese sauce, and bredeles, which are traditional Christmas biscuits.

2. Taste your way through Strasbourg

• Duration: 3.5 hours
• Time: 10:45 am or 5 pm
• Highlights: Learning about Alsatian food, wine, and beer, exploring the heart of the city on foot, trying dishes that locals love, skipping the tourist traps, and visiting authentic hotspots, small group tour
• Inclusions: All food samples amounting to a full meal, local guide, wine, and beer
• Rating: 4.9 stars (check 550+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

One of the best ways to keep warm in Strasbourg during the winter is to indulge in its hearty cuisine. After seeing the glowing reviews of this food tour, we just had to try it for ourselves, and it proved to be one of the highlights of our trip! 

The tour kicks off with a tasting of fresh bretzels, and then you’ll enjoy a charcuterie selection alongside a glass of local beer or wine. You’ll also try choucroute garnie, which is Alsace’s signature dish and a great winter warmer. Along the way, you’ll also do a cheese tasting and learn all about how French and German influences combine to make Alsatian cuisine so unique. 

One of the best things about doing this tour in the winter is that for dessert, you get to try pain d’épice! This is Strasbourg’s soft, spicy gingerbread, and it tastes ten times better when it’s cold outside. It literally tastes like Christmas! 

Between the delicious food, great company, and expert guide, this tour was a fantastic way to experience Strasbourg’s rich culinary scene. We recommend booking this tour at least a few weeks in advance, as it’s one of the most popular tours in the city and winter is an especially busy time for tourism here!

Don’t miss out – book our favorite Strasbourg tour here!

3. Learn about Strasbourg’s history on a customizable walking tour of the city

• Duration: 2 hours
• Time: 9 am, 10:30 am, 2 pm, or 4:30 pm
• Highlights: Private tour exploring the city with a local who grew up in Strasbourg, visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg, Place Saint-Etienne, Place Broglie, Place Kleber, and Place de la République, customizable itinerary
• Inclusions: Private guide, customizable itinerary, city map
• Rating: 5 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

This private walking tour was the ultimate way to get to know Strasbourg! Our guide, Gabriel, was awesome, and we loved being shown around the city by someone who grew up here. He brought the city to life with personal stories and fascinating historical insights.

We started out at Strasbourg’s stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, where Gabriel explained its incredible history and pointed out hidden details we would never have noticed on our own—like the tiny carved dog near the entrance.

From there, we wandered through the charming streets of the old town, stopping at the quaint Saint Etienne Square, which is surrounded by the city’s trademark half-timbered houses. Between the houses covered in snow and the decorations hanging from them, it felt like we stepped into a fairytale.

Later, we headed to Place Broglie to learn about its role in Stasbourg’s history, then to Place Kléber and Place de la République. Here, Gabriel taught us about Alsace’s unique identity that has shifted between France and Germany over the centuries. 

What made this tour stand out was how effortlessly personalized it felt. Our guide didn’t just follow a script—he adjusted the pace and focus based on what caught our interest, making every stop feel like it was chosen just for us.

It was the perfect way to explore Strasbourg on our terms and truly connect with the city’s unique character. Especially, it’s old and unique winter traditions! And we’re not the only ones who loved it—check out over 100 5-star reviews here.

Book this tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!

4. Visit Colmar, Eguisheim, and Riquewihr

• Duration: 8 hours
• Time: 9:30 am
• Highlights: Explore castles, medieval villages, and historic Christmas markets at your own pace thanks to a private driver, a full-day tailored to your interests, a spacious van perfect for sightseeing with wifi on board
• Inclusions: Private driver, customizable itinerary, hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Rating: 4.6 stars (check the reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

The Alsace region is packed with must-see destinations, but getting to them can be a huge pain (especially in the winter). That’s why this private full-day tour is the perfect choice. It’s more of a self-guided experience, but it makes it easy to explore the region without the stress of planning or driving. Your dedicated driver will handle all of the logistics while you choose how to spend your time at each stop. 

The tour departs Strasbourg at 9:30 am and lasts for 8 hours, so you’ll get a full day to explore the region’s top destinations at your own pace. Your first stop is Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, an impressive hilltop fortress where you’ll have a full hour to explore the ramparts and take in the sweeping views.

Next up is picturesque Colmar. A medieval town famous for its pastel-colored, half-timbered houses. Known as “Little Venice,” it’s centered around scenic canals, and you can even use your time here to take a 25-minute boat ride along them. During Christmas, this boat ride is even more scenic as the canal is decorated!

Next, you’ll visit Eguisheim, which is often called one of the most beautiful villages in France. It’s said to be one of the villages that inspired Beauty and the Beast. Yep, it’s that pretty!

The final village of the day is Riquewihr, where you’ll have another hour to explore its cobbled main street, colorful medieval buildings, and family-run wine shops, many of which offer complimentary tasting sessions when you buy a bottle – cheers!

You can experience all the Alsace region has to offer by booking this tour!

5. Visit Strasbourg’s best museums

On a winter’s afternoon, spending a few hours in a museum is the perfect way to escape the cold and learn something new at the same time! Strasbourg has some excellent museums, so see which one sparks your interest and head there to cozy up for a while.

Palais Rohan is one of Strasbourg’s grandest buildings, and it was once a residence for prince-bishops. Now, it’s home to three different museums (the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Museum of Fine Arts), so you can visit them all or choose just one. If you’d like to visit all three museums, then I suggest getting a full-day pass to save money. The museum is open daily (except Tuesdays), and admission is €7.50.

If you’re more interested in art than history, the Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is the perfect place to spend an hour or two. It’s home to a small but impressive collection of modern and impressionist art, including works by Monet, Picasso, and Kandinsky. It’s open daily (except Mondays), and admission is also €7.50.

6. Visit the Struthof Concentration Camp

• Duration: 5 hours
• Time: 8:30 am
• Highlights: Guided tour of the Struthof Concentration Camp, learning about the WWII history of the Alsace region, visiting Christian Mont Saint Odile for beautiful panoramic views
• Inclusions: Private tour, hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance to Memorial Struthof, historian guide
• Rating: 4.7 stars (check reviews here)
• Free cancellation: No
• Price: Check price here!

This private history tour of the Struthof Concentration Camp was an unforgettable and deeply moving experience. Our guide, Mickaël, was incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate, providing invaluable insight into the complex and tragic history of the Alsace region.

Struthof was the only Nazi concentration camp on French soil, and walking through it was profoundly sobering. Seeing the barracks and execution sites was eerie, to say the least, while the museum exhibits made the prisoners’ suffering heartbreakingly real.

The guided tour of Struthof was both fascinating and heavy, so visiting Mont Saint-Odile afterward added a touch of lightness to the tour. The hilltop Hohenburg Abbey is beautiful, and we had time to reflect on what we had learned as we took in the sweeping views of the countryside.

This tour sheds light on an essential part of Alsace’s past and emphasizes the importance of remembrance. It’s a profoundly powerful experience, and Mickaël’s sensitivity and expertise made it all the more meaningful. We would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Alsace, particularly those with an interest in WWII history. 

Check availability and book this tour in advance here.

7. Go wine tasting in the Alsace region

• Duration: 5 hours
• Time: 8 am – 1 pm
• Highlights: Taste some of the Alsace region’s best wine on a private tour, make stops at chȃteau and picturesque villages, tailored to your interests 
• Inclusions: Private driver and guide, tastings, skip-the-line tickets to Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg, hotel pick up and drop off
• Rating: 5 stars (Check reviews here!)
• Free cancellation: yes
• Price: Check price here!

You can’t visit France without going wine tasting, and luckily for you, the Alsace region is perfect for such an experience. What makes this half-day wine tasting and sightseeing tour even better is that it includes guided visits to castles and medieval villages! It’s a fantastic way to light up your taste buds and your curiosity while staying cozy during the winter.

The first stop is the massive Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, which overlooks the region and offers panoramic views of the snow-covered landscape. You’ll wander through this ancient castle and learn all about its part in the Thirty Years’ War. This is a stop most people miss, so we love that this tour includes a visit.

Next is Riquewihr, a village that looks even more picturesque with a dusting of snow on its half-timbered houses and cobblestone lanes. Your guide will point out hidden details and share fascinating tidbits about local life — from old Alsatian legends to how vintners prepare for the winter. While we have another tour on this list that visits similar towns, this tour is more guided and customizable, so it offers more of an immersive experience.

The highlight of the day is wine tasting at a cozy local cellar with your guide and the winemaker. Sipping a variety of wines by the fireplace, you’ll learn about the region’s winemaking traditions and savor the atmosphere. The wine definitely helps warm you up!

This tour isn’t just a great way to taste some of Alsace’s best wine, but also to discover its hidden gems.

Don’t miss out on this 5-star experience – book it in advance here!

8.  Climb Strasbourg’s Notre Dame Cathedral

Climbing Strasbourg’s Notre Dame Cathedral was one of our favorite winter surprises in the city. While the cold lingered outside, we warmed up quickly as we made our way up the enclosed stone steps, spiraling higher and higher inside the cathedral’s walls. Since the staircase is fully enclosed, it’s a perfect activity even on chilly days—and honestly, a great excuse to work up a little sweat.

Reaching the top was more than worth it. From the viewing platform, we were rewarded with breathtaking views over Strasbourg, the River Ill weaving through the city, and on clear days, even the Black Forest in the distance. Seeing the city from above really puts its layout and beauty into perspective.

Before (or after) the climb, don’t miss the Astronomical Clock inside the cathedral—an intricate masterpiece that’s fascinating any time of year.

Admission to the platform costs €8. From October to March, climbing hours are daily from 10 am to 1 pm and 1:30 to 6 pm., with the last climb 45 minutes before closing. It’s a memorable way to experience Strasbourg—especially in winter.

9. See Strasbourg’s best sights on a private yacht cruise through the city 

• Duration: 2 hours
• Time: 9 am – 11 pm
• Highlights: Traveling on a luxury yacht, visiting La Petite France, the European Parliament, covered bridges, and the Vauban Dam
• Inclusions: Private boat cruise, warm blankets, a glass of Crémant, captain and crew, bathroom on board, lock passage fee (nighttime option)
• Rating: 4.9 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: No
• Price: Check prices here!

There’s nothing quite like gliding through Strasbourg on a boat, and even in winter, this private cruise is an unforgettable experience.

Yes, it’s cold during the winter months, but that just makes the experience even cozier! As soon as we stepped aboard, we were wrapped in warm blankets and handed a glass of Crémant (a sparkling wine), instantly setting a festive, Alsatian mood. 

Cruising by day highlights Strasbourg’s architecture, while an evening ride feels especially magical as the landmarks glow against the winter sky. Petite France looked straight out of a storybook, with its half-timbered houses reflected in the canals, followed by views of the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral and the stately German buildings of the Neustadt district.

Passing through the locks was a highlight, adding a touch of excitement as the water level shifted beneath us. Throughout the cruise, our captain shared engaging stories and historical insights, bringing the city’s past to life as we stayed warm and relaxed on board.

By the end, we were completely charmed. Seeing Strasbourg from the water—blanket wrapped, glass in hand—was the perfect winter perspective. This private cruise is in high demand, even in the colder season, so don’t wait too long to book. It’s a cozy, festive experience you won’t forget.

Check out all the 5-star reviews and book this tour here!

10. Explore the Barrage Vauban

The Barrage Vauban is one of Strasbourg’s most impressive historical landmarks and is well worth a visit, especially if you enjoy combining history with great views. Built in the 17th century, this covered dam once played a crucial role in the city’s defenses, designed to flood the surrounding land and protect Strasbourg from invasion. Today, it stands as a striking architectural monument that reflects the city’s strategic past.

Walking through the interior feels like stepping back in time, with its massive stone corridors and sense of scale that hints at its former military importance. While the history alone makes it interesting, the real highlight is the panoramic terrace on top. From here, you’re treated to beautiful views over Petite France, the canals, and the iconic Ponts Couverts.

It’s no surprise that the Barrage Vauban is a popular tourist site. Whether you’re drawn by its history or simply want one of the best viewpoints in Strasbourg, it’s an easy and rewarding stop.

You can visit daily from 7 am to 9 pm, and admission is free!

Related Read: Need help planning your trip? See our 2-day Strasbourg itinerary, which includes some of these top activities and our personal recommendations!

Where to Stay in Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is a beautiful city with plenty of great places to stay, no matter your budget or travel style. Whether you’re looking for luxury, comfort, or affordability, there’s something here for everyone. All of these hotels are super central and are actually within a few minutes’ walk from one another. After all, you want to be close to everything when you’re only here for a few days! 

To help make your decision easier, I’ve put together a list of the best places to stay in Strasbourg this winter, so you can just focus on enjoying everything this amazing city has to offer!

Luxury – $$$ 

Hotel & Spa REGENT PETITE FRANCE is the grand dame of Strasbourg. It’s set in a converted medieval mill in the heart of the Petite France district, so it offers an atmospheric stay in a top location. Despite its historic exterior, the rooms and suites are modern and either overlook the canal or the scenic half-timbered houses of Strasbourg.

There’s a wonderful wellness center on site that offers a sauna, hammam, and massage treatments. Perhaps best of all, there’s a glamorous champagne bar onsite that offers over 20 different types of champagne – ooh la la! 

Rooms start at around €500 per night in the run-up to Christmas, although prices drop significantly in January. See all the options and book your stay here!

Mid-range – $$

Hotel Les Haras is an upscale hotel set in a beautifully restored 18th-century building in the heart of Strasbourg. Once a historic horse stable, it now offers elegant rooms, a state-of-the-art spa with a sauna and indoor pool, and a gourmet French brasserie. The blend of heritage charm and modern sophistication makes for a refined and relaxing stay.

With impeccable service and a prime location near Strasbourg’s Old Town, it’s an ideal choice for a winter getaway. Prices range from €200 – €400 per night during winter, and start at €350 in the weeks before Christmas. Secure your stay over at Booking.com!

Budget – $

HANNONG Hotel & Wine Bar is a stylish mid-range option in the heart of Strasbourg, perfect for travelers seeking comfort and convenience. Just a short walk from the city’s main attractions, this charming hotel offers elegant rooms with modern amenities and a cozy wine bar featuring a curated selection of local and international wines. Guests can also enjoy the welcoming lounge, a daily breakfast buffet, and a prime location near Petite France and Strasbourg Cathedral.

With great service and a warm atmosphere, it’s an excellent base for exploring the city. 

Prices start at €125 per night during the winter months, or at €400 in December. Check availability for your travel dates on Booking.com!

Renting a Car in France

France is a dream to explore by car—think lavender fields in Provence, medieval villages in the Dordogne, and coastal drives along the Côte d’Azur. While the train network is excellent, having your own wheels lets you uncover those hidden gems at your own pace. Plus, French drivers are generally courteous, making road tripping here a breeze!

We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find automatic cars (which can be tricky in Europe!), and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.

Tips for Renting a Car in France

• Know the local rules: In France, they drive on the right-hand side, and some intersections follow priorité à droite—meaning cars from the right have the right of way, even if you’re on the main road. It’s also mandatory to carry a reflective vest and warning triangle in your car.
• Insurance is essential: I highly recommend adding full coverage insurance to your rental. Whether it’s a ding in a parking lot or a chipped windshield on a rural road, having full protection gives you peace of mind. Plus, it’s super affordable with Discover Cars!
• Pick the right vehicle: Most rentals in France are manual transmission, and automatic cars are limited—so book early if that’s what you need. Also, a compact car is great for narrow village roads or tight city parking. We love how easy it is to filter for exactly what you need on Discover Cars.
• Watch for restricted zones (LEZs): Many major French cities (like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille) have low-emission or restricted driving zones. These areas often require special permits or advance registration, and driving into them without authorization can lead to fines. Always check ahead if you’re planning to drive into a city center.
• Be prepared for toll roads: France has an extensive network of toll roads (autoroutes). Tolls can be paid by cash or card, but it’s worth checking if your rental car comes with a toll transponder for convenience.

What You Need to Rent a Car in France

• A valid driver’s license from your home country.
• If you’re from outside the EU, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. Some rental companies may require one.
• A credit card in the driver’s name is typically required for the security deposit.
• Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, with a young driver surcharge applicable for those under 25. Some companies may have higher age requirements, so make sure you double-check.

Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring France on your own terms!

Thanks for reading!

Strasbourg is one of those places that is even prettier in the winter than in the summer! Maybe it’s the festive Christmas spirit, or the historic buildings covered in snow, but it certainly has a unique “wow” factor. This list of top things to do highlights the best of Strasbourg and the surrounding areas, so stick to these recommendations, and I know you’ll love it as much as we did!

If you need help planning the rest of your trip, see all of our Europe blogs here! We have plenty of guides for winter and other times of year, and we love helping fellow travelers plan a memorable trip. Here are a few related blogs to get you started – cheers!

How to Spend TWO DAYS in Zermatt, Switzerland in Winter: The Best 2-Day Itinerary

8 Best Things to do in Zermatt, Switzerland in the Winter

How to Spend THREE DAYS in Rovaniemi, Finland in Winter: The Best 3-Day Itinerary