25 Gorgeous Things To Do in Strasbourg

Literally just meters from Germany, Strasbourg is the heart of the Alsace region. Alsace has changed hands between France and Germany several times over its history, giving the city a dynamic, interesting, unique cultural heritage, architecture, and cuisine. 

Think half-timbered homes, medieval architecture, sauerkraut and wine, and technological inovation.

Strasbourg is now a bustling metropolis, presiding over an area of geographic and cultural diversity- the Vosges mountains, coniferous forests, vineyards, and farmlands.

I LOVE Strasbourg and think it’s one of France’s most fascinating and beautiful big cities. So, in this guide, you will find amazing sights and activities you can experience as you explore this incredible city. Read on for the best things to see and do in Strasbourg!

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25 Amazing Things to Do in Strasbourg

To help you navigate all Strasbourg has to offer, this article is broken up into its 3 main areas:

A. The Grande Ile: The “Big Island” is home to Stasbourg’s old-town, with the most historic buildings and monuments. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.

B. Petite France: A charming neighborhood on the western side of the Grande Ile.

C. Neustadt: The New Town built by the Germans in the 1800s, full of beautiful, ornate buildings. It was added to the UNESCO designation in 2017.

A. Grande Ile

1. Strasbourg Cathedral

The Strasbourg Cathedral is the jewel of the Grande Ile and is an insanely massive cathedral that sits in a relatively small square – you really feel dwarfed by the building!

In fact, the cathedral was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874, until the cathedral in Hamburg, Germany surpassed it.

The Strasbourg Cathedral took 250 years to complete and was finished in 1439. Because it took so long to build, multiple architectural styles are evident in the design.

The earliest part of the church – the nave and transept – are Romanesque style, whereas the rest of the church is more French and German Gothic style.

Intricate, detailed sculptures and latticework fill the entire facade, complete with flying buttresses, stained glass windows, and gargoyles. 

Inside you’ll find soaring ceilings of pointed arches, huge stained glass windows covering the walls.

• Hours: 8:30-11:15 and then from 12:45-17:45
• Cost: Free

2. Strasbourg Cathedral Astronomical Clock

Beyond the beautiful achtitecural and religious details and significance of the cathedral, perhaps the coolest and most unique feature is an astronomical clock in the back corner of the church.

While you can see the 1500’s astronomical clock in the cathedral anytime, the clock performs a show with the pieces moving every day at noon.

To see this, you’ll need to buy a special ticket for the clock show specifically from the ticket counter off of Place du Chateau. Tickets cost €4 and go on sale starting at 10 am the day of.

3. Cathedral Panoramic Terrace

You can also climb the towers of the cathedral to the panoramic rooftop terrace. You’ll climb a spiral staircase of 330 steps up the south tower, getting periodic views out of the small windows over the church roof and back to the city. Of course, at the top the views are incredible.

I also really liked being up and close with the flying buttresses and gargoyles!

The platform at the top of the cathedral sits right at the base of the tower and was used as a watchtower during the Middle Ages and Renaissance times, but was also a common leisure spot and social gathering place for families in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Originally, the cathedral was supposed to have 2 spires, but the second tower, though started, was never completed. I don’t mind, though, as it gives it a distinctive look!

Cost: €8

4. Maison Kemmerzell

Maison Kemmerzell is the oldest building in Strasbourg and is a beautiful historic house covered in intricate wooden designs. It is located right on the Place de la Cathedrale and today is home to an upscale Alsacian restaurant. 

5. Place Kleber

Place Kleber is the largest square in Strasbourg, and is lined with stately old buildings, a water feature, and a grand statue of J.B. Kleber, a decorated French general born in Strasbourg in 1753 who died in Cairo in 1800. 

This square contained a church and monastery in the Middle Ages, which were both demolished in the 1500s when the town officially converted to Protestantism.  

6. Place Gutenberg

Place Gutenberg is a charming little square with a carousel and a statue of Johannes Gutenberg, the man who developed a revolutionary invention – the printing press.

Gutenberg began developing the plans for the printing press while living in Strasbourg from 1434-1444. He then moved to his hometown of Mainz, Germany, where he finally printed his first book in 1454. Almost immediately, nearly a dozen printing presses were founded in Strasbourg. 

The statue of Gutenberg was erected in 1840, and the name of the square was changed to Place Gutenberg. Today there’s also a carousel in the square.

A fun sidenote: Originally, this was known as Place du Marché aux Herbes and was an important administrative center. In the 1200s, Strasbourg became a free city, which was a notable designation in the Middle Ages.

Because of this designation, buildings were built around Gutenberg Square to help with the administration of the free city, including the former City Hall (Pfalz), the Chancellery (Kanzlei), and the Mint (Munz). 

7. Take a Boat Ride on the Ill River

When you need a break from walking, a boat tour on the Ill River is a fun activity and offers a unique perspective on the city.

I recommend taking a Batorama boat tour, a 1-hour-and-15-minute cruise that circles the Grande Île before continuing up the Ill River to the European Parliament.

As you cruise, you’ll listen to narration telling you about the different buildings you’re passing and some of the history behind them.

You also get to watch the lock system of the canal in action – the boat will enter into a lock, the gates will close, and water will come in or out of the lock to match the water levels upstream. This was cool to experience! 

You can buy tickets for the boat tours online, at the Batorama ticket office on the Cathedral Square, or at the Batorama ticket office on the quai. The cost is approximately €15 for adults.

Boat tours run approximately every 15-30 minutes throughout the day, and you can just buy your tickets the day of. I was here during high season and bought my ticket 45 minutes ahead of time without a problem.

8. Palais Rohan

The Palais Rohan is a grand palace that sits between the Cathedral and the river. The palace was home to the bishops of Strasbourg who ruled the city, and also hosted French kings and Emporer Napoleon when they came to visit.

Today it is home to 3 distinct museums: the Fine Arts Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Archeological Museum, which we will discuss individually next.

• Hours: Weekdays from 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm, Weekends: 10am-6pm, closed Tuesday
• Cost: You can buy an individual ticket to each museum for €7.50, or you can buy a one-day combo pass for €16. The combo pass also gives you entrance to all the other museums in Strasbourg, so it’s definitely the best value.
  If you’re visiting any of the other museums in the city, it’s worth visiting the Palais Rohan first for the combo ticket (which as far as I can tell was not available at other museums). 

>>Musée des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum)

The first of the museums in the Palais Rohan is the Fine Arts Museum, which contains European and Alsacian paintings spread across 20 rooms of the palace. The rooms are historic, with original flooring and ceiling and wall embellishments that make the setting very lovely.

Most of the paintings are from the Renaissance period onwards. All of the paintings are European, but a few rooms concentrate on paintings done by Alsacian painters. 

I liked the artwork here – it was mostly secular and was a combination of portraits, landscapes, and group scenes. Don’t miss the lovely painting of Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) who was born and raised in the greater Alsace region. 

>>Musée des Arts Decoratifs

The Decorative Arts Museum is essentially a tour through the historical rooms of the Bishop’s Palace, which was built in 1732 for the Prince Bishop of Strasbourg (Armand Gaston de Rohan-Soubise).

The palace was his residence, as well as the residence of the kings and other dignitaries who visited the city. Empress Josephine (wife of Napoleon) stayed at the Palais Rohan for two extended stays when Napoleon was off in his military campaigns. 

Bishop Soubise wanted a palace in the style of the Chateau de Versailles, and even commissioned plans from the King’s architect. As you might expect from a palace taking inspiration from Versailles, the palace rooms are gorgeous!

Each room is sumptuously decorated, often with gold leafing designs on the ceiling and walls typical of the Rocaille style.

Beautiful murals and sculptures, columns and pilasters, tapestries, and intricate embellishments and ornamentation cover the walls and ceilings.

You’ll visit rooms such as the ballroom, the bishop’s room, the library, the chapel, and Emperor Napoleon’s morning room.

I loved this museum and thought it was so beautiful and interesting. If you only do one museum in Palais Rohan, it should be this one.

>>Musée Archeologique

The final museum in the Palais Rohan is the Archeological Museum, which traces the history of people in the Alsace region from prehistoric times, through Roman times, and into early Medieval times.

Stonework, sculptures, ceramics, tools, and other artifacts (including some skeletons!) are on display, with explanations about their history and cultural significance.

This was my least favorite museum, but in general, I find archeological museums less interesting. If you are into archeology, you’ll probably really enjoy this museum. 

9. Historical Museum of Strasbourg

The Historical Museum of Strasbourg is located in what used to be the Grande Boucherie, or the old slaughterhouse. The slaughterhouse, which had been in use since the 1200s was converted to a museum in 1919.

This is a great place to visit to learn about the fascinating history of the city and the entire Alsace region, and the many notable events that happened here.

For example, at the end of the 1200’s Strasbourg became free from the Holy Roman Empire, becoming a free city not governed by the church or the empire itself.

It was allowed to patrol its own walls, have its own market, mint its own money, and did not need to pay taxes or send troops to the Emporer. This degree of freedom was very unique for cities at the time.

Strasbourg’s strategic location on the Rhine, plus its proximity to an important bridge, and on the border of both France and Germany, meant that it was hotly desired by both countries.

Germany owned Alsace for generations until the 1600’s, when France’s King Louis XIV took control of the region following a series of wars. Here’s a quick overview of the flipflop that Alsace has done over the last 300+ years:

• 1697: King Louis XIV of France annexed Alsace from Germany following a series of conflicts and treaties
• 1871: Treaty of Frankfurt, which ended the Franco-Prussian War, brings Alsace back into Germany.
• 1918: At the end of World War I, Alsace becomes French again as part of the peace deal.
• 1940: Alsace becomes German again following the fall of France to Germany in World War II.
• 1945: At the end of WWII, Alsace becomes French again for good.

If you like history or just want some general knowledge about the origins and events that have shaped the region, then this is a great museum to visit.

Exhibits are in French, German, and English, and audioguides are available in other languages. Information is generally presented in very small chunks and is very easy to consume.

10. Musée Alsacien

The Alsacien Museum is housed in a historic 16th-century building and gives a look at traditional Alsacien living, with typical living rooms and items from daily life displayed throughout the rooms. 

Displays include detailed examples of:

• Beautiful painted furniture typical of the region
• Different bed styles
• The special stoves used to heat the homes
• What a well-to-do wine grower’s living room might look like
• Typical kitchens and bedrooms filled with all the trappings of a kitchen (pots, pans, butter churns, stoves, baskets, plates, cutlery, etc)
• A pharmacy

Plus, you can see examples of traditional Alsacian clothing. Women had a very distinct “uniform” of a red skirt and headdress with a black bow. Men wore a red waistcoat with large buttons.

I found this museum to be fascinating and charming, creating a vivid look back into the past. The room setups, attention to small details, items of daily life, and outfits really helped paint a picture of what life would have been like in Alsace. 

11. Place Broglie

Place Broglie is a long narrow square right in front of Hotel de Ville (City Hall).

Today the place is fairly quiet and laidback, but in the Middle Ages it was a happening place full of upscale mansions, government buildings, and even a horse market.

In 1740, linden trees were planted, turning the square into essentially a promenade. 

12. Saint Thomas Church

Saint Thomas is the second oldest church in Strasbourg (after the cathedral) and has been nicknamed the “Lutheran church”. 

Overall, this church is very underrated in the city, and the outside has more of a plain appearance, but there are some really interesting and notable features inside.

First, the grand organ and stained glass rose window at the back of the church are gorgeous and you get a great view of them from the front of the church.

Second, at the front of the church is a magnificent mausoleum and sculpture for the tomb of Maurice de Saxony, a Marshal de France. The sculpture depicts death beckoning Saxony into the grave and different symbols of France mourning his death. It is breathtaking!

Finally, a second, smaller, free-standing organ is on display in the church. Mozart visited Strasbourg and played a concert on this organ in 1778.

There are laminated informational cards available at the front to read as you wander the church – definitely grab one, the information is very interesting and really improves the experience. 

• Hours: 10am-6pm
• Cost: Free

13. Walk the River Banks

The Ill River on the south side of the Grande Ile is incredibly charming, lined with walking paths, and gorgeous views over the water and quaint buildings lining the riverbanks.

The north side of the Grand Ile is lined by the Canal des Faux Remparts and is also a nice area to walk. This side is a lot quieter, with a narrower waterway and more nature-focused pathways along the banks.

Watch for stairs down from the sidewalks to access the pathways, which are popular for walking, jogging, or hanging out – it’s definitely worth walking along at least part of the river/canal.

14. Eat Traditional Alsacian Food

Thanks to its long history with Germany, Alsacian food bears a lot of resemblance to German food. Almost every restaurant in town serves Alsacian cuisine, so it’s you’ll certainly have ample opportunity to try some delicious regional foods:

• Choucroute Garnie: A dish comprised of sausage, sauerkraut (choucroute) and sometimes boiled potatoes.
• Tarte Flambée: Similar to a pizza, this dish has a super thin crust that is usually wood-fired, topped with cream, onions, and ham or bacon.
• Bretzels: Alsacian pretzels, sometimes prepared with melted cheese or cinnamon sugar.
• Spaetzle: A buttery egg noodle dish, often cooked with “toppings” like chicken, tomato, and cheese.
• Kouglehopf: A regional pastry made with brioche dough and filled with rum-soaked raisins.

A few recommended restaurants include:

• La Fignette (5, Rue de la Vignette)
• La Hache (11, Rue de la Douane)
• L’Argentoratum (14, Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes)
• Binchstub Restaurant (6, Rue du Tonnelet Rouge)

15. Strasbourg Christmas Market

The Strasbourg Christmas Market is known as the “Capital of Christmas” and is truly one of the most incredible holiday markets in Europe.

From the end of November to end of Deccember, twelve different markets fill the Grande Ile, with Place Kleber hosting an enormous Christmas tree. Lit decorations adorn the streets around town and the entire city has an air of festivity to it.

It’s truly a magical and immersive experience and deserves a spot on your Christmas bucket list. (And if you’re coming to Strasbourg at Christmas, don’t skip the Colmar Christmas Market nearby).

B. Petite France

Petite France is a small but oh-so-cute neighborhood of Strasbourg on the west side of the Grande Ile. Here, multiple canals intersect with the Ill River and the Canal dex Faux-Remparts, and are lined with picture-perfect half-timbered houses, and flowers galore.

The Petite France area is also known as the Quartier des Tanneurs and is named after all the tanners who worked in this neighborhood in the Middle Ages.

The buildings were on the river to provide access to the water needed for tanning the leather, and had open galleries under the roofs used for drying hides. 

16. Admire the Beautiful Streets

The best thing to do in Petite France is walk around and admire the incredibly adorable streets. Here is a look at some of the most beautiful spots in the quarter:

>>Maison des Tanneurs

The House of the Tanners dates back to 1572 and is one of the most emblematic homes in the neighborhood. It’s right on Place Benjamin Zix and today houses an Alsatian restaurant. 

>>Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes

This charming street is next to the canals that passes behind the Maison des Tanneurs.

>>Pont du Faisan

This charming bridge dating back to 1888 crosses the canals and offers some cute views!

>>Quai des Moulins

A canal-side street that looks back at the Maison des Tanneurs and Place Benjamin Zix.

>>Quai de la Petite France

A peaceful walkway along the canal in one of the little “peninsulas” created by the canal system.

>>Pont Saint Martin

A larger bridge that marks the entrance from the rest of the Grande Ile of Strasbourg into the Petite France quarter. The bridge offers fantastic views over beautiful buildings.

>>Passerelle des Anciennes Glacières

This small pedestrian footbridge gives you an up close and personal look at the lock system of the canals, and can watch it in action if a boat cruise comes through (which they do every 15-30 minutes).

Plus the view here is incredible – maybe my favorite in the whole Petite France neighborhood. You get the view of Maison des Tanneurs, the flowers, the other houses, and everything is just perfectly picturesque. 

17. Barrage Vauban

The Barrage Vauban (Vauban Dam) and the Ponts Couverts (Covered Bridges) are the two main “attractions” in Petite France. They face each other where the canals of Petite France meet the confluence of the Ill River and Canal du Faux Remparts.

The Canal des Faux Remparts runs along the north side of the Grande Ile and together with the Ill River, makes the Grande Ile an island.

The dam was built between 1686-1700 and designed by Vauban, Louis XIV’s military engineer. The dam was designed to be able to open up the river and flood the surrounding countryside to make it inaccessible to attackers.

While the defensive capabilities of the dam are not really necessary today, the dam is still working.

Visitors can access a passageway through the dam, and can take the stairs up to a panoramic terrace on the top looking back to Petite France and the Ponts Couverts. 

18. Ponts Couverts

The Ponts Couverts originally was a set of 4 covered bridges crossing the Ill River in succession, interspersed with towers. Today, the bridges are just “regular” open-air stone bridges, with 2 of the historic towers still standing on the bridge. 

The Ponts Couverts directly face the Vauban Dam.

C. Neustadt

Neustadt means “new city” in German and was built during between 1880-1914, when Germany controlled the region. The neighborhood tripled the city’s area, and today is included in Strasbourg’s UNESCO Heritage designation.

The new town is still very much “Old World” European architectural style, and reminds me a lot of the Haussmanian architecture found in Paris – ornate stone facades with sculptures and embellishments. 

While most visitors stick to the Grande Ile, I think it’s really worth exploring Neustadt for a couple of hours – I was really impressed!

These are some of the top attractions in this beautiful quarter.

19. Palais de Justice

The Palais de Justice is a neo-Greek-style courthouse built in 1897. This beautiful building has a very impressive facade with Corinthian columns and is right on the Canal des Faux Remparts.

20. Saint Pierre le Jeune Church

Just next to the Palais de Justice is Eglise St. Pierre le Jeune, a unique church in Strasbourg thanks to its use of pink sandstone.

The two rectangular towers of the church are very typical of Rhineland churches, and it also has a beautiful Latin-style dome in the church center.

Black marble columns contrast with the white walls and the volume of the church is notable. The history is no less interesting – the church originally was shared between Protestants and Catholics for many years (although today it is just a Catholic church). 

21. Place de la Republique

Place de la Republique is the cultural and political hub of the Neustadt District and was designed to look like an “Imperial Square.”

It is lined by several beautiful and massive buildings, such as the Palais du Rhin (the old Imperial Palace), the National University Library, and the National Theater of Strasbourg.

The square is a lovely little green, with trees, flowers, greenery, and a large statue. 

22. L’Eglise Saint Paul

Sitting at the tip of the Saint Helene Island is the Church of Saint Paul, a Protestant church built in the late 1800s and designed in a neo-Gothic style. It sits proudly watching over the riverbanks on the south side of the river. 

23. Parc de l’Orangerie

Further out from the Grande Isle, still in Neustadt, is the spacious Parc de l’Orangerie. This is a lovely park, filled with wide walking paths, French gardens, English gardens, and rose gardens.

There are numerous spots to enjoy in the park, including a scenic pond where you can rent rowboats, a temple of love gazebo, a playground, multiple gardens, and lots of areas for relaxing.

It’s a popular place with residents, but as a tourist, I also loved walking through the park and soaking up the ambiance. 

24. Lycée des Pontonniers

The Lycée des Pontonniers is a notable building constructed in Renaissance Revival architecture situated on the Canal dex Faux Remparts. It was originally a military barracks for the Pontonniers, a bridging unit that played a pivotal role in the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1902 it was converted into a school for girls in 1902, and today is an international high school. It’s distinct and unique architecture makes it a standout along the canal.

25. European Parliament

In 1949, Strasbourg earned the title “capital of Europe” as it became home to the European Parliament, along with key institutions like the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, and the International Institute for Human Rights.

Visitors can visit the Parliament building for free and take guided or self-guided tours of the building, the council rooms, and the rooftop terrace. 

Map of Strasbourg Attractions

How Many Days Do You Need in Strasbourg?

You can see the main highlights of the Grande Ile and the Petite France neighborhoods with just 1 day in Strasbourg. However, to do everything on this list, I’d recommend a solid 2 days in the city.

Strasbourg also makes a great base for visiting the other beautiful cities and villages of Alsace – there are so many beautiful spots!

Strasbourg is popular and gets busy, but even in summer it was never so busy that the crowds felt overwhelming and unmanageable.

Still, waking up early and walking around before the crowds came out was a really nice way to enjoy the beauty of the town and have the sights all to myself. Even at 8:30, there was practically no one out and about in the tourist part of the Grande Ile. 

And of course, if you can visit in December for the Christmas markets, you absolutely should. You can get a great taste of the markets in a single day, but if you can spare two, you won’t regret it.

Final Thoughts

Strasbourg is a truly unique and beautiful city in France, with so much to offer. Whether you’re exploring its attractions, learning about its history, sampling the distinctive cuisine, or simply enjoying the charming views, you’ll find plenty of memorable experiences.

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