Nomadlytics

If you’re looking for a weekend destination that combines storybook beauty, rich history, and culture, Strasbourg is your perfect pick. Located in the Alsace region, this gem offers the best of French and German culture: medieval alleys, wine-soaked cuisine, and a cosmopolitan buzz that makes it feel like a miniature European capital. Here you will visit the gothic cathedrals and bike along the canals. If you ar evisiting with kids you will love the family-friendly green spaces. Strasbourg is a place that will delight every kind of traveler. Let’s check together this 2 days suggested itinerary.

Day 1: La Petite France and the Old Town

Start your Saturday morning in the Grande Île, Strasbourg’s historic island core and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s best explored on foot, with cobblestone lanes leading you past timber-framed houses, quiet courtyards, and bakeries perfumed with butter and spice. I challange you not to try a croissant!

The most iconic area is La Petite France, a former millers’ and tanners’ district situated along a series of canals. This is Strasbourg at its most photogenic: medieval half-timbered homes leaning at odd angles, flower boxes spilling over with geraniums, and old stone bridges crossing slow-moving water. The narrow Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes is particularly charming and leads you right to the Ponts Couverts, a group of covered bridges guarded by ancient towers.

For a mid-morning treat, stop at a local pâtisserie for a kougelhopf, an Alsatian yeast cake, or indulge in a flaky bretzel, the region’s beloved pretzel. Then, continue toward Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame), one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. Its pink sandstone façade, soaring spire, and intricate carvings will stop you in your tracks. Step inside to see the astronomical clock, a Renaissance marvel that springs to life each day at 12:30 PM with a procession of animated figures. You cannot book the tickets in advance so if you are planning to see the Astronomical clock performance, come early in th emorning to buy your tickets. Children under 6 don’t pay, while the entrance for adults is 4 EUR. The visit of the Cathedral is free of charge but avoid visiting during the religuious celebrations.

From the cathedral, stroll to Place Gutenberg, named after the inventor of the printing press who once lived in Strasbourg. It’s a lively square perfect for people-watching and enjoying a coffee. If you’re interested in the city’s cultural depth, visit the Palais Rohan, home to three museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Archaeological Museum, and the Museum of Decorative Arts—all set in a sumptuous former bishop’s palace. You can buy one combined ticket to enter all three museums. Check the offcial website to find our more abut ticket prices and entry times.

Climb aboard a Batorama river cruise in the afternoon to explore Strasbourg from the water. The boat takes you past the European Parliament and modern neighborhoods, providing an overview of the city’s unique blend of old and new.

Day 2: Bike by the Water and Relax with the Kids

Sunday is the day to enjoy Strasbourg’s green spaces and riverbanks. Begin with a bike ride along the Ill River or the Canal du Rhône au Rhin, where paved bike paths wind through leafy neighborhoods and past elegant villas and waterside cafés. Bikes can be rented easily through the Velhop system, with many pickup points around town.

As you pedal, make your way toward the Orangerie Park, Strasbourg’s oldest and most beloved city park, located near the European institutions. It’s an ideal destination for families: kids will love the large playground, vintage carousel, and the small animal enclosure with goats, peacocks, and storks—the proud symbol of Alsace. You can even rent a rowboat and drift across the park’s charming little lake.

Afterward, enjoy a laid-back lunch at the park’s lakeside café or head to one of the nearby winstubs—Alsatian taverns serving hearty regional fare. Dishes like tarte flambée (flammekueche), choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with sausages and pork), and spaetzle are flavorful and filling, perfect after a morning outdoors.

For a calm end to your day, stroll through the Neustadt district, with its wide boulevards and 19th-century architecture, a legacy of the German Empire’s presence. Or, if you’re up for it, return to the Old Town for a final glass of Alsace wine—perhaps a dry Riesling or fruity Gewürztraminer—on a quiet terrace as the cathedral glows pink in the setting sun.

Extra Tips

• Strasbourg is a bike- and pedestrian-friendly city—leave your car behind and explore at a slow pace. You can rent the bike through the bike sharing app.
• If you’re visiting in December, the Strasbourg Christmas Market is legendary, with twinkling lights, mulled wine, and one of the most magical holiday atmospheres in Europe.
• Book ahead for Sunday lunches—many popular winstubs fill up quickly, especially with locals!

How to get there?

Strasbourg is incredibly well-connected. You can arrive by TGV high-speed train from Paris in under two hours, making it an ideal weekend escape. If you’re flying, Strasbourg Airport (SXB) offers direct connections from major European cities and is just 10 km from downtown. There’s a convenient train shuttle from the airport to the city center. Drivers can also reach Strasbourg via the A35 motorway, with scenic routes through Alsatian wine country. Strasbourg is truly in the heart of Europe. It’s not only well connected with Paris but also with cities in Switzerland and Germany. For instance, Karlsruhe in Germany is just 40 minutes away by train and it takes just above one hour to reach Basel or 2 h to reach Stuttgart.

A weekend in Strasbourg offers just the right balance of history, nature, and indulgence. Maybe the climate is not always the best but it’s worth to visit this still underrated French city. Here you will stroll along the rainy streets admiring the medieval architecture and you will paddle through parks with the kids on a sunny day. While savoring a glass of white wine beside a half-timbered inn, you’ll find yourself enchanted—and already planning your next visit to Alsace.

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