Our 10 favorite parks and gardens in Strasbourg

Map of Strasbourg’s parks

We’ve listed the parks and gardens in Strasbourg here. If you’re looking for green spaces outside the city, check out our article on our favorite walking spots around Strasbourg.

1. Orangery Park

Located next to the European institutions in the chic Orangerie neighborhood, this 26-hectare park is the largest near the city center and one of the favorite parks of Strasbourg residents. The Parc de l’Orangerie is where joggers, families, street performers, and yoga enthusiasts gather.

The downside is that it gets a little crowded on weekends. I still go there regularly—by bike, along the Quai des Belges—to read a book on the grass. While you’re there, you can also grab a book from the self-service book hut, and of course, a stop at Franchi’s ice cream shop —located at both entrances to the park—is a must.

It’s also my favorite place to go running—there are plenty of little paths and things to see. An elegant English garden, it is dotted with numerous works of art, rose gardens, and buildings both old and new—such as the Pavillon Joséphine (1807), built in honor of the Empress—as well as half-timbered houses; one of them is home to the gourmet restaurant Le Burehiesel (1895).

You can stretch your legs there on foot or by bike; it’s a family-friendly park that’s often the perfect spot for a Sunday stroll or a romantic walk. With its many playgrounds and vintage car track, it’s the perfect park for a picnic followed by a game of pétanque or a canoe ride on the lake. And it’s especially beautiful in the spring when the magnolias are in bloom and the storks put on a show!

📍 Boulevard de l’Orangerie, 67000 Strasbourg 🔗 Our dedicated article

2. University of Strasbourg Botanical Garden

Whether you want to stroll, relax, or read a book by the central pond, the Botanical Garden is an oasis of calm and coolness in the heart of the Esplanade neighborhood. It’s a shame it’s only open in the afternoon, starting at 2 p.m.

This garden is fairly close to the town center (approx. 20 min walk from the Cathedral) is very pleasant and refreshing in summer when the vegetation is dense. Created in 1619, the botanical garden boasts almost 6,000 plant species spread over 3.5 hectares. Both relaxing and educational.

I have a real passion for little urban jungles and trees with extra-large leaves, so don’t miss the tropical greenhouse—a warm, humid space that’s home to 450 exotic species. To get to the Botanical Garden, take the Quai des Bateliers—the walk along the Ill River is really pleasant and interesting. Along the way, you’ll discover some of Neustadt’s hidden gems, such as the Palais U and the Municipal Baths.

📍 28 Goethe Street, 67000 Strasbourg 🔗 Official website

3. Parc des Contades

Just a short walk from Place de la République, nestled in the heart of Neustadt (the German Imperial Quarter), lies Parc des Contades. It’s relatively small (7.9 ha), so you can walk around it quickly, but it’s still pleasant and close to downtown ( about a 15-minute walk).

Created in 1764 by the marshal of the same name, it is bordered on one side by Avenue de la Paix and its opulent buildings, and on the other by Quai Zorn, where the Aare River flows. A few charming buildings dot the walk: in the center of the park, a lovely cast-iron bandstand serves as a stage for musicians during the summer; on the quay stands a historic architect-designed villa, the Villa Osterloff; and the former synagogue is located on the avenue.

📍 20 Avenue de la Paix, 67000 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

4. Parc de la Citadelle

This park is located near the universities and the Esplanade campus. It’s very lively, and the visitors tend to be young. Designed by Vauban (an engineer and architect for Louis XIV), this former military fortress was intended to defend the city along the Rhine.

Located in the Esplanade university district, surrounded by the ruins of the citadel and its moat—which is still filled with water—the park covers 11 hectares. You can also take a stroll at the very top of the citadel. I used to visit this park regularly, and I still enjoy going there to run or take a walk from time to time.

It’s probably the best place to keep kids entertained, with several large playgrounds, a zip line, and water play areas. It’s also the best-equipped park, featuring a pétanque court, outdoor fitness equipment, and several basketball courts—making it a park for athletes as much as for families. From community gatherings and cultural events to outdoor movie screenings, Parc de la Citadelle also hosts a wide variety of events.

📍 Quai des Belges, 67000 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

5. Heyritz Park

Another park I really like is the newest one in Strasbourg, located in the new Heyritz neighborhood. It’s situated along the embankments that run alongside the Nouvel Hôpital Civil and the Porte de l’Hôpital basin. Spanned by a long floating bridge, its proximity to the water makes it a truly delightful park, with beautiful late-afternoon light reflecting off the basin.

With 8.7 hectares of green space perfect for a Sunday stroll or watching the sunset, Heyritz Park is beautifully landscaped, featuring a sports field with exercise equipment, playgrounds for children, ping-pong tables, and a reflecting pool. People come here with their families to relax, have a picnic with friends, read a book on the grass or on the grassy bleachers, or watch the rowers and paddleboarders. You can also rent canoes and kayaks at the recreation center just a few meters away.

Popular with residents of the Neudorf district, the park is very lively in summer and even offers open-air cinema sessions.

📍 Chemin du Heyritz, 67100 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

6. The two-rives garden and footbridge

The Jardin des Deux-Rives is a 150-hectare cross-border park. Serving as a link between France and Germany, it connects Strasbourg to the city of Kehl. To reach the opposite bank, take the suspension footbridge—designed for pedestrians and cyclists—that spans the Rhine.

On the French side of the river, the garden forms a semicircle. On either side of the Mimram footbridge (named after the architect) are vast lawns—though with little shade—and, running parallel to them, two themed paths. As you stroll along the arc, you’ll discover a water wall (unfortunately often out of order), a number of small, hidden islands, discovery gardens, a playground for children—in short, plenty of educational spaces for visitors of all ages. Les Deux-Rives is also the ideal setting for hosting events, festivals, and concerts every summer.

I have to admit I prefer the German side ( der Garten der zwei Ufer), which is shadier and cooler. There’s plenty to keep the kids busy, with activity areas, water play areas, a few art installations, and even an observation tower. And to unwind, head to the Rheinschneck, a really nice little beer garden—perfect for enjoying a good beer and some currywurst. A guaranteed change of scenery, just a few minutes from Strasbourg!

📍 Passerelle des Deux-Rives, 67000 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

7. The banks of the Rhone-Rhine Canal (Malraux)

A short urban stroll starting from the Malraux Peninsula! The banks of the Rhône-Rhine Canal— which run fromthe former Môle Seegmuller to the new Danube and Môle Citadelle neighborhoods— are perfectly suited for a leisurely walk. There, you’ll come across joggers, walkers, and cyclists, as the bike path also runs alongside the Parc de la Citadelle and the quays all the way to the Citadelle, Vauban, and Dusuzeau harbor basins.

To have a pint and munch on a knack sausage while waiting for the sunset, in the summer we love to hang out at the Phare Citadelle, a former port warehouse converted into a really cool “third place” with a large waterfront terrace. On this side, you can still feel the raw, industrial vibe. Along the Bassin Vauban, with its new apartment buildings, the promenade is a bit neater.

📍 1 Presqu’île André Malraux, 67000 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

8. Along the winding Rhine (Krimmeri)

The Rhin Tortu, also known as the Krimmeri, is a winding branch of the Ill River that winds its way through the southern neighborhoods of Strasbourg (Neudorf and Meinau) for nearly 21.7 km. Neudorf is my home base! It, too, has its own little green oasis. The Kurgarten Park is somewhat under the radar; it’s mostly frequented by Neudorf residents.

It’s very shady here, so it’s nice to come and relax on a bench at the end of the day. There’s a ping-pong table, a soccer field, and a pétanque court, as well as play areas for children, fitness stations for adults, and wooden walkways—there’s even a bistro in the center of the park. A small stream, the Ziegelwasser, runs through it. A shaded path follows its banks, which are lined with numerous community gardens; you can relax on a metal lounge chair or have a picnic by the water.

Heading south toward the Meinau neighborhood, you’ll stop at Extenwoerthfeld Park, located behind the stadium or along the Rhin Tortu (also perfect for a peaceful outdoor lunch break), then walk or ride to Schulmeister Park and its central pond. Another way to explore this part of Strasbourg is by water, trying your hand at stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). The City Sports Office offers various formats and routes, though equipment is not provided.

📍 40 rue d’Orbey, 67100 Strasbourg 🔗 More info

9. L’île aux sports (Wacken)

This 30-hectare complex, entirely dedicated to sports and recreation, is surrounded by the Ill River. Located in the heart of the Wacken neighborhood, the Île aux Sports is the only multi-sport facility of this size in France situated right in the heart of the city. About fifteen sports organizations, representing some twenty disciplines and clubs, have set up shop there. The Île aux Sports stretches across a lush green setting between the branches of the Ill River and the community gardens, just a short walk from the new Archipel business district and the European Parliament. It is accessible by public transit or bicycle.

📍 Rue Pierre de Coubertin, 67000 Strasbourg

10. Parc du Glacis

It’s not exactly the city’s most popular park, nor is it the best place for a leisurely stroll. Glacis Park is located behind the central train station. Running parallel to the A5 highway, it separates the Cronenbourg neighborhood in the city’s northwest from downtown. A small canal runs through the park, spanned by a footbridge at the entrance. Less well-known and therefore less crowded, it is above all a park steeped in history.

This part of the city corresponds to the former ring of military forts built after the siege of 1870 ( a ring that the “Piste des Forts” bike route follows). A few unusual features punctuate the route, such as these two old caponiers (bunkers), remnants of the German occupation. Access to the park is through the imposing Kriegstor (War Gate), which dates back to 1877. Rue du Rempart is still marked by the presence of other military buildings from that era.

At the end of the street, another building known as Bastion 14 now houses shared artist studios. It’s a shame that the scenery is marred by the presence of too many homeless people’s tents, because the walk along the waterfront and through the community gardens is truly pleasant.

📍 30 rue du Zielbaum, 67000 Strasbourg

Key Facts About Strasbourg’s Parks and Gardens

• The Orangerie Park remains the largest and most popular park among Strasbourg residents
• The Botanical Garden and Parc des Contades are perfect for a peaceful break near the city center
• Citadelle Park and Heyritz Park are the best options for families and athletes
• The Jardin des Deux-Rives allows visitors to cross the Rhine on foot or by bike into Germany
• These 10 parks are part of the Green Belt, which covers a total of 1,400 hectares of green space around Strasbourg

Want to get out of the city? Head to our favorite nature trails around Strasbourg.

Your Questions About Strasbourg’s Parks and Gardens