Visiting Colmar – My Guide to the 12 Must-Do Activities

Why go to Colmar?

Colmar is a real little postcard where it is extremely pleasant to stroll. I don’t think I know a person who hasn’t fallen under its spell! As for me, I can’t get enough of it, even though I’ve lived there and visited it many times with friends.

The only negative side of Colmar is its very quiet tendency, which sometimes turns into a lack of dynamism: don’t come here for crazy parties. Even if there are some very nice places to go out, it is not the strong point of the city! On the other hand, to spend a romantic weekend, you will be perfectly well…

1. Visit Little Venice and Old Colmar on foot

Visiting the city center is really the must-do in Colmar and the only thing to plan if you don’t have much time! The city is small and can be visited very well on foot.

For a first approach of the city, participate in a free tour of Colmar can be interesting: these free tours organized by a passionate local are usually nice! And if you want a real guided tour more in-depth, I can recommend the guide Solène Pouvreau, who is top!

You have certainly already heard of La Petite Venise, the district of Colmar with canals reminiscent of the City of the Doges? Well, you really shouldn’t expect the Venetian landscape, but it’s still lovely.

You will certainly be caught in a photographic frenzy as you walk along the quai de la Poissonnerie along the Lauch (river) and its colorful half-timbered houses. And when spring arrives and everything is covered with flowers… It’s a real fairy tale, I warned you!

You should not hesitate to stroll quietly in Little Venice as well as in the Tanners’ district, which is just next door (around Schwendi Square and the Koïfhus), and in the whole historical center in general. Remember to look up, the facades are beautiful and there are great signs to admire!

Colmar is home to some magnificent buildings, such as the Maison des Têtes ( where, as a foodie tip, you’ll also find one of Colmar’s best pastry shops), the Pfister House, the Dominican Church, the Saint-Martin Collegiate Church (incorrectly referred to as Colmar Cathedral!), the Koïfhus, and the covered market.

Take the small streets and get lost (downtown Colmar is small, you shouldn’t get lost for too long!). Allow half a day in total to visit the city center, taking your time (with even a snack break!).

2. A boat trip through Colmar’s Old Town

Going on a boat trip in Little Venice is a tourist activity, but it is worth it! It’s fun, interesting and allows you to discover Colmar from another angle.

3. Visit one of the city’s museums

Colmar has several interesting museums to visit, including the famous Musée Unterlinden. Take a look at our article on museums to find what you’re looking for: whether you’re a family or a group of adults with an interest in art, local culture or gourmet delights, you’re sure to find something to your liking.

If you’re interested in art, you can also visit the Dominican Church, where Martin Schongauer’s Madonna of the Rose Bush is on display.

4. See the Statue of Liberty

You think I’m completely fabulous? But no, the creator of the famous statue is the Colmar sculptor Auguste Bartholdi: you can therefore admire a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Colmar.

That said, I should warn you that the statue isn’t really shown to its best advantage, since it was installed in the middle of a roundabout… In a shopping district! It’s not very glamorous… So I recommend either admiring it from your car as you drive into Colmar, or parking in the small lot near the roundabout so you can stop for a few moments in front of it.

5. Do a little shopping in downtown Colmar

I won’t detail everything but among my favorite shops are the textiles ofAvenue d’Alsace or the Bretzel Airlines store. For real Soufflenheim pottery, go to Malker or Douceurs et Plaisirs d’Alsace. And for expensive but original and good quality Christmas decorations, go to La Magie de Noël on rue des Marchands.

6. Have a snack in a tearoom or café

For a pleasant break in your visit of Colmar, I propose you my favorite tea rooms and cafés in Colmar. Very different places but all very nice!

7. Wine tasting

It would be a shame not to take advantage of your stay in Colmar to go for a ride on the Alsace Wine Route (by car or with the Kutzig Shuttle). And even if you don’t have the time, the good news is that you can visit a winery and do a wine tasting in Colmar by booking at the Domaine Viticole de la ville de Colmar. For our English-speaking friends, please note that it is also possible to book half-day or full-day tours along the Wine Route departing from Colmar.

8. Cycling around Colmar

Ride your bike along the Lauch river, on the Wine Route or on the Alsace plain. If you want a natural interlude in your stay in Colmar, I recommend you to rent a bike and go for a ride.

You can take a nice little stroll along the Lauch (with a stop at the Aux amis de la Lauch restaurant if you like!), go straight to the Wine Route as you’re soon out of town, or explore the plain with a stop at Neuf-Brisach and the MAUSA Museum, for example. A good breath of fresh air!

And if you want to book a wine tasting on the way (it is very fast for example to go to Eguisheim by bike), go to the website Rue des Vignerons.

9. Explore Colmar like a local

For this section, I entrust you with some addresses I know and others gleaned from friends in Colmar with good advice. They will allow you to visit Colmar off the beaten track and experience Colmar like a true Colmarian!

• 🧺 Shopping at the Marché Saint-Joseph. A must-do Saturday morning activity for Colmar residents, where people come not only to shop but also to have coffee with friends (all the details in the article).
• 🏊 Head to the Aqualia pool, the ice rink, or—in the summer—the Colmar water sports center, a converted gravel pit where you can go swimming!
• 🖼️ Go see an exhibition atthe André Malraux Contemporary Art Center.
• 🎸 Go to the free concert organized bythe Hiéro Colmar association every first Friday of the month at the Marché Couvert.
• 🎭 Go see a show at one of the city’s theaters: Grillen, Salle Europe, Théâtre municipal, or Comédie de l’Est.
• 💃 Go out to Café Rapp, the Latin bar El Barrio (if you like to dance, this is the place!), or Les Trois Singes (perfect for beer lovers).
• 🍷 Visit the Colmar Wine Fair, which takes place every summer. A must-see event for Colmar residents—it’s not really a wine fair, but rather a huge fair where you can find just about anything (yes, even couches, bathrooms, and more…), with the added bonus (and most importantly!) of a truly impressive lineup of concerts.

10. Dining out in Colmar

What if you went to eat a good Alsatian meal in a winstub, a typical Alsatian brasserie? You’ll find my selection of restaurants in Colmar in dedicated articles (not all of them Alsatian, you need to know how to vary your pleasures! As you’ll see, Alsatian gastronomy is excellent, but a little heavy!)

11. Buy good local produce in Colmar

Here are my favorite places to buy good local products (and bring back gourmet souvenirs from Alsace!)

• 🍎 Colmar’s covered market is also the perfect place to find lots of delicious local specialties!
• 🧀 The Saint-Nicolas Cheese Shop. A must-visit in Alsace—you’ll find fabulous cheeses here. If you want to bring back some Munster, this is the place to buy it (they’ll vacuum-seal it for you, so don’t worry!)
• 🥩 Malker, a great place to buy local cheese, pies, Alsatian charcuterie, and more…
• 🥫 The Riquewihr Market is a great place to pick up some delicious foie gras, gingerbread, preserves, and more. They have great Alsatian products!
• 🍪 La Maison alsacienne de biscuiterie is a great place to buy bredele (small Alsatian cookies, traditionally made at Christmas… but they’re delicious all year round!). There are three stores in Colmar.
• 👨‍🌾 Coeur Paysan, a store selling products from local farmers. Fresh and 100% Alsatian!
• 🍷 How about a little wine to go with all these delicious treats? Stop by La Sommelière wine shop. They have great wines, are friendly, and give great advice!
• 🥮 You can’t visit Alsace without trying a kougelhopf, so here are my top picks for where to find the best kougelhopf in Colmar.
• 🍰 In the mood for some pastries? Here are the addresses of my favorite bakeries in Colmar.
• 🫖 If you’re a tea lover, I warmly invite you to check out the L’Essence du Thé shop (and maybe even enjoy a cup of tea in their little tea room, while you’re at it!).
• 🍫 Have you heard of Alsatian Nutella? You can find the famous Nut’Alsace at Jacques Bockel’s chocolate shop.

12. Visit Colmar at Christmas

If you visit Colmar during the Christmas market, you will discover a city adorned with wonderful illuminations and decorations. The Colmar Christmas market is my favorite in Alsace, as much for the quality and size of the market as for the Christmas magic that emanates from the town during this festive season.

Where to stay in Colmar?

Hotels in Colmar

I’ve put together a selection of the best hotels in Colmar (all subjective, as always!).

Guest rooms and apartments

• Looking for a superb guest room? See you at Villa Elyane, for which I have fallen in love! Click here to book.
• Looking for a charming apartment in Colmar? The Clos Bartholdi apartments are sure to please. Click here to book.
• Other charming apartments, each with a different personality and a shared spa, the 1834 & Spa. Click here to book.

Camping

You can stay at the Camping de l’Ill, located near the center of Colmar.