Must-see historic sites in Strasbourg

1. Admire Notre-Dame Cathedral: the heart of Strasbourg

Impossible to miss the Notre Dame de Strasbourg cathedral, which sits majestically in the heart of the city center. With its pink sandstone and unique tower, it’s one of a kind! I advise you to admire it from the outside but also to visit the inside of this historical monument: the entrance is free and it’s worth it, there are plenty of things to admire there including the famous astronomical clock!

2. Climb to the Cathedral platform for a panoramic view

For a panoramic view of Strasbourg, climb onto the platform of the tower of Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame cathedral! From its 66-metre height, the view is truly breathtaking… It’s worth the 330 steps!

3. Stroll around Grande Île, a UNESCO-listed historic center

The heart of downtown Strasbourg is located on an island surrounded by the Ill (name of the river) and called the Grande Île. The Grande Île of Strasbourg is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable architecture. As you’ll soon see as you stroll through this historic district, the city is truly beautiful, with its many historic monuments and typical half-timbered houses!

It is very pleasant to walk in its mostly pedestrian streets: it is both beautiful and lively! Among the places to see, in the order of a short walking tour:

• Place du Marché Gayot
• Place saint-Etienne
• Rue des Juifs
• Quartier des Orfèvres (around rue des Orfèvres), with a visit to Maison Kammerzell (Strasbourg’s oldest house).
• Palais Rohan
• Place Broglie
• Place Kléber
• Grand Rue (one of Strasbourg’s main streets)
• Place Gutenberg
• Rue des Tonneliers and Place des Tripiers.
• Quai des Bateliers.

4. Marvel at the picturesque Petite France district

The Petite France district is located on Strasbourg’s Grande Île. It’s the most touristic historical district of the Alsatian capital, but it’s also one of the most charming! With its canals, locks, many flower-filled half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and covered bridges, it’s impossible not to be seduced by this picturesque district that’s so emblematic of Strasbourg!

5. High above the Vauban Dam and the Covered Bridges

Here’s an emblematic place that I never fail to visit when friends come to visit: the Barrage Vauban offers one of the prettiest views in Strasbourg! Admission is free, just climb one floor and you’re on the Barrage Vauban terrace, overlooking the Ponts Couverts, the Ill, Petite France and the cathedral… Nice, huh?

Culture and heritage: museums, Neustadt and institutions

6. Explore the Neustadt: Strasbourg’s German imperial quarter

The Neustadt is a historic district of Strasbourg, also known as the Imperial Quarter or German Quarter. This name comes from the fact that it was built when Strasbourg was German. The Neustadt, together with the Grande Île, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an essentially residential area but worth visiting for its architecture. At least visit the main square in the imperial quarter, Place de la République, which will give you a good idea of what it’s all about.

7. Visit the Cave historique des Hospices Civils and its medieval wine

Strasbourg has the oldest white wine in the world stored in barrels. Yes, just that! Even more unusual, the latter is stored… in the cellar of the Strasbourg Hospital! A practice that dates back to the Middle Ages, when payments for medical expenses and bequests were made in kind. I’ll tell you more in this article dedicated to the Historic Cellar of the Hospices de Strasbourg. If you want to see a nice cellar and buy some good wine, here is a good place in the city center. Already very nice if you can’t go for a ride on the Wine Route to visit some wineries!

8. Visit Strasbourg’s museums (Palais Rohan, Musée Alsacien…)

Strasbourg has several museums to suit all tastes, from the most classic to the most unusual! For my part, my favorites are the following:

• Palais Rohan – One of the city’s landmarks, opposite the cathedral, home to three museums (Decorative Arts, Fine Arts and Archaeology).
• Alsatian Museum – Located in a beautiful Alsatian building, you can learn a lot about Alsatian culture and life in Alsace in the past.
• Musée Historique de Strasbourg – The history of Strasbourg from the Middle Ages to the creation of European institutions, including the French Revolution, well explained and not at all boring, thanks to a beautiful museography!
• Tomi Ungerer Museum – A museum dedicated to the famous Alsatian cartoonist.
• MAMCS (Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) – I love the building and the collections are interesting. One finds there in particular with works of Gauguin, Monet, Renoir or Pissarro. Temporary exhibitions too.
• Vodou Museum – In the unusual kind, the Vodou museum proposes to dive into the African tradition of Vodou…

9. Discover the European Parliament and the institutional district

Strasbourg shares, with Brussels, the status of European capital. Indeed, Strasbourg has several European institutions, and notably the famous European Parliament (clearly my favorite). You can also visit the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Council of Europe.

You can get to the European Quarter by bike or streetcar (or on foot, but it’s further, so you’ll have to take your time, but it’s a nice walk). If you have limited time and want to see the European institutions in Strasbourg, the best options are in my opinion

• the Batorama boat trip, which takes you around the area.
• the Segway tour of Strasbourg, which takes you on a complete 2-hour tour of the city, including the European institutions. Book your ride here.

10. Take a guided tour to see Strasbourg from a different angle

For a first impression of Strasbourg, it may be worth taking part in a guided tour. As in many European cities, you can sign up for a free tour of Strasbourg, organized by an enthusiastic local, or book a real guided tour if you’d like a more in-depth look. Another more unusual option is to take part in a guided tour in period costume with Epok’Tour. You can even choose the period you’d like to explore, from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution or Renaissance.

What to do in Strasbourg Activities, relaxation and experiences

11. Fly-boat tour on the Ill with Batorama

Strasbourg is surrounded by water: what could be better than a boat tour? Batorama offers to visit Strasbourg on board of its river boats. It’s certainly a tourist activity, but I’d highly recommend it: there’s nothing like it for discovering the city from a different angle, exploring districts where you wouldn’t necessarily have gone on foot, discovering its historic monuments and understanding the city’s history and organization. A must for a visit to Strasbourg!

12. Greet the storks at Parc de l’Orangerie, the green lung

The Parc de l’Orangerie is the place to be for jogging, family outings or picnics with friends. The pleasant Parc de l’Orangerie has playgrounds for children, a small lake where you can take a boat ride, and ping-pong tables. As an added bonus, you can easily spot the famous Alsatian storks! Another option is the Strasbourg Botanical Garden is a haven of peace…

13. Rent a bike: the best way to visit Strasbourg “like a local”.

If you want to do like the locals, rent a bike! Strasbourg is France’s leading city for cycling, with numerous cycle paths. You can do as the Strasbourgeois do by renting a bike: you can explore parts of Strasbourg that are a little further from the center, or even get out of town to enjoy the surrounding nature. Last but not least, don’t hesitate to book a guided bike tour of Strasbourg, which is great fun too!

14. Treat yourself to a wellness break (Bains Municipaux or Taaka Beer Spa)

We are lucky in Strasbourg to have beautiful places dedicated to well-being and relaxation. I suggest, for example, trying out the Bains Romains at Strasbourg’s Bains Municipaux (or simply enjoying the pool!), taking a hammam at Les Cent Ciels or trying out the unusual experience of Taaka Beer Spa, a beer spa.

15. Riding an electric boat on the Ill (no permit required!)

You can take an electric boat trip in Strasbourg: it’s a very pleasant experience, as you can cruise along the water at your leisure… You don’t need any sailing experience, the boats have low-power engines, are easy to handle and don’t need to navigate Strasbourg’s most complicated canals.

16. Try an unusual activity for an original visit

Looking for the unusual? We’ve written an article full of unusual ideas to discover in Strasbourg.

17. Forest walks in the countryside around Strasbourg

If you like to walk in the forest, the Robertsau Forest or the Neuhof Forest, the two peri-urban forests of Strasbourg, are the right places for you! It’s a great place for hiking 🙂 The Rohrschollen nature reserve is a great option for a walk too.

18. What to do in Strasbourg when it rains My ideas for sheltered activities

Is it raining when you visit Strasbourg? Don’t panic, there are plenty of things you can do in Strasbourg if it rains.

19. Experience the magic of Strasbourg, Christmas Capital

Of course, if you come during the holiday season, you should not miss the Christmas Market in Strasbourg and all the activities that go with it! The city is then adorned with beautiful lights and decorations, it is magnificent.

Where to eat and drink in Strasbourg: my specialities and addresses

20. Enjoy Alsatian specialities such as sauerkraut, flammekueche and pretzels.

Sauerkraut, baeckeoffe, tarts flambées, pretzels… It’s impossible to come to Alsace without tasting some of its specialties. The traditional cuisine is rather rich and hearty, but it’s tasty! Gastronomy is a (very) important topic in Alsace, so here are several articles on the subject:

• Our favorite winstubs in Strasbourg (traditional Alsatian restaurants)
• Strasbourg’s best tartes flambées
• Strasbourg’s best kougelhopfs
• Our favorite restaurants
• Our favourite vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free restaurants
• Our favorite world cuisine restaurants
• The best brunches

21. Take a gourmet break in an independent café or tearoom

Please avoid Starbucks when visiting Strasbourg, and support independent retailers. We are lucky in Strasbourg, we have a lot ofexcellent cafés and tea rooms offering a nice setting, good drinks and delicious treats! It would be a shame not to take advantage of it…

22. Enjoy Strasbourg’s finest terraces in summer

If you come to Strasbourg in summer, you will quickly realize that the city is very pleasant and has many places to live that make you want to settle down. My favorite terraces? La Corde à Linge in Petite France, the bars of the Place du Marché Gayot on the Grande Île and the terraces of the Café Atlantico and the Rafiot, two boats installed on the Quai des Bateliers.

23. Enjoy a good Alsatian craft beer

Who says Alsace says… Beer! It must be said that we drink quite a lot of it in the region. You still need to know the right places to try good craft beers!

24. Picnic on the waterfront quayside

Picnicking on the waterfront is one of my favorite summer activities. Buy some good local products (you’ll find them in the center of town at the Nouvelle Douane), sit back and enjoy!

25. Listen to a live music concert in one of the city’s bars

Strasbourg has concert halls but also several bars that regularly organize live music concerts. Very nice to spend a good evening! Find here our addresses to listen to live music in Strasbourg.

My interactive map to visit Strasbourg

FAQ : Everything you need to know to visit Strasbourg