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Strasbourg Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 11, 2008 |

A trip to Strasbourg
Strasbourg offers visitors a hearty blend of Franco-Germanic cultures, a strong taste of history and a festive nightlife, making this Alsacian city an enticing choice for travellers seeking an attractive and laid-back destination.

Flights to Strasbourg
Strasbourg International Airport serves direct international and domestic flights from a range of cities. Air France is the main operating airline, with several daily flights to and from Paris. A shuttle bus takes travellers to Baggersee tram and bus station, which links directly to the town centre via the tram line.

The Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport is located in Germany, about 36 miles from Strasbourg. Frankfurt International Airport is about three hours away, and both airports are accessible by bus or train. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Strasbourg try Expedia.

Although Strasbourg is easily explored by foot, you can also rent a bicycle or hop on the city’s network of buses and trams.
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Sightseeing in Strasbourg
A leisurely stroll through the city centre is the best way to explore the different sights. The Notre-Dame Cathedral commands attention with its towering spire and beautiful stained glass windows. From the viewing platform inside the spire, you can gaze down at the old town, and take in fantastic views of the Black Forest and the Vosges. The cathedral also houses the well-known Pillier des Anges, a delicate 13th century pillar to which visitors flock.

The quaint La Petite France neighbourhood is also a worthwhile area for wandering, with its well-kept half timbered houses lining the streets. Noteworthy museums include the Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre Dame, the Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art and the Musée Alsacien. The Palais des Rohan is a 17th-century palace that also houses three museums. Strasbourg is home to several significant European institutions. The main squares, Place Kleber and Place Gutenburg, hold the seats of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.

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Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Alsatian cuisine is served up at traditional restaurants all over the city, the standard dish being a generous portion of sauerkraut, or choucroute. Many other local specialties are offered, often accompanied by an Alsatian white wine or a beer from one of the city’s breweries. Strasbourg has an unpretentious and lively nightlife, heavily centred around student districts. Many bars are located by the Place de la Cathédrale and Place des Halles.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Wintertime brings many festivals and events to the region, most notably the city’s lively Christmas market. To enjoy warmer weather outdoors, the Orangerie is a lovely park with a great playground and a small zoo for children.

A short drive south of Strasbourg takes you to Colmar, a medieval town famous for its Gothic architecture and the Musée d’Unterlinden. Strasbourg is surrounded by beautiful countryside that is easily explored by the scenic Route du Vin (‘Wine Route’), which snakes along the base of the towering Vosges mountains. Wine tasting at the various vineyards is a prime chance to delve into local life. The Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains are choice destinations for those in search of some invigorating outdoor adventure.


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