City breaks in Strasbourg

Strasbourg and its region, Alsace, have bounced back and forth between France and Germany over the centuries so everything, from the half-timbered architecture to the food and drink, has influences of both countries.

Any visit to Strasbourg is like stepping into the pages of a fairy tale, it’s Hansel and Gretel without the Grimm - magical, beautiful and historic. If you really want to ramp up the medieval romance, visit around Christmas when the city is draped in fairy lights and the streets are taken over by one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

The centre of the town is pretty small, mainly contained to the Grand Ile, an island bounded on one side by the Ill river and on the other by a canal. This compactness makes it the perfect destination for a long weekend, when you don’t want to travel too far, but you’d like a total change of scenery and pace. The whole of the island itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so don’t forget your camera.

To get there, just hop on a Eurostar to Paris, Gare du Nord, walk eight minutes down the road to Gare de l’Est, and from there you can be in Strasbourg in under two hours.

Traditional food in Alsace is heavily influenced by German cuisine, mainly focused on meat, especially pork, and quite light on vegetables other than potatoes and cabbage.

Local dishes to try in Strasbourg

Choucroute (Sauerkraut) - if you haven’t yet discovered the delights of pickled cabbage with pork knuckle and several types of sausage, served on a bed of buttery boiled potatoes, now’s your chance. This is most definitely winter food.

Flammekueche - which translates as Flambé tart, is so popular there are restaurants dedicated to just this one dish. It’s like a cross between a pizza and a savoury tart, thin flaky pastry topped with cream, onions and bacon and eaten with the fingers.

Kougelhopf - this distinctively-shaped brioche cake is studded with raisins and almonds, a bit like an Alsatian version of Panettone. A savoury one is also available with bacon and walnut bits. Insider tip: go to the Christian Patisserie behind Place Kléber for the best Kougelhopf.

Salade de pommes de terre - warm potato salad is a popular side dish, served with ham or smoked shoulder of pork, warming and filling it’s good fuel for a day of sightseeing.

Munster cheese - with a deceptively mild taste despite its strong smell, this cheese is great cold or melted over boiled or baked potatoes.

Alsace wines - the wines from this part of France are very similar to the German whites, using the same type of grapes. Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Riesling and Sylvaner are popular, their fruity freshness cutting well through fatty meats like pork.

Though the historic centre of Strasbourg is easily walkable you may want to venture further afield, or just give your feet a rest.

Public transport

Strasbourg has 29 bus routes  and seven tram lines which will easily get you around the town and its outskirts very cheaply. The tourist board has put together a map showing how to get to all the main tourist destinations by public transport. 

Insider tip: get yourself  an Alsa+ 24h ticket , you can even travel to Kehl in Germany for under €5. Take tram C or D to Jean Jaurès and then bus 21 to Kehl Stadthalle, it's only 30 minutes from Strasbourg and the ticket also allows unlimited travel around Strasbourg. 

Strasbourg by bike

Strasbourg has a shared bike rental system called VEL’HOP as well as private bike rental companies. It’s a fabulous city to cycle around with 500 kms of cycle paths, especially in the warmer months, though in winter you may find it a bit too chilly unless you have the proper kit.

March/April

Journées européennes des métiers d'art

May

Nuit des Musees - for one night all the city’s museums are open, free of charge

International Ladies Tennis cup

June

Fete de la Musique - annual national music festival

September/October

European Fantasy Film festival

Musica Comtemporary music festival

November/December

Jazz d’Or – European Jazz festival

Christmas market