How to Spend Two Days in Strasbourg – A Charming Medieval Town

If you are searching for a charming medieval town in France to visit,  Strasbourg wins hands down.

A town that lies 4 km from the France/German border, Strasbourg excites you the minute you arrive. The half-timbered medieval buildings, the river flowing through the centre, the popular squares and the many hidden alleyways, great restaurants and fun bars – it is a wow every time you turn a corner!

(Editor Update for 2023)

We will show you how to spend two days in Strasbourg, you won’t be disappointed as you will experience the flavours of Germany and France together in one place. We have beautiful memories of our time there, we know that you will too.

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Where is Strasbourg France?

Is Strasbourg in France or Germany? Strasbourg is in France but lies on the eastern border of the two countries which is formed by the Rhine River. The German town of Kehl is located on the opposite side of the river.

Strasbourg is located in the Alsace region of France. Strasbourg is the official seat of the European Parliament.

Map of Strasbourg

City of Strasbourg Map

How To Spend Two Days in Strasbourg

Wondering what to do in Strasbourg first?

Purchase the Passe Alsace Card

Although the card is for 3 days, if you are trying to fit in as much in 2 days it may be worth considering.

• Enjoy this unique experience at the most relevant places in Alsace
• Get your 3 days Pass Alsace and organize your trip to suit you
• Feel like a winner with amazingly discounted prices
• Follow the app on your smartphone to avoid getting lost

You can purchase the Alsace Pass here

Enjoy free entry to 58 tourist sites, including wildlife parks, fortified castles, museums, and more fun activities and discounts in Alsace.

Organize your trip to Alsace with free entry to a large choice of museums, castles, wildlife parks, and more.

With the Pass Alsace, enjoy free entry to 58 sites in Alsace.

Head to the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, the Monkeys Mountain or the Batorama sightseeing boat tour in Strasbourg.

Benefit from discounts and reductions across the area.

Included with Pass Alsace: 1. Castle of Fleckenstein in Lembach

2. Castle of Challenges in Lembach

3. Four à Chaux in Lembach

4. Museum Lalique

5. Glass Museum in Meisenthal

6. Crystal Museum in Saint-Louis

7. Museum of the Battle in 1870

8. Petroleum Museum in Merkwiller

9. Rural farm from l’Outre Forêt in Kutzenhausen

10. Castle of Lichtenberg

11. Museum Pays de Hanau in Bouxwiller

12. Judeo-Alsatian Museum in Bouxwiller

13. Houses of rocks in Graufthal

14. Alsatian Museum in Haguenau

5. Luggage Museum in Haguenau

16. Historical Museum in Haguenau

17. Museum in Rohan’s Castle in Saverne

18. Villa Meteor in Hochfelden

19. MM Park in La Wantzenau

20. Pixel Museum in Schiltigheim

21 à 29. City Museums in  Strasbourg (you can choose 2 among 9 museums)

30. One City Tours in Strasbourg (byke renting + géocaching)

31. Le Vaisseau in Strasbourg

32. Mémorial Alsace-Moselle in Schirmeck

33. European Center of Deported resistant – old concentration camp  Struthof

34. Museum of gingerbread and Alsatian folk art in Gertwiller

35. Würth Museum in Erstein

36. The Workshops of the Seigneurie in Andlau

37. The House of the Distiller in Châtenois

38. Eagles park in Kintzheim

39. Monkeys Mountain in Kintzheim

40. Castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg in Orschwiller

41. Cigoland in Sélestat

42. The bread House in Sélestat

43. The Humanist Library in  Sélestat

44. Tellure Silver Mine in  Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

45. NaturOparC in Hunawihr

46. Castle of Hohlandsbourg

47. Museum of Wood and Heritage Trades in Labaroche

48. Toy Museum in Colmar

49. The Hansi Village and Museum in Colmar

50. Ecomusée d’Alsace in Ungersheim

51. Historial franco-allemand du Hartmannswillerkopf

52. Wesserling Park and textile Ecomuseum

53. Museum of wallpaper in Rixheim

54. Museum EDF Electropolis in Mulhouse

55. Mulhouse Zoological and Botanical Park

56. Firefighter Museum in  Vieux-Ferrette

57. Zoological and Botanical Garden in Mulhouse

8. Firefighters’ Museum in Vieux-Ferrette

Places to Visit in Strasbourg

The Cathedrale, Strasbourg France (Notre-Dame de Strasbourg)

The Cathedral in Strasbourg dates back to the middle ages.  The 142 m (466 ft) high spire was completed in 1439 in the Gothic style. The Observation Deck stands 66m high (217ft).

Construction began at the end of the 12th century on the Gothic style cathedral and was completed in 1439. In 1015 the site was occupied by a Roman Church that was burnt down 3 times. Sandstone has been used in the construction and it is a never-ending refurbishment.

Every statue around the Cathedral conveys a special message. The church is funded by donations.

The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock is located in the Cathedral of Strasbourg. The current mechanism of the clock dates back to 1842.

Taken from the Visit Strasbourg website:

“The main attraction of the clock is its animated figures which come out to delight the public every day at half past noon. During this performance, visitors are treated to views of the different ages of life, personified by a child, a teenager, an adult and an old man, who all parade past Death. Higher up, the apostles have their own parade, before Christ. Their journey is accompanied by the beating of wings and the sound of a large cock crowing. In front of the Clock visitors can admire the huge Pillar of Angels which offers a highly original representation of the Last Judgment.”

The entrance for visitors is from the South entrance.

Entrance is free on the first Sunday of the month.

Oeuvre Notre-Dame Museum

Address: 3 place du Chateau Strasbourg

Entrance Fee: Euros 7.50 per adult

Children up to 18 free

For the best exhibits of medieval works in France.

During the 15th century, Strasbourg was one of two European cities for the production of Upper Rhine tapestry.

One of the famous masterpieces of medieval art in Western Europe.

Petite France Quarter

Formerly the quarter of the tanners, millers and fishers in Strasbourg.

The pretty streets are lined with half-timbered 16th and 17th-century houses. It is a popular area to visit in Strasbourg for restaurants and a photographer’s delight.

Petite France is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gutenberg Square

The square is named after Johannes Gutenberg who is the inventor of the modern printer. Gutenberg also created the first typed book known as the Gutenberg Bible.

The merry-go-round is not a permanent fixture in the Square, although we believe it should be.

Free Tour Strasbourg – Free Walking Tour of Strasbourg

Take a free walking tour with Happy Free Tour Strasbourg.

A great way to learn more about the history of Strasbourg as you are walking around with a passionate local. 

Meeting point in front of the Cathedral.

Visit the Strasbourg Squares of:

• • • the Cathedral,
    • Gutenberg,
    • Kléber,
    • République,
    • and also in some less known places like Saint-Etienne

The tour route may differ depending on your guide. The free walking tour is based on tips.  We have enjoyed many free walking tours throughout the world including Spain, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile etc.

Kleber Square

Kleber Square is the largest square in Strasbourg.  The statue in the square is of the French General Kleber born in 1753 in Strasbourg. His ashes are contained in the bottom of the statue.

If you are visiting the Christmas Markets in Strasbourg the square houses the large Christmas tree. The locals donate gifts to the poor around the tree.

More Places to Visit in Strasbourg

Fontaine de Janus

It was constructed in 1988 by Tomi Ungerer and it is located in Place Broglie, one of the main squares of Strasbourg. The sculpture is of a roman 1 head/2 faces. Janus is the God of the past and the future.

Strasbourg Tours

When you visit Strasbourg allow some time to enjoy some of the local tours.

Walking and Bike Tours of Strasbourg

Wine Tours of Strasbourg

Day Tours from Strasbourg

FAQs on Strasbourg

What is Alsace France known for?

The Alsace of France is well known for its local cuisine and beer.

The beer of the Alsace region is Meteor or Kronenbourg.

Local cuisine includes Sauerkraut, cheese and Flammekueche similar to a pizza but contains cream, ham, mushrooms and cheese.

The Alsace – Lorraine region is also known for its classic French dish – the Quiche Lorraine.

You will find different versions of the classical dish around France depending on the region you are travelling through.

When is the Christmas Market in Strasbourg?

From the 28th November ending on the 24th December.

How many days should you spend in Strasbourg?

We would recommend at least 2 days.

Is Strasbourg worth visiting?

Definitely, we would return and spend at least another 2 days. We enjoyed the history, the Petite France neighbourhood, the food and the Cathedral.

What is the distance from Strasbourg to Nancy?

115 km from Strasbourg to Nancy.

What is the distance from Strasbourg to Lyon?

493 km from Strasbourg to Lyon

Weather in Strasbourg – when is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Strasbourg is between the months of May and August. July is the hottest month. December is a good time to visit the Christmas market.

Is Strasbourg expensive?

Strasbourg is an expensive place to live, transport costs are high, locals travel around on bicycles.  As a tourist, you can reduce your costs by booking an apartment and self-catering.  Groceries from supermarkets may be more expensive than in other cities in France.

Accommodation Strasbourg

Wondering where to stay in Strasbourg? Strasbourg has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers and budgets.

Strasbourg Hotels

Some of the popular tourist hotels in Strasbourg are:

Best Western Plus Monopole Metropole Strasbourg

Address: 16 Rue Kuhn, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France

4 Star hotel – free wifi, free parking, pet-friendly, centrally located being 1/4 mile from the train station, near Le Petite district. A breakfast buffet with scrambled eggs and bacon is served every morning in the elegant, Alsatian-style breakfast room. The hotel also has a modern bar with paintings by local artists, where guests can relax in one of the armchairs.

Latest Guest Reviews:

“Staff was professional, helpful and upbeat. The facility was warm and welcoming. The breakfast buffet was buffet was good and diverse.”

City Residence Strasbourg Centre

This is where we stayed and we would stay here again, a great location, clean and comfortable.

Address: 1 Rue des Magasins, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France

Budget 2 star hotel located a 10-minute walk from the Gare SNCF and 901 m of the Strasbourg Christmas Market. The ‘Petite France’ is a 12-minute walk from the aparthotel, while Strasbourg Cathedral is 0.7 mi from the property. Strasbourg International Airport is 6.2 mi away.

Free parking, free wifi and pet friendly.

Latest Guest Review:

“Friendly and helpful staff We got a parking place behind the residence Center can be reached by foot Ability to take your pet with you for a little fee”

More Hotel Accommodation Options 

Check more availability for your dates of travel for Strasbourg Hotels with our partner Booking.com


Booking.com

Best Restaurants in Strasbourg

For the top 10 restaurants in Strasbourg click here

For the top 10 Bars in Strasbourg click here

How to Get To Strasbourg

By Train to Strasbourg

Amsterdam to Strasbourg Train – 28 trains per day, journey time 5 hours 24 minutes, usually one-stop e.g. Paris

Baden Baden to Strasbourg Train – 26 trains per day, journey time 1 hour 21 minutes

Basel to Strasbourg Train – 30 trains per day, journey time 1 hour 18 minutes

Brussels to Strasbourg Train – 29 trains per day, journey time 3 hours 32 minutes

CDG Airport Paris to Strasbourg Train – 20 trains per day, journey time 1 hour 48 minutes

Colmar to Strasbourg Train – 63 trains per day, journey time 25 minutes

Frankfurt Main to Strasbourg Train – 23 trains per day, journey time 2 hours 56 minutes

To book train tickets click here

Buses to Strasbourg

Bus Strasbourg to Paris – approximately 2 hours

Bus Lyon to Strasbourg – approximately 4.5 hours depending on the company

Bus Colmar to Strasbourg – approximately 1.05 hours

Bus Frankfurt to Strasbourg – approximately 6 hours 23 minutes

Bus Frankfurt Airport to Strasbourg – Lufthansas Express Bus 2 hours 30 minutes

Book your bus tickets here

Flights to Strasbourg

Aeroport Strasbourg

Strasbourg’s airport is located 10 km southwest of Strasbourg in Entzheim.

Flights to Strasbourg from the UK are with EasyJet and Ryanair.

Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner our go-to when researching and booking flights.

Car Rental Strasbourg

We use AutoEurope when we hire a car in Europe.  For the latest deals and availability click here.

Travel Insurance Strasbourg

We recommend that you take out travel insurance when you travel.  The best time to take the policy out is when you book flights and hotels and pay for deposits on tours and cruises.

To Travel Too Shop

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If you are planning a visit to Italy why not include a Day in San Gimignano (another beautiful European village and one not to be missed.)

Conclusion

We hope you enjoy Strasbourg as much as we did.

If you have any questions or would like some advice we would love to hear from you. You can reach us via our Facebook page or email us here.