The cutest little city in the Alsace region of France. Strasbourg is home to the most picture-perfect cobblestone streets and half-timber houses. It will make you feel like you’re dropped right into the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast! It is also very centrally located, which makes it an easy day trip from many cities in Western Europe. Here is my guide for spending one day in Strasbourg!
Getting There
While the Strasbourg Airport has dozens of nonstop destinations across Europe, it’s also incredibly easy to access by train from neighboring cities. While on a trip with friends in Paris, I found myself so torn between wanting to spend one day in Strasbourg (after all, I was so close!) and spending the time with the group. Strasbourg had been on my bucket list for such a long time. I dreamed of walking through the cobblestone streets of Petite-France. I wanted to feel like I was plopped right into the set of Beauty and the Beast.
When we were at dinner one night discussing plans for the next day, we didn’t really settle on anything solid. It was then that I knew I had to speak now. “Do you guys mind if I break off tomorrow and meet you back up for dinner? Of course they didn’t! I booked my Rail Europe for early the next morning.
The train was incredibly easy and the stations were a breeze to navigate. Even with a 2nd Class coach ticket, the seats were wide and comfortable. There were even outlets in each seat and wifi onboard. The ride was less than 2 hours each way which flew by as you rode out of urban Paris and through the French countryside. Magnifique!
Tip: Check the city calendar before you go! I was in and out of Strasbourg in one day, but a lot of locals that I chatted with me told me that when Parliament is in session, it is incredibly difficult to find a hotel room.
Explore Petite-France
About a 5 minute walk from Strasbourg’s central tran staton is the picturesque neighborhood of Petite-France. Petite-France is actually make up of three small islands in the River Ill. Several bridges cross the river making Petite-France accessible, but my favorite was the Barrage Vauban. It is an old iconic stone bridge that was built in the 1600’s. The bridge gives you a great panoramic shot of Petite-France, the rivers, and neighboring stone bridges, with the Notre Dame Cathedral standing proudly above.
The streets are cobblestone and lined with colorful half timber houses. Make sure you have plenty of storage on your camera because it’s easy to go crazy taking photos here! The area itself is not huge, but you could spend hours wandering the streets, oohing and awwing at the architecture. Even when I visited in February, there were flower boxes on the windowsills!
Tip: Good walking shoes are a must. You will do a ton of walking and often times it’s on uneven cobblestone streets.
Take a Boat Tour on the River Ill
When traveling, I usually prefer to explore all on my own, and don’t do many guided tours. I decided to go do something different here and book a boat tour, given the limited time I had to explore. And I was so glad that I did! I really enjoyed the boat ride through the River Ill and found it to be incredibly informative and a great way to see the city. Plus, I welcomed the chance to rest my feet for a bit.
Batorama is the main company that offers tours. They offer several different packages, but given my time crunch I elected for the 45 minute Grand-Île Tour. They distributed headphones (I chose to use my own) and offered an audio tour in several different languages, including one for kids. It was fascinating to learn about the history of not only Strasbourg, but the entire Alsace region. I had no idea that Strasbourg was constantly being flopped between French and German control, and fell under Nazi control during WWII (only to be taken back by the French after the war). Among the many sights along the tour, one of my favorites was riding right past the European Parliament that is headquartered in Strasbourg!
Tip: when I visited in February, the boat was enclosed in glass windows (not sure if that is removed in the summer), but take this into consideration with regards to photography! It was difficult for me to get photos without a glare.
Visit the Cathédrale Notre Dame
Standing proudly in the center of town is the Cathédrale Notre Dame. I’m not super into art or architecture, but this is a must see (and frankly, impossible to miss)! Taking almost three hundred years to build, this impressive icon stands over 450 tall and is free and open to the public. I can’t speak to the crowds any other time, but on a weekday in winter, the crowds were almost nonexistent. You could walk through the entire church without being disturbed. For those in better shape than I am, there is also a viewing area that you can climb up to inside. Hiker beware, it is 300 steps to the top!
However, my favorite part of the cathedral was not inside at all- but rather, the plaza directly in front of it. There were all different kinds of street performers outside, and I was lucky enough to catch a string quartet. It was such a relaxing time to sit, rest, and listen to them play while taking in the city.
As an added bonus, just adjacent to the cathedral in the Place du Château, you will also find very clean public restrooms. The restrooms are a bit tricky to find, but are down a staircase directly in front of the post office in the square. Plus, they are free (which is rare to find in Europe)! Here is an exact pin!
Tip: When I visited in February, there was no heat in the cathedral. I was hoping to warm up inside, but it was no different than being outdoors.
Place Kléber and Rue des Grandes Arcades
After a long day exploring, you’ll want to unwind with a snack, a little shopping, or a glass of wine. Place Kléber is located right in the center of Grand-Île and just a few minute walk from Cathédrale Notre Dame. This central square is lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants and is a great place for people watching. Adjacent to the square is Rue des Grandes Arcades which is where you’ll find tons of shops to bop into. You’ll find everything from the iconic big brands you know, to smaller mom and pop owned stores. The street is closed to cars so it is wide open for strolling at your own pace. I stopped for a snack at Waffle Factory and it was the perfect sweet treat to give me energy for the train ride home. I also did the whole order in French and was très proud of myself!
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