If you are looking for Christmas fairytale towns in Alsace or France, Colmar should be at the top of your list. This little town, located in the region of Alsace, is very close to Strasbourg, which is considered the Christmas capital of Europe. Colmar is a real gem with colorful half-timbered houses, narrow alleyways, and beautiful canals. It is even more magical at Christmas time! Adorable Christmas ornaments, picturesque Christmas markets, delicious winter Alsatian food, and wine are what make it so special during the Christmas season. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about your Christmas trip to Colmar, Alsace.
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Things to know before visiting Colmar at Christmas
During this festive time of the year, Colmar is filled with amazing Christmas decorations, lights, and trees. Almost all the façades of the old houses in the historic center are decorated as well. So, stepping into Colmar’s old town feels like a real Christmas fairytale from late November to late December. However, it is the high tourist season for this small Alsatian town with huge crowds. You should expect fully-packed streets, cafés, restaurants, etc. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you organize your trip and book everything (especially tickets and accommodation) months in advance. If you want to enjoy more peaceful moments, we suggest you arrive in the town’s center as early as possible (before 9 am).
During the Christmas season, the center is closed to cars. But there are paid parking lots near the Christmas markets. In case you want to avoid the traffic and the stress of parking, you can alternatively use public transportation, as well as the free shuttle buses. If you are wondering what clothes you should bring for this trip, you should pack warm clothes. France gets very cold in winter, and Colmar is situated in the northeast part of the country. You should spend as much time as possible in Christmas markets, as it is home to some of the best European Christmas markets.
How to get to Colmar?
Colmar is a small town without an extensive public transport system or an airport. The easiest way is to fly to the well-known EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, which serves both France and Switzerland. From there, you can take the bus to get to the Basel SBB station, and then a train to get to Colmar. It takes about 45 minutes from Basel to Colmar. Alternatively, you can fly to Paris and then take the TGV (high-speed) train line to reach Colmar. Most trains first stop in Strasbourg and then head to Colmar. The entire journey takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.
If you are road-tripping through Alsace or simply want to visit Strasbourg first, you can travel to Colmar from there. Strasbourg is only 73 kilometers away from Colmar, trains run regularly, and the train journey takes about 30 minutes. It takes about 1 hour to reach Colmar via the A35 motorway (“autoroute” in French). Whether you are traveling by car, train, or even bus, France has an excellent transport system. So, you can easily get to Colmar from any French city or the nearby countries (especially Germany and Switzerland).
The best time to visit Colmar
Christmas is undoubtedly the best time to visit Colmar. Since we are both Christmas lovers, Colmar is the ultimate destination for this time of the year. You can also have a great time in spring or fall, when the sun is out, and the whole town is full of greenery. In the past, we visited Colmar in the summer and we did not like it, as the weather was quite hot.
Where to stay in Colmar?
Staying in Colmar is the best treat you can give yourself. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the magical Christmas atmosphere. Since it is one of the most popular Christmas destinations in France, finding a great place to stay could be a bit tricky due to the availability and prices. Colmar is also a small place without many accommodation options like Strasbourg. That’s why you should book your hotel or Airbnb in advance so that you find more available options at better prices!
Of course, you could choose to stay in Strasbourg, which is the closest major city to Colmar, for more accommodation options. It is best to rent a car to be able to move around Alsace easily! This way, you can choose to stay in any of the nearby Alsatian towns to Colmar, such as Eguisheim, Riquewihr, etc. The last time we visited Colmar was during our road trip through Alsace. We have stayed in both Colmar and Strasbourg. From our personal experience, you will need to have much more time to spend in Alsace, as moving around from one place to another during Christmas time takes time.
Best Christmas markets in Colmar – Alsace
The Christmas markets (“Marchés de Noël” in French) are one of the main reasons to visit Colmar during the Christmas season. It has 6 amazing Christmas markets that look like they came out of a movie, especially thanks to the medieval architecture of the surrounding buildings. Access to Christmas markets is free, and you can find almost everything. You can easily spend many hours strolling through the Christmas markets and narrow alleys, enjoying the unique festive ambiance. Of course, you should expect overcrowded markets and streets, especially on weekends and in the days just before Christmas.
The Colmar Christmas Markets (locations):
- The Artisan Arts Market – Place des Dominicains
- Place de l’Ancienne Douane
- Place Jeanne d’Arc
- Place des Six Montagnes Noires
- Indoor Craft Market
- Gourmet Market
Below, you will find our 3 favorite Christmas markets that we visited during our last trip to Colmar.
1-The Artisan Arts Market – Place des Dominicains
The Artisan Arts market is located on the north side of town, near the Eglise des Dominicains (“Dominican Church” in English). Due to its location, it has a unique vibe that perfectly combines the cheerful Christmas atmosphere and the mysterious landscape of the nearby church. It is also one of the best markets in town for handicrafts, Christmas ornaments, and a wide variety of local specialties.
2-The Children’s Christmas Market – La Petite Venice
La Petite Venice (“The Little Venice” in English) is probably the most picturesque neighbourhood in Colmar. It is made up of old colorful houses and canals. The Children’s Christmas market is a real Christmas wonderland for kids, with lots of rides and other fun activities! You should spend some extra time at this Christmas market to walk through the enchanting streets, while admiring the stunning views. In addition to its warm feel and fascinating views, it is the perfect place to try savoury or sweet specialties, drink mulled wine or hot chocolate.
3-The Gourmet Christmas Market – Place de la Cathédrale
Another incredible spot in town is the Quai de la Poissonnerie, where you will find the Gourmet Christmas market. Because of the canals, it gives off similar vibes, like the Children’s Christmas market. This Christmas market has perhaps even prettier Christmas decorations, such as small and big Christmas trees, cute teddy bears, etc. We visited it on our last day in Colmar and had an amazing time wandering around and admiring the ornaments. A few meters from the Christmas market, you will find the Ferris wheel. If you are traveling as a family, we highly recommend it.
Best things to do in Colmar at Christmas
1-Visit the famous “Pink House”
You cannot leave Colmar without visiting the famous “Pink House”, which is located on Grand Rue. It is considered the most Instagrammable spot in the town. There is a large Christmas tree (a few steps before reaching the house), which creates a beautiful setting, especially at night. If you want to photograph it or just have it to yourself, we suggest visiting before 8-9 am, as it is crowded during the day.
2-Walk to the nearby street ” Au Vieux-Pignon”
A little further off the main street of Grand Rue, you will find the second most photographed spot in Colmar called “Au Vieux-Pignon”. This famous building is a souvenir shop with a gorgeous façade. During Christmas, you will be able to admire not only its vibrant colors, but also the amazing Christmas decorations. The whole street is extremely charming. If you want to capture it empty, you should get there as early as possible, since it gets even busier than the “Pink House” spot! You should also take a look at the souvenir shop, as it has many adorable souvenirs.
3-Enjoy a romantic stroll in Little Venice
Are you looking for the most romantic places in Colmar? If so, the Little Venice (“La Petite Venice” in French) should be at the top of your bucket list. It is a real pleasure to walk along the canals and get lost in the enchanting alleys! Old houses, Christmas lights, trees, and ornaments create a magical setting. It is equally beautiful in the morning and in the evening, when everything lights up.
4-Take a boat tour on Pont Saint Pierre
The Pont Saint Pierre is a wonderful place to visit, especially with the Christmas decorations. Mainly consists of old, well-preserved medieval houses and canals that exude a mysterious atmosphere. It is a touristy spot since it is the starting point of the flat-bottomed boats. You can take them to get a different tour of Colmar. We highly recommend it if it is not raining too much or freezing.
5-Visit the Saint Martin’s Church
St. Martin’s Church (“Collégiale Saint-Martin de Colmar” in French) is situated very close to the Gourmet Christmas market. This Gothic church is the most important religious building in the town. The outside area is very beautiful with large Christmas trees decorated with countless little teddy bears. Even if you do not go inside, the outside of the church is worth a visit! If you want to enjoy a less-crowded place in Colmar, the St. Martin Church is the place to be.
6-Explore the wonderful old town of Colmar
The old town is the hotspot of Colmar and the place where you will spend most of your time. It is full of photogenic places and lots of things to do and see. No matter where you go and what you do, the old town will leave you with the best impressions! Colmar’s old town is undoubtedly one of the most charming and picturesque old towns in France.
7-Enjoy delicious local meals and Christmas shopping
You cannot fully experience the magic of Christmas in Colmar without trying its food and doing your Christmas shopping. The old town is the place to do both, as there are many bakeries, restaurants, and various Christmas markets. We particularly like the pain d’épices, beignets, crèpes au chocolat, croque monsieur, and tarte flambée. Alsatian cuisine covers all tastes, whether savoury or sweet. Moreover, you will find many souvenir shops. But, we cannot recommend you enough to visit the Village Hansi and its museum (“Musée Hansi” in French). It has unique Christmas handicrafts and ornaments. That’s why it is a must-visit place for both adults and kids. Lastly, if you are into cooking, taking cooking classes is a great way to discover the local cuisine.
Other nearby places in Colmar to visit at Christmas
1-Strasbourg
Strasbourg is known as the “capital of Christmas”, and is one of the best places to visit in Europe. You should visit it during your trip to Colmar! It is a bigger city than the latter with many places to explore and things to do. So, if you are looking for places that are as charming as Colmar, Strasbourg should be at the top of your bucket list! Besides the magical Christmas façades of the buildings, you will find one of the largest Christmas trees in Europe.
2-Eguisheim
Just 6.8 kilometers from Colmar, you will find the quaint town of Eguisheim. It is one of the most traditional places in Alsace, with narrow alleys and beautiful Christmas markets. You can easily visit it either by car, taxi, or bus. Eguisheim is a very small town, and gets very crowded during the peak Christmas season! We loved its charming streets and the “village” atmosphere that the Christmas markets give off.
3-Riquewihr
Another incredible place to visit from Colmar is the village of Riquewihr. It is around 15 kilometers away from Colmar. It is a hidden gem with traditional Christmas markets, medieval architecture, and magical ambiance. If you can spare some extra time in Alsace, you should consider this picturesque village.
4-Belfort
Belfort is a little further from Colmar (around 73 kilometers) than Eguisheim and Riquewihr. However, it is worth a visit, since it has an incredible old town. As you can see from the photos below, it is beautifully decorated with countless Christmas lights and decorations. You can easily spend a whole day in Belfort.
5-Montbéliard
If you only have time to visit one place from Colmar (apart from Strasbourg), we cannot recommend Montbéliard enough. Located about 91 kilometers from Colmar, it can be reached either by car, train, or bus. The famous event “Les Lumières de Noël” (“The Christmas lights” in English) takes place every year in Montbéliard and attracts almost half a million tourists! It is probably the most impressive Christmas event we have ever been to in France, with magical light shows, Christmas ornaments, Christmas markets, etc. The whole atmosphere, the food, and the decorations left us speechless. In case you are traveling with kids, this place is a must.
Final Thoughts
Christmas in Colmar is a completely different experience. The magical Christmas decorations, the façades of the buildings, and the traditional Christmas markets create a unique setting that is not easy to find anywhere else in France! That’s why we suggest that you spend at least 3 full days in this fairytale town. You will have the opportunity to visit all its gems and have extra time for tours or cooking classes! Everything about the Christmas season in Colmar is simply magical.
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