Welcome to Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas ! Strasbourg is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas getaways not only in France, but also in Europe. It is located in the heart of the Alsace region, very close to German border. During this wonderful time of year, Strasbourg is home to many Christmas markets and one of the tallest Christmas trees. But, what makes it truly magical are the facades of the buildings decorated with amazing Christmas ornaments. In this article, we will find everything you need to know before visiting Strasbourg at Christmas.
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Things to know before visiting Strasbourg at Christmas
As the capital of Strasbourg, it fills up with thousands of tourists from the beginning of December. This means that most of the tourist attractions such as Strasbourg Cathedral, Petite France or the Christmas markets will be overcrowded. So, we highly recommend starting your days early to get the most out of this amazing city ! Even at 9 in the morning, there are many tourists around. Another thing to keep in mind is that the weather is quite unpredictable. It can be rainy or moody, but there is also a small chance of snow in December.
Therefore, due to the crowds and the bad weather, we advise you to make reservations at your favorite restaurants every time. Otherwise, it will be quite difficult to find a place. Most of the restaurants in the city center are quite small, so making a reservation for lunch or dinner will make your life easier ! The same goes for Strasbourg’s famous Christmas markets, which are packed at peak times. But, this trip is your chance to live your own holiday fairytale. Don’t let trivial things ruin your mood. Finally, depending on the country you are from, you may not be able to use mobile data or free roaming. For this reason, we highly recommend purchasing a digital e-Sim card. You don’t want to visit this winter wonderland and have no data to share your photos or contact your loved ones.
Why is Strasbourg the perfect getaway for Christmas ?
Since it is considered the capital of Christmas, there is no doubt that a trip to this charming French city will leave you with the best impressions. We have visited Strasbourg 3 times already and 2 of them were in December. This month is the best time to visit it. Christmas lights, decorations, trees, markets, food, hot chocolate and mulled wine are some of the reasons to add Strasbourg to your bucket list for Christmas ! You will easily get into the Christmas spirit with the whole ambiance. However, as it is one of the most popular Christmas getaways, you should be aware of the crowds you will encounter during your trip. So, if you are planning to stay in Strasbourg in December, we strongly recommend that you book your accommodation in advance to save money and have more options available.
How to get to Strasbourg ?
Getting to Strasbourg is easy. Depending on the country you are coming from, you can fly into Paris or other major French cities such as Lyon, Marseille or even Nice and then take the train to Strasbourg. Almost all French cities are connected to Strasbourg, as it is the largest city in Alsace. Obviously you can also visit it from Germany or Switzerland. So, after landing to one of these two countries, you can take the train to reach Strasbourg. Of course, another option would be to rent a car either in a nearby city or in Strasbourg to have your own freedom. But, if you don’t have enough time in France, we won’t recommend it, because of the cost, traffic and difficult parking, especially in the city centre.
The best nearby place to visit : Colmar
You can’t leave Strasbourg and Alsace without visiting Colmar. This hidden gem of the Alsace region is one of the most picturesque places we have ever been to. Colorful half-timbered houses, canals, lots of Christmas decorations, trees and markets create the perfect festive ambiance for this time of year. If you get the chance to visit it, you will feel like stepping into a Christmas fairytale.
Best Christmas Markets in Strasbourg
One of the main reasons to consider Strasbourg as one of the best Christmas destinations is its Christmas markets (marchés de Noël in French). Every year they are open between November 24 and December 24 (Christmas Eve). Walking around while feeling the Christmas feeling and tasting delicious local food is one of the best things to do in Strasbourg. There are 13 Christmas markets that you will find in the city centre called “Grande Île”. They are some of the best and oldest in Europe dating back to 1570. You should expect the classic wooden chalets, narrow streets, mulled wine (Vin chaud in French), delicious market treats, Christmas trees and beautiful Christmas decorations. So, give yourself enough time to enjoy them. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed with all these options, be sure to book the Christmas markets walking tour where they will guide you in making the most of your time in Strasbourg, especially if you are short on time !
Strasbourg Christmas markets :
- Place Kléber
- Place de la Cathédrale
- Place du Château
- Place Broglie
- Terrasse Rohan
- Place du marché aux poissons
- Place du Temple Neuf
- Rue Gutenberg
- Village d’Advent
- Rue des Hallebards
- Place Grimmeissen
- Place Benjamin-Zix (Petite France)
- Place Saint Thomas (Petite France)
Best places to visit in Strasbourg at Christmas
1-The Strasbourg Cathedral
The Notre Dame de Strasbourg is one of the main tourist attractions, especially at Christmas. Since it is one of the oldest Cathedrals in France, it has a great reputation and is an attraction for many tourists. At this time of year, you will find one of Strasbourg’s best Christmas markets near the Cathedral. Imagine walking through the market’s wooden chalets with this masterpiece in the background, it is pure magic. However, be prepared for a busy Christmas market, especially if you come at peak time. If you have enough time, we recommend going inside to admire the nativity scene. As you can guess, the Cathedral and its Christmas market are full of lights at night. They really deserve a night visit as well.
2-Place du Château
The Place du Château is just a few steps from Strasbourg Cathedral and hosts one of the most beautiful Christmas markets. The photogenic teddy bears Christmas house is the main attraction and one of the cutest spot in town. In this charming square, you will also find small souvenir shops, restaurants and cafés.
As you can see from the photos below, even the souvenir shops steal your hearts with their amazing decorations and Christmas vibes. You can easily spend hours there admiring the Christmas things, the festive atmosphere and of course the delicious Alsatian food and wine. Do not miss this wonderful square straight out of a fairytale.
3-Place Kléber
Place Kléber is another must-visit place in Strasbourg. It is located in the heart of the city centre and you can easily spot it, because of its huge Christmas tree. It is actually one of the largest Christmas trees in Europe. The same goes for the Christmas market which is the largest Christmas market in the city with more than 130 stands selling almost everything related to food, crafts, Christmas decorations and wine. If you are willing to donate to various charities, the Christmas market at Place Kléber is the right place for you. You will find many stands of volunteer organizations ! Obviously it is also magical at night with the Christmas lights of the giant tree and the market. You will find even light shows in the evening. There are also many cafés, restaurants, fast food chains and big shopping chains in this square. So, it is a place where you can spend many hours.
4-Petite France
You cannot leave Strasbourg without visiting the most picturesque area. Petite France hosts 2 Christmas markets, the first on Place Benjamin-Zix and the second on Place Saint Thomas. We could not imagine a more quaint place than this area to host a Christmas market. The colorful buildings, the canals and of course the Christmas markets create the perfect Christmas backdrop. Although it is a bit colder and maybe windy because of the river, you will fall in love with this medieval area at first sight.
During our last trip to Strasbourg last December, while wandering its narrow streets, we came across this lovely little restaurant called “L’éveil des sens”. There is no doubt that it is one of the most photogenic restaurants in Strasbourg. Unfortunately there were no tables available, but we loved its elegant yet authentic decor. It serves French and Belgian cuisine. Since we didn’t get a chance to try its food, we cannot recommend it. But, the ambiance was amazing and the reviews are high.
Final Thoughts
Once you have decided to go to France during Christmas, Strasbourg should be at the top of your list. As the capital of Christmas, it will leave you speechless with its festive atmosphere, Christmas fairytale decorations and of course delicious food. You will have some of the best holidays of your life. So, you should visit Strasbourg at Christmas at least once in your life.
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