Strasbourg vs. Colmar: Which Is Better?
If you’re trying to decide between Strasbourg vs. Colmar, you’re in the right place!
Strasbourg and Colmar are two cities in the Alsace region of France, close to the border with Germany. Although both cities have many similarities, they’re also each unique in their own way.
Both cities are known for their Alsatian charm, with colorful half-timbered houses lining the canals, rivers, and cobblestone streets of each city. Strasbourg is the larger of the two and the capital of the Alsace region, with a population of 291,000. Colmar is much smaller, with a population of 69,000.
Alsace is a beautiful destination any time of year, but it’s especially popular around Christmastime, when Strasbourg, Colmar, and other towns host their festive, traditional Christmas markets.
So which city is better? Let’s get into it!
Which City Should You Visit?
The good news is that you don’t have to choose between Strasbourg and Colmar. It’s very easy to visit both cities, because they’re located just 30 minutes apart by train. So if you stay in Strasbourg, you could take a day trip to Colmar, or vice versa. But which city should you actually base yourself in?
That’s what this guide will help you decide! There are pros and cons to staying in Strasbourg or staying in Colmar. Both make great bases for a trip to Alsace, but there are specific considerations for each one.
I’ll get into the different factors to consider below, to help you decide where to stay.
I’ve also written guides about where to stay in Strasbourg and where to stay in Colmar. These guides are tailored to a Christmas trip, but the hotel recommendations apply to a trip at any time of year!
Getting There
Getting to Strasbourg is generally easier, as it’s easily accessible by fast trains from major transit hubs. It’s just one hour and 45 minutes by train from Paris, and one hour and 55 minutes by train from Frankfurt.
This makes Strasbourg a logical next step on a trip to France that started in Paris, or perhaps if you’re coming from visiting some of the Christmas markets in Germany. It’s well-connected.
Colmar takes longer to get to, on the other hand. From Paris, it takes 2.5 hours by train, and from Frankfurt, it takes almost three hours by train, and you will likely have to change trains in Strasbourg first.
From Swiss destinations like Basel, it’s faster to get to Colmar (only 45 minutes by train), but it just takes an additional 30 minutes to get to Strasbourg, so both cities are still pretty convenient.
Overall Vibe
Strasbourg is a much larger city, and so it has more of a bustling atmosphere. Colmar is a lot smaller and has a slower, more relaxed vibe. If you’re more of a city person, you’ll probably prefer Strabsourg.
It feels more like a real, working city, while Colmar feels more like it caters to tourists. In Strasbourg, you have the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. You also have numerous cultural and artistic institutions. Colmar has more of a small-town vibe in comparison.
I do want to note that Strasbourg’s historic center, which is located on an island called the Grande Ile and encircled by a river, is actually quite compact. It’s not much larger than the historical center of Colmar, so if you mainly stick to these areas, I’d say that both cities actually feel quite similar to one another.
Both have traditional Alsatian architecture and quaint, charming streets. If you go beyond the historic center, that’s when you really start to feel the difference of Strasbourg as a larger, bustling city.
Things to Do
In terms of things to do in the city itself, Strasbourg has the edge. Once again, this is because Strasbourg is a larger city and the capital of the Alsace region, so there’s naturally going to be more to do.
Within the Grande Ile, you can’t miss the gorgeous Petite France area and the amazingly impressive Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg. Barrage Vauban is a historic bridge offering great views.
If you like museums, there are several cool ones to check out in Strasbourg. The most notable is the Alsatian Museum, where you can learn about the history of this region. If you like art, the Strasbourg Museum of Modern Art, the Musée de l’Œuvre-Notre-Dame, and the Palais Rohan are all worth a visit.
A bit further afield, the Parc de l’Orangerie is a beautiful public park in Strasbourg, perfect to visit in the warmer months (I wouldn’t go out of your way for it in the winter, thought!) It’s also possible to tour the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which offers a fascinating insight into this governing body.
In Colmar, there are still many things to do. One of the highlights is taking a boat tour through the Petite Venise (Little Venice) area of the city. You also shouldn’t miss visiting Église Saint-Martin, the city’s main cathedral. The Musée Unterlinden is a great art museum housed in a medieval Dominican convent.
Getting Around
When it comes to getting around, both cities are pretty evenly matched. If you stick to the compact historic centers of both cities, you can easily get around on foot, and most streets are pedestrian-only.
Strasbourg has some attractions outside the historic center, like the Strasbourg Museum of Modern Art, Parc de l’Orangerie, and the European Parliament. If you want to visit these places or others outside the historic center, you can utilize Strasbourg’s robust public transportation system of trams and buses.
In Colmar, there’s probably not too much you’ll want to do outside the historic center. But if you don’t have your own car, the bus system can be very helpful for taking day trips, which brings me to my next point…
Day Trips
For day trips, Colmar is the clear winner. Many of the most beautiful towns and villages in Alsace are located a short distance away from Colmar. You can drive, take the bus, or even go by bicycle.
These are the best Alsatian towns and villages to visit from Colmar:
- Eguisheim (15 minutes by car, 35 minutes by bus)
- Kayserberg (20 minutes by car, 40 minutes by bus)
- Riquewihr (25 minutes by car, 25 minutes by bus)
- Ribeauvillé (25 minutes by car, 40 minutes by bus)
Each of these towns and villages has a Christmas market and festive decor if you’re visiting around the holidays. However, they’re all great destinations to visit at any time of year for small-town charm.
As I mentioned earlier, you can also get to Strasbourg in just 30 minutes by train from Colmar, and Basel, a lovely Swiss city that has fantastic Christmas markets, in just 45 minutes by train.
On the other hand, there aren’t as many good day trip options from Strasbourg. You can still visit any of the towns and villages above, but you have to factor in significant extra travel time first.
Food & Wine
Strasbourg and Colmar are both in Alsace, so the cuisine is similar. Because of its location close to the border with Germany, Alsace has its own distinctive cuisine with a strong German influence.
I would say that Strasbourg has an edge for food simply because it’s larger and there are many more restaurants to choose from. However, that doesn’t mean that Colmar isn’t full of great dining options too. One major highlight in Colmar is the Marché Couvert Colmar, an indoor food hall with dozens of vendors.
If you enjoy wine, both Strasbourg and Colmar are great destinations for you. Both cities are located along the Alsace Wine Route, which stretches for 111 miles and encompasses dozens of stops.
Christmas Markets
Strasbourg and Colmar are both popular for their Christmas markets. Honestly, it’s hard for me to choose which city is better around Christmas — they’re both magical and special in their own ways!
Both cities go all out in decorating for Christmas, with a focus on very whimsical and over-the-top decorations. The markets themselves are similar, usually set up in a square with a dozen or more wooden stalls. The market stalls sell traditional food, sweets, hot drinks, souvenirs, crafts, and gifts.
In Strasbourg, there are around eight Christmas markets in the historic center, while Colmar has six.
When it comes to dates, both cities usually open their Christmas markets on the last weekend in November. However, Strasbourg’s markets typically close on Christmas Eve, while Colmar’s markets run in the days after Christmas. So if you’re visiting in late December, Colmar may be a better choice.
Strasbourg vs. Colmar
So which city should you visit, Strasbourg or Colmar? I definitely recommend both! Whichever city you decide to stay in, you can easily visit the other on a day trip in just 30 minutes by train.
Strasbourg makes a good base if you enjoy larger cities and want better access to more museums, restaurants, and other things to do. Colmar is the ideal base if you prefer a small-town vibe and want to be closer to more charming Alsatian villages for day trips. But you really can’t go wrong with either one.
Enjoy your trip to Alsace!
Related Guides:
