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The post will share details of my Strasbourg to Colmar day trip.
When planning this trip in September, I immediately knew I wanted to visit Colmar, the magical French city on my bucket list since I heard about it.
I also planned to visit Basel in Switzerland because it is a 90-minute train journey from Strasbourg, but I didn’t have enough annual leave left.
Also, I didn’t want to over-exert myself, as travelling to Strasbourg from Paris is a journey on its own.
After going back and forth, I decided to keep the Basel/Zurich trip till another time.
Out of the full two days I had to explore, I spent one in Strasbourg and the other in Colmar.
If you’re travelling to that region, I recommend combining Strasbourg, Colmar and Basel in one trip.
All the major sights in all three cities can be primarily seen in a day if you set out early enough.
Despite visiting during a peak period, I enjoyed my trip to Colmar, and I’ll share all the details.
Getting to Colmar From Strasbourg
Return cost: £27
The fastest way to get to Colmar from Strasbourg is by train.
The train runs every thirty minutes on both ends, which makes it perfect for a quick day trip.
Visiting during winter meant I had limited daylight.
So I woke up around 9 am, got ready, grabbed breakfast at a nearby cafe and 12:19 pm train.
I got there just before 1 pm with a few hours to spare.
Getting To Colmar City Centre From The Train Station
Once I arrived, I took out Google Maps to find the nearest attraction.
This would help me determine how far or close the city centre is.
I was happy to discover that the city centre is about a 15 – 20 minute walk.
You can also take a bus before the train station, but I decided to burn some calories instead.
On my way back, I also walked, leaving early enough to catch the next train to Strasbourg.
Moving Around Colmar
Colmar is connected by local buses, but I found it easier to walk around since all the important attractions can be discovered on foot.
But if, for some reason, you need to take the bus, you can buy your tickets online or on the bus.
Also, ensure you take cash with you, just in case.
The Best Things To Do On A Strasbourg To Colmar Day Trip
Colmar, a tiny city in the Alsace region of North-eastern France, is known for its well-preserved picturesque old town.
As of 2020, it has a population of less than 100,000, which gives you an idea of how tiny it is.
This also means that there isn’t that much to do.
You can see the entire city on a long Summer day.
But I went during winter, and it was cold, so I wasn’t looking forward to exploring per se.
I just wanted to stroll endlessly around the Christmas markets and take the views of the picturesque city.
Despite the crowd, I enjoyed exploring the Old Town while walking around narrow cobblestone streets and basking in the festive mood.
If you can visit every other time of the year, here are all the important landmarks.
Major Attractions In Colmar
- Little Venice: Take a boat tour around the most famous district in Colmar. Enjoy the colourful half-timbered buildings lined on the canals’ shores, which makes this fairytale town picturesque.
- Unterlinden Museum: A 13th-century former convent and bathing house, it is now the most visited art museum in the Alsace region.
- Église Saint-Martin: 12-century Gothic catholic church.
- Musée Bartholdi: The birthplace of the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, Auguste Bartholdi, which houses all his paintings, drawings, and sculptures.
- Statue of Liberty: A replica of the original in New York commemorated on the 100th anniversary of his death in 2004. This is on a roundabout outside the city centre so you’ll need to get a bus.
- The Fishmonger’s District: The former residence of professional fishermen in Colmar before it was destroyed in the 17th century and restored in the 19th century.
- Permanent Terroir Market Hall: An 18th-century indoor market with fresh produce and artisan products.
- The Pfister House: An 18th-century building that signifies the early introduction of architectural renaissance in the old Colmar.
- The Alsace Wine Museum: Learn about the history of Alsace wine in this region and have a taste while you are there.
In Conclusion
Colmar is incredibly busy during Christmas, so I suggest you enjoy roaming the markets and enjoying the stunning festive lights.
It also gets very cold, so don’t don’t layer up.
While I was pleased with my Strasbourg to Colmar day trip, it felt too crowded to enjoy the town fully.
So I recommend you don’t visit for the don’t time during Christmas.
Wait till March to May or Sept to November.
This way, there are fewer tourist crowds, and the weather is more bearable for exploring.