A storybook town of painted half-timbered houses and the canals of La Petite Venise, 30 minutes south of Strasbourg by train. The Unterlinden Museum holds the Isenheim Altarpiece. Around it, the Alsace Wine Route links Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim, and Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle looks over the plain: a car, tour or bike is the way to see them. Its Christmas markets (late November to late December) are among France's busiest; book rooms months ahead for them.
Highlights
- La Petite Venise by flat-bottomed boat
- Half-timbered old town
- Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum
- Riquewihr and Eguisheim wine villages
- Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle
- Christmas markets
- Gewurztraminer and Riesling tastings
Things to do
- Old town and La Petite Venise boat rideMorning · 2h 30m
- Unterlinden MuseumAfternoon · 2h
- Wine Route: Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and EguisheimMorning · 6h
- Haut-Kœnigsbourg castleAfternoon · 2h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – October; late November – December for the Christmas markets
Worth knowing
Christmas Markets: Book Rooms Early
Colmar's Christmas markets (late November to the end of December) make the small old town very crowded at weekends, and rooms sell out months ahead. Staying in Strasbourg and coming down by the 30-minute train is a good fallback.
- Christmas markets of Alsace · Strasbourg from 27 Nov (closing date not yet published); Colmar 23 Nov – 29 Dec — Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik (since 1570) and Colmar's six markets fill the old towns with wooden stalls, mulled wine and bredele biscuits. Weekend crowds are heavy and bag checks are in place at the entry points; rooms cost much more and sell out, so book by summer or stay a short train ride away.