Colmar

Day 1: Storybook old town and canals

Ease into Colmar’s fairytale centre with an early start before the day-trippers arrive. Today is about atmosphere: timbered houses, flower-decked bridges and quiet corners that feel unchanged by time.

• Morning: Grab a coffee and croissant from a boulangerie near Rue des Marchands, then wander past Maison Pfister, the Koïfhus and the Collégiale Saint‑Martin while the streets are still hushed. If you’re visiting in spring/summer, glance up for stork nests on rooftops; in winter, note where Christmas stalls will later twinkle.
• Midday: Drift on a flat‑bottomed boat along the Lauch through La Petite Venise for the low‑angle view that made Colmar famous; buy tickets at the pier by Pont Saint‑Pierre. Lunch at the Covered Market’s riverside terrace for market‑fresh plates and a glass of Riesling.
• Afternoon: Stroll the Quai de la Poissonnerie and the Tanners’ district, ducking into hidden courtyards (the Koïfhus is a reliable bet). If it’s warm, take a leisurely apéritif outside; if it’s chilly, a salon de thé for kougelhopf is perfect.
• Evening: Time your return to Pont Saint‑Pierre for golden/blue hour reflections, then dine in a cosy winstub on tarte flambée or coq au Riesling with a carafe of local wine. In November–December, weave through the illuminated Christmas markets after dinner for peak Colmar magic.

Day 2: Art, wine and quiet corners

Blend culture with Alsatian flavours today, keeping the pace unhurried. You’ll explore museums and cellars, then slip back into lantern‑lit lanes when the crowds thin.

• Morning: Visit the Unterlinden Museum to contemplate the Isenheim Altarpiece in calm morning light (arrive at opening; check closing days). Pause for coffee by Place des Dominicains and admire stained‑glass glow if the sun is out.

By Air

• EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg (MLH/BSL/EAP) – approx. 60 km. Car: 45–60 min via A35. Public transport: 50–75 min (airport bus to Saint-Louis Gare, then TER via Mulhouse to Colmar).
• Strasbourg Airport (SXB) – approx. 65–70 km. Car: 45–55 min via A35. Train: 45–60 min (Entzheim Aéroport station to Strasbourg 10 min, TER to Colmar 30–35 min).
• Zürich Airport (ZRH) – approx. 160 km. Car: ~2 h. Train: 2–2.5 h via Zürich HB and Basel SBB/Mulhouse.
• Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB) – approx. 120 km. Car: ~1 h 30 min. Train: ~2–2.5 h via Baden-Baden/Offenburg–Strasbourg.
• Frankfurt (FRA) – approx. 300 km. Car: ~3–3.5 h. Train: ~2.5–3.5 h via Mannheim–Strasbourg.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – approx. 500 km. Car: ~5–6 h. Train: ~3–3.5 h (TGV CDG–Strasbourg, TER to Colmar).

By Train

• Main station: Colmar (Gare de Colmar), ~10–15 minutes’ walk from the old town.
• Paris (Gare de l’Est) – Colmar: typically 2 h 20–2 h 50 with a change at Strasbourg (occasional direct TGVs).
• Strasbourg – Colmar: TER every 15–30 minutes; 30–35 minutes.
• Mulhouse – Colmar: 20–25 minutes; frequent TER.
• Basel SBB – Colmar: 50–60 minutes (0–1 change, usually via Mulhouse).
• Zürich HB – Colmar: 2 h 15–2 h 45 (1–2 changes via Basel/Mulhouse).
  Tickets: SNCF (SNCF Connect), TER Grand Est; through‑tickets also via DB/SBB for cross‑border routes.

Colmar delivers storybook Alsace with lighter crowds—romantic canals, colourful timbered houses and a serious food-and-wine scene without the frenzy.

• Atmosphere: A lived‑in, not‑a‑museum old town built for flânerie; La Petite Venise and Quai de la Poissonnerie glow at golden hour amid flower‑boxed façades and stork nests—romance minus the bustle of headline cities.
• Neighbourhoods & landmarks: Compact and walkable means more charm, less queuing—Maison Pfister, the Koïfhus, the Tanners’ District and flat‑bottomed boat rides on the Lauch are easy to enjoy, especially early or after 6pm.
• Food & wine: Cosy winstubs, tarte flambée, kougelhopf and glasses of Riesling or Crémant d’Alsace offer quality and value; pop into the Marché Couvert’s river terrace or meet independent growers in nearby Eguisheim and Kaysersberg.
• Seasons & traditions: From lantern‑lit Christmas markets to spring fleurissement and autumn vendanges, Colmar stays authentically Alsatian year‑round—plan shoulder seasons and blue‑hour strolls for the prettiest scenes with fewer people.

If you love storybook streets, intimate canals and a slower pace, you’ll adore Colmar. It suits couples, culture buffs, photographers and anyone who enjoys great food and wine without big‑city bustle. Come for a cosy weekend or linger longer to savour Alsatian charm at your own rhythm.

• History lovers: In Colmar, a remarkably intact medieval–Renaissance core—think Bruges with an Alsatian twist—puts Maison Pfister, the Koïfhus and Bartholdi’s legacy within a few minutes’ stroll.
• Scenery seekers & photographers: Petite Venise’s canals burst with colour and mirror‑calm reflections, best at golden or blue hour when the crowds melt away.
• Foodies & wine lovers: Cosy winstubs, the Covered Market and tastings along the Alsace Wine Route (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Crémant) make every meal a highlight.
• Romantic couples: Drift by flat‑bottomed boat, share a tarte flambée, and stay in a timber‑framed boutique hotel as Colmar glows at dusk or under Christmas lights.
• Active travellers: Walk the car‑free old town, cycle vineyard lanes on the Véloroute du Vignoble, and hop to nearby Eguisheim, Kaysersberg and Riquewihr.
• Easy city‑breakers: Around 2.5 hours by TGV from Paris, super‑walkable, safe and compact—ideal for a low‑stress 1–2 night escape.

Here are the unmissable highlights of Colmar, distilled from local expertise and recent research. Use this list to capture the town’s fairy‑tale charm in a single, perfect visit.

• Walk the canalside lanes of La Petite Venise at golden hour, crossing Quai de la Poissonnerie to the Pont Saint‑Pierre for postcard views.
• Explore the medieval core along Rue des Marchands and the Tanners’ District, admiring Maison Pfister and the Maison des Têtes.
• Visit the Unterlinden Museum to marvel at the Isenheim Altarpiece in its atmospheric former monastery.
• Take a flat‑bottomed boat along the River Lauch through Petite Venise, ideally early or at dusk to dodge the crowds.
• Hike the Alsace Wine Route into nearby vineyards around Eguisheim or Kaysersberg, stopping for tastings of Riesling and Crémant.

Here are the unmissable highlights of Colmar, distilled from local expertise and recent research. Use this list to capture the town’s fairy‑tale charm in a single, perfect visit.

• Walk the canalside lanes of La Petite Venise at golden hour, crossing Quai de la Poissonnerie to the Pont Saint‑Pierre for postcard views.
• Explore the medieval core along Rue des Marchands and the Tanners’ District, admiring Maison Pfister and the Maison des Têtes.
• Visit the Unterlinden Museum to marvel at the Isenheim Altarpiece in its atmospheric former monastery.
• Take a flat‑bottomed boat along the River Lauch through Petite Venise, ideally early or at dusk to dodge the crowds.
• Hike the Alsace Wine Route into nearby vineyards around Eguisheim or Kaysersberg, stopping for tastings of Riesling and Crémant.

Colmar’s food scene blends hearty Alsatian comfort with refined wine culture and crisp, aromatic whites. Think rustic, wood‑panelled taverns and intimate wine bars. Expect cosy winstubs, lively covered markets, and canal‑side cafés.

• Tarte flambée – ultra‑thin flatbread topped with fromage blanc, onions and lardons; best shared in a snug winstub over a carafe of local white.
• Choucroute garnie – tangy sauerkraut piled with sausages, smoked pork and potatoes; a belly‑warming classic in wood‑panelled taverns and brasseries.
• Baeckeoffe – slow‑baked casserole of layered potatoes and marinated meats in Alsatian wine; slow comfort food to savour in homely cafés on cooler evenings.
• Crémant d’Alsace – elegant traditional‑method sparkler; sip by the glass at wine bars or on the Covered Market terrace overlooking the Lauch.

Colmar’s food scene blends hearty Alsatian comfort with refined wine culture and crisp, aromatic whites. Think rustic, wood‑panelled taverns and intimate wine bars. Expect cosy winstubs, lively covered markets, and canal‑side cafés.

• Tarte flambée – ultra‑thin flatbread topped with fromage blanc, onions and lardons; best shared in a snug winstub over a carafe of local white.
• Choucroute garnie – tangy sauerkraut piled with sausages, smoked pork and potatoes; a belly‑warming classic in wood‑panelled taverns and brasseries.
• Baeckeoffe – slow‑baked casserole of layered potatoes and marinated meats in Alsatian wine; slow comfort food to savour in homely cafés on cooler evenings.
• Crémant d’Alsace – elegant traditional‑method sparkler; sip by the glass at wine bars or on the Covered Market terrace overlooking the Lauch.

Choosing where to stay in Colmar is about matching the vibe to your trip, as each area has its own rhythm. Go canal‑side for fairytale romance, near the Collégiale for history and dining, or by leafy boulevards for calmer nights. Here’s how the main areas feel at a glance.

• Petite Venise (Krutenau) — Storybook canals, flower-decked timber houses and boat rides; perfect for couples and first‑timers seeking peak romance (but expect midday crowds).
• Historic Centre (Grand Rue & Saint‑Martin area) — Cobblestones, landmarks and Christmas markets on your doorstep; ideal for history lovers and foodies who want to be in the thick of it.
• Tanners’ Quarter (Quartier des Tanneurs) — Elegant 17th‑century timber buildings and artisan ateliers with quieter evenings; great for photographers and light sleepers, 3–5 minutes to the canals.
• Champ de Mars & Unterlinden — Leafy park and wider boulevards by the Unterlinden Museum; suits families and anyone wanting calmer nights with easy access to cafés and playgrounds.

Choosing where to stay in Colmar is about matching the vibe to your trip, as each area has its own rhythm. Go canal‑side for fairytale romance, near the Collégiale for history and dining, or by leafy boulevards for calmer nights. Here’s how the main areas feel at a glance.

• Petite Venise (Krutenau) — Storybook canals, flower-decked timber houses and boat rides; perfect for couples and first‑timers seeking peak romance (but expect midday crowds).
• Historic Centre (Grand Rue & Saint‑Martin area) — Cobblestones, landmarks and Christmas markets on your doorstep; ideal for history lovers and foodies who want to be in the thick of it.
• Tanners’ Quarter (Quartier des Tanneurs) — Elegant 17th‑century timber buildings and artisan ateliers with quieter evenings; great for photographers and light sleepers, 3–5 minutes to the canals.
• Champ de Mars & Unterlinden — Leafy park and wider boulevards by the Unterlinden Museum; suits families and anyone wanting calmer nights with easy access to cafés and playgrounds.

Travel to Colmar and getting around is straightforward thanks to its compact, pedestrianised centre and good rail links. A few practical details—seasonal crowds, booking windows, and how to reach nearby vineyards—will help you plan smoothly.

• Affordability: Expect mid‑range dinners at winstubs around €30–€50 per person (excluding wine), glasses of Alsatian wine €4–€7, boat tours €7–€8, and accommodation ranging from budget guesthouses to boutique old‑town stays with sharp price rises at Christmas—book well ahead.
• Transport: The old town is fully walkable and largely pedestrianised; arrive by train (about 2.5 hours TGV from Paris) and use a car, the Kutzig hop‑on/hop‑off bus or e‑bikes for vineyard villages, with easy rail day trips to Strasbourg and Mulhouse.
• Language: French is the main language (Alsatian is also heard), and English is widely understood in tourism settings, though a friendly “Bonjour/Merci” is appreciated—especially in small family‑run wineries and shops.
• Safety & comfort: Colmar is very safe for families and solo travellers; take the usual care with pickpockets in peak crowds (notably at Christmas markets), wear comfortable shoes for cobbles, mind unfenced canal edges, and avoid drink‑driving on the wine route.
• Crowds: The busiest times are summer days (roughly 10:00–16:00) and late‑November to December for the Christmas markets, while early mornings/evenings and the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are much calmer; January–February is the quietest.

Travel to Colmar and getting around is straightforward thanks to its compact, pedestrianised centre and good rail links. A few practical details—seasonal crowds, booking windows, and how to reach nearby vineyards—will help you plan smoothly.

• Affordability: Expect mid‑range dinners at winstubs around €30–€50 per person (excluding wine), glasses of Alsatian wine €4–€7, boat tours €7–€8, and accommodation ranging from budget guesthouses to boutique old‑town stays with sharp price rises at Christmas—book well ahead.
• Transport: The old town is fully walkable and largely pedestrianised; arrive by train (about 2.5 hours TGV from Paris) and use a car, the Kutzig hop‑on/hop‑off bus or e‑bikes for vineyard villages, with easy rail day trips to Strasbourg and Mulhouse.
• Language: French is the main language (Alsatian is also heard), and English is widely understood in tourism settings, though a friendly “Bonjour/Merci” is appreciated—especially in small family‑run wineries and shops.
• Safety & comfort: Colmar is very safe for families and solo travellers; take the usual care with pickpockets in peak crowds (notably at Christmas markets), wear comfortable shoes for cobbles, mind unfenced canal edges, and avoid drink‑driving on the wine route.
• Crowds: The busiest times are summer days (roughly 10:00–16:00) and late‑November to December for the Christmas markets, while early mornings/evenings and the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are much calmer; January–February is the quietest.

Colmar shifts character with the seasons: a magical, illuminated winter; sunlit, floral summers; and mellow, wine-tinged springs and autumns. Crowd levels swing accordingly, so timing your visit shapes both pace and price.

• Spring & Autumn (Shoulder Season): Mild and largely dry; smaller, easier crowds; relaxed, authentic vibe with blossoms in spring and golden vineyards plus harvest energy in autumn.
• High Summer: Warm, sunny, flower-laden; busiest hours (especially 10:00–16:00) and higher prices; lively terrace culture by day, charming and calmer after dusk.
• Winter (Christmas Season): Cold and crisp; very busy on market weekends/evenings; irresistibly festive with lights, vin chaud and cosy winstubs—noticeably quieter after New Year.

Colmar shifts character with the seasons: a magical, illuminated winter; sunlit, floral summers; and mellow, wine-tinged springs and autumns. Crowd levels swing accordingly, so timing your visit shapes both pace and price.

• Spring & Autumn (Shoulder Season): Mild and largely dry; smaller, easier crowds; relaxed, authentic vibe with blossoms in spring and golden vineyards plus harvest energy in autumn.
• High Summer: Warm, sunny, flower-laden; busiest hours (especially 10:00–16:00) and higher prices; lively terrace culture by day, charming and calmer after dusk.
• Winter (Christmas Season): Cold and crisp; very busy on market weekends/evenings; irresistibly festive with lights, vin chaud and cosy winstubs—noticeably quieter after New Year.

Day 3: Alsace Wine Route day trip

Venture into vine‑cloaked hills and neighbouring villages, returning to Colmar for a lingering farewell. Keep it car‑free if you like: e‑bikes or the seasonal Kutzig bus make a relaxed, responsible day.

• Morning: Head to a nearby wine village (Eguisheim 15 minutes away is perfect for a first stop), arriving early to walk its concentric lanes before tastings. Book one or two domaines in advance; small producers appreciate notice.
• Midday: Continue to Kaysersberg, Riquewihr or Ribeauvillé for lunch in a traditional winstub. If the weather’s fine, assemble picnic bits from a village bakery and butcher and eat overlooking the vines.
• Afternoon: Join a guided tasting focused on Grand Cru terroirs, using the spittoon to keep a clear head; pick up bottles to enjoy later in Colmar. If travelling with children or you fancy wildlife, detour to the stork and otter centre in Hunawihr (seasonal hours).
• Evening: Back in Colmar, celebrate with a final dinner: go Michelin‑smart or keep it casual with hearty Alsatian classics. Take one last blue‑hour loop through Petite Venise for night photographs; in shoulder seasons, you’ll often have the bridges almost to yourself.

By Coach/Bus

• Long‑distance operators (e.g., FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) link Colmar with Strasbourg (1–1.5 h), Mulhouse (45–60 min), Freiburg im Breisgau (1–1.5 h), Basel (1–1.5 h), Zürich (2.5–3 h), Lyon (6–7 h), Paris (8–9 h). Stops are near the railway station (Place de la Gare).
• Seasonal Kutzig hop‑on/hop‑off bus connects Colmar with nearby wine‑route villages (Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé) in spring–autumn.

By Car

• Main route: A35 (toll‑free in Alsace) connects Strasbourg–Colmar–Mulhouse–Basel.
• Typical driving times: Strasbourg 50–60 min; Mulhouse 30–40 min; Basel 45–60 min; Zürich ~2 h; Paris 5–6 h.
• Parking: the old town is largely pedestrianised. Use edge‑of‑centre car parks (e.g., Montagne Verte P+R, Rapp, Lacarre, Saint‑Josse); follow “P” signs.

Who should go to Colmar?

If you love storybook streets, intimate canals and a slower pace, you’ll adore Colmar. It suits couples, culture buffs, photographers and anyone who enjoys great food and wine without big‑city bustle. Come for a cosy weekend or linger longer to savour Alsatian charm at your own rhythm.

• History lovers: In Colmar, a remarkably intact medieval–Renaissance core—think Bruges with an Alsatian twist—puts Maison Pfister, the Koïfhus and Bartholdi’s legacy within a few minutes’ stroll.
• Scenery seekers & photographers: Petite Venise’s canals burst with colour and mirror‑calm reflections, best at golden or blue hour when the crowds melt away.
• Foodies & wine lovers: Cosy winstubs, the Covered Market and tastings along the Alsace Wine Route (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Crémant) make every meal a highlight.
• Romantic couples: Drift by flat‑bottomed boat, share a tarte flambée, and stay in a timber‑framed boutique hotel as Colmar glows at dusk or under Christmas lights.
• Active travellers: Walk the car‑free old town, cycle vineyard lanes on the Véloroute du Vignoble, and hop to nearby Eguisheim, Kaysersberg and Riquewihr.
• Easy city‑breakers: Around 2.5 hours by TGV from Paris, super‑walkable, safe and compact—ideal for a low‑stress 1–2 night escape.