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.
• Midday: Compare terroirs by the glass at a wine bar such as Le Cercle des Arômes, then enjoy a light lunch of seasonal specials or a shared tarte flambée. Tip: ask about sweetness levels on whites; many top local Rieslings are bone‑dry.
• Afternoon: Explore the Bartholdi Museum for a sense of hometown pride, then wander residential lanes between Grand Rue and Rue des Tanneurs to feel the lived‑in city. In summer, consider a short cycle towards the edge of town for vineyard views; in autumn, look for new‑wine fêtes.
• Evening: Choose canal‑side fine dining or a family‑run bistro off the main squares; book ahead on weekends. On warm nights, catch folk music at Place de l’Ancienne Douane; in colder months, linger over Munster cheese with Gewurztraminer in a snug tavern.

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 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.

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.