Strasbourg

Day 1: Grande Île, cathedral and canals

Ease into Strasbourg’s UNESCO-listed heart. Today blends Gothic drama, mirror-calm waterways and the city’s best vantage points, with plenty of time to linger and people‑watch.

• Morning: Arrive early at the cathedral to enjoy the west façade from rue Mercière before crowds, then climb the 330 steps to the platform for sweeping views to the Vosges and Black Forest. Step inside to admire the stained glass; if you want to see the astronomical clock’s parade, buy tickets for the 12:30 showing (arrive by 11:45–12:00 to queue calmly).
• Midday: Stroll to Place Broglie (market days typically Wed/Fri) or visit one of the Palais Rohan museums (decorative arts is ideal if you love historic interiors). Grab a light lunch nearby and pre-book an afternoon boat tour (Batorama departs by the Palais Rohan; winter boats are heated/covered).
• Afternoon: Take the classic loop by boat around the Grande Île—watch the lock in Petite France and the low bridges glide past; view is best seated near the windows. Disembark and walk to the Ponts Couverts and the Barrage Vauban; the dam’s rooftop terrace is free and sublime in late‑afternoon light (don’t crowd the small bridge over the lock—best views are from the quay).
• Evening: Wander Petite France at golden hour along Rue des Moulins and Place Benjamin Zix, then dine in a winstub (share a tarte flambée and a carafe of local white). Summer often brings evening illuminations on major monuments; in late Nov–Dec, follow the lights to the giant tree on Place Kléber and warm up with vin chaud (watch for pickpockets in dense crowds).

Day 2: Cycle the green city and European quarter

Switch to two wheels and Strasbourg’s relaxed rhythm. The city is flat, compact and threaded with canal paths, grand boulevards and low‑stress cycle lanes.

• Morning: Pick up a Vélhop (app/boutique) or a rental bike; fit lights, check tyres, and remember: trams always have priority and tram tracks must be crossed at a right angle. Pedal the Neustadt loop (Place de la République, Palais du Rhin, riverside quays) for wide lanes, stately façades and café stops on the Quai des Bateliers.
• Midday: Continue to the Parc de l’Orangerie for a picnic under plane trees; look up for nesting storks (spring/summer) or hire a rowboat on the lake. Rain plan: swap for the Alsatian Museum’s cosy timbered rooms back on the Grande Île.
• Afternoon: Follow the Marne–Rhine Canal embankment to the European quarter; pop into the Parlamentarium Simone Veil at the European Parliament (free, bring ID; plenary weeks are busier). If legs allow, cross the Passerelle des Deux Rives to Kehl for Rhine views; in hot weather, ride shaded towpaths and carry water (or tram D to Kehl and cycle back).
• Evening: Coast back via the Krutenau for an apéro on the Quai des Pêcheurs (popular with locals at sunset), then dinner at an easy‑going bistro. Lock your frame and rear wheel to a solid rack with a good D‑lock; if it’s dark, switch lights on—Strasbourg is a year‑round cycling city.

Day 3: Hidden corners, on-the-water moments and culture

Today mixes quiet courtyards, water‑level perspectives and a culture fix to end on a high. It’s a flexible day—dial up boats or museums depending on the season and your mood.

• Morning: Enjoy Petite France at dawn when reflections are glassy and streets are empty; detour to Square des Moulins and the Cour du Corbeau’s timbered galleries for hushed corners and photos. Coffee on a side street near the cathedral (crowds are lightest before 10:00).
• Midday: Skipper your own electric boat (Marin d’Eau Douce or Captain Bretzel; 1–2 hrs, no licence) to nose along the Ill at walking speed—bring a simple picnic and a jumper for breeze on the water. Winter/low‑water alternative: the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art or a second Palais Rohan collection.
• Afternoon: Tram to Place Kléber for the Aubette and easy boutique browsing; if you missed it, loop back to the Barrage Vauban for another angle on the Ponts Couverts. Culture fans can book a timed visit to the European Parliament public gallery on select days (reserve ahead; security screening applies).
• Evening: Close with a performance at the Opéra national du Rhin or the Orchestre Philharmonique (book ahead; smart casual is fine), or settle into a wine bar to sample Riesling and Crémant d’Alsace with a plate of munster and kougelhopf. In autumn, the golden hour on the quays is superb; in December, wander the Christkindelsmärik’s smaller squares (Place des Meuniers, Carré d’Or) for a calmer, twinkly finale.

By Air

• Strasbourg Airport (SXB), Entzheim (10 km SW): TER shuttle train from “Entzheim Aéroport” to Strasbourg Gare Centrale in 9–10 minutes (typically every 15–30 minutes); taxi 20–30 minutes.
• EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg (BSL/MLH/EAP) (~130 km): Bus to Saint-Louis Gare (10–15 minutes) + TER to Strasbourg (about 1 hr 10–1 hr 20); total 1 hr 30–1 hr 50. Driving ~1 hr 20–1 hr 30.
• Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB) (~60 km): Bus to Baden-Baden Hbf (20–30 minutes) + regional train via Offenburg/Kehl to Strasbourg; total ~1–1.5 hrs. Driving 45–60 minutes.
• Frankfurt (FRA) (~220 km): Train ~2–2.5 hrs (usually 1 change at Mannheim or Karlsruhe). Driving ~2–2.5 hrs.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) (~490 km): Direct TGV from CDG T2 to Strasbourg ~1 hr 50–2 hr 10 (useful for long‑haul arrivals).

By Train

• Main station: Strasbourg‑Ville (Gare Centrale), short walk/tram to the historic centre.
• High‑speed links:
  • Paris Gare de l’Est: TGV ~1 hr 45–1 hr 55 (frequent daily).
  • Paris CDG T2: direct TGV ~1 hr 50–2 hr 10.
  • Frankfurt (Main) Hbf: ICE/TGV ~1 hr 45–2 hrs (some with 1 change).
  • Stuttgart Hbf: ~1 hr 20–1 hr 40 (direct or via Karlsruhe).
  • Basel SBB: ~1 hr 15–1 hr 30 (direct TER).
  • Zurich HB: ~2 hr 20–2 hr 40 (via Basel).
  • Luxembourg: ~2–2 hr 30 (1 change common).
  • Brussels: ~3 hr 30–4 hrs (1 change, typically via CDG/Marne‑la‑Vallée or Luxembourg).
• Regional TER: Colmar (~30 minutes), Mulhouse (~45 minutes), Offenburg (~30 minutes), Freiburg im Breisgau (~1 hr 15–1 hr 30, via Offenburg).
• Cross‑border local: Tram D connects Kehl (Germany) to Strasbourg centre in ~15–20 minutes.

By Coach/Bus

• Long‑distance operators (e.g., FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) serve stops at Parc de l’Étoile and near Gare Centrale (check ticket for exact stop).
• Typical journey times: Paris ~6–7 hrs; Frankfurt ~2.5–3.5 hrs; Stuttgart ~2–3 hrs; Munich ~5–6 hrs; Brussels ~6–7 hrs; Zurich ~3.5–4.5 hrs; Basel ~2–2.5 hrs.

By Car

• Motorways: A35 (north–south Alsace spine), A4 (to Metz/Paris), and direct connection to Germany via Kehl (B28/A5).
• Typical driving times: Paris ~4.5–5 hrs; Frankfurt ~2–2.5 hrs; Zurich ~2.5–3 hrs; Basel ~1.5 hrs; Stuttgart ~1.5–2 hrs.
• City access: Historic core is largely pedestrian/cycle‑priority; use Park‑and‑Ride (P+R) sites on the tram network (day tariff typically includes return tram tickets).
• Environmental rules: Strasbourg’s Low Emission Zone (ZFE) progressively restricts older vehicles; a Crit’Air sticker is required—obtain in advance. German cities en route may require an Umweltplakette.