Blogging on the tracks: One day in Strasbourg

Day 3 of my 12-day Rail Europe tour: Strasbourg.

I think Strasbourg is the prettiest city in Europe – well the prettiest I’ve seen, but I admit I haven’t seen them all! Next time I shall stay for a few days, and I’ve listed my favourite hotels below too.

Here’s why I love it and what to do when you visit: Strasbourg is rich in history and culture. The old town (also known at the Big Island) is wrapped by a tributary of the Rhine – the River Ill, and this is where you’ll hang out.

Once over here you’ll find many stunning landmarks, including the Strasbourg Cathedral, the Petite France district, the Palais Rohan and the ultra modern European Parliament building on the banks of the Rhine where the river splits to go around the city. 

Strasbourg is a city that will capture you (and your camera) with its unique blend of French and German influences. It has a truly photogenic and enthralling atmosphere that blends traditional and modern styles seamlessly. 

Strasbourg’s enchanting fusion of contradictions has resulted in a place where old and new coexist, and where the city’s past and present merge in a wonderful way. 

It’s no wonder why, after a day in this city, I’m declaring Strasbourg to be quite possibly the most picturesque city in all of Europe! In this article, I invite you to read on and discover why.

Where is Strasbourg located?

Strasbourg is a city in the heart of the Alsace region, nestled on the French-German border. This unique location has gifted the city with a fascinating mix of cultures, reflecting the best of both worlds in its architecture, cuisine, and even its dialect.

The Ill branches off the Rhine River, which is one of the mighty rivers for cruising and encircles with city. Trust me; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more charming city in Europe.

The big island is where you want to be. It’s the main part of the city, and is where old buildings line the river’s edge and flower boxes brighten bridges for that classic photo.

Arriving in Strasbourg

We arrived by rip-roaring high speed train from Paris right into the middle of the city at about 11am.

The train station, which is a work of art itself, is conveniently located right in the centre of the city. From there, we caught a city tram to our oh so quaint hotel, the ‘Romantik’ Hotel Beaucour. (I have listed a few more lovely centrally located hotels below).

The station is also just a short walk to the city’s top attractions, such as the Strasbourg Cathedral and the picturesque Petite France district.

Around every corner is yet another photo op with geraniums out in force. But be careful on the wobbly cobblestone streets and squares, as they’re not made for stilettos!

Exploring the Old Town

Exploring the old town of Strasbourg is like taking a step back in time, with its half-timbered houses and picturesque lanes. 

Don’t deceive yourself into thinking that this town may be behind in technology though. Their electric trams have been here for nearly two decades, are very modern and glide around the city with no steps or even a gap between the platform and the train. It makes it very easy to hop on and hop off – even when dragging luggage.

About €2.50 will get you a one-way ticket from the train station that will transport you into the pages of a story book.

As the capital of the Alsace, you will even get the chance to see the European Court of Human Rights, European Parliament and many other governing bodies. But a Kiwi, Aussie or American can be forgiven for twirling in circles with their jaw open at the history of this place. It was permanently settled over 3000 years ago!

Of course, you can’t miss the iconic Strasbourg Cathedral, which towers over the city. It is also one of the most impressive Gothic structures in Europe. This church took 200 years to build and until the 19th Century had the tallest spire in the world. Window boxes and shutters, Tudor style buildings. Q for quaint.

If you’d like to explore Starsbourg with a local guide, book a private guided tour and learn all about the city, while being shown the highlights and hearing some history and tales – like why it’s called Bridge of Torture! We had a guide and it was a great way to get our bearings, then off we went on our own.

Or if you have more time, this wonderful day trip takes you out of the city to medieval towns and some wine tasting along the Alsace wine route.

Taking a Boat Tour

If you want to take a break from walking and see Strasbourg from a different perspective, then taking a boat tour is a great way to do it. The UNESCO protected historic centre is full of old buildings, decorated in flowers along the banks of the Ill River, so this is just the perfect way to see them.

Board a traditional Alsatian boat called a batorama, and get ready for the stunning sights that will unfold before your eyes. Make sure your phone is charged for all the photos!

The boat tour will take you along the Ill River, where you can see the famous Petite France district, the historic Covered Bridges, the Vauban Dam, the European Parliament, and many more.

You will also pass under the Bridge of Torture that has a dark history of being a site of brutal punishments, which will leave you with a sense of awe and horror.

There you’ll hear about evil murderers sewn into sacks and dropped alive into the water. Not only that, you will also hear stories of petty thieves and women of ill repute put in cages and dunked into the raw waste outlet from the butchery beside the bridge.

Visiting the Flea Market

I stumbled upon this flea market the next morning (we only had 1 night) and if French antiques is your thing you’d get a little adrenalin rush here.

I do love a flea market and have written about the best ones in NYC too. This bustling market offers a wide array of vintage finds, fabulous antiques, and collectibles that you’ll looking up how much to ship home. Located in the heart of the city, it’s one place every shopaholic should not miss.

But the market is not just about shopping. It’s also a great place to immerse yourself in the local culture and meet some friendly locals. You can even strike up a conversation with vendors and fellow shoppers alike.

And when you’re done shopping, grab a bite to eat at one of the many food stalls and cafés.

One day in Strasbourg is not enough…

Spending one day in Strasbourg was all I had, but is an experience I have talked about for years. From the picturesque old town to the stunning landmarks and delicious cuisine, Strasbourg has something to offer every type of traveller. 

Around every corner is a photo opportunity, and I hardly stopped clicking for an entire day. All these activities are truly not enough for one day, so better have a longer stay here. I suggest you plan to spend at least two days in Strasbourg – while I continue my 12-day Rail Europe tour below!

Where to stay in Strasbourg

*These hotels are affiliate links. That means if you book directly, I will make a small commssion, at no extra cost to you.

As mentioned above, I stayed at Hotel Beaucour which is a 4-star boutique hotel, just across the River Ill, and about 200m from the Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of the city.

Hôtel LÉONOR is within the gorgeous old town. It’s on the opposite side of the “island” to Hotel Beaucour and is another 4-star boutique property but with modern, trendy rooms and a lovely outdoor courtyard with seating and umbrellas to hide from the summer sun. In winter it’s an easy stroll to the Christmas markets. You’re only a 5-10 minute walk from the Cathedral.

Maison Rouge Strasbourg Hotel & Spa is located smack bang in the heart of the old city, 100m from Kleber Square and just a few meters from everywhere else. This is a 5-star hotel with car parking, an outstanding restaurant and a bar that serves a delicious cocktail. This is the hotel to choose if you want to be right beside the Christmas Market too.