My Journey to Strasbourg: Top 5 Tourist Places You Can’t Miss

As I reached the city of Strasbourg I felt as if I was in a picture postcard. The moment I stepped off the train, the anticipation surged inside me akin to a child eager on a Christmas morning.

So how do most tourists get to Strasbourg, France? The answer is quite simple: You can get to Strasbourg from Paris, Munich and other cities by train. It’s wonderfully easy and enjoyable to go places.

In this blog post, I will share my experience of Strasbourg, focusing on the top 5 places to visit, which most captivated me. So, get comfortable, get your beverage of choice and let’s explore this wonderful city together!

Strasbourg Overview

History of Strasbourg

Strasbourg is rich in history, and it goes back to the Roman period as Argentoratum. From the French and Germans cultural blend, over years the city has evolved. One of the most recognizable landmarks is the giant Strasbourg Cathedral, one of the greatest works of Gothic architecture in the world.

Geographical Location

Strasbourg is in the northern part of France, in the Alsace province and shares borders with Germany. It’s a well-connected region as it’s a few train stations away from cities like Colmar and Freiburg.

My Top 5 Prefered Tourist Places to Visit in Strasbourg

1. Cathedral Of Strasbourg
2. France Petite
3. Parliament of European Union
4. Bataille Vauban
5. Kleber Square

1. Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

Overview:

Strasbourg would probably not be complete without this enchanting gothic cathedral. It attracts thousands of visitors from around the world because of the elaborate decoration and beautiful windows that it bears.

Personal Experience:

The exterior itself made me go wow, it was so beautiful, and stepping into the cathedral just made it better. As the sun shone through the stained panes, colors began to flicker around and the cathedral transformed into a magical kaleidoscope. 

It was beautiful for me but not surprising seeing that many tourists went speechless allowing the sanctuary along with its elaborate history and culture to absorb them.

2. La Petite France

Overview:

This part of town is known for its canals and half-timbered houses which makes it a very exquisite location. It is destined to capture your sights with its narrow winding streets and stunning landscapes.

Personal Experience:

While exploring the district of “Petite France” I was filled with so much joy that I decided to sit in a cute cafe and grab hold of a sweet Tarte Flambee accompanied with some hot coffee.

It was a really pleasant atmosphere surrounding this place — painters from the region were busy creating artworks with the picturesque scenery; it was simply a frozen beautiful instant.

3. European Parliament

Overview:

Strasbourg is recognized for being one of the important regions of the ‘European Union’ and is viewed as one of its parliaments, which possesses the finest architectural design in the quest of being the center of European Union politics.

Personal Experience:

A friend of mine introduced me to a guided tour, which I found to be quite useful. Being in the Hemicycle where members of the European Union gather to deliberate on critical issues cultivated a new level of respect in me towards the contribution of that particular city to the population of Europe. 

The European Union in its modern development is pretty much overshadowing the historical regions of Strasbourg, London among other places.

4. Barrage Vauban

Overview:

Paris’ history with this dam extends to the events of the French League Wars, where it served to provide an impressive view of the city along the edges of a vast dam, with a substantial terrace in the center designed to take panorama photographs as well.

Personal Experience:

In this case, I could say that it was worth the effort to climb up to the terrace. The sight of the roofs of Strasbourg with the Rhine river in the distance was truly stunning. I sat on a bench for a while and enjoyed watching everything and listening to the sounds of nature.

5. Place Kléber

Overview:

The central thoroughfare of Strasbourg is Place Kleber with its shops, eateries and all that constitutes the bustling activity, and the seasonal fairs that make it a nice spot to visit. If you want to feel the life of the city, this is a good place to go.

Personal Experience:

When I went there, I found Place Kleber full with members of the public for the Christmas market. There was an overpowering smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts making it hard to resist treating oneself with a couple of such delicacies. The atmosphere was so lively and entertaining that it was hard not to engage with the locals and other tourists.

My Very Personal Recommendations

Here’s a useful table with some great options on where to stay in Strasbourg according to your price range:

Hotel Name	Location	Type	Pricing (per night)	Standout Features
Hôtel Les Haras	City Center	Luxury	€180-€250	Stylish design, excellent location
Ibis Styles Strasbourg	Near Petite France	Budget-Friendly	€80-€120	Modern amenities, cozy vibe
Hôtel de l’Europe	Close to the Cathedral	Mid-Range	€120-€180	Historic charm, great views
Maison Rouge	Place Kléber	Boutique	€150-€250	Unique decor, central location
Ciarus Strasbourg	Near the Train Station	Budget	€25-€50	Friendly atmosphere, shared facilities

Food and Dining

Strasbourg is the culinary capital of the World! Here are some places to dine you can consider:

1. La Cloche à Fromage
   • Cuisine: Authentic Asstantion Dishes
   • Ambience: Friendly and warm
   • Must Try: Their Tarte Flambée and their variety of local cheeses.
2. Le Bistrot des Copains
   • Cuisine: French Dishes
   • Ambience: Warm and authentic
   • Must Try: Coq au Vin and their homemade desserts.
3. Café Brant
   • Cuisine: Cafe and Vanessa’s family are Bakeries
   • Ambiance: Nice and slow, a great spot to grab a coffee.
   • Must-Try: Croissants and hot chocolate.

Current Weather Information of the city

Cost of Living

Strasbourg is a little less expensive than most cities in Europe. Here’s a rough idea of what the expenses are like:

• Stay: In dorms and hotels over 250 euros 2,514 are earned between 25 euros.
• Dining Out: Casual dining will set you back between 10 to 20 euros.
• Tickets: The single fare of public transport should be around 1.60 euros.

Transport Modes

Navigating Strasbourg is very easy! One tram service covers a lot of the city and even areas just outside. You can easily hire a bike for easy movement. Travel over longer distances are made more at ease where Strasbourg is linked to major French and border cities by a lot of trains.

My Recommended Period to Travel and Thought Process while Travelling

There is nothing more mesmarizing than the Christmas markets when you visit, this is ever so evident so this December I’ll make a trip to start. It’s hard not to visit Strasbourg during this period where the city is beautifully lit even without dark bright lights. The heat does tend to get hotter in the summer so spring season along fall might be ideal for you.

Travel Tip: Wear comfy shoes because you will be on your feet a lot! Try to reach all the important spots as early as possible to then avoid the heavy foot traffic.

Why You Must Visit Strasbourg At Least Once In Your Lifetime?

Strasbourg is a city which enchants the hearts of many with its beauty and architecture, the past, and the diverse culture it possesses. New experiences await at every block, be it wandering around in charming little streets in Petite France or enjoying a scenic view at the Barrage Vauban.

I would certainly add Strasbourg to my travel itinerary and so should you when planning your next trip. It’s a wonderful short recursive where you are invited to take things easy and soak in the surroundings. Get a tourist map of Strasbourg, pack your bags up, and get ready for an experience that will last in your memories forever!

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