Alsace

Travel Guide

Petite France showing a city
Petite France featuring a river or creek and a city
Alsace
Alsace
Petite France showing boating, a city and heritage elements

In this area bordering two countries, the influence on culture and tradition is rich. Explore the relatively small region for its numerous attractions.

Bordering Germany and Switzerland, Alsace, in France’s Grand Est region, is a melting pot of features. In terms of food, the pizza-like Alsatian tarte flambée is symbolic of the junction of nations, with toppings of sausage, cheese and onion. The small region, encompassing a very small percentage of France’s size, has lakes and rivers with a sizable fish population. Visit southern Alsace to travel the Fried Carp Route, where the specialty takes advantage of the species’ abundance.

Pair delicious dishes with the region’s riesling and gewürztraminer wines, which are produced particularly well in the mountainous Vosges territory.

Go from village to storybook village, such as Riquewihr and Colmar. Eguisheim has three concentric circles of half-timbered houses built around a castle in a medieval-style location.

With so much natural beauty and quaintness in the area, consider renting a bicycle or electric bike and tour well-marked trails. Stay overnight at a farmhouse inn on the 48-mile (77-kilometer) Crest Road that connects Cernay with Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines.

Interspersed on the Vosges plains are lofty peaks with castles, nunneries and chapels on their pinnacles. Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey in Obernai is a mountain worth visiting, with an added attraction of the 7-mile (11-kilometer) Pagan Wall. No one is quite sure who built it. Visit the impressive 12th-century castle Château du Haut-Koenigsburg in Orschwiller with its lofty views. Inside are medieval displays and tapestries.

Glass designer René Lalique came from Alsace. He developed his glassworks in Wingen-sur-Moder, now the site of the Musée Lalique.

In Mulhouse, the Museum of Printed Textiles showcases regional and global designs through its archive of 6 million patterns.

Plan on visiting Cité du Train, one of the world’s largest locomotive museums, with dozens of exhibits of trains and paraphernalia.

In Alsace’s lively yet peaceful capital city, Strasbourg, is the massive 11th-century Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, equipped with a detailed astronomical clock.

Travel to Alsace for a multi-faceted vacation in its countryside, towns and cities.

Where to stay in Alsace

Petite France which includes a city and a river or creek

City-Centre - Petite France

Travelers love City-Centre - Petite France for its stunning cathedral, and you can see more of Strasbourg by jumping on the metro at Langstross Grand'Rue Tram Station or Place Broglie Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Place Kléber and Galeries Lafayette.

City-Centre - Petite France
Colmar which includes signage

Colmar Centre Ville

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Colmar Centre Ville is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Colmar Christmas Market and House of the Heads.

Colmar Centre Ville
Colmar which includes signage

Old Town Colmar

Unique features of Old Town Colmar include the historic sites and coffeehouses. Make a stop by Colmar Christmas Market or Colmar Covered Market while you're exploring the area.

Old Town Colmar
Covered Bridge showing a small town or village, a river or creek and a bridge

Petite-France

5/5(28 area reviews)

Discover the charm of half-timbered houses along the Ill river in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring narrow alleys and picturesque footbridges. Explore sights like Maison des Tanneurs and Barrage Vauban while enjoying a leisurely walk.

Petite-France
Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral showing heritage architecture, night scenes and a church or cathedral

Historic Center

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Surrounded by the Ill River and Canal du Faux-Rempart, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts historic landmarks such as Strasbourg Cathedral, Petite France quarter, and Place Kléber. Explore the island's stunning churches, palaces, and charming streets.

Historic Center
Train Station Square which includes a city

Quartier de la Gare

While you're in Quartier de la Gare, take in top sights like Train Station Square or Vauban Dam, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Faubourg National Tram Station or Gare Centrale Tram Station.

Quartier de la Gare
Hotel Tandem - Boutique Hotel
Hotel Tandem - Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
2, place de la gare, Strasbourg
The price is CA $149 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $149
CA $173 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Strasbourg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (862 reviews)
"Great choices for the breakfast…all was great but hair blower stopped working and half my hair was still wet and we had dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant…not so cool"

Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2025

Hotel Tandem - Boutique Hotel
Hotel Athena Spa
Hotel Athena Spa
4 out of 5
Rue Armande Béjart, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin
The price is CA $151 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
CA $151
CA $175 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Strasbourg. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Very relaxing stay again"

Reviewed on Jun. 14, 2025

Hotel Athena Spa
City Residence Strasbourg Centre
City Residence Strasbourg Centre
3 out of 5
1 Rue des Magasins, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin
The price is CA $80 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
CA $80
CA $95 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Strasbourg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,403 reviews)
"It is a convenient hotel for the entire city and the staff is very friendly."

Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2025

City Residence Strasbourg Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
City Residence Strasbourg Centre
City Residence Strasbourg Centre
3 out of 5
1 Rue des Magasins, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Strasbourg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,403 reviews)
"It is a convenient hotel for the entire city and the staff is very friendly."

Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2025

City Residence Strasbourg Centre
City Residence Access Strasbourg
City Residence Access Strasbourg
2 out of 5
11 rue des magasins, Strasbourg
Stay at this aparthotel in Strasbourg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,345 reviews)
"Wonderful short stay!"

Reviewed on Jul. 5, 2025

City Residence Access Strasbourg
Cerise Strasbourg
Cerise Strasbourg
3 out of 5
5, rue Job, Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Strasbourg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
7.4/10 Good! (898 reviews)
"Very old and dirty in the unit, lobby was clean. We had to use to fold out and I was afraid of bed bugs, the mattress was so gross! I went with blind faith that the blankets were clean and layered them on top. We asked for another duvet or blankets and was told they don’t have any. Did not eat breakfast, ..."

Reviewed on Dec. 2, 2024

Cerise Strasbourg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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