I instantly fell in love with Strasbourg when I visited, it’s probably my favourite place in France because of its perfect combination of French culture and German culture thanks to its location right by the German border.
We based ourselves in Strasbourg for one week so we had plenty of time to explore the city but also to plan a few day trips from Strasbourg to the surrounding Alsace region and into Germany.
There are countless Strasbourg day trip options in the region, whether you’re a wine lover, a history buff, a foodie or you just love to explore quaint European towns (that’s me!)
A day trip from Strasbourg is also a great option if you’re in the area for one of the famous European Christmas markets, Strasbourg and the surrounding Alsace region really put on a show during the festive season.
So if you’re looking for inspiration for what to do near Strasbourg or around Strasbourg and the Alsace region, read on!
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Strasbourg, France
The best day tours from Strasbourg, France
Winery in Kaysersberg
If you’re someone who prefers to take part in organised tours, or if you don’t have a vehicle and perhaps a coach tour from Strasbourg is easier, I really recommend checking out the Get Your Guide day tours from Strasbourg.
If you’d like to see the charming villages of the Alsace region, check out this full day Alsace tour from Strasbourg which visits Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr and more.
Or follow the picturesque wine route through the charming towns and villages on this full day convertible coach tour!
If you’d prefer Alsace tours from Strasbourg which focus on the wine route and the wine production in the region then this half day wine tour is for you.
Top day trips from Strasbourg, France
A day trip from Strasbourg to Colmar
Colmar
I first went to Colmar in winter of 2018 and fell in love with the colourful timber frame buildings and charming cobbled streets.
Having experienced Colmar in winter and summer, I can safely say that both are equally as beautiful. Seeing the colourful houses dusted in snow was magical but also the flower-covered streets in summer are gorgeous too.
Colmar is an easy drive less than 1 hour south of Strasbourg and it’s also one of the easiest day trips from Strasbourg by train. There are 42 routes per day and they take on average 31 minutes between Colmar and Strasbourg. Visit the SNCF website for times or find more ways to get to Colmar.
Don’t miss in Colmar:
La Petite Venise
The Christmas Market in winter
Koifhus
Restaurant La Soi
Statue de la Liberte
I also included Eguisheim on my Strasbourg to Colmar day trip as it’s an easy nearby addition - I actually cycled there along the river path!
Strasbourg to Bergheim day trip
Bergheim
Around 40 minutes from Strasbourg is the charming commune of Bergheim.
Bergheim was significantly less busy than Colmar, Kaysersberg or Riquewihr and I highly recommend visiting Bergheim from Strasbourg if you’re looking for a more authentic Alsace village experience.
We found parking to be free at the Parc de Stationnement which is right by the High Gate entrance to the town.
Don’t miss in Bergheim:
Porte Haute
Place du docteur Pierre Walter
Restaurant Brasserie La Mosaïque (beautiful seating area in the square for a drink)
The Bergheim Fortifications and towers around the town
Strasbourg day trip to Ribeauville
I’ve included Ribeauville on this list because I was so desperate to visit and see this charming colourful town with its castle on the hill. However the day we visited in September was a huge medieval festival and the town was closed off to cars and there was no parking for miles!
So I will return one day and visit I hope!
Don’t miss in Ribeauville:
Grand Rue
3 castles of Ribeauville hike
Château de Saint-Ulrich
Chateau du Giersberg
Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre
Strasbourg to Riquewihr day trip
Riquewihr
Located just under an hour south from Strasbourg and into the countryside of the Alsace region is Riquewihr.
Riquewihr is probably the town I thought was the prettiest town in Alsace, however it was also the busiest and very small! So I would recommend visiting in the off season or arriving early in the morning - not mid-afternoon as we did!
Enter the town through the archway of the town hall and follow the Rue du General de Gaulle to see the beautiful architecture, the thriving cafes, the street train and the wonderful smelling bakeries!
The rich yellows, greens and oranges of the buildings here made it such a vibrant place to explore and it’s so small that it’s easy to explore on foot!
Don’t miss in Riquewihr:
Rue du General de Gaulle
The street train
Tour Haute and Fountain de la Sinne
Restaurant Au Relais de Riquewihr
The town is pedestrianised so you will need to park at one of the several car parks dotted around the outside of the town walls.
Strasbourg day trip to Kaysersberg-Vignoble
Kaysersberg
Probably my favourite of the Alsace villages because it’s beautiful but also much bigger than Riquewihr.
Exploring Kaysersberg was much easier with larger car parks, a larger central town area and plenty of charming streets and colourful architecture to explore.
We arrived here in the morning and did nothing except wander around for 2 hours and eat fresh pastries!
However Kaysersberg is a great base if you want to see more of the Alsace wine region, you’ll see plenty of vineyards surrounding the town as you drive in.
Don’t miss in Kaysersberg:
Chateau de Kaysersberg
Pont Fortifie
Rue du General de Gaulle (runs through the whole town)
Alte Holzbrücke
Weekly markets with local products
Musée Historique de Kaysersberg
Domaine Weinbach Famille Faller - vineyard
Strasbourg to Eguisheim
Eguisheim
Eguisheim is a small town I visited on my first trip back in 2018 and it's the town that’s said to be the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast.
It’s very small and I recommend visiting as part of your Colmar day trip from Strasbourg since the two are nearby - I hired a bike in Colmar to cycle to Eguisheim and back.
Eguisheim is a medieval village made up of concentric streets in the old town, so you can walk in circles in the tiny area.
The most famous street in Eguisheim is Rue du Rempart S with the classic crooked house view.
The whole village old town is full of remarkably preserved medieval buildings which are incredibly picturesque.
You’ll also see the colourful roof of Chapelle Saint-Leon IX in the centre which is beautiful both inside and out!
Strasbourg to Obernai
Obernai is less than 30 minutes from Strasbourg city centre and is a larger town offering medieval buildings, beautiful architecture and plenty of alternative restaurants and bars outside of Strasbourg.
It’s a popular stop for tours of the Alsace wine route for this reason.
Alsace wine tour
Winery
Of course if you’re a wine lover, appreciator and dabbler, a wine tour in the Alsace region, famous for its Riesling, is a must-do one day trip from Strasbourg.
This full day wine tour includes 3 different wineries with 2 afternoon tasting stops in the medieval villages of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr.
Maginot Line Fort Schoenenbourg
Maginot Line fort tunnel
If you’re looking for places to visit around Strasbourg, this is a truly fascinating day trip from Strasbourg and I only found out about it last minute while we were actually there.
Being big history fans, I studied it and Taylor’s relatives fought in World War II. We both really wanted to visit this famous (or infamous) historic location at the Maginot Line.
The Maginot Line is a very famous French defence line of fortifications which runs along the French/German border and cost a significant amount of money in the early 20th century. There are 900 miles of underground bunkers and fortifications which the French were sure would defend them from the Germans. However the Maginot Line is famous for ultimately failing to stop the Germans, who simply went around it in a tactic known as the Blitzkrieg.
Labelled as ‘Maginot Line Fort Schoenenbourg’ on Google Maps, it’s about 1 hour drive north from Strasbourg.
Parking is free and it’s tucked away in a wooded area.
Going inside is spectacular to experience. It’s so huge, we walked miles underground and there really is a whole city built down there to house the french soldiers for months on end. From bedrooms and kitchens to hospitals, pharmacies, shoe repairs, gyms and more.
Tickets are just 9 euros for adults and 5 euros for children - great value considering we were down there for 3 hours+.
It’s absolutely fascinating, I highly recommend visiting. Just make sure you take warm clothes - it’s cold underground!
Day trips from Strasbourg to Germany
A day trip from Strasbourg to Baden Baden
Baden Baden is a completely different experience for a Strasbourg day trip, not only because it’s a day trip from Strasbourg into Germany but also because Baden Baden is famous for being a spa town.
Visit the famous and absolutely stunning Caracalla Spa or the Friedrichsbad Spa. Both are amazing spas but Caracalla Spa should be your choice for a more modern bathhouse experience, surrounded by forest and in a huge complex with indoor and outdoor bathing.
Friedrichsbad Spa is a more traditional experience, housed in a classic 19th century bathhouse with beautiful ornate and almost stately architecture. The main thermal pool sits in a huge domed tower and the whole spa complex is just breathtaking.
A day trip to Baden Baden is definitely an opportunity to treat yourself and it’s only 1 hour from Strasbourg!
Day trips from Strasbourg to the Black Forest
I’ve only visited the Black Forest in the summer but there is so much to do there that I honestly think that a day trip isn’t enough!
With hiking, biking, beautiful German towns, stunning lakes, toboggan rides, waterfalls, museums, a wealth of cuckoo clocks and of course plenty of food and beverage stops on the way too!
I would suggest visiting in the summer months and picking a small town from which to rent a bike or head off exploring - there are so many trails the second you’re outside of a town area.
A personal favourite that’s special to our family is the Ottenhofen im Schwarzwald area and Seebach. Here there’s a great range of restaurants, hotels, bike hire and easy-moderate trails and adventures to go on. Plus it’s just 45 minutes from Strasbourg!
Day trips from Strasbourg to Switzerland
If you’re looking for cities close to Strasbourg to visit on a day trip, I recommend Basel.
I flew into Basel to visit Colmar on the first trip I took to the Alsace region and I can not only attest to the brilliant train service between Basel and Strasbourg which is only a 1 hour 20 minute journey, but I also got stranded by a snow storm in Basel and was able to spend some time there exploring too!
If you’re planning a day trip from Strasbourg by train, Basel is a great option as it’s often referred to as the cultural centre of Switzerland.
Don’t miss in Basel:
Walk along the Rhine
Numerous parks and green areas
St Alban City Gate
Kuntstmuseum Basel
Basel Old Town
Three Country Point
Boat trip on the Rhine
Tinguely Fountain
Summary: the best Strasbourg France day trips
I hope this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for what to do around Strasbourg and the best Alsace villages to visit from Strasbourg on a day trip!
Strasbourg really is in a great position to explore so many places just a short distance away in both France and Germany.
I really recommend allowing longer in Strasbourg so you have the time to plan a day trip or two, or maybe one of the Alsace tours from Strasbourg.
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