For the most charming and delightful winter experience imaginable, look no further than the beautiful city of Strasbourg, France. Due to its location on the German border, winter in Strasbourg boasts a combination of French and German cultures, which makes it extra special.
Here, we share some of the best things to do in Strasbourg in winter, and the reasons why you should plan a trip to this stunning destination soon.
Strasbourg museums and architecture
One of the best things to do in Strasbourg in winter is to explore its museums. Head to the impressive Palais Rohan, previous home to prince-bishops and cardinals, where you can admire its 1720s architecture before stepping inside. These days, the building houses a number of Strasbourg museums, including those focused on art and archaeology, which make this a fascinating place to visit.
Another popular museum in Strasbourg is the Alsatian museum. Located across three converted houses, this museum shows how locals lived in the 18th and 19th centuries, and provides an accurate representation of daily life during this time. With 5000 artefacts to discover, this is the perfect place to explore on cold winter days.
We definitely suggest wrapping up warm and simply wandering around the streets of Strasbourg, as you’re bound to see plenty that will amaze you. The old city centre was the first to be given UNESCO recognition, so you can only imagine how picturesque it is. One of the top sights is Strasbourg cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century. Boasting striking Gothic style and a wonderful astronomical clock, this cathedral has many features that are worthy of your admiration.
Strasbourg Christmas market
As the first Christmas market in France, and one of the oldest in Europe, Strasbourg offers a festive experience that has been perfected over the years, and is not to be missed. The market has taken place since 1570 and, although the event originally took place at the cathedral, it has now spread across the city. Strasbourg Christmas market is open from the end of November to the end of December, meaning that you have plenty of time to enjoy it.
The market boasts around 300 festive stalls, many kilometres of twinkling lights, and some truly magical window displays, all of which help to bring the city to life during the festive period. Enjoy concerts, choir performances, and other entertainment as you wander around, and be prepared to pick up plenty of unique Christmas gifts for your friends and family.
One of the highlights of Strasbourg Christmas market is the Great Christmas Tree which can be found in Place Kléber. At 5pm each day, the tree is lit up alongside other lights around the square. This is quite a spectacular display, and definitely worth seeing if you have the chance. Elsewhere in the city, you can walk below the fairy light ceiling of Grand Rue, and see two trees decorated with childhood favourites at Place des Halles.
Eating and drinking in Strasbourg in winter
As with many destinations, winter brings comforting food and drink options to Strasbourg, many of which you may not have tried elsewhere. For example, it’s likely that you will be familiar with mulled wine, but in Strasbourg they prefer to drink hot white wine. The white wine must be Alsatian (of course), and is prepared with orange, lemon, cinnamon, star anise, and sugar to give it a warming, festive flavour.
Another Strasbourg winter favourite is bredele – a tasty Christmas biscuit. Eating these biscuits is a must during the festive season, and there are lots of different types to try. Often flavoured with almonds and cinnamon, these biscuits come in a whole range of shapes and sizes, so you can have fun trying to find as many as possible! Mannele are another Alsatian favourite during the winter. These man-shaped brioche style treats typically have raisin or chocolate eyes, and are often enjoyed with a hot chocolate on the side.
Typically, the food that you find in Strasbourg will be hearty and comforting, so you definitely won’t struggle to find something the warm you up on cold days. The perfect choice could be Baeckeoffe, which is a meat and potato stew cooked in white wine, or Choucroute, a filling combination of grated cabbage pickled in wine, sausages, and pulled pork.
With so many great things to do in Strasbourg in winter on offer, book your Dover to Calais ferry crossing today and start planning your wonderful winter getaway.
