Your digital welcome book in Strasbourg

Welcome to Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace

Say Strasbourg and everyone thinks of the Christmas market. And rightly so, it really is something special. That said, the Alsatian capital is also a delight to explore in spring, and probably a good deal quieter than during the festive-season bustle.

Exploring Strasbourg with ease

The great practical advantage here is that the city centre is on a human scale, so you can see it all on foot or by bike thanks to Velhop. A boat trip is a real bonus, whether you are feeling a bit lazy (yes, we can see you) or simply after a cooler alternative to the standard city tour. You will see Strasbourg from a completely different angle and glide through several of its main districts, such as the European quarter and the German quarter. Tickets are sold by Batorama, the Strasbourg boat company, and we recommend booking ahead because they sell out very quickly.

The places you must not miss

Visit Strasbourg's Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is an architectural gem and clearly the city's must-see monument. Take the time to look inside, it is quite something. You can even climb a hundred or so steps up to a platform with a sweeping view over the city. The wine cellar of the Hospices Civils de Strasbourg is another place worth seeing. This is where a selection of the finest Alsace wines is kept. And your visit to the city would not be complete without tasting one of the region's most famous names, Gewurztraminer. Allow around an hour for the tour.

La Petite France is the highlight of Strasbourg and, in our view, one of the loveliest districts in the city. Its half-timbered houses, canals and terraces make you want to wander around all day long. Time simply stops. From here you are only a few steps from the Vauban Dam and the Covered Bridges, which offer beautiful views over the district and the rest of the city. A short stop (or a very long one) at Place Gutenberg is well worth it too: depending on your tastes, you could easily spend hours there. If you are after good photo spots, Rue du Tonnelet Rouge and Place du Marché Gayot are both excellent.

Local culinary specialities

Food lovers will be spoilt for choice: flammekueche or tarte flambée, pretzels, and kouglof, the crown-shaped cake studded with raisins. Stop off at a Winstub, the typical Alsatian restaurant, and of course tuck into a good choucroute. But Alsace also means distinctive wines, Gewurztraminer for one, and cheese: Munster. In case you were wondering, we can reassure you that Strasbourg is not where you will go hungry or thirsty. If you have a little time left, drive part of the wine route. The scenery is a real change of air, with plenty of vineyards to discover and plenty of tastings to enjoy.

Our tour of eastern France ends here, but we have put together a complete welcome book for Strasbourg. Do take a look. If you have any questions about it, or about creating your own, get in touch: we will be delighted to help.