Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Strasbourg
A half-timbered island old town, a soaring cathedral and Europe's parliament.
The capital of Alsace, on the border with Germany: an old town on an island ringed by the river Ill, with a soaring pink sandstone cathedral, half-timbered houses leaning over the canals of Petite France, and the glass buildings of the European Parliament a tram ride away. Famous for its Christmas market and its mix of French and German food.
Places to see
- Strasbourg CathedralChurch · A huge cathedral of pink sandstone with a lace-like front and a single spire, glowing…Free
Petite FranceWalk · The prettiest corner of the island: half-timbered houses with flower boxes and steep…Free
Kammerzell HouseSight · A tall, dark half-timbered house on the cathedral square, its wooden front covered with…Free
When to go
- Jan4° / -2°Some rainQuiet
- Feb6° / -1°Some rainQuiet
- Mar11° / 2°Some rainQuiet
- Apr16° / 5°Some rainBusy
- May20° / 9°Often wetBusy
- Jun23° / 13°Often wetBusy
- Jul26° / 14°Some rainBusy
- Aug25° / 14°Some rainBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The Grande Île. The old town on its island in the Ill: the cathedral, Place Kléber and the museums. Central and lovely, a bit dearer to stay in.
Around the station. Just west of the island, ten minutes' walk from the cathedral: plainer, with most of the budget hotels and hostels.
Flying in
Strasbourg–Entzheim (SXB): Shuttle train to Strasbourg station, about 10 min, ≈ A$9. Frequent regional trains from the station beside the terminal; many travellers fly into Basel-Mulhouse or Frankfurt instead (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Strasbourg; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$4. The island old town is small and flat, and the station is a 10-minute walk away. Trams run to the European quarter; the city has hundreds of kilometres of bike lanes and cheap shared bikes (check).
CTS 24-hour ticket (≈ A$9, 24 hours): Unlimited trams and buses; handy for the European quarter if you won't walk (check).
Tourist tax
Strasbourg's taxe de séjour: usually about €1–2 a person a night in hostels and budget hotels, paid at check-in; under-18s don't pay (check).
