Strasbourg is in an ideal location for day trips from it. You can traverse the entire Alsace region and explore some of the most picturesque towns, cities and scenic spots in Europe. If you are looking for ideas about day trips from Strasbourg then this quick guide has you covered. I’ll go over my favourite possibilities and give you top tips about what to do when you get there. Enjoy!
Day Trips from Strasbourg | Your Quick Guide
Colmar
Perhaps the most obvious day trip from Strasbourg is the town of Colmar. The town was allegedly the inspiration behind the Disney film Beauty and the Beast; there is even a fountain here which is almost identical to one used in the film.
The timbered, pastel houses throughout are also very reminiscent of Disney and most of your time in Colmar will be spent walking down the streets and darting into quaint shops selling produce from all over the Alsace region.
If I could give you one top tip, it is to get here early and leave mid-afternoon. You’ll avoid the crowds in the morning (it gets very busy!) and you can escape on the train before everyone else does.
For more information on this beautiful town, check out my post on a day trip to Colmar.
The Alsace Wine Route
Did you know that one of the most famous wine routes in Europe is outside of Strasbourg? The legendary Route des Vins d’Alsace goes through the most scenic villages around. There are tours that operate around the year and I’d recommend this for the best experience. The benefits of this over driving are that everyone can enjoy the experience.
Some of my favourite nearby villages that I’ve explored are Riquewihr (which is meant to one of the most beautiful in France!) and Kaysersberg, famous for the nearby hilltop castle ruins and its fortified bridge.
For tours, I would do some searching to see which ones offer the most for your money. We loved our experience with the Rhine Valley Sightseeing Tours. You can find more information on this on Get Your Guide.
Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle
If you are into your history and want to see one of the most impressive castles around, check out Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg.
This impressive castle is about an hour away from Strasbourg. The route by car will take you through some typical Alsace landscapes, which is worth the trip in itself. The castle is perched up high in the Vosges mountains and has views of the Rhine valley, the Black Forest and even the Alps if you are lucky.
Black Forest and Baden-Baden
When I think of Strasbourg and the surrounding area, I think of the legendary Black Forest. It is an hour’s drive away and you have a few options depending on what you want to do.
Your first stop should be Baden-Baden. This German town is the gateway to the Black Forest and is packed with traditional culture from this region. You can explore the small town itself or take a detour to the many gardens here, such as the Lichtentaller Allee or the Rosenneuheitengarten. There are also Roman ruins here for history lovers.
For those wanting to get out into the wild, I would actually recommend Lake Mummelsee as the best destination. There are plenty of hiking trails that lead off from here and the lake itself is beautiful. For this latter option, I’d suggest renting a car, but you also could take the X45 bus right into the National Park.
If you are using a train and don’t fancy a long day, I’d recommend you stick to Baden-Baden; you can head to Merkur Mountain which is just on the edge of the town and has excellent views of the Forest.
Obernai
If you think that Colmar could be too busy for you, then Obernai is a nice alternative. The vibe is pretty similar as it is another lovely Alsace town with a traditional centre and colourful houses. It also roughly takes the same time to get there.
In all honesty, I think that Obernai is just as nice. I still felt like I was in a Disney film based in France and you had most of the same souvenir shops. The only difference was that there wasn’t quite as much choice due to the smaller tourist numbers.
Saverne and the Northern Vosges
Just a 25 minute train ride away is the small town of Saverne. Again, it has a smilier aura to Colmar and Obernei, but is probably as busy as the latter.
The town does have a few other things on offer though. There are some rose gardens to explore in the summer and, perhaps most impressively, the famous Rohan Castle built by Napoleon III. When I say castle, it is much more of a palace than a fortress. Think of your classic French palace.
If you are looking for Nature, then head to the nearby Northern Vosges Regional Park. This is most famous for the unique sandstone rock formations and the hikes that join up Saverne with the small villages dotted throughout. If you want inspiration for which hiking trails to take, look at the Saverne Tourism website – they go through all the different walks which you can take.
To the north of Strasbourg, Saverne is known for its canal, rose gardens, and the impressive Rohan Castle. The nearby Northern Vosges Regional Park offers beautiful hikes, sandstone rock formations, and small fortified villages.
Mulhouse
About an hour south of Strasbourg, Mulhouse is perfect for museum lovers. The city is home to the Cité de l’Automobile, the largest car museum in the world, and the Cité du Train, showcasing France’s railway history. Combine culture with a stroll through the old town.
Mont Sainte-Odile
For this last one, you’ll need a car; the train journey here is just over two hours which seems excessive.
Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey is again in the nearby Vosges mountains and, similar to Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle, has some incredible views over the region. What I love about this Abbey though is the peaceful spot it is in. You have some lovely walking trails here which take you into nature and along the Pagan Wall, which has an interesting history.
Equally, the history of the Abbey is fascinating. The site dates back all the way to the 5th Century and has seen Romans, Vikings and Francs all settle here. It is a really special site and one definitely worth seeing.
Final Thoughts | Day Trips from Strasbourg
I hope that this post has helped you plan your day trips from Strasbourg for when you visit the beautiful Alsace Region. If you are looking for further inspiration, check out my blog post on 48 hours in Strasbourg. I go through a short itinerary to help you get the most out of your time here.
