Strasbourg in 2 days

Two days isn't long. In Strasbourg, that's fine: the city is walkable, most sights sit within a few streets of each other, and the tram handles the rest. No need to rush to see the essentials. Here's a simple itinerary: one day in the historic heart, a second between Europe and the Neustadt. From Hôtel Origami, in the Cronenbourg district, it's a 10-minute tram ride to Place de l'Homme de Fer, right in the centre.

Day 1: the historic heart

Start with Notre-Dame Cathedral. Its single spire was long the tallest structure in Christendom, and up close, the lacework of pink sandstone is every bit as striking as it is from afar. Inside, position yourself in front of the astronomical clock around 12:30 pm: that's when the Apostles parade. And if you're up for it, the viewing platform is worth the 330 steps and offers the finest view over the rooftops.

The cathedral at a glance

• Interior: free entry, daily from 8:45 am to 12 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
• Astronomical clock: Apostles' parade at 12:30 pm. Paid ticket, collected in the morning at Place du Château (closed Sundays and public holidays).
• Viewing platform: 330 steps, 66 metres high, views over the city, the Vosges and the Black Forest. €8 full price, €5 reduced. In summer, open 9:30 am to 8 pm, last climb at 7:15 pm.

From there, head to the Carré d'Or, the maze of shopping streets around Place Kléber, the city's main square. Take time for lunch in a proper winstub, the Alsatian taverns where you'll eat choucroute and tarte flambée on checked tablecloths. We recommend a few in our article on winstubs..

The afternoon belongs to Petite France. The former tanners' district, with its half-timbered houses leaning over the water, is the most photographed corner of the city, and the stroll is completely free. Carry on to the Covered Bridges and the Vauban Dam: the dam's panoramic terrace gives you the full postcard, medieval towers and canals lined up.

Day 2: Europe and the Neustadt

Strasbourg isn't just an old town. On the second day, change scale and century. Take tram line E towards the European quarter. The European Parliament can be visited free of charge: you can see the hemicycle outside of Sundays and sessions. Around it, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights form a skyline that's quite unique in France. To understand Strasbourg's role as a European capital, our dedicated article on the European quarter rounds out the visit nicely.

A stone's throw away, treat yourself to a break in the Orangerie park. Twenty-six hectares, the city's oldest park, and above all its storks, the Alsatian emblem you'll spot here for real.

Save the end of the day for the Neustadt, the German town built after 1871. Listed by UNESCO in 2017, it's the part most visitors skip, and that's a shame: wide avenues, monumental facades, a blend of styles telling a century of Franco-German history. If your legs are giving up, end instead with a boat tour: the Batorama boats leave from Place de la Cathédrale and offer a covered trip, ideal on rainy days too. Our article on discovering Strasbourg by boat details the routes.

Practical tips

The whole centre is walkable. For the rest, the tram is king:

• Lines A and D for the historic heart (Grand'Rue, Langstross stops).
• Line E for the European quarter (Parlement Européen stop).
• From Hôtel Origami: 10 minutes by tram, 12 minutes by bike on the cycle paths, 25 minutes on foot.

On the budget side, many of the highlights cost nothing:

• Free: Petite France, the Covered Bridges, the cathedral interior, the Orangerie park and the tour of the European Parliament hemicycle.
• Paid: the cathedral platform (€8), the Batorama cruise (€19.30 adult, €11.90 child) and the museums.
• The Strasbourg City Card (€5, €3.50 child, valid 7 days) gives 20 to 50% off the platform, Batorama and the museums. Note that it does not include public transport.

Which season to choose: from April to June, the light is soft and the terraces open. In summer, the city stays lively and cools off by the water. And from late November to Christmas, the Christmas market takes over the whole centre. To make the most of your budget on entries, take a look at the Strasbourg City Card..

Two days on foot is tiring: think about mixing it up. A bike ride along the canals breaks the rhythm and covers more ground; we explain everything in our guide to Strasbourg by bike..

Stay one more day

Two days to see the essentials, so why not treat yourself to a third day to unwind? With our summer offer, the third night is half price when you book directly. Enough to take your time: a quiet morning at the hotel, or off to the spa of our sister hotel, the Athéna Spa, to end the weekend gently. Discover the offer and book..

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need to visit Strasbourg?

Two days are enough for the essentials: the cathedral, Petite France and the European quarter. A third day lets you add the Neustadt in detail, a boat tour or a bike ride along the canals.

What can you do in Strasbourg when it rains?

The cathedral and its astronomical clock can be visited in the dry, as can the Palais Rohan museums (Fine Arts, Archaeology, Decorative Arts). The covered Batorama boat trip is a safe bet on rainy days, as is a hearty stop in a winstub.

Is Petite France free?

Yes. Strolling through Petite France, walking along the Covered Bridges and climbing the Vauban Dam terrace costs nothing. Only the restaurants, pastry shops and certain guided tours are paid.

When is the best time to visit Strasbourg?

April to June for soft light and terraces, summer for the atmosphere by the water, and late November to Christmas for the famous Christmas market. Each season has its own mood.

What should you eat in Strasbourg?

The must-tries are choucroute, tarte flambée (flammekueche) and baeckeoffe, to enjoy in a traditional winstub. For something sweet, don't leave without a kougelhopf or a bretzel.

Prices and opening hours checked in July 2026, please confirm on the official websites before your visit.