Welcome to Strasbourg, one of the most beautiful French cities in the heart of Alsace which is worth a detour. And, if you only have one day to explore Strasbourg, don't worry!
Indeed, I share with you below the perfect walking route to discover the treasures of Strasbourg in just one day. In addition, you can follow this route on the Google Map (free) in pedestrian GPS mode.
How to visit Strasbourg in 1 day?
Visiting Strasbourg in 1 day is a real pleasure for the eyes and the taste buds! Indeed Strasbourg, capital ofAlsace and European capital, remains a small town which can be visited very easily on foot in 1 day.
With its half-timbered houses, its historic center, its European Parliament, its wines (Riesling, Crémant d'Alsace, Muscat) and its culinary specialties (braised ham,flammekueche, sauerkraut, Alsatian stew, kouglof, gingerbread), Strasbourg allows you to alternate between cultural visits and gastronomic discoveries.
You have several options for visiting Strasbourg in one day:
- You can treat yourself to a Strasbourg private tour with a guide just for you;
- If you go in December, you can book a Christmas markets visit ;
- Or simply follow my tour to visit Strasbourg on foot and at your own pace!
What visits should you absolutely do for a day in Strasbourg?
To visit the city in a single day, I have selected only the most emblematic sites of Strasbourg:
- La Grande Île: Historic center of Strasbourg, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the heart of the city where there are many emblematic sites such as the cathedral, Place Gutenberg, Place Kléber, Palais Rohan.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg: impressive pink sandstone cathedral, second tallest in France. You have to visit the interior and climb to the top to enjoy a panoramic view.
- La Petite France: picturesque district in the southwest of the Grande Île, with its half-timbered houses, its canals and the Vauban dam.
- Iconic squares like Place Gutenberg and Place Kléber.
- The Palais Rohan, which houses several interesting museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts.
- The Kammerzell house, a magnificent example of half-timbered architecture.
- The covered bridges and the Vauban dam.
Program and itinerary to visit Strasbourg in 1 day
To optimize the day, I organized these visits into a 3,5 km circuit to be done on foot. Here is the program and the itinerary which will allow you to discover the main tourist sites of Strasbourg in one day:
- The morning :
- Notre-Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg
- Palais Rohan"
- La Petite France
- Covered bridges
- Vauban dam
- At noon: Lunch break at the Restaurant La Maison des Tanneurs
- The afternoon :
- Place Kleber
- Big island
- Shopping
- In the evening: Dinner at Winstub Le coin des virgins
Self-guided tour to visit Strasbourg on foot
And here is the walking tour on Google Maps that you can follow in pedestrian GPS mode to visit the most beautiful places in Strasbourg:
Morning tour schedule
Our tour begins with Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral, a 14th century Gothic masterpiece.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg
First of all, it is its height that impresses: 142 meters high with an arrow that rises to 566 m!
Then we are seduced by the building, its stained glass windows and its sculpted pillars. At the back of the cathedral is the famous XNUMXth century astronomical clock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We can see it come to life every quarter of an hour.
You can visit it inside for free and pay 5 Euros to climb the 330 steps to reach the roof and enjoy a spectacular panorama!
The Rohan Palace
From the Cathedral go to Place du Château and continue along Rue de la Râpe. After the Fine Arts Museum, turn right to reach the Terrasse Rohan on the quays.
The Rohan Palace is a former princely residence in Baroque style. Today it houses 3 museums: the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Archaeological Museum.
La Petite France
My tour now takes us to one of the most beautiful sites in Strasbourg: Little France.
To get there, you will have to return to Cathedral Square and take Rue Mercière. Then go right on Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons and turn left on Place Gutenberg and continue on Rue Gutenberg. Continue on the Grand'Rue and turn left on Rue des Meuniers, Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes and finally Rue des Moulins.
It is in this district that the Alsatian architecture is most picturesque with its half-timbered houses, its small alleys, the flowers in the windows and the cobbled streets that crisscross the old town.
From Quai des Moulins, cross via the water passage to discover the lock system above the Ill. It is these canals that gave Petite France the nickname “Little Venice of Strasbourg”.
The Covered Bridges and the Vauban Dam
In the Petite France district, you will have to stroll across the 3 13th century bridges covered with wooden roofs then go to the Vauban dam which is a lock bridge classified as a historic monument (17th century). From there, you can take wonderful photos!
The traditional Strasbour restaurant at lunchtime
Considered the best sauerkraut restaurant in Strasbourg, the restaurant La maison des Tanneurs is also a historic site (built in 1572). It's the ideal place in the heart of Petite France to take a lunch break! House of Tanners: 42 Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes.
To get there, you will have to return to Ponts Couvert, take the Quai de la Petite France then turn left onto Rue des Moulins. Finally, turn right onto Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes.
Afternoon tour program
Place Kleber
Place Kléber is the main square in Strasbourg. This is where you can admire in winter the huge Christmas tree (30m high), Christmas market chalets and an ice rink. Do not forget either the statue of Jean-Baptiste Kléber and the Aubette (building of 18e century).
To get there, head towards Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes and Rue des Cheveux. Turn left onto Place Benjamin and continue along Rue du Fossé-des-Tanneurs then turn right towards Place Kléber.
La Grande Ile
By then taking rue des Grandes Arcades and turning left onto rue Sainte Marguerite, you will quickly arrive on the Grande Ile de Strasbourg.
You will therefore return to the historic heart of Strasbourg. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this district is the place that best represents the city's Alsatian identity. All the charm of Strasbourg is there: medieval architecture, religious buildings and mansions.
A small detour is necessary to go to the Place du Marché-aux-cochons-de-lait to admire the beautiful half-timbered houses.
But, the Big Island is also the ideal district for shopping. You will find large brands there but also many small shops selling local products.
Restaurant The Corner of the Maids
To end this wonderful day of visits in style, there is an unmissable place in Strasbourg's culinary heritage: the Winstub Le Coin des Pucelles.
I advise you to book or go very early in the evening. Indeed, just like in Germany, Alsatian restaurants open early in the evening and also close very early.
To get there, you will first have to take Rue Brûlée then Rue des Halberdes and continue on Rue des Jews. Turning right onto Rue des Pucelles, you will find this Winstub where you can taste Alsatian specialties in a typical and historic setting!
Where to stay to visit Strasbourg on foot
If you want to experience a 4-star hotel ideally located in the heart of old Strasbourg in a historic building from 1528 and exceptional decor, then you will have to choose theHotel Cour du Corbeau. This is the best option if you want to spend a night in a magical place, timeless and only 550 meters from the Cathedral!
More informationacomments about this hotel
And if you're lucky enough to have an extra day, then here's how visit Strasbourg in 2 days