Grand Est · France
Strasbourg travel guide
Strasbourg is a city in Grand Est, France, home to about 294,000 people.
- Best months
- May to September
- Nearest airport
- SXB10 km · Strasbourg Airport
- Currency
- EUReuro
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris
- Language
- French
About
About Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a prefecture and commune, and the largest city of the Grand Est region of northeastern France, in the historic region of Alsace. It is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin department and the official seat of the European Parliament.
Strasbourg is the ninth largest city in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine. The city is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the Eurocorps, the European Audiovisual Observatory and, most famously, the European Parliament, which also holds sessions in Brussels.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Strasbourg
See
- Cathédrale Notre Dame
- Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre Dame - Medieval and Renaissance Art
- Maison Kammerzell
- Palais des Rohan
- Musée Alsacien
- Ponts Couverts
- Barrage Vauban
- Council of Europe's seat
- European Court of Human Rights
- European Parliament
- Parc de l'Orangerie
- Stockfeld
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Strasbourg to stay in
There are many hotels around the station, especially in the place de la Gare and in the rue du Maire Kuss, but this area does not offer consistent quality for accommodations. Most international hotel chains are represented with the usual 2- or 3-star hotels, many of which host the large tour groups who come on weekend breaks. If your budget allows, try staying on the Grande Île (city centre). Most of Strasbourg's hotels are fully booked during the Christmas Market period (December) and when the EU parliament is in session for a few days every month, usually for the period around the tenth. Book ahead if in doubt, as last minute accommodation can be difficult to find during these periods.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Strasbourg
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Strasbourg are May to September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 26 °C; May is the wettest, with about 74 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Strasbourg: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Strasbourg Airport (SXB), about 9.9 km from the city centre in a straight line; Karlsruhe Baden-Baden Airport (FKB, 33 km) and Saarbrücken Airport (SCN, 85 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
Strasbourg is most easily explored on foot, and the historic city centre can easily be explored in a day or two. To be able to cover more ground, you should consider hiring a bike or using the public transport network. Strasbourg is ideal for cycling - the city center is flat and there are plenty of bike lanes and bike paths.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
SXB · Strasbourg Airport
FKB · Karlsruhe Baden-Baden Airport
SCN · Saarbrücken Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Strasbourg
Eat
Alsatian specialties are numerous and can be eaten in many traditional restaurants, in the city or in the neighborhood. Particularly you shouldn't visit Alsace without having the sauerkraut (choucroute in French). Choucroute seems to have a standard price throughout Alsace of €14. Don't be too dismayed by this seemingly high price as what is brought to you is a heaping plate of Sauerkraut (big enough for 2 people) as well as sausages and other meats. This is usually translated as "garnished sauerkraut" on English menus, when in doubt ask your server. There is also a delicious fish choucroute.
Stay safe
Strasbourg is just like any other major French city: there are safe areas and there are unsafe areas. In any case, standard safety precautions need to be applied. In the city center, watch out for pickpockets near the Cathedral (and even inside, according to the signs), during the high tourist season, and throughout the old town. The areas immediately surrounding the railway station might look unsavory at night, but there are usually lots of people around there, and the streets are well-lit. Avoid looking like a lost tourist and you will be fine. If you do feel uncomfortable, don't hesitate to approach a police officer or taxi driver.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Strasbourg: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Strasbourg?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Strasbourg are May to September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 26 °C; May is the wettest, with about 74 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Strasbourg?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Strasbourg Airport (SXB), about 9.9 km from the city centre in a straight line; Karlsruhe Baden-Baden Airport (FKB, 33 km) and Saarbrücken Airport (SCN, 85 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Strasbourg?
euro (EUR).
Nearby
Destinations near Strasbourg
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.