Strasbourg and Colmar are two magical cities in western France that are beyond dazzling, and they are definitely both worth a visit.
In the past, we have had to pick one over the other due to time or budget constraints, so I have created a table to compare both cities side by side.
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This allows you to assess as per your needs and requirements. Because both cities are well worth a trip, but only one will be your ultimate choice.
You should be able to plan the perfect Alsatian escape by picking either Colmar or Strasbourg without regrets!
Comparing Strasbourg and Colmar side by side
Here are my thoughts on why you might prefer one city over the other.
It's tough to pick between Strasbourg and Colmar, but this comparison chart will help you sort it all out.
| Strasbourg | Colmar | |
| Location | Northern Alsace (historical region in France), current Grand Est region. Just across the German border and close to the German spa retreat city of Baden-Baden. | Southern Alsace, near other famed Alsatian villages. The charming German city of Freiburg im Breisgau is nearby. |
| Size | Strasbourg is the regional capital of the region. | A smaller, quaint city. The size isn't that overwhelming. |
| Getting There | You can fly directly into Strasbourg thanks to the Strasbourg International Airport. The only downside is that this airport is rather small and not that well managed. Your second option is to fly into the regional Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden Airport, which is located just across the border in Germany. Euro budget airlines land here. You can get from this German airport to Strasbourg within 1 hour by car, but the train connections are not that great, and you would be traveling for more than 2 hours. | Colmar is served by the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg international airport. This airport is located to the south next to Basel in Switzerland, and it's an hour away from Colmar by road or train. You can easily get from the airport to Colmar by train or with a rental or taxi. Regional planes and smaller private jets land at the small airport in Colmar. |
| Top Reason to Visit | Strasbourg is mainly known for its cathedral and the astronomical clock. People come for the Northern Alsatian architecture, the vibes, and, of course, the food. It's a rather large city, and shopping is therefore more fun in Strasbourg. The old town is bustling and surrounded by a canal and the Ill River (ill, not the number 3). Taking a stroll through the old car-free old town will be your favorite thing to do, and you will be busy fully exploring Strasbourg for 1–2 days. | Colmar is a much smaller and more compact city. It's known as a fairytale town, and several more neighboring villages, besides Colmar, are claimed to have been the inspiration for Disney's The Beauty and the Beast. That said, we are not Disney fans, but Colmar has always impressed us. The colorful half-timbered medieval houses are just everywhere, and it's true eye candy! |
| Other Notable Places Nearby | People who visit Strasbourg, usually just stick to this city and fly out or take the train to farther away places. The city is merely a few hours away from Paris by TGV train. That said, Strasbourg is the starting point for the renowned Alsace wine route. If you have time, hire a rental and experience an unforgettable trip through one of France's most prestigious wine regions. The wine route ends just after Colmar, so if you ever want to see both cities, and you love food and wine, I highly recommend that you make plans to tour the Alsace wine route. | Colmar can be done within a day, but its proximity to other gorgeous, must-see villages, makes it a prime place to check out. If you can spare 3–7 days in this region, turn Colmar into your base and visit the other stunning villages nearby. That includes Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Hunawihr, Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg-Vignoble, Niedermorschwihr, Turkheim, Bergheim, and the fortified town of Neuf-Brisach. These are probably some of the most spectacular villages in Europe, and they are all located in the same corner in France. |
| Museums | If you are interested in the turbulent history and exceptional culture of the Alsace region, visit the Historical museum and the Alsatian museum. Museum goers will appreciate a diverse offering of other museum types in Strasbourg, such as the Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Arrange a day trip to Mutzig Fort (30–60 minutes from Strasbourg), to visit well-preserved WWI and WWII underground bunkers. | Most visitors come to see the toy museum in Colmar. Furthermore, the Unterlinden Museum, which is all about 13th century art and history in a converted Dominican convent, is well visited. The sculptor of the Statue of Liberty that stands in New York, Auguste Bartholdi, hailed from Colmar and the town has set up a great exhibition showcasing his work at the Musée Bartholdi. |
| Strasbourg | Colmar | |
| Gardens and Palaces | The garden at the republic park just near the old town, is a manicured garden in the shape of a circle at the Neo-Renaissance Rhine Palace. It provides peace and makes for a great picnic place after a long discovery tour of the city. A bit further away from Strasbourg lies the 17th-century, stunning Parc de l'Orangerie, which could be a day trip if you are spending some days in Strasbourg. | Colmar doesn't have any significant gardens or parks. Instead, the city is decorated with flowers all over. |
| Wine Tasting | When in Strasbourg, head to the vaulted Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg. It's completely free to access these vast underground cave cellars, as they have been part of the hospital for over 700 years. You will be amazed by the massive wooden wine barrels, and you can join a tour and buy their wine. Besides, it's a bit away from all the tourist noise and feels like a unique discovery. | Colmar is located right on the Alsace Wine Route, and the city's vineyards, including the neighboring villages', offer various wine tasting sessions and tours. I recommend a trip to the small village of Hunawihr. Here you will find the cave cooperative, which is a co-op winery, and they own the award-winning Rosacker Grand Cru vineyard, which you can visit! |
| Shopping | Get lost in the countless streets and side alleys in the old town of Strasbourg to discover unique and charming local boutiques. The Place des Halles shopping mall is fun too. As a side note, the Novotel is located in the shopping mall, where we stayed over on certain occasions because the location is convenient. | Colmar is a smaller city and a bit touristy, so you will mostly encounter shops aimed at tourists. |
| Special Traditional Events (that are not Tourist traps) | The traditional Sauerkraut Festival with a cabbage-themed parade takes place every year end of September to celebrate the final days of the harvest season in Krautergersheim, just south of Strasbourg. | The annual summer festival (mid-July) in Neuf-Brisach near Colmar is a fun traditional outdoor event with local food and drink specialties, authentic performances, and typical regional music. |
| Christmas Markets | The Strasbourg Christmas Market, held in the old town, is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe. It competes with Vienna, Munich, Dresden, and Nuremberg. Pick this city, if you are looking for a larger city Christmas market vibe. | Fairy tales come true at the Colmar Christmas market. The markets feel special, thanks to the medieval regional architecture. For a multi-day Christmas market tour to visit neighboring village Christmas markets as well, pick Colmar as your destination. |
| Food and Drink | Alsatian food specialties that you should taste include Foie Gras (goose liver in Alsace), Sauerkraut and Strasbourg sausages (like Frankfurters) and Flammkuchen (a thin flat baked crust topped with cream and other ingredients). Anywhere in Alsace, you will mostly encounter the most well-known dishes from the region. This is the case with Strasbourg and Colmar. Alsace is a wine and beer region. Wineries predominantly produce white wine, and the Gewürztraminer and Sylvaner are notable wines to try. We loved the food at the Muensterstuewel in the old town in Strasbourg near the cathedral. | We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Restaurant Pfeffel in Colmar. |
| Strasbourg | Colmar | |
| Walking Tours | Join a group or private old town tour of Strasbourg to learn more about the city and its history during your visit. | Several types of themed Walking Tour are offered that introduce you to Colmar. This includes historical tours, wine tasting tours, and nightlife tours. |
| Offerings for Families with Kids | Strasbourg is more suitable for mature visitors. Although, plenty of families with kids visit the city. You could take your family on a boat ride. Kids love boats! The interactive science center, called Le Vaisseau, is a must-do for all kids. The Parc de l'Orangerie has a zoo (check opening times). | The toy museum is fun for kids and grown-ups alike, and families will love a boat ride on the canals of Colmar. |
| Hotel Room Prices | Hotel room rates during the shoulder season are priced at $80 onwards per night. The cheapest rooms during peak season cost about $150 per night onwards in Strasbourg. | Room rates seem to always hover around the $100-250 per night mark in Colmar, but you will definitely feel the difference between off- and peak season. |
| Getting Around | Tram and walking. If you are coming by car to Strasbourg, the city offers a P+R €4.20 unlimited tram and bus day ticket, which is valid for a small group of up to 7 people. | Walking, cycling, or on a boat. |
Photos to compare
Both cities, Colmar and Strasbourg, are entirely unique from each other in terms of aesthetics, so this might be your biggest reason to choose either one for your upcoming trip.
Strasbourg Photos
Colmar Photos
Videos to compare
We visited during the busier summer months and filmed both locations just days apart from each other. Here are my walking tours of the old town of Strasbourg and Colmar.
Tips and Thoughts
If you have time to visit both, please do so. You will not have many opportunities to explore these stunning Alsatian cities.
Strasbourg is much larger, and it's very lively any time of the year. The nightlife is definitely more interesting in Strasbourg, and the city is easily accessible from Paris via TGV.
Colmar is colorful and cute, and you can visit several other wonderful villages nearby. But it's a touristy town, which can make it feel unauthentic at times. Try visiting Colmar outside all major peak school holidays for the best experience.
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