A Local’s Guide to the Best Day Trips from Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a charming city, but that’s not the only reason to visit. It’s also a great base for day trips to nearby towns and attractions.

I moved to Strasbourg in 2019, and I’ve been exploring the surrounding area ever since. I go on day trips about once a week, so I know which ones are worth it.

In this guide, I’ll share some of my favorite places to visit and how to get there from Strasbourg.

This is the main street in Riquewihr. It's a cobblestone road with colorful half-timbered houses on either side. It's one of the best day trips from Strasbourg. — Riquewihr

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Towns and Villages in Alsace

Alsace is known for its picturesque towns and villages. Many of these are easily accessible from Strasbourg and make perfect day trips.

I’ve written several articles about the beautiful towns in this part of France, but I will only highlight my favorites for this post.

Helpful Tip: Make sure to check out the websites and apps that I recommend. It will make your trip to Alsace much easier.

By Train

This is Puits de la Place du Marché aux Poissons in Seletstat. It's a small square surrounded by colorful half-timbered houses. There are trees and benches in the middle. — Puits de la Place du Marché aux Poissons in Sélestat

The towns listed below are all accessible by TER train (i.e. a regional train). You can buy tickets on the SNCF-Connect website or at Strasbourg’s main train station.

Helpful Tip: TER train tickets don’t need to be purchased in advance.

Colmar: Only a 30-minute train ride from Strasbourg, Colmar is the easiest day trip on this list. It’s known for its colorful buildings, canals, and Christmas markets. Make sure to stop by my favorite museum, the Alsace Wine Museum, to learn more about the region’s wines.
Sélestat: This is one of the lesser-visited towns but it’s one of my favorites. There are tons of things to do here, but it’s most known for its Humanist Library, which houses rare manuscripts and books. The train ride from Strasbourg takes about 20 minutes.
Obernai: Another picturesque town that can be reached by train in about 40 minutes. The main attraction here is Mont National, which offers stunning views of the town and mountains.

By Bus or Car

This is Rue du Général de Gaulle in Kaysersberg. It's a cobblestone street with half-timbered houses. In the center there is the Constantine Fountain and baskets of flowers. — Rue du Général de Gaulle in Kaysersberg

The towns listed below DO NOT have a train station. The only way to access these places is by car, public bus, the Kutzig tourist bus, or tour.

Eguisheim: This charming medieval village was voted “Village préféré des Français” in 2013. It’s also known for producing some of the best wine in the region, so make sure to add a wine tasting to your list of things to do here.
Ribeauvillé: This town is known for its three medieval castles, including Château de Saint-Ulrich, and its picturesque Old Town.
Kaysersberg: This is one of my favorite places to visit because there is so much to do. Here you’ll find the infamous Kaysersberg Castle, fantastic wineries, hiking trails, and the Schweitzer Center.
Riquewihr: Another postcard-perfect village that easily rivals Eguisheim (in my opinion). It’s also home to the Dopff winery, two fascinating museums, and the delicious choucroute verte (a must-try regional dish).

Nature and Outdoor Activities

This is a photo of me, Jen Ciesielski, in front of Lac de Longemer. It's a big lake surrounded by forest covered mountains. — Me in front of Lac de Longemer

One of the biggest reasons I moved to Strasbourg was its proximity to the Vosges mountains.

There are so many hiking and cycling trails. It’s an outdoor lover’s dream.

Below are some of my favorite spots:

Helpful Tip: You’ll need a car to visit all the sites below.

Grand Ballon: This mountain is the highest peak in the Vosges and offers stunning panoramic views of the region. You can drive, hike, or even bike to the top.
Hohneck: This is the third-highest peak in the Vosges. At the top, you’ll find spectacular views and a restaurant.
Lac de Longemer: This picturesque lake is a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and boating in the summer. There are campsites and hotels around the lake so it’s worth spending a night here (if you can).
Lac Blanc: This beautiful lake sits at the foot of a ski resort, which transforms into a popular hiking spot during warmer months.

Medieval Castles

This is the view from Château du Haut-Barr. There is the side of the castle, which has three flags. Then in the distance there is the countryside covered with vineyards, farms, and trees. — View from Château du Haut-Barr

You can’t come to Alsace without visiting at least one castle. There are plenty near Strasbourg, so I listed my favorites below.

Château du Haut-Barr: Otherwise known as the Eye of Alsace, this medieval castle offers incredible views from a vertigo-inducing platform. It’s also free to visit. You can hike from Saverne or drive to the top.
Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg: Originally built in the 12th century, it has since undergone extensive restorations. You can explore the castle’s interior and admire the views from its ramparts. You can drive to the top or take the shuttle from Sélestat.
Château du Hohlandsbourg: Of the three, it’s the least accessible castle, which means you’ll need a car to visit. It sits on the Route des Cinq Chateaux and offers incredible views.

Cultural and Historical Sites

This is a photo of a stained-glass demonstration at the Ecomusee d'Alsace. There is a woman working with the glass and windows of her work in the background. — Stained-Glass Demonstration at the Ecomusée d’Alsace

Alsace is steeped in history and culture, so it’s no surprise that several sites highlight these topics.

Helpful Tip: The sites below can be accessed by public bus or car.

Mont Saint Odile: This popular pilgrimage site was once a convent. Today, the church still hosts services while the rest of the site has been turned into a hotel. You can tour the church and take in the stunning views over Alsace.
Mémorial du Camp de Concentration de Natzweiler: A sobering reminder of WWII, this former concentration camp is now a memorial site. You can explore the barracks, gas chamber, and crematorium.
Ecomusée d’Alsace: An outdoor museum that showcases traditional Alsatian buildings and crafts. It also hosts regular events and demonstrations of traditional activities.

Other Cities in Eastern France

This is the view from the top of the Tour Philippe le Bon in Dijon. You can see the buildings and people below. — View from the Tour Philippe le Bon in Dijon

While Alsace boasts some beautiful villages, tons of neighboring cities are worth visiting.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Helpful Tip: All the towns listed below are accessible by train.

Metz: A beautiful city known for its stunning architecture and rich history. Visit the Metz Cathedral, explore the Museum of La Cour d’Or, or shop at the covered market. There’s no wrong way to spend a day here.
Nancy: Home to the famous Place Stanislas, this city has an impressive art and cultural scene. And the Art Nouveau architecture is some of the prettiest I’ve seen in France.
Reims: I always say Reims can be described in three words: champagne, coronations, and cathedrals. It’s a must-visit for history and wine lovers.
Besançon: Located in the Franche-Comté region, Besançon is my favorite city on this list. Plus, there’s a ton to do. Some of my favorite sites include the astronomical clock, the Citadelle de Besançon, and the Musée du Temps.
Dijon: Known for its mustard, museums, and cathedrals, Dijon is a charming city with plenty to explore. Visit the Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy, follow Dijon’s Owl Trail, or tour the Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne.

Cross-Border Destinations

This is a panoramic view of the Neumunster Abbey in Luxembourg. You can see the building, it's steeple, and the surrounding buildings. — Neumunster Abbey in Luxembourg

Strasbourg sits on the border of Germany and France, which makes it one of the best starting points to visit other neighboring countries.

Helpful Tip: All the destinations below can be reached by train, car, or bus.

Germany: Visit the beautiful city of Freiburg, known for its architecture, Heidelberg, or the Black Forest. There’s a ton to see right across the border.
Switzerland: Basel is a short train ride from Strasbourg. It’s most known for its museums but is also a great place to explore Swiss culture.
Luxembourg: Another easily accessible destination from Strasbourg, Luxembourg City offers a mix of old and modern architecture. And the Vauban Circular Walk was my favorite way to visit the main sites.

Conclusion

While Strasbourg has a ton of things to see and do, its proximity to other cities and countries makes it the perfect base for exploring a wider region.

Some of my favorite day trips are to other towns in Alsace and the Vosges mountains.

And now that you know which destinations are accessible from Strasbourg, why not pick an area to stay in?

I hope you enjoyed my post and found it helpful. Here are some other articles that I think you might find interesting.