Is Colmar Worth It? A Quick List of the Pros and Cons

When I first moved to Alsace in 2019, I had heard that Colmar was one of the prettiest towns in the region, but I was skeptical that it could live up to the hype.

After several visits, I’ve seen firsthand why Colmar has become one of the most popular destinations in the region.

But is Colmar worth visiting now?

The short answer is – Yes, Colmar is worth visiting.

Its fairytale-like half-timbered houses, picturesque canals, and proximity to the Alsace Wine Route are just a few reasons to add it to your bucket list.

But, like any place, Colmar has its pros and cons. So, before you plan your trip, here’s my honest guide to help you decide if it’s right for you.

This is Colmar's Little Venice. There is the canal and colorful buildings on either site. On the left, there is an overhanging terrace with people eating dinner. This is one the best reasons to visit Colmar. — Little Venice

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7 Pros and Cons of Visiting Colmar

1. Pro: It’s Pretty

This is Quai de la Poissonnerie in Colmar. It's a cobbled street lined with colorful buildings. It's also along a canal that has hanging baskets of flowers. — Quai de la Poissonnerie at Sunrise

Colmar’s biggest tourist attraction is its colorful half-timbered houses.

The most gorgeous buildings I saw were along Quai de la Poissonnerie in the Little Venice neighborhood.

And this area is picture-perfect year-round.

In summer, the windowsills are decorated with baskets of flowers, and, in winter, you’ll see festive Christmas decorations.

2. Con: Gets Crowded

This is Grand Rue in Colmar before the opening of its Christmas market. There is a crowd of people trying to take photos. — Early Morning Crowds at Colmar’s Christmas Market

And because it’s so pretty, it gets extremely crowded.

August, July, and December (during Colmar’s Christmas market) are the busiest times.

I don’t want to discourage you from visiting during these months, but keep in mind that it may be more challenging to appreciate Colmar fully.

You may need to fight through crowds for a good view or photo.

Helpful Tip: I visit Colmar year-round, and if you want to avoid large crowds, I recommend visiting early in the morning.

3. Pro: Easy To Get To

A TER Train that can be taken to reach Colmar. This is the front of the train parked at the train station. — A TER Regional Train

Another reason Colmar is at the top of bucketlists is that it’s easy to get to.

Towns like Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg don’t have a train station, so you’ll have to rely on taxis, tourist buses like the Kutzig bus and the Navettes de Noël, or public buses.

Colmar, on the other hand, has its own train station and can be reached by train from major cities like Paris, Basel, and Strasbourg.

In fact, one of the most popular day trips from Strasbourg is to Colmar for this very reason.

Helpful Tip: You can buy your train tickets on the SNCF-Connect website or app.

4. Con: Not Ideal for Wine Tastings

This is the Dopff Wine Cellar in Riquewihr. There are tables, chairs, and bottles of wine for wine tastings. — Dopff Wine Cellar in Riquewihr

While Colmar is known as the capital of wine in Alsace, it’s not the best town for wine tastings.

And contrary to what you might think, it’s not surrounded by vineyards.

There are a few wineries, like Domaine Martin Jund, but nothing compared to the variety you would find in towns like Riquewihr or Eguisheim.

If wine tastings are a priority for your trip, I recommend staying in one of the smaller towns or using Colmar as a base to visit the Alsace Wine Route.

5. Pro: Good Base to Explore the Alsace Wine Route

This is a cobbled street lined with half-timbered houses in Eguisheim. In the middle, there is a half-timbered building covered in leafy green vines. — Eguisheim

Public transportation in this part of France is limited, especially in some of the smaller villages.

And the options that do exist (Kutzig bus, public buses, Navettes de Noël, etc.) all leave from Colmar.

I don’t have a car, so when I want to visit one of the villages without a train station, I head to Colmar.

So far, I’ve used the Kutzig bus, Navettes de Noël, the public bus, and Uber to get to places like Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, etc.

I’ve even cycled along the Alsace Wine Route to travel from Colmar to Kaysersberg.

Helpful Tip: There are a few places to rent a bike in Colmar – Loka Bike Colmar and Le Vélo Libre.

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6. Con: One or Two Days is Enough

This is a series of traditional buildings in Colmar. Each one is a different color. — Traditional Half-Timbered Buildings in Little Venice

This is both a pro and a con, depending on what you’re looking for in a destination.

On the one hand, Colmar is easy to visit in a day or two. You can see the highlights and get a general feel for the town without rushing around.

On the other hand, after two days, it can get repetitive, and you may find yourself with extra time on your hands, especially if you don’t plan on taking day trips.

Helpful Tip: If you prefer a larger city and want to learn more about the local history and culture, I recommend visiting Strasbourg.

7. Pro: Small Town Vibes Compared to Strasbourg

This is the local covered market in Colmar. There is a vegetable stand and people buying vegetables. — Local Covered Market in Colmar

I recently discussed this in my Alsace Travel Tips Facebook group.

One person mentioned that they would recommend Colmar over Strasbourg because there was more of a small-town feel.

And I couldn’t agree more.

Outside the peak tourist season, Colmar has the charm and coziness of a small town.

The cobblestone streets, small shops, and colorful buildings all contribute to that atmosphere.

Add to that the relaxed pace, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook without trying too hard.

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Conclusion

Colmar is one of my favorite destinations in Alsace. I love that it’s easy to get to and I often use it as a base for visiting neighboring towns.

But it does have its drawbacks.

In recent years, Colmar has exploded in popularity, and with that has come the downsides of overtourism.

I don’t foresee a day when I would discourage anyone from visiting, but I recommend keeping your expectations realistic during the peak tourist seasons.

It’s a beautiful town that deserves all the attention it has received.

However, I also make a point to explore the lesser-known villages in Alsace to avoid the crowds. And there are plenty around Colmar that are worth visiting.

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