Top 9 Things to Do in Strasbourg When It Rains

As someone who has called Strasbourg home since 2019, I’ve had my fair share of rainy days—and I can promise you, there’s no need to let the weather spoil your plans.

There are plenty of great ways to enjoy this beautiful city, no umbrella required.

In this guide, I’ll share my favorite things to do in Strasbourg when it rains.

This is Jen Ciesielski standing near Pont du Corbeau in Strasbourg. She is holding an umbrella and looking for things to do in Strasbourg in the rain. — Me in Strasbourg on a Rainy Day

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1. Get Creative at a Ceramic Café

This is a picture frame that was painted by Jen Ciesielski at the ceramic cafe called La Boutique des Bouleaux when it was raining outside in Strasbourg. — My Picture Frame from La Boutique des Bouleaux

Ceramic cafés have become all the rage in Strasbourg. In the past years, several have popped up around town.

When my mom was visiting, the weather forecast wasn’t great, so we decided to try one of these cafés.

I ended up choosing La Boutique des Bouleaux because they offered an express service.

They provided all the supplies I needed, like paint, brushes, and stencils, and we spent two hours creating our masterpieces.

Helpful Tip: After you’re done, your painted piece of pottery will need to be fired in the kiln, and most places need a month before you can pick it up. With La Boutique des Bouleaux, we got our finished pieces two days later.

2. Explore the Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire de Strasbourg

This is a stone tablet written in Cuneiform at the Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire de Strasbourg. — Tablet Written in Cuneiform

This is a selection of books from the reserve collection at the Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire de Strasbourg. — The Reserve Collection

The Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire de Strasbourg (BNUS) is the main library of the University of Strasbourg and the second largest in France.

It houses over three million documents, including books, manuscripts, and other important cultural artifacts.

You can visit the library for free up to the second level. Levels three through six require a library card, which you can purchase for as little as four euros.

Helpful Tip: I took the two-day library card, and I renew it when I want to visit the upper levels.

The library also hosts exhibitions and guided tours through their rare collections.

The exhibitions are free, but the guided tours are about four euros, depending on the tour.

If tickets are available, I recommend booking one of the tours that goes through their rare collections.

That’s the one I did, and I got to see some of the oldest written documents to date (as far back as Mesopotamia).

3. Discover the European Parliament

This is the hemicycle at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. It's a large room with all the flags from the European Union and chairs for all the representatives. — Hemicycle at the European Parliament

Strasbourg is one of the capitals of the European Union.

It’s also home to the European Parliament, a political institution that represents the citizens of the EU member states.

You can visit the building and learn more about the European Parliament.

The visit is free and done via a self-guided audio tour. There are also videos and interactive exhibits along the way.

Since I was born and raised in the United States, I never had the opportunity to learn much about the European Parliament.

So, for me, this was a great learning opportunity.

At the end, you can go to the upper terrace for a beautiful view over Strasbourg.

If it’s raining, however, this section is closed. Luckily, the rain stopped for a few minutes during my visit, so I could check it out.

4. Visit a Museum

This is mock lab at the Zoological Museum in Strasbourg. There is a microscope, a glove box, and other items to show you how they analyze different specimens at the museum. — Mock Laboratory at the Zoological Museum

Strasbourg is one of the best places in Alsace to visit a museum. There is a large variety, including art, history, and science museums.

Plus, most of them are open on Sundays.

One of the most popular is the Alsatian Museum. It showcases the region’s culture and traditions through various artifacts and exhibits.

Helpful Tip: The Alsatian Museum is closed for renovations until 2027.

For science lovers, there’s the Zoological Museum. It was recently renovated, and I had the opportunity to visit. And, wow, it’s the best zoological museum in Alsace, in my opinion.

There are tons of interactive exhibits, and topics include biology, evolution, ecology, and conservation.

For art, there is the Tomi Ungerer Museum-International Illustration Center. It highlights the work of Tomi Ungerer, an artist and illustrator who was born in Strasbourg.

Finally, for kids, there’s the Vaisseau. It’s a science museum with lots of fun interactive exhibits.

I’ve taken my son here a few times, and he always has a blast. He especially likes the exhibit with water.

5. Go on a Batorama Boat Tour

This is a Batorama Boat Tour in the Rain in Strasbourg. It's on the river sailing down. It's a covered boat. — Batorama Boat Tour in the Rain

Believe it or not, you can go on a Batorama Boat Tour in the rain.

It won’t be an open-top boat tour, but you’ll still see the buildings and sites that are highlighted in the audio guide.

Helpful Tip: If it’s pouring rain, it might be harder to see everything.

And, of the tours, I recommend the Red Tour.

It covers the history of Strasbourg up until the establishment of the European Union. And I thought it gave the best overview of the tours they offer.

6. Relax at Taaka Beer Spa

This is a Jen Ciesielski in the relaxation room at Taaka Beer Spa. She is in a white robe and sitting on a lounge chair holding a pint of beer. — Me at Taaka Beer Spa

One of the coolest places in Strasbourg is Taaka Beer Spa. It’s France’s first beer spa, and it’s the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

The spa offers a unique experience where you can soak in hot tubs filled with malt, hops, and yeast while sipping on a cold glass of local Alsatian beer.

Helpful Tip: Non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

I’ve done it twice. Both times, I booked the one-hour package called The Bubble (La Bulle). It included a 15-minute sauna, a 30-minute beer bath, and a 15-minute relaxation session.

I also ordered a cheese and charcuterie plate to go along with the beer bath.

7. Check Out the World’s Oldest Barrel of White Wine

This is the oldest barrel of white wine at the Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg. It's a wooden barrel with a sign from when it was made and it's behind metal bars. — Oldest Barrel of White Wine at the Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg

Strasbourg has lots of free things to do, but visiting the oldest barrel of white wine at the Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg is one of the coolest.

It was built in the late 14th century and has been crafting wine for more than six centuries. It’s also the home of the civil hospital.

The tour starts with the history of the cellar itself before moving to the oldest barrel of white wine. It concludes with some interesting anecdotes and an update on the state of the wine cellar today.

Helpful Tip: The tour is self-guided, with information boards along the way.

At the end, you can purchase local bottles of wine to take home.

Helpful Tip: I’ve tried the Riesling and Pinot Gris from the Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg. Both were good, but I preferred the Pinot Gris.

8. Enjoy Teatime at Au Fond du Jardin

This is the tearoom at Au Fond du Jardin. There are tables, chairs, teapots, and books on a bookshelf. — Tearoom at Au Fond du Jardin

Au Fond du Jardin is a charming tearoom located near the Strasbourg Cathedral.

It’s most known for its incredible decorations, tasty cookies called Madeleine du Voyage, and teatime.

I’ve been there three times, and I loved every visit. The decorations and treats change every two months, so there’s always something new to try.

Twice I took the Formule Dégustation, which includes a pot of tea, a selection of Madeleines, and two other desserts.

The third time I took my mom, and we ordered the Formule Dégustation and À la découverte du Thé et des Madeleines du Voyage.

If you’re visiting as a group, this is a good combination because you can select different Madeleines du Voyage to share.

9. Visit a Church

This is the La Navicella mural at the Église Protestante Saint Pierre le Jeune in Strasbourg. It's a large religious painting of Jesus Christ on the back of the church and there is a lamp in front of it. — La Navicella at the Église Protestante Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune

Strasbourg has quite a few churches.

At the top of the list is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg. It’s a Gothic-style cathedral that dates to the 12th century.

The intricate details on the façade and the stained-glass windows inside are breathtaking. It’s also where you’ll find Strasbourg’s Astronomical Clock (it’s at the back on the right side of the church).

But that’s not the only church that’s worth visiting.

One of my favorites is the Église Protestante Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune. This church dates to the 11th century but has undergone several restorations.

Inside, you’ll find frescoes dating to the 14th century. And the most impressive, in my opinion, was the La Navicella.

It’s on the back wall, so I recommend standing in front of the organ to see the entire painting.

Helpful Tip: Under the organ, you’ll see a set of arches, aka the cloister. Make sure to walk under the cloister and look up. It’s absolutely stunning.

Conclusion

A rainy day in Strasbourg is not as bad as it might seem. There are lots of things to do to keep you entertained and dry.

Of the things I listed above, the ceramic café, the Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire de Strasbourg, and the Église Protestante Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune are my favorites.

They aren’t your typical tourist activities, but they provide a memorable experience.

Now that you have your rainy day planned, why not plan the rest of your itinerary with my three-day guide?

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