Strasbourg travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Strasbourg, Grand Est, France.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Strasbourg.
-
1
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg
The Gothic cathedral of red Vosges sandstone, completed in 1439 with a 142 m spire, the Astronomical Clock and the Pillar of Angels.
Tip: Arrive before 9:00AM for a quiet nave and a short queue for the tower · Buy the clock show ticket early and be seated well before 12:30PM · The tower stair is steep and narrow, so avoid it in crowded periods · Check hours at cathedrale-strasbourg.fr, as services close parts of the nave · Photograph the facade from Rue Mercière and the full spire from the Barrage Vauban
-
2
La Petite France
The former tanners', millers' and fishermen's quarter of half-timbered houses along canals of the River Ill, part of the UNESCO-listed Grande Île.
Tip: Visit before 9:00AM or after 7:00PM to avoid tour groups · Combine the walk with the Ponts Couverts and the Barrage Vauban terrace · Wear flat, sturdy shoes for the uneven cobbles · Book terrace restaurants ahead in summer and in December · Keep voices low, as the houses are inhabited
-
3
Ponts Couverts
Three bridges and four medieval towers across the Ill, built in the 13th century as part of the city's defences.
Tip: Visit at sunset or in the evening to see the towers lit · Climb the Barrage Vauban terrace nearby for the best overhead view · Step aside from the walkway when stopping for photos · Come early morning for calm water reflections · Pair with a Batorama boat trip that passes under the arches
-
4
Barrage Vauban
A covered weir built in 1686-1690 to Vauban's plans, with a free rooftop terrace overlooking the Ponts Couverts and the cathedral.
Tip: Go in late afternoon for the best light on the cathedral · Check opening hours at visitstrasbourg.fr before visiting · Allow 30 minutes and combine with the Ponts Couverts · Take care on narrow, wet stairs · Bring a camera with a zoom for the distant spire
-
5
Palais Rohan
The 18th-century archbishops' palace by Robert de Cotte, now housing the Archaeological Museum, the Decorative Arts Museum and the Fine Arts Museum.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest rooms · Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month, but expect crowds · Closed Tuesdays, so plan around it · Combine with the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame next door · Confirm hours at musees.strasbourg.eu
-
6
Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame
A museum of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance sculpture and stained glass, including original statues from the cathedral.
Tip: Visit before or after the cathedral to compare originals and copies · Weekday mornings are the quietest · Free first Sunday of the month means crowds · Use no flash and allow time for the low light · Closed Tuesdays
-
7
Musée Alsacien
Alsatian folk life in three linked 16th-17th century houses: costumes, furniture, toys and domestic interiors.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for quiet rooms · Closed Tuesdays · Free first Sunday, but expect queues · Wear comfortable shoes for stairs and creaking floors · Pair with a riverside walk along Quai Saint-Nicolas
-
8
Parlement européen
The seat of the European Parliament's plenary sessions, with a free visit of the hemicycle and a visitor programme booked online.
Tip: Book the visit online at europarl.europa.eu in advance · Bring valid photo ID for security checks · Avoid plenary weeks, when visits are restricted and hotels fill · Allow time for security queues · Follow staff rules on photography
-
9
Place Kléber
The largest square of the old town, named for General Kléber, with the Aubette building and the city's main Christmas tree.
Tip: Visit late November to December for the tree and market · Early morning gives empty views for photographs · Keep valuables secure in December crowds · Use the tram stop at Homme de Fer for easy access · Combine with Place Gutenberg and the cathedral
-
10
Maison Kammerzell
A late-Gothic merchant house of 1427 with a richly carved half-timbered upper storey of 1589, now a restaurant beside the cathedral.
Tip: Photograph the facade in daylight from across the square · Reserve ahead if planning to eat inside · Visit early to avoid crowds in front of the building · Study the carvings with a zoom lens · Check the menu and hours at maison-kammerzell.com
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg
The Gothic cathedral of red Vosges sandstone, completed in 1439 with a 142 m spire, the Astronomical Clock and the Pillar of Angels
Ponts Couverts
Three bridges and four medieval towers across the Ill, built in the 13th century as part of the city's defences
Barrage Vauban
A covered weir built in 1686-1690 to Vauban's plans, with a free rooftop terrace overlooking the Ponts Couverts and the cathedral
Maison Kammerzell
A late-Gothic merchant house of 1427 with a richly carved half-timbered upper storey of 1589, now a restaurant beside the cathedral
Museums_and_palaces
Palais Rohan
The 18th-century archbishops' palace by Robert de Cotte, now housing the Archaeological Museum, the Decorative Arts Museum and the Fine Arts Museum
Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame
A museum of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance sculpture and stained glass, including original statues from the cathedral
Musée Alsacien
Alsatian folk life in three linked 16th-17th century houses: costumes, furniture, toys and domestic interiors
Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain (MAMCS)
A modern and contemporary art museum with works by Monet, Kandinsky, Picasso and Arp, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the city
Musée Tomi Ungerer - Centre international de l'Illustration
A museum dedicated to the illustrator Tomi Ungerer, born in Strasbourg, with drawings, posters and toys
Musée zoologique de Strasbourg
A natural history museum founded in 1804 with more than 10,000 specimens, from taxidermy to fossils and insect collections
European_institutions
Parlement européen
The seat of the European Parliament's plenary sessions, with a free visit of the hemicycle and a visitor programme booked online
Historic_districts
La Petite France
The former tanners', millers' and fishermen's quarter of half-timbered houses along canals of the River Ill, part of the UNESCO-listed Grande Île
Place de la République and Palais du Rhin
The centre of the German-era Neustadt, framed by the Palais du Rhin, the National Theatre and the National and University Library
Squares
Place Kléber
The largest square of the old town, named for General Kléber, with the Aubette building and the city's main Christmas tree
Place Gutenberg
A historic square with a statue of Gutenberg, who worked in Strasbourg in the 1430s-1440s, and the Chambre de Commerce building
Religious_sites
Église Saint-Thomas
The main Lutheran church of Strasbourg, a 12th-14th century building with the mausoleum of Marshal of Saxe and a 1741 Silbermann organ played by Mozart in 1778
Nature_and_views
Parc de l'Orangerie
The oldest city park, laid out in 1692 by Le Nôtre, with a lake, a small zoo, stork colonies and the Pavillon Joséphine
Jardin des Deux Rives
A riverside garden on both banks of the Rhine, linked by the Passerelle des Deux Rives to Kehl, Germany
Jardin botanique de l'Université de Strasbourg
A 3.5-hectare botanical garden created in 1619, with greenhouses and thousands of plant species in the University Quarter
Tours
Batorama Boat Tour on the Ill
A guided boat loop of about 70 minutes through the Grande Île canals, the locks of La Petite France and the European Quarter
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Municipal museums (Musées de Strasbourg) are closed on Tuesday and otherwise open about 10:00AM-6:00PM; the cathedral nave closes around midday for services; confirm each venue before visiting.
- Fees
- Free: the cathedral nave, Petite France, Ponts Couverts, Barrage Vauban terrace, the squares, the European Parliament visit, the Zoological Museum and the parks. Paid: the cathedral tower platform (about €8, about $9.20 USD), municipal museums (about €7.50 each, about $8.60 USD), Batorama (about €17, about $19.50 USD). All USD figures use about 1.15 USD per EUR.
- Best Times
- April to June and September to October are mild; July and August can exceed 30C; the Christmas market (late November to 24 December) is the busiest period and accommodation books out months ahead.
- Passes
- The Strasbourg Pass (visitstrasbourg.fr) bundles the cathedral platform, a Batorama cruise and several museums; the municipal museums are free on the first Sunday of each month.
- Getting Around
- Strasbourg has 6 tram lines (A-F) and buses run by CTS (cts-strasbourg.eu); a single ticket is about €2.10 (about $2.40 USD) and the Grande Île is walkable. Tram E serves the European Quarter.
- Tourist Info
- Office de Tourisme de Strasbourg, 17 Place de la Cathédrale, +33 3 88 52 28 28, visitstrasbourg.fr
- Closures Note
- Cathedral interior access is restricted during services, and the European Parliament is closed to individual visitors during plenary weeks.
- Rates Note
- Prices and hours were researched in October 2026 from public listings and may differ; items marked 'about' should be confirmed with the venue.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Group sights by area: the cathedral, Palais Rohan museums and Maison Kammerzell sit within 200 m of each other; La Petite France, the Ponts Couverts and the Barrage Vauban form a second cluster 15 minutes on foot to the west.
Arrive at the cathedral by about 11:45AM to queue for the astronomical clock procession at about 12:30PM.
Climb the cathedral tower early in the day; the 332 steps to the platform are narrow and can be slow when busy.
Use the free Barrage Vauban terrace for a view of the Ponts Couverts without paying for the cathedral platform.
Book the European Parliament visit online at europarl.europa.eu and bring a passport or ID card for security.
Check museum days: the Musées de Strasbourg close on Tuesday, so reserve Tuesday for the cathedral, the canals and the parks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Strasbourg Cathedral free to enter?
Yes, the nave is free. The tower platform costs about €8 (about $9.20 USD) and the astronomical clock show about €3 (about $3.45 USD).
How many days are needed to see Strasbourg?
Two days cover the Grande Île, Petite France, the main museums and the European Quarter; a third day adds day trips to Colmar or the Alsace wine villages.
Is the European Parliament open to visitors?
Yes, the visit is free but best booked online at europarl.europa.eu; individual access is limited during plenary session weeks.