Strasbourg travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Strasbourg, Grand Est, France.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Strasbourg.
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- local, family-friendly, calm lake with grass banks
- Supervised swimming area, 12:00-19:00 in July and August
- Sand and grass areas
- Toilets
- Free sports animation in summer ('Bougez tout l'ete', 14:30-17:30 from 8 July to 23 August 2026)
- Entry free; closures by municipal decree are possible after water-quality tests, such as 1 to 12 July 2026
Baggersee, Illkirch-Graffenstaden
Editor’s tip. Check the Strasbourg plans d'eau page before going; swimming can be banned by decree after water tests.
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- calm, heritage-rich municipal baths
- Heated indoor and outdoor pools
- Sauna and hammam
- Changing rooms and lockers
- Art Nouveau heritage setting
Bains Municipaux de Strasbourg (Outdoor Pool)
Editor’s tip. Confirm opening hours and tariffs on strasbourg.eu before going, as they change by season.
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- practical, local neighbourhood pool
- Outdoor pool area in summer
- Indoor pools year-round
- Changing rooms
- Single adult entry EUR 6 (~$6.90) and 10-entry card EUR 40 (~$46) under the Eurometropole tariff
Piscine du Wacken (Outdoor Area)
Editor’s tip. Buy the 10-entry card at EUR 40 if swimming more than a few times.
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- local, family-friendly German lake
- Designated swimming lake with regular water-quality tests
- Play areas
- Toilets
Badesee Goldscheuer, Kehl
Editor’s tip. Check current water-quality status with the town of Kehl before swimming.
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- quiet, local lake with grass banks
- Designated swimming lake with regular water-quality tests
- Grass banks
Korksee (Baggersee Kieswerk Vogel), Kork
Editor’s tip. Check water-quality status with the town of Kehl before swimming.
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- relaxed, outdoorsy Vosges mountain lake
- Lakeside beach in summer
- Walking path around the lake
- Picnic areas
Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein
Editor’s tip. Drive from Strasbourg, as there is no direct public transport; allow about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Strasbourg memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Strasbourg is landlocked. Supervised swimming at the Baggersee runs the last two weekends of June and from 1 July to 31 August, with bans possible after water-quality tests. Outdoor pools open in summer. Swimming in the Rhine and the Ill is dangerous because of currents and shipping.
Transport
The Baggersee is a tram ride south on line A; Wacken and the Bains Municipaux are on tram lines B, C and E; the Kehl lakes need a bicycle, bus or car; the Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein needs a car.
Cost
The Baggersee is free. Eurometropole pools charge EUR 6 (~$6.90) per single adult entry or EUR 40 (~$46) for 10 entries. Bains Municipaux have their own tariff, published at strasbourg.eu.
Booking
None of the lake sites take reservations. Check opening and water-quality status on strasbourg.eu before travel.
Private Beaches
Accessibility
Pools have changing rooms and level access; lake shores are natural banks. Check strasbourg.eu for accessible facilities at each pool.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Strasbourg’s coast.
Is swimming at the Baggersee in Illkirch free?
Yes, entry to the lake and the supervised swimming area is free. The summer sports animations are also free.
From the Baggersee, Illkirch-Graffenstaden editorial.
When are lifeguards present at the Baggersee?
Supervised swimming runs on the last two weekends of June and from 1 July to 31 August, with lifeguards on duty from 12:00 to 19:00 in July and August.
From the Baggersee, Illkirch-Graffenstaden editorial.
Is this a real beach?
No. It is a heated municipal bathing complex with indoor and outdoor pools, with no natural sand shore.
From the Bains Municipaux de Strasbourg (Outdoor Pool) editorial.
Is it open all year?
Yes, apart from an annual maintenance closure. In 2026 it reopened on 3 July.
From the Bains Municipaux de Strasbourg (Outdoor Pool) editorial.
How much does entry to the Piscine du Wacken cost?
A single adult entry is EUR 6 (about $6.90), and a 10-entry card is EUR 40 (about $46) under the Eurometropole tariff.
From the Piscine du Wacken (Outdoor Area) editorial.
Is the outdoor area open all year?
No. The outdoor pool area is open in summer only, while the indoor pools operate year-round.
From the Piscine du Wacken (Outdoor Area) editorial.
Where is the Badesee Goldscheuer?
It is at Goldscheuer, south of Kehl in Germany, about 15 km south-east of Strasbourg.
From the Badesee Goldscheuer, Kehl editorial.
How do visitors get there without a car?
Tram D runs from Strasbourg to Kehl, then a local bus or bicycle covers the rest. Cycling the whole way across the Pont de l'Europe is also common.
From the Badesee Goldscheuer, Kehl editorial.