Colmar in Alsace: The best sights & hidden gems

Contents:

• Top sights in Colmar: The city’s most beautiful spots

• Hidden gems in Colmar: Special spots off the beaten track

• Neighbourhoods & Alleys in Colmar: Discover the most charming corners

• Activities & Excursions: The best experiences around Colmar

• Restaurants in Colmar: Culinary highlights of Alsatian cuisine

• Hotels in Colmar: Find stylish boutique accommodation with character

• Best time to visit & weather in Colmar: The best time for your visit

• Getting Around and Travelling to Colmar: Travelling in comfort

Top sights in Colmar: the city’s most beautiful spots

Colmar is a wonderful place to explore on foot and feels almost like a self-contained little world of narrow streets, squares and stories. The main attractions are close together and can be visited at a leisurely pace.

Among the most beautiful spots in Colmar are:

• La Petite Venise: Arguably the most romantic part of the city, with colourful houses lining small waterways

• Unterlinden Museum: Art treasures such as the famous Isenheim Altarpiece make it a cultural highlight

• Maison Pfister: One of the most beautiful Renaissance houses, with an intricately painted façade

• Collégiale Saint-Martin: This imposing church dominates the skyline in the heart of the old town

• Koïfhus (Old Customs House): A historic building dating from the Middle Ages, which once served as a trading centre

Although these places are among the best known, Colmar’s true charm often lies in the spaces in between. It’s well worth putting the map aside for a while and simply strolling through the narrow streets – and, whilst doing so, discovering the little details that make your stay so special.

Hidden gems in Colmar: special places off the beaten track

Colmar often reveals its true charm in places you wouldn’t necessarily expect to find it. Away from the well-known sights, little hidden corners open up – quiet alleyways, unassuming passageways and spots that are easy to overlook if you only follow the obvious highlights.

Among the most beautiful hidden gems in Colmar are:

• Marché Couvert: A covered market where the city’s everyday life unfolds. A simple breakfast on the small terrace by the canal is particularly lovely.

• The old town’s courtyards: Often only recognisable by their narrow entrances and surprisingly quiet, almost like little worlds of their own

• Parc du Champ de Mars: A relaxing retreat with mature trees, slightly off the beaten track

• Quai de la Poissonnerie in the early morning: when the city is slowly waking up and the light falls softly on the façades

• Rue des Marchands outside peak times: one of the most beautiful streets, which really shows its character when things quieten down

It is often precisely these unassuming moments – an almost empty alleyway, a brief glimpse into a courtyard or the soft light of early morning – that make Colmar truly special. Those who take the time to appreciate them will discover the city at its most authentic.

Neighbourhoods & Alleys in Colmar: Discover the most charming spots

With a population of around 70,000, Colmar is pleasantly compact – considerably smaller than nearby Strasbourg – and that is precisely what gives it its special charm. The boundaries between the neighbourhoods are fluid; many areas blend into one another and are wonderful to explore on foot.

Among the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Colmar are:

• The Old Town around the Grand Rue: The lively heart of the city, with small boutiques, cafés and a charming mix of locals and visitors

• Petite Venise: Particularly picturesque with its canals and colourful façades – especially atmospheric in the morning or evening

• Quartier des Tanneurs: Historic tanners’ houses with sloping roofs and plenty of original charm

• Krutenau: Quieter, slightly less crowded and ideal for getting to know Colmar from its more relaxed side

The distances are short, the sights varied. It’s well worth taking the occasional spontaneous detour and just letting yourself be led – because that’s often where Colmar reveals its most beautiful side.

Activities & Excursions: The best things to do around Colmar 

Colmar is not only a highlight in its own right, but also an ideal base from which to discover Alsace in all its diversity. Just a few minutes outside the town, the landscape opens up to reveal rolling vineyards, small villages and sweeping views – perfect for exploring at a leisurely pace.

Along the famous Alsace Wine Route, villages such as Eguisheim and Riquewihr line the route; with their colourful half-timbered houses and winding alleyways, they look almost as if they’ve stepped out of a picture book. Somewhat quieter and less well-known, but just as charming, is the small village of Ribeauvillé – perfect for a relaxing day out away from the larger crowds.

Those wishing to experience the region actively can explore the vineyards wonderfully by bike or get to know the typical grape varieties, such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer, at a wine tasting directly with local winegrowers. A short boat trip through the Petite Venise also offers a more leisurely perspective on Colmar itself.

The atmosphere of the region changes noticeably depending on the season: in summer, wine festivals and markets invite you to experience the Alsatian way of life in a convivial atmosphere. During Advent, however, Colmar is transformed into a particularly atmospheric setting – the Christmas market is one of the most beautiful in France and stretches across several squares in the old town.

It is precisely this blend of city, nature and indulgence that makes Colmar a place that is wonderful to explore without a fixed plan – step by step, at your own pace.

Restaurants in Colmar: Culinary highlights of Alsatian cuisine

Alsatian cuisine combines French sophistication with hearty, partly German-influenced flavours, thereby reflecting the region’s history in a delightful way. In Colmar, dining out often means taking the time to stop off in the narrow streets and soak up the city’s special atmosphere.

Typical dishes such as crispy tarte flambée, choucroute garnie or baeckeoffe are among the classics served in many places across Colmar. At the same time, the restaurant scene is delightfully varied – sometimes traditional, sometimes a little more upmarket, and sometimes surprisingly modern.

A particularly atmospheric spot is the Slow Food restaurant L’Arpège, where upmarket French cuisine made with organic ingredients is served. In the lovingly designed courtyard, you can dine in an almost bohemian atmosphere, with vegetarian and vegan options also available.

If you fancy Alsatian specialities in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, La Soï is the perfect place. Caveau Saint Jean is also a lovely choice if you’d like to experience regional cuisine in an atmospheric setting.

Les Bateliers offers something a little different, yet equally charming; situated in a beautiful location right by the water, it’s perfect for a relaxed evening in Colmar.

For anyone who enjoys combining fine dining with wine, the wine bar Le Cercle des Arômes is a particularly lovely spot – ideal for rounding off a day in the city in a peaceful, indulgent atmosphere.

All in all, Colmar’s culinary scene is just like the city itself: charming, delightful and pleasantly varied.

Hotels in Colmar: Find stylish boutique accommodation with character

Colmar offers a lovely selection of stylish accommodation that captures the city’s unique character. Many hotels are housed in historic buildings or combine the charm of the old town with a contemporary, tasteful design.

Among the most beautiful hotels in Colmar are:

• PAUL & PIA By Stay Collection: Certainly not the city’s typical Alsatian hotel – and that’s precisely what makes it so special. The hotel combines a modern, distinctive boutique style with plenty of atmosphere, charm and an eye for detail. If you’re looking for accommodation that stands out a little yet still fits in wonderfully with Colmar, you’ll find a particularly lovely place to stay here.

• Relais & Châteaux La Maison des Têtes: One of the city’s best-known hotels, housed in an ornately decorated Renaissance building with a particularly rich atmosphere.

• Hostellerie Le Maréchal: Particularly romantic, situated right on the Petite Venise, with views of the canals and the typical colourful houses.

• Hotel Le Colombier: Centrally located and stylishly designed, offering a pleasant blend of historic charm and modern comfort.

• James Boutique Hôtel: Both elegant and cosy, somewhat secluded and ideal for relaxing days in Colmar.

The result is a selection that reflects very different facets of Colmar: sometimes classic and romantic, sometimes modern and relaxed, but always with a keen sense of style and atmosphere.

Best time to visit & weather in Colmar: The best time for your visit

Colmar is worth visiting all year round and reveals a different side depending on the season: sometimes adorned with flowers and light-hearted, sometimes cosy and autumnal, sometimes festive and almost fairytale-like. That is precisely what makes the town so charming.

In spring, Colmar comes to life in a particularly beautiful way. Flower-adorned façades, the first sunny days and pleasant temperatures of around 16 to 20 degrees create ideal conditions for leisurely strolls through the old town. At the same time, it’s often even quieter than during the summer months. The Printemps de Colmar brings additional art, music and culinary specialities to the town in March and April.

Summer is the liveliest time of year to visit. With temperatures of 24 to 26 degrees, Colmar is a delight to experience outdoors – whether at a street-side café, over dinner or with a glass of wine along the Lauch. Excursions to the surrounding villages and vineyards are also highly recommended at this time of year. The Colmar International Festival attracts many visitors, particularly in July, so it’s worth booking well in advance.

For many, autumn is considered the most beautiful time of year in Colmar and Alsace. The vineyards take on warm hues, the atmosphere becomes more tranquil, and along the Alsace Wine Route, the grape harvest and wine tastings begin. This season is particularly ideal for wine lovers and leisurely excursions.

In winter, Colmar shows its most festive side. From late November to January, the old town is transformed into an atmospheric setting with several Christmas markets, fairy lights and decorated half-timbered houses. This time of year is particularly lovely for an Advent weekend – even if it can get quite busy.

Getting around and travelling to Colmar: a stress-free journey

Colmar is pleasantly easy to reach and just as relaxed to explore once you’re there. The town is compact, well-connected and ideal for a trip that doesn’t require much planning.

• Travelling by train: Colmar has its own railway station and is well connected to the French and international rail networks. There are regular direct services from Basel with short journey times. From Zurich and Geneva, you’ll usually need to change trains, mostly in Basel or Strasbourg – but the journey is still comfortable and easy to plan.

• Travelling by car: You can reach Colmar easily by car via the A35 motorway, which runs through Alsace and connects directly to the city.

• Getting around on foot: The old town is compact and ideal for exploring on foot. Many of the main sights, cafés and restaurants are close together, so you can stroll through the narrow streets at your leisure.

• Public transport: Within Colmar itself, public transport is hardly necessary. However, bus services are available for destinations outside the old town or in the surrounding area.

• Trips to the surrounding area: Thanks to good train connections, larger towns such as Strasbourg are easy to reach. For smaller villages along the Alsace Wine Route, however, transport links are limited – here it makes sense to travel by car or hire a car to explore the region at your own pace.

All in all, the best way to explore Colmar is at a leisurely pace and on foot – without any rush and with plenty of scope for spontaneous discoveries.

Conclusion: Colmar is not a place for rushing about. The town thrives on its details, its colours and its peaceful atmosphere. If you take your time, you’ll discover not only the well-known sights, but also quiet corners and special moments. That’s precisely where the charm lies: tick fewer boxes, experience more – and simply let Colmar work its magic.