48 Hours in Strasbourg: Exploring Alsace's Fairytale Capital on Foot

Our Strasbourg adventure began where all good French journeys should—at a local pâtisserie near our hotel, where we fueled up with buttery pain au chocolat before setting out toward La Petite France. This postcard-perfect neighborhood is the beating heart of old Strasbourg, where half-timbered houses lean precariously over narrow cobblestone lanes and the gentle Ill River splits into multiple channels.

As we wandered across the tiny footbridges connecting the quarter, I couldn't help but pause every few steps to photograph the flower-adorned windowsills and reflections of the colorful buildings in the canal waters. The 16th and 17th-century buildings here once housed tanners, fishermen, and millers—today, they're home to boutiques, wine bars, and some of the city's most charming restaurants.

By mid-morning, we made our way to the unmissable Strasbourg Cathedral. I'd recommend arriving before 11:30 AM to watch the famous astronomical clock perform its daily mechanical dance of figurines. The cathedral itself left me breathless—its single spire reaching 466 feet high was once the tallest in Christendom, and the rose-colored sandstone seems to change hues throughout the day.

For the best views in Strasbourg, we climbed the 332 steps to the cathedral's platform. I won't pretend it was easy (bring water!), but the panorama across the city's red rooftops all the way to the Black Forest in Germany made every step worthwhile. My collapsible water bottle was a lifesaver during the climb—it rolls up when empty and attaches easily to my daypack.

As twilight descended on our first day, we embraced the Alsatian tradition of winstubs—cozy wine taverns serving regional specialties. We chose Au Crocodile, not for its Michelin star (though that's certainly a bonus), but because it perfectly balances traditional Alsatian recipes with modern French techniques.

The region's cuisine tells the story of its border identity—hearty German influence meets French finesse. I couldn't resist ordering the choucroute garnie, a mountain of sauerkraut topped with various smoked meats and sausages. Claire opted for the coq au Riesling, chicken slowly braised in the local white wine. We paired our meal with a crisp Alsatian Riesling from a nearby vineyard.

For couples seeking a more intimate experience, I'd recommend making reservations at La Cloche à Fromage, where the fondue experience becomes a romantic ritual of shared food and conversation. Before our trip, I purchased a lovely cheese board set that's inspired many at-home recreations of our Strasbourg cheese adventures.

After dinner, we took a leisurely stroll along the illuminated riverfront. Strasbourg transforms after dark, with monuments beautifully lit and reflections dancing across the water. The cathedral, illuminated against the night sky, creates a particularly romantic backdrop for an evening walk.

Our second day began at Place Gutenberg, named for the printing press pioneer who spent many years in Strasbourg. From there, we wandered to Place Kléber, the city's largest square and a popular gathering spot for locals. If you're visiting between late November and December, this transforms into one of Europe's oldest and most enchanting Christmas markets—a tradition dating back to 1570.

Even outside the holiday season, Strasbourg offers excellent market experiences. We spent an hour browsing the covered market at Place du Marché aux Poissons, where local producers sell everything from farm-fresh vegetables to regional specialties like foie gras and pain d'épices (spiced bread). I always travel with a packable tote bag that unfolds from a tiny pouch—perfect for carrying market treasures without adding bulk to my daypack.

After our market explorations, we visited the Palais Rohan, home to three excellent museums: the Archaeological Museum, Museum of Decorative Arts, and Museum of Fine Arts. The building itself—often called the 'mini Versailles'—is worth admiring for its stunning 18th-century architecture and gardens.

For lunch, we grabbed flammekueche (tarte flambée)—Alsace's answer to thin-crust pizza topped with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon—at a casual spot near the European Quarter. This neighborhood houses the European Parliament, Court of Human Rights, and Council of Europe, highlighting Strasbourg's important role in modern European politics and diplomacy. The contrast between the medieval city center and these striking modern buildings tells the story of Strasbourg's evolution from medieval trading post to contemporary European capital.

For our final evening, we splurged on a sunset boat cruise along the Ill River. While Strasbourg is wonderful on foot, seeing the city from water level offers an entirely different perspective. The 70-minute Batorama tour circles the Grande Île (the UNESCO-listed island at the city's heart) and ventures into the modern European Quarter.

Cruising beneath the covered bridges of La Petite France as the setting sun painted the half-timbered houses in golden light was truly magical. I captured some stunning photos with my lens filters which helped manage the challenging light conditions of sunset on water.

After disembarking, we headed to the panoramic terrace at Barrage Vauban, a 17th-century dam that offers spectacular views across the city's medieval towers and spires. This spot is particularly romantic at sunset, with the cathedral silhouetted against the colorful sky.

We ended our Strasbourg sojourn with a farewell dinner at Maison Kammerzell, housed in one of the city's most ornate Renaissance buildings directly facing the cathedral. Dating from 1427, its carved wooden facade tells stories of medieval life through intricate sculptures. Inside, we dined on traditional baeckeoffe (a slow-cooked meat and potato casserole) while admiring the historic dining room with its wooden beams and stained glass.