Alsace’s oldest city, Colmar, a picturesque country town, is both charming and striking! Come and visit Colmar and its unique heritage!
Nestled in the heart of Alsace’s vineyards, Colmar radiates beauty with its traditional houses, canals, cobbled streets and flowers. Whatever the season, Colmar is THE ideal destination for history buffs, gourmets, art lovers and head-in-the-sky strollers alike. A visit to Colmar in autumn promises beautiful walks through the warmly-colored vineyards, while in winter you’ll find yourself at one of the region’s typical Christmas markets. In spring and summer, the city invites you to stroll and discover the local folklore and crafts. In short, whether it’s a romantic weekend or a vacation with friends, Colmar is waiting for you!
1. Neighborhoods
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Zdenek Matyas Photography
Both medieval and Renaissance in style, Colmar boasts an impressive architectural, historical and cultural heritage, starting with its various districts:
- La Petite Venise: the Lauch, lined with splendid, colorful half-timbered houses, flows through this district, earning it the nickname « Little Venice ». From the Koïffhus to the Turenne and Saint-Pierre bridges, via the market hall and the picturesque Krutenau district, this district can be explored along the water’s edge.
- Le Quartier des Tanneurs: home to tall, narrow half-timbered houses, this authentic district is a must-see in Colmar.
- Quai de la poissonnerie: visiting Colmar without passing through here is unthinkable! Picturesque and authentic, it’s lined with colorful half-timbered fishermen’s houses. Strolling along its banks is both charming and exhilarating.
2. Religious buildings
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To visit Colmar is to travel through more than 500 years of history, thanks to a remarkably well-preserved heritage, some of which dates back to the Middle Ages. The old town is brimming with splendid residences, ancient monuments and a host of religious edifices, including :
- The Collegiate Church of Saint-Martin
- The Dominican Church
- La Chapelle Saint Pierre
3. Outstanding houses
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Cezary Wojtkowski
Colmar can be explored through a variety of walks and stops. Simply observe your surroundings and look up to admire the surprising architecture typical of this Alsatian town.
- Maison Adolph: visiting Colmar is like stepping back in time! As the town’s oldest house, the Maison Adolph bears witness to the influence of religious art on urban architecture.
- Maison des Têtes: a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture, it takes its name from the hundreds of grimacing faces sculpted on its façade.
- Maison Pfister: built in 1537 and restored in 2012, this building is a true gem of Alsatian architecture. Despite its medieval features, it is a symbol of the Renaissance. Inside, you’ll find a two-storey corner oriel, a wooden gallery, an octagonal turret and murals depicting biblical and secular scenes.
4. Museums
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Marco Bicci
Visiting Colmar also means learning more about Alsace’s heritage, European history, fine arts and local gastronomy. Both fun and enriching, Colmar’s museums allow you to discover the city’s landmarks in a whole new light. Among the plethora of museums on offer in Colmar, Generation Voyage recommends :
- The Bartholdi Museum (creator of the Statue of Liberty, no less!)
- M’Espace d’art contemporain André Malraux
- The Toy Museum
5. Parks and squares
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Thomas Klee
After your cultural visits, why not get some fresh air and stretch your legs in the city’s many parks and gardens. These green, flower-filled havens of peace are home to many botanical nuggets, including remarkable trees (weeping beech, bald cypress, giant sequoia…) and monuments such as statues and museums.
So why not take a stroll through the Parc du Château d’Eau, stroll through the Parc du Champ de Mars or have a picnic in the Square Adolph Hin? Visiting Colmar also means taking time out to relax in the heart of nature.
6. Guided tours
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As the capital of Central Alsace, Colmar is one of the region’s most attractive cities for tourists. Indeed, its cultural, historical, artistic and architectural heritage attracts visitors, but not only! Visiting Colmar also means discovering a modern, lively and festive city that attracts night owls. In short, whatever the subject you’re interested in, you’re bound to find guided tours in Colmar!
With its cobbled streets, symbolic monuments steeped in history and extraordinary museums, Colmar stands out from other Alsatian towns. Accompanied by a French-, English- or German-speaking guide, you’ll get off the beaten track and enjoy a unique experience on foot, by bike, by miniature train, by horse-drawn carriage or even by boat.
7. Wineries and viticulture
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In the heart of Alsace’s vineyards, in the capital of Alsace wines, you can taste and savor excellent dry and aromatic wines. Alsatians are so proud of their wines that it’s hard to miss them. There are no fewer than 119 wine-growing communities in the region, producing over 150 million bottles a year from 7 grape varieties. And that’s just the beginning!
If you really want to orient your journey around the wines of Alsace, we recommend you follow the route of the same name. It invites you to discover a region where life is an art and wine a pleasure. The Alsace Wine Route (170 km, from Marlenheim to Thann), through vineyards, villages, châteaux, cellars, chapels, fine dining, wine festivals and abbeys, lets you discover the rich palette of Alsace wines through their grape varieties and appellations.
8. Local gastronomy
Photo credit: Facebook – L’Atelier du Peintre
Alsatian gastronomy, which goes hand in hand with Alsace wines, will delight gourmets and big eaters alike. Rich, gourmet and traditional, it is strongly influenced by German cuisine, which is why you’ll find so many dishes in sauce, based on charcuterie or potatoes. Among the most famous dishes, try suri nierle (kidneys), ziwelkueche (onion tart) or roigabrageldi (marcaire potatoes).
And since we don’t do things by halves at Generation Voyage, here are some of the city’s best addresses (visiting Colmar is also a treat!):
- The Aroma Circle
- La Soï restaurant
- La Stub
- The Painter’s Studio
Enjoy your meal!
9. Festivals and events
Photo credit: Facebook – Foire aux Vins d’Alsace Officiel
Throughout the year, Colmar vibrates to the rhythm of celebrations, parties and festivals. If you get the chance, visit Colmar during one of them! The most famous events are undoubtedly the International Classical Music Festival, the Foire Régionale des Vins d’Alsace, the Christmas market and folklore evenings.
In a warm, festive, friendly and authentic atmosphere, enjoy breathtaking shows! What’s more, some of them are free, so there’s no excuse!
10. Colmar region
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Bruno Almela
Last but not least, the top 10 things to do in Colmar! The Colmar region, which stretches from the Ried plain to the foothills of the Vosges mountains, is home to many picturesque villages and an incredible diversity of landscapes.
Don’t miss Horbourg-Wihr and its Gallo-Roman heritage, Walbach and its 14th-century castle, and Wickerschwihr and its Church of St James the Greater!
How to get to Colmar
Getting to Colmar is fairly straightforward: as the capital of Central Alsace, it lies close toGermany (24 km) and Switzerland (64 km), between the Vosges and Rhine rivers, not far from Strasbourg (70 km) and Mulhouse (49 km). To get to Colmar, here are the three best options:
- Car: this is the best way to get to Colmar, as you’re free to move around and have no time constraints. Colmar is linked to the entire European network via the A35 freeway. From Paris, you’ll need 5h30, while from Reims or Lyon, your journey will take just 4h.
- Train: synonymous with peace and quiet, the train is the ideal way to get to Colmar. You can reach Colmar station in 2h30 from Paris Gare de l’Est and in 1h40 from Dijon. What’s more, TER trains run regularly between Strasbourg and Colmar in just 30 minutes.
- Plane: Colmar doesn’t have an airport, but it does have an airfield. If you’d like to come by plane, we recommend you fly to Strasbourg. Equidistant from Strasbourg Entzheim airport and Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg euroairport, Colmar is easy to reach. If you choose to fly to Colmar, use a flight comparison service like Skyscanner to find the best deal. The platform will show you the best solution, according to your criteria. For the remaining 70 km, you can rent a car or take the TGV (48min for around €15).
Where to stay in Colmar?
Choosing the right accommodation in Colmar is essential to making the most of your stay in this beautiful Alsatian town. So where to stay in Colmar? To help you plan your trip, Generation Voyage has a few suggestions! We recommend staying in the center or old town of Colmar if you want to visit Colmar and are looking for a lively atmosphere. However, if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, we suggest the Saint-Léon district. You’ll have no trouble finding accommodation whether it’s a hotel, B&B or Airbnb. However, using a hotel comparator will help you target the right offer.
So what are you waiting for to visit Colmar?
Map of hotels and accommodation – Colmar, France