Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace, in northeastern France where the Rhine marks the German border. The city changed hands between France and Germany several times, and its architecture carries that double inheritance: half timbered Alsatian houses and the broad boulevards of the German imperial period stand in the same town. The European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights are all based here. The historic centre on the Grande Ile, ringed by branches of the river, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1988.
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See flights to Strasbourg →When to visit Strasbourg
May to September is the easiest stretch, with daytime temperatures between 20C and 27C and the canal boats and terraces working at full tilt. The Christkindelsmarik in December, running since 1570 and among the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, brings the busiest weeks of the year, so accommodation needs booking well ahead. January to March is cold, grey and quiet.
Things to do in Strasbourg
Strasbourg Cathedral
The Gothic cathedral in pink sandstone was completed in 1439, and at 142 metres its spire was the tallest structure in the world from 1647 to 1874. The 19th century astronomical clock inside runs its procession of the apostles every afternoon, and 332 steps lead up to the tower platform.
Palais Rohan
The palace beside the cathedral was built in the 1730s for the prince bishops and counts among the finest French baroque buildings in the region. It now houses three museums at once: archaeology, decorative arts and fine arts.
Petite France
The quarter where the Ill splits into channels was the district of tanners and millers in the 16th and 17th centuries. The lofts of the half timbered houses along the water were left open to dry hides, and the quarter is now walked along the canal.
Barrage Vauban
The dam bridge built to Vauban's design around 1690 was made to raise the river and flood the plain to the south in case of attack. The terrace on top is one of the clearest viewpoints in the city, framing the towers of the Ponts Couverts and the cathedral together.
European Parliament
Opened in 1999, the Louise Weiss building was designed to look like an unfinished tower, expressing the idea of a Europe still under construction. The plenary chamber can be visited depending on the sitting calendar, and the Council of Europe and the Court of Human Rights stand in the same district.
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Opened on the bank of the Ill in 1998, the museum holds a collection running from 1870 to the present, including works by Gustave Dore, Kandinsky and Hans Arp. Its glass roofed central gallery and the roof terrace looking over the centre make the building itself worth the visit.
Flights from Turkey to Strasbourg
Direct flights to Strasbourg from Turkey leave from Istanbul and are operated by Turkish Airlines, taking about 3 hours 10 minutes. Entzheim Airport is roughly 10 kilometres southwest of the centre, and the train from the station beneath the terminal reaches the city in 9 minutes. Flying into Basel Mulhouse or Frankfurt and continuing by rail also works, with Frankfurt about two hours away on a fast train.
Strasbourg FAQ
How many days do you need in Strasbourg?
Two days cover the cathedral, Petite France and the museums. Adding the Alsace wine route and Colmar makes four days a fuller trip, and half a day is enough for the European institutions district.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Entzheim Airport is about 10 kilometres from the centre. The train from the station next to the terminal reaches the main city station in 9 minutes, with frequent services through the day.
Do you need a visa for France?
France is in the Schengen area and a Turkish passport needs a Schengen visa obtained in advance. Appointments get harder to find in summer and around the Christmas market, so it is safer to start the application at least two months before travel.
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