Day Trips from Strasbourg

Undoubtedly the best things to do in Strasbourg have to do with getting to know its neighbourhoods full of medieval buildings as well as enjoying the public parks and its beautiful canals. However, another of the great attractions that go unnoticed in Strasbourg tourism are the excursions that take you to other parts of Alsace, which is this part of France that is distinguished by its historical, culinary and commercial connections with neighbouring Germany.

So, I recommend you to read this post that I have prepared for you, because in it I have grouped together different alternatives of excursions to the outskirts of Strasbourg that are distinguished by their convenience and quality, which will help you enormously to make a decision in case you have a trip long enough for you to spend a couple of hours getting to know the surroundings of this beautiful European city.

One of the first choices when it comes to a day trip from Strasbourg is to visit the nearby towns and villages, which are characterised by beautiful and authentic Franco-German architecture. The town of Colmar, which lies to the south of the Strasbourg metropolitan area, is usually one of the first stops and is distinguished by being part of the Alsatian wine route.

Eguisheim is another popular site for such excursions and is known not only for its architecture, but also for being the birthplace of Pope Leo IX. It is likely that some of the walled villages in the area will also be part of the experience, but without a doubt the highlight of this type of tour through Alsace and around the Rhine River is the visit to Haut Koenigsbourg castle. It is a fortress located on the top of a mountain dating from the 12th century and has recently been restored.

Definitely an excursion with these characteristics is the perfect complement to some of the best tours of the city of Strasbourg knowing that they help you understand a little more about the development of the architectural style of Alsace in other parts of this region. From the experience you have to know that this is a guided tour. In addition, it is usually a transfer for a small group of people.

It is definitely a recommended plan for the whole family, although you should know that food and drink are not included. However, there is the opportunity to have lunch at one of the stops along the route.

Details of interest

• Price: The price for a tour like this is around 175 euros per person. Lower rates may be available for minors.
• Duration: as it is an itinerary that includes a city, several villages and even a castle, it is logical to know that it will take about nine hours in total.
• Means of transport: It is almost always a small bus, although it could also be a minivan, depending on the number of participants.
• Advantages of this option: it is an excellent way to familiarise yourself with the history and culture of Alsace and at the same time it is a good entertainment for people of all ages.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is a significantly long activity that does not fit into the tourist itinerary of many families.

Alsace is a region of France that is not only distinguished by its curious architecture and its historical relationship with Germany, but also has a thriving wine industry. In fact, it is an area with its own appellation of origin, and as such, some of the best tours departing from Strasbourg are those that focus on touring the vineyards and wineries.

Of this type of experience you should know that there are usually stops in two or three towns that are directly related to the production of the famous white wine that comes from this part of France. You should also know that it is a slightly shorter excursion and, therefore, you have the alternative of choosing between a morning or an afternoon tour.

It is almost always a tour reserved for a very limited group of people and the most common thing is that not only do you drive through the area of the Alsace wine route, but you will also have a stop in at least two family wineries. This is for a tasting of the types of white wine produced in this part of north-eastern France.

There are usually no stops for lunch or breakfast on this itinerary and it is therefore recommended that you start the tour after you have eaten. However, you should know that the experience offers you the accompaniment of a guide specialised in the history of the villages you will visit, as well as in everything to do with the wine world of Alsace. Most often there is a meeting point in the centre of Strasbourg, and therefore a direct transfer to the hotel is not usually offered.

Interesting details

• Price: A tour like this is usually around 110 euros per person and there is no age difference in the price as it is recommended for adults only.
• Duration: the average duration of an excursion from Strasbourg that focuses on the Alsace Wine Route is about four hours in total.
• Means of transport: as this is an experience for a maximum of eight people, it will almost always be a minibus or minivan.
• Advantages of this option: this option is very favourable for those who consider themselves wine lovers and wish to learn a little more about wine production in the North-East of France.
• Disadvantages of this option: as it is an adults-only excursion, it may not be very favourable as an entertainment alternative for those travelling as a family.

Another highly recommended excursion from Strasbourg to the villages of Alsace is one that takes place during a very specific time of the year. And it is those tours that are in charge of going to the different Christmas markets that are organized in the towns and cities near Strasbourg, all because it is one of the most special traditions for this French region.

Colmar is usually included in the itinerary because it is characterised by the second largest Christmas fair in Alsace. Moreover, as this is a guided tour, you will not only learn about the history of these communities but also about the development of this Christmas tradition that has been taking place during the whole month of December in most of these towns for a couple of centuries.

It is definitely an excellent opportunity to taste the typical gastronomy of this time of the year, as well as to enjoy the beauty that characterises these towns with medieval architecture, but now under the typical Christmas illumination and decoration. Carols and shopping are also part of this experience and it is definitely a highly recommended plan for families travelling with young children.

So an excursion like this is one of the best things to do in Strasbourg during Christmas, although you should keep in mind that food and drink costs are not included in the experience. Neither are entrance fees if you wish to visit museums and attractions in the towns that are part of the itinerary.

Details of interest

• Price: the approximate price is around 130 euros per person, although children under 12 usually pay less.
• Duration: The average length of the tour is about seven hours, but it is also possible for the tour to take a little longer depending on traffic and weather.
• Means of transport: As this is a tour for a very limited number of people, it is usually a minibus or even a minivan.
• Advantages of this option: it is an excellent way to learn a little about this important tradition so distinctive to this part of France and at the same time it is ideal to learn a little more about the cultural mixes that occurred due to German influences.
• Drawbacks of this option: Although you have 31 days to enjoy these excursions, they are in high demand, so booking well in advance is often recommended.

There are different options when it comes to booking an excursion from Strasbourg, but my recommendation is to go for an online purchase of the service for several reasons. One of them has to do with the fact that there are almost always more competitive rates and that you can make your purchases from the comfort of your own home months in advance.

Another reason why this option is more convenient is the fact that you get to hear the opinions of other people who have already had the tour you are interested in experiencing. However, if this idea does not suit you, then you can choose to visit some of the tourist agencies that are located within the city of Strasbourg, but this alternative presents more challenges.

And that is that you will have to adjust to some prices that are not necessarily convenient for your tourist budget. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the excursions you are interested in will be available on the dates and at the times that are most convenient for you.

The average duration of most tours from Strasbourg varies between 5 and 8 hours. However, it is also possible that you may encounter slightly longer itineraries depending on traffic or the number of towns and cities visited. For this reason, it is quite important that you analyse very well your participation in this type of tours before buying the service, because if they last many hours they may not fit into the itinerary of a two-day visit to Strasbourg.

At the same time, if you do not have much time to spend in this city, but you are still interested in touring its surroundings, then you can opt for a guided tour of the city centre. Knowing that they shorten the tourist exploration so that you can dedicate the rest of your visit to an excursion that will also take you to sites of historical and cultural importance.

On this type of tour you're likely to encounter a wooded and slightly hilly landscape that closely resembles that of eastern Germany because the Alsace region stretches along the Rhine River, located just between the French border with neighbouring Germany. Similarly, the villages that are included in these types of itineraries are often characterised by medieval architecture that blends many German patterns, but under the French aesthetic and urban planning.

Similarly, if you are making a day trip to Strasbourg and are concerned that you will not be able to participate in these tours, then you should know that the Grand Isle area of Strasbourg and specifically the La Petite France neighbourhood closely resembles the aesthetics of the villages that are part of these tours.

The first recommendation I can give you to make the most of an excursion from Strasbourg is to choose an alternative that has to do with your interests. It doesn't make sense for you to take part in a wine tour if you don't like wine.

Another recommendation I can make is that although these plans are recommended in summer, it is better to opt for them at other times of the year. These types of excursions are among the best things to do in January in Strasbourg or even the best things to do in Strasbourg during the month of November for the simple fact that the tourist demand is quite low, which means that you will be able to enjoy the cities and villages that make up Alsace in a more relaxed way.

The price of an excursion from Strasbourg always varies between 100 and 180 Euros and this has to do with the fact that these are exclusive experiences aimed at limited groups of people, which also include the accompaniment of a professional guide. So they definitely represent an economic investment, but at the same time they are an indisputable guarantee of enjoyment and comfort.

Moreover, the fact that they allow you to explore one of the most important cultural traditions in Europe such as the Christmas markets of the French northeast is a real privilege. So at the end of the day these prices translate into your participation in one of the best things to do in Strasbourg during the month of December.

One of the first reasons why it is advisable to opt for a guided tour when it comes to excursions around Strasbourg is the fact that you don't have to worry about any logistical aspects. That's because you are only paying a one-time fee that guarantees you transport, guided accompaniment and safety.

Another reason is the fact that you actually learn about the sites you are visiting, which is something that is not guaranteed when you have to deal with a self-guided tour where there are language and even financial barriers. This knowing that sometimes you have to pay entrance fees for each of the monuments you visit in the villages and if you want an audio guide or the accompaniment of a specialist then you have to pay even more.

You should know that these criteria also apply to visiting other parts of Strasbourg. It is important to know how to visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg in order to avoid mistakes, and in this context, a guided tour is the best alternative when it comes to investing your time and money wisely.