Colmar Travel Guide: Things to Do, Where to Stay and the Best Villages Nearby
Colmar Travel Guide: Things to Do, Where to Stay and What to Eat
Colmar Travel Guide: Why Visit Colmar?
Grab a tea or coffee and come along. Today we’re heading to a magical town that looks like it jumped off a postcard. Actually, it’s more like stepping inside a fairytale. In this Colmar travel guide, we’ll cover how and when to go and where to stay. We’ll also share what to see, the nearby villages and the local food. Let’s begin!
That fairytale is called Colmar…
The Western Version of One Thousand and One Nights: Colmar
Picture a tiny town at the foot of the Vosges Mountains in northeastern France. Vineyards surround it, and the Lauch, a Rhine tributary, flows through its little canals. Small bridges cross the canals, which are lined with colourful half-timbered gingerbread houses. Flowers and decorations hang from the windows. There are 16th-century merchant houses, cobblestone streets and charming squares. Colmar feels like it came straight out of the Middle Ages. Or maybe we were the ones transported back in time… Especially at Christmas!
Colmar is famous for its vineyards and wines. It sits on the Alsace Wine Route, which runs north to south through the region. Colmar is known as the capital of Alsace wine. Equally beautiful villages line the route, and the views along the way are wonderful. We’ve included the villages we visited in the section below. They’re all must-sees on a Colmar trip.
A quick note on the name: the region is Alsace (historically part of Alsace-Lorraine), and its people and dialect are called Alsatian. You’ll see both words a lot, here and on your trip.
The city’s history goes back to the 9th century. In 1226, Emperor Frederick II made it a free imperial city. Then it changed hands many times between France and Germany. It finally became French again in 1945. Just writing that is tiring! That’s why German influence in Colmar is just as strong as French.
Colmar is also one of the few European cities largely spared in World War II. Its buildings have been carefully preserved and still stand in their original form.
Now, let’s talk about how to get to this fairytale town…
How to Get to Colmar
The easiest way to get there is to fly into Basel or Strasbourg. We drove to Colmar from Berlin, but Basel airport is the most convenient option. It serves Basel in Switzerland, Mulhouse in France and Freiburg in Germany. Don’t let the name fool you: its official name is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. It’s actually in France. People just call it Basel Airport because it’s so close.
At the airport, take the French-side exit (signposted Mulhouse) for Colmar. Outside, bus number 11 takes you to Saint-Louis train station in about 10 minutes. From there, hop on a train to Colmar and you’re done! You can also take a shuttle from the airport.
From Paris, the train takes about 2 hours, with a change in Strasbourg. Direct trains from Basel take 45 minutes, and from Strasbourg just 30 minutes.
If you’re renting a car, parking is the only downside: it’s hard to find and expensive. We parked at Montagne Verte in the centre. There’s also free parking on Rue du Ladhof. If you find a spot there, the centre is a 10-minute walk away. Just remember that Colmar gets much busier at Christmas and during events. Parking gets even harder then.
Thinking of renting a car? Here’s our DiscoverCars link. We’ve rented through them for years. You can compare prices from different companies on one screen and check ratings and reviews. Our experience has always been good, and we usually get a better price.
Getting Around Colmar
There are city buses, but Colmar is so small that you won’t really need them. Every street and corner here is made for walking. All the streets lead to squares, so just get lost in the fairytale atmosphere. You’ll only need a bus to visit the equally lovely villages on the Alsace Wine Route. For us, this region is now simply “Colmar and its villages”. The villages are very close to each other. Buses leave often and on schedule from in front of Colmar train station. Tickets were around €4–5 when we went. No need to buy them in advance. You can also reach the villages, plus Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Basel, by train from Colmar station.
We cover the villages in more detail in our Alsace travel guide.
When to Visit Colmar and How Many Days to Stay
No Colmar travel guide is complete without a word on timing. Colmar is magical in every season, so it’s popular all year, especially at weekends and during the Christmas season. The busiest time, of course, is Christmas…
You can see Colmar in a day. But without the villages, you haven’t really seen it. We suggest one day for Colmar and two days for the villages. Then again, we know you won’t want to leave. If you have the time, stay as long as you can 🙂
Colmar and Its Christmas Markets
We’ve visited many European cities at Christmas as a couple. Still, we’ve never seen anything as fairytale-like as Colmar and its villages. The whole town was beautifully decorated, and it looked unreal.
As soon as it gets dark, the whole city sparkles with stunning lights. And we don’t mean just any lights. Even shop and café interiors are breathtaking. A special municipal team of lighting technicians handles Colmar’s illuminations. Each colour represents a different theme and brings out the fairytale side of the city. Besides Christmas, the city lights up again for the Wine Fair and the Colmar Festival.
Christmas markets pop up in six different spots around town. Hundreds of stalls sell food, handicrafts and antiques. They’re all close together, so you can walk from one to the next. For such a small city, Colmar really turns into one big Christmas market. The markets run from late November until just before New Year. Each has an official opening date, but the city gets into the festive spirit even earlier.
Where to Stay in Colmar: Best and Most Affordable Hotels
Booking early always pays off, but it’s a must for Colmar. Even in summer, finding a place to stay can be really hard. Now imagine Christmas and festival season! Naturally, prices in this fairytale town are on the high side. They climb even higher during Christmas, the Wine Fair and other events.
The old town (Vieux Colmar) and Little Venice (Petite Venise) are the most magical parts of Colmar. Most of the must-see sights are here, along with the luxury hotels, so prices are high. But Colmar is small, and everything is within walking distance. Areas just outside the old town and Little Venice have much more affordable options.
The Quartier de la Gare area around the train station is also close to the old town. It’s a great choice, especially for families with kids.
Here are our specific recommendations for where to stay. This part of our Colmar travel guide is based on places we stayed or checked ourselves:
Where to Stay in Colmar: Our Picks
My Sweet Homes – Le 15 / Vieux Colmar (Old Town)
How about staying in a gingerbread house? These one- and two-bedroom apartments and studios are right in the heart of the old town. St. Martin’s Church is just steps away. We stayed here on our last visit and were really comfortable with our little one! If you can book before prices and crowds peak, we highly recommend it. Here’s the link: My Sweet Homes – Le 15. There’s a two-night minimum stay. At around €100 a night, it’s a fantastic price for Colmar.
Hotel Saint-Martin / Vieux Colmar (Old Town)
Another hotel in the heart of the old town, with all the charm of the Alsace region. It’s perfect for soaking up the Alsatian atmosphere, and it’s great value too. Here’s the link: Hotel Saint-Martin. Rooms average about €120 a night, which is excellent value by Colmar standards.
Hotel Le Colombier Suites / Little Venice (Petite Venise)
This hotel sits right on one of the little canals that make Little Venice so special. St. Martin’s Church is 500 metres away, and the Unterlinden Museum is 1 km away. The German border is just 20 km off. Here’s the link: Hotel Le Colombier Suites. It’s for those happy to spend around €200–220 a night.
Logis Hôtel Beauséjour Colmar / Saint-Léon
A family-run hotel a 10-minute walk from the old town. The family has been in the hospitality business since 1913. It’s a stylish hotel and great value for money. Here’s the link: Logis Hôtel Beauséjour Colmar. Rooms average around €160 a night. If it’s fully booked, check out Hotel Arc-En-Ciel too.
PAUL & PIA – Welcome Home Hotel / Quartier de la Gare
Our last pick is 500 metres from Colmar train station and the old town. The Christmas market at Place des Dominicains is just 700 metres away. Here’s the link: PAUL & PIA – Welcome Home Hotel
Colmar Travel Guide: Things to Do in Colmar
Best Places to Visit in Colmar
Old Town – Vieux Colmar
Get ready to keep one finger on the shutter button, because we’re in the old town!
Picture medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, tiny squares, canals and bridges. Add colourful half-timbered gingerbread houses, and you’ve got Colmar’s sparkling old town. Flowers, little teddy bears and snowflakes hang from the windows. The houses are so pretty that you won’t know which one to admire first. Every street leads to a square. Centuries ago, different trades used these cobblestone streets. Colmar has carefully preserved its history, and many streets are still named after those trades. The most beautiful of all is Rue des Marchands, the Merchants’ Street. From there, wander along Rue des Clefs and Rue des Têtes. Most of these streets are car-free, so just get lost in them 🙂
The 16th-century houses of Colmar’s merchants and famous residents are among the old town’s highlights. Don’t miss Maison Adolph, Maison Pfister and Maison des Têtes.
Little Venice – Petite Venise
This is the most magical part of the old town. We went a little crazy here, we admit. Picture small canals lined with centuries-old, colourful half-timbered houses, linked by little bridges. It’s called Little Venice because it reminds people of Venice.
Little Venice is so fairytale-like that it’s hard to believe it’s real. It feels less like a historic district and more like a film set.
We told you you’d explore Colmar with a finger on the shutter. Everyone wants a photo on every bridge and in every square. So, over time, famous photo spots have popped up. Everyone has their favourites, of course. Ours is Au Vieux Pignon, a souvenir shop right in the heart of the old town. The building and its location make it a unique photo spot. We also loved the spots around Grand Rue, the crêperie and St. Martin’s Church. And Little Venice as a whole goes without saying 🙂
The old town and Little Venice are packed with sights. Wander and get lost in the streets if you can. Below, our Colmar travel guide briefly lists the highlights before moving on to the beautiful villages nearby.
St. Martin’s Church
This Gothic church was built between 1235 and 1365 and has been restored several times. It’s also called St. Martin’s Cathedral, since it served as a cathedral for a while. Look out for the Renaissance crown on the bell tower, the magnificent roof and the facade sculptures. Inside, the stained-glass windows are especially admired. Colmar’s most famous building is open from 8 am to 7 pm.
Unterlinden Museum
This 13th-century convent became a museum in the 19th century. It displays some of the most important medieval and Renaissance art. Matthias Grünewald’s famous Isenheim Altarpiece is here too. You can also see works by Renoir and Picasso. With around 200,000 visitors a year, it’s one of the region’s most visited museums.
Koïfhus – The Old Customs House
This 15th-century building once housed the city’s administration and now hosts various events. It’s known for its architecture, and you can visit it for free.
Bartholdi Museum
Famous sculptor Auguste Bartholdi was born in Colmar. His house is now a museum with his belongings and drawings. Bartholdi also created the Statue of Liberty in New York. That’s why you’ll find a replica of the statue in Colmar.
Musée du Jouet (Toy Museum)
Kids especially love this museum, which displays thousands of toys from the 19th century to today.
The Most Beautiful Villages Near Colmar
Eguisheim
This stunning medieval village is just 15 minutes from Colmar. It has even been voted France’s favourite village. Without a car, take bus 400 from in front of Colmar train station. If you’re driving, there’s a car park at the village entrance. On busy days, though, finding a spot isn’t easy. To enjoy it while it’s quieter, arrive early in the morning. We’ve described the villages in detail in our Alsace travel guide, so we’ll keep it short here.
The village has an interesting layout. You walk around it in circles, like a maze, and end up back where you started. Eguisheim is tiny, but every street is captivating. With its medieval houses and streets, it easily rivals Colmar. It’s also the birthplace of Pope Leo IX. The little square and its fountain are named after him, and we loved them! There’s a statue of the Pope on the fountain, too. Don’t forget to take a photo in front of Le Pigeonnier, the house where two streets meet.
Eguisheim sits on the Alsace Wine Route, and locals make their living from wine. There are plenty of places to taste excellent local wines. The village is also on the storks’ migration route, so you’ll see stork nests almost everywhere. It has nice places to stay, too, and not just for storks! You can explore the whole village in about two hours. No Colmar travel guide would be complete without it.
Ribeauvillé
We drove there from Eguisheim in 30 minutes and, luckily, found a parking spot again.
It’s another tiny village; you can walk from one end to the other in half an hour. Again, there are vineyards, fairytale medieval houses and narrow streets. Ribeauvillé is said to host the most events of any village in Alsace.
Riquewihr
Riquewihr is about 12 kilometres from Colmar. It has a museum on the village’s history, and the Dolder Tower is one of its best-known sights. Our advice, though, is to just wander. Take photos of the houses and notice the windows, doors, door knockers and other details. You’ll be amazed.
Kaysersberg
The Weiss river splits the village in two, and its fortified bridge makes it another fairytale spot. We loved the Renaissance house, too. This 12th-century village is 14 kilometres from Colmar, and we left it in awe…
What to Eat and Drink in Colmar
In the capital of the Alsace Wine Route, wine naturally comes first. Colmar is one of the driest cities in France, which has helped its vineyards. Experts credit the climate for the great taste of Alsace wines. Our favourites were Muscat and Pinot Noir, the region’s only red grape. If you like wine, join a wine tour and visit the vineyards and cellars.
Food and drink in Colmar are generally pricey. If you visit around Christmas, the markets offer much cheaper options.
Restaurants usually close between lunch and dinner. Don’t worry if you get hungry in between, because Colmar is full of bakeries. Croissants, cakes, macarons, éclairs… they’re all excellent. Almost every bakery sells small chestnut pastries. If you like chestnuts, you have to try them. They were about €4.50 each when we went.
Kougelhopf is a cake that deserves its fame, and you’ll find it all over Colmar. Then there’s Flammkuchen, or tarte flambée in French. This super-thin, pizza-like dish is topped with cream, onions and bacon. It’s one of the most famous dishes in Colmar.
Baeckeoffe is a hearty stew typical of the region…
Here are the places we tried and loved, the tastiest part of our Colmar travel guide:
Au Croissant Doré
As the name suggests, they only sell croissants and pastries. We loved the croissants.
Restaurant Le Quai 21
We came here for tarte flambée. Both the food and the atmosphere got top marks from us. Prices were also quite good for Colmar.
Gilg
The éclairs and macarons were so good that we fell into a dessert coma.
Chez Moi
One of Colmar’s best-loved pubs, worth noting down…
Paulaillan
It quickly became our favourite pastry shop in Colmar.
Shopping in Colmar
Wine is naturally the first thing to buy in Colmar. We’ve already mentioned we loved the Muscat and Pinot Noir. The region’s elegantly designed wine glasses are also bestsellers.
You’ll find souvenir shops almost everywhere, full of little gifts with a Colmar touch. For something more special, visit Tonin Créations – L’Atelier Amoureux. The owners handmake everything here, from jewellery to sculptures and objects.
Around Christmas, Christmas-themed shops pop up everywhere, and they’re great for shopping. The toys especially! The thousands of toys and books might make your head spin. We bought loads of books for our son. If he doesn’t read them, we’ll read them to him. They’re so sweet 🙂
The covered market, Marché Couvert, is in Little Venice. Alongside fruit and vegetable stalls, it has souvenir shops. You can pick up both gifts and local products here.
We hope you’ll stay longer than we did and enjoy every bit of this fairytale. And we hope this Colmar travel guide helps you plan the perfect trip!
Have a great trip!
For tours and activities in Colmar, here’s our GetYourGuide link. Whenever we plan activities in a new city, we use GetYourGuide. Seeing the ratings and reviews helps a lot, and we’ve always been happy with what we chose. Prices are good value, too.
Extend Your Trip to France: Lyon, the Capital of Gastronomy
After Colmar’s fairytale streets, why not head to Lyon? It’s a real treasure of French food and history. Lyon is easy to reach by train from Colmar. Both Vieux Lyon (the old town) and its amazing cuisine will win you over.
Continuing your trip in Lyon? Check out our tips on the safest areas and hotels for every budget in Where to Stay in Lyon.
Visiting in winter? Don’t miss our guide to Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets. That’s all from us for now!
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