To me, the best time to visit Strasbourg is during the Christmas season. If you’re looking for a typical journey in Alsace with all the Christmas magic, come to Strasbourg.
Streets, houses, bridges, church facades and monuments are beautifully lit. Especially at night, when the whole city transforms into an enchanted and enchanting jeweled setting!
Welcome to my guide to fully visit Strasbourg during Christmas... Check out about all the things to see and do at Christmas markets in Strasbourg!
When does the Christmas Market 2023 start in Strasbourg ?
With more than 2.5 million visitors expected each year for the Christmas market, Strasbourg is with no doubt THE capital of Christmas and the city of lights!
You should really come and experience this magical moment.
Where is the Christmas market 2023 in Strasbourg, France ?
Christmas market in Strasbourg is not only about the wonderful wooden chalets and the smells of mulled wine. It’s also about the magical animations and the wonderful things to see.
Wooden chalets all over the city
The Christmas market in Strasbourg counts actually more than 10 thematic markets scattered throughout the Grande-Île!
The most famous are probably the Christkindelsmärik on the Place Broglie and the market on the square in front of the Cathedral.
As a gourmet, I really like the "marché des délices", installed this year at the Palais des Rohans, and the market of the small producers of Alsace at Petite France quarter.
Just take a stroll in the city and let yourself be surprised by the magical markets you’ll fall on!
The Great Christmas tree : the symbol of the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France
It’s the symbol of the Strasbourg Christmas market and almost overshadows the Cathedral. Associated on the same picture, they make a wonderful postcard of Strasbourg.
At over 30 meters high, it is one of the largest decorated natural trees in Europe. At its feet, you can find the Christmas market of associations, to shop for a good cause.
The beautiful illuminations
It's dark, it's cold but Strasbourg remains beautiful in December thanks to the illuminations. Among the most famous, there are :
- The arch of Christkindelsmarik in Place Broglie
- The door of lights which marks the entrance of the markets from the Pont du Corbeau (bridge of the Raven)
- The blue tree in Place Gutenberg
- The Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the rue des Hallebardes
- The decorations of the rue des Orfèvres
There are plenty of things to do to enjoy the nightlife in Strasbourg, even more at Christmas time!
Photo credit : Cotad
Eating good food at the Christmas market in Strasbourg
Christmas is the season of "Bredele" traditional Alsatian biscuits. You can buy Bredele in almost any bakery in Strasbourg and (at a high price) in many chalets of the Christmas markets. I sometimes buy them at the Fortwenger store in rue d'Austerlitz.
Among the other delicacies, I love Mannele (or small buns in the shape of a man). There preparation can be admired at the market of the delights and the gingerbread. You should totally go to Mireille Oster shop!
For those who are gluten intolerant, the Eden bakery offers gluten-free Bredele and Mannele on the Place du Temple Neuf.
Mulled wine can also be found in every corner of Christmas markets and in returnable plastic cups. It's a good idea to reduce waste. Red or white, you will find as many recipes as producers. I have a preference for the white one with a little honey at the marché des délices. You can also enjoy hot apple juice or blueberry juice. The latter, deliciously sweet, can be found on the side of small producers.
What are the best restaurants in Strasbourg ?
There are plenty of restaurants in Strasbourg that you should try! Especially at Christmas time. There is no lack of good addresses. Neither are there any tourist traps. There is something for every taste and budget.
Here are some good addresses of restaurants that I recommend to you:
- Where to eat a good sauerkraut ? Le Tire Bouchon near the cathedral is a very good winstub, a traditional Alsatian restaurant, which proposes a delicious royal sauerkraut. Try also the sauerkraut with fish from Kammerzell.
- Where to eat a good tarte flambee in Strasbourg ? The brasserie Météor in Langstross / rue du 22 Novembre and the brasserie du Tigre offer flames of a very good standard.
- Fancy a fondue or a raclette? La Cloche à Fromage near Place Gutenberg is an institution. You will even see the biggest cheese bell in the world!
- A modern brasserie in a beautiful setting? Go to the Drunky Stork Social Club on rue du 22 Novembre, a brewery installed in a former big bank, or to the Brasserie Wow and its street-art decor on rue du jeu des enfants.
- Want a change of scenery while eating a good takeaway? Go to Venezolatino near the stock exchange. You will taste excellent burritos and arepas. There is even something for vegetarians and gluten-free people!
- A gastronomic restaurant? Strasbourg has 5 starred restaurants, including Umami in Petite France, which offers modern cuisine, and Buerehiesel in the Parc de l'Orangerie, with its signature dish of frog legs.
Some hotels in Strasbourg, France near the Christmas market
Beware! During the Christmas period, hotels and AirBnBs are often fully booked and prices go up. Remember to book in advance!
Here are 5 hotels in Strasbourg that I recommend:
Hotel de la Cour du Corbeau ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Located at the entrance of the Grande Île, 2 steps away from the cathedral, La Cour du Corbeau is one of the oldest hotels in Europe. Some famous people went there, such as Voltaire, Alexandre Dumas or Frederic the Great. In this magnificent Renaissance building, the rooms bear the imprints and names of the passage of their famous guests.
Hotel and Spa Régent Petite France ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ideally located in the picturesque Petite France district, the Hotel Régent offers an exceptional and luxurious setting with a view of the Ill River. For the anecdote: it was built in place of the old ice houses of Strasbourg of which you can still see some traces of the machines in the lobby.
Hotel Les Haras ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Located a little away from the hustle and bustle of Petite France and the Cathedral, the Hotel des Haras was built in the magnificent setting of the former National Stud. The rooms are elegant, refined and comfortable. The brasserie right next door is an excellent place to eat.
Hotel Hannong ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Located on rue du 22 novembre, not far from Galeries Lafayette, the Hotel Hannong is an establishment with a history, that of a particularly famous former earthenware factory, and style, that of the Avant-Garde artistic movement embodied by the Horn brothers in the early 20th century. If the weather is nice and mild, you can also enjoy the magnificent rooftop!
Graffalgar Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Located near the train station, the Graffalgar Hotel is a surprisingly modern hotel. Each room has been decorated by a different artist in a street-art spirit. The address is also famous for its brunch!
Go to other Christmas markets in Alsace from Strasbourg
Are you staying in Alsace for a few days? You should totally visit other Christmas markets of the region. If your hotel is in Strasbourg and you have no car, there are different ways to visit Christmas markets around Strasbourg.
Pass Alsace : The Best of Alsace in your Pocket
Enjoy free entry to over 60 tourist sites, including wildlife parks, fortified castles, museums, and more fun activities and discounts in Alsace.
You can take the train from Strasbourg to Colmar. Then there are shuttle buses that will take you from Colmar to Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg. It's more convenient to go there by public transportation because parking lots are very crowded at this season. It's quite difficult to find a parking space.
Enjoy your stay!
