There are many ways to visit Strasbourg apart from the attractions that tourists usually do.
Check out my list of unusual things that you can do in Strasbourg.
Take a Segway sightseeing tour
You can have a quick overview of the must-see places in the city by taking a Segway tour. The 2-hour-tour with One City Tours takes us to the unmissable places of Strasbourg's Grande-Île such as the Petite France district, the cathedral of Strasbourg, the Palais Rohan up to the European institutions and the Parc de l'Orangerie. The guide has very instructive comments.
Note that other shorter Segway tours (and therefore less expensive) are also worth it. All contact information of One City Tours to book a Segway tour online are available on their website. You can either write to them directly or send them an email.
Enjoy a pretty boat tour
Drive an electric boat
Strasbourg is an aquatic city that is crossed by many rivers and canals. Among them, there are the Ill river, the Canal de la Marne au Rhin or the basins of the port activities.
The company Captain Bretzel offers several circuits to discover the city by electric boat. You will be able to choose between different boat tours regarding the duration that you wish (1, 2 or 3 hours, half a day or a full day). It is possible to navigate on the water to go to the European district or to the Presqu’Île André Malraux district. But you can also opt for a more natural and wilder circuit towards the park of Heyritz and until the Castle of Ill in Ostwald.
It is possible to rent an electric boat for 5 people (max 375 kg). Note that you don’t need a license. Boats can also be rented for 7 or 10 people, if you are a large group. To know more about the offers, click on the “Reservation” button in the menu of Captain Bretzel's website and choose your favorite tour.
If booking online feels too difficult in French for you, you can write them an email at contact@captainbretzel.eu.
Once you have finished the lovely boat tour, you can have a drink on the floating terrace. The terrace is open every day during summer time from 10am to 11pm.
The address is Navig Plaisance - Captain Bretzel, 49 Quai des Alpes, Strasbourg.
You can go there by tramway (C or E) at the “Winston Churchill” station (approximately 15 / 20 minutes from the city center).
Enjoy the view on a bateau-mouche
The Batorama riverboat company also offers unusual tours in addition to their very interesting regular tours. You can embark in a fly boat and enjoy a beautiful view of Strasbourg from the river.
At Christmas time, you can take a walk along the water with a rather amusing tale that will take you on a quest for Santa's elves lost in Strasbourg! Another cruise will take you to discover the Port Autonome de Strasbourg, the second largest river port in France after Paris. It's the "Strasbourg-sur-Mer" cruise.
Boat departures with Batorama are in the city center, 150 meters away from the cathedral of Strasbourg. It is very convenient!
Have a bike ride in Strasbourg
There are many cycling routes in Strasbourg. But did you know that our beautiful city is the French capital city of bikes ? It's quite easy to rent a bike in Strasbourg to enjoy your journey.
Even if you can have a low-cost and quick overview while walking in the city center, you can also enjoy a very nice ride far from the historical quarter. It is the best way to visit Strasbourg in a more authentic, natural or wild way!
I really enjoy riding with my bike on the Piste des forts (Fort Trails) which takes you on a tour around the city between nature and history. I usually ride short sections of the Trail at my own pace.
You can also go to the Jardin des Deux-Rives and Kehl (in Germany). You are going to LOVE all the green spaces!
A treasure hunt with the children
Do you want to visit Strasbourg with your kid in an unusual way ?
The Tourist Office proposes an unusual activity - with a name that is hard to pronounce but perfectly adapted to the youngest - the Familicitirali (or the Family City Rally ;) ) : it's a little booklet for children to visit Strasbourg thanks to a treasure hunt.
The purpose is quite simple: you discover the heritage, history or unusual places of Strasbourg while having fun with your kids. A special treasure hunt is also offered during the Christmas Market and will allow your children to become official Santa Claus elves.
The Familicitirali is given free of charge with the Strasbourg Junior Pass, a rather interesting solution to benefit from discounts during 3 days on the museums and attractions of the city such as Batorama, the Segway tour or the cathedral platform.
Following the tramway lines
Strasbourg's tramway network is particularly well developed and quite convenient for moving around quickly. But it can also be used to visit the city in a more unusual way through its tramway lines and stops.
I invite you to download the app Ligne de ville which offers you free original stories and short contents including a lot of videos to enhance your journey.
Discover the districts of Strasbourg
Strasbourg is not only its picturesque Petite France district, its unavoidable cathedral or its European district with the Parliament, the Council of Europe or the Human Rights Palace. Strasbourg also has many rich and diverse quarters that are witnesses to the history of the Alsatian capital.
The city of Strasbourg has published a series of well-done guides to be downloaded freely to discover the districts of Strasbourg such as the Neudorf, the Neuhof, the Meinau or the Neustadt district, classified by UNESCO, through their history and their heritage. Unfortunately they are only available in French version.
Have fun doing unusual things in Strasbourg!
