Strasbourg is a Franco-German border city where half-timbered houses lean over glassy canals and a rose-pink Gothic cathedral soars above a tangle of medieval lanes. The historic core, the Grande Ile, sits on an island ringed by the River Ill and is compact enough to cross on foot in twenty minutes, so the smart approach is to walk everywhere and let the city reveal itself slowly. Start early at the cathedral to beat the tour groups, watch the astronomical clock perform at 12:30, then drift west into La Petite France, the old tanners' quarter of leaning timber gables and covered bridges. Eat like an Alsatian: choucroute garnie in a wood-panelled winstub, a crisp tarte flambee straight from a wood oven, baeckeoffe stew, and munster cheese, all washed down with a glass of dry Riesling or floral Gewurztraminer. Many winstubs close between lunch and dinner and take Sunday or Monday off, so plan and book ahead. Save time for the Rohan palace museums, a boat trip on the Ill, and the modern European Parliament quarter. In December the whole city becomes one vast Christmas market, the oldest in France.
A full, walkable day in Strasbourg, free for everyone. Set your pace and start time.
The interior is free; the 332-step tower climb is ticketed and best done early. Come back inside for the astronomical clock later.
Admire the carved 1589 facade on the cathedral square, then slip behind to the quiet courtyard square for a first coffee.
One ticket covers the decorative arts, fine arts and archaeology museums; the grand ceremonial apartments are the highlight.
Follow the canals through the tanners' quarter; the leaning timber houses along Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes are the prettiest.
The rooftop terrace of the Vauban dam is free and gives the postcard view back over the towers and gables.
The city's main square is good for people-watching and shopping; the arcaded Aubette lines its north side.
Order several tartes flambees to share, classic then sweet apple to finish, with a jug of Edelzwicker or a glass of Riesling.
The rose-sandstone Gothic masterpiece that was the world's tallest building for over two centuries; climb the 332-step platform for a rooftop view, and time your visit for the astronomical clock's figures at 12:30.
Postcard-perfect half-timbered house from 1572 leaning over the canal in La Petite France, celebrated for its generous choucroute garnie and old-Alsace dining rooms.
The former tanners', millers' and fishermen's quarter of leaning half-timbered houses and flower-lined canals; wander at dawn or dusk when the crowds thin and the water mirrors the gables.
Three medieval watchtowers linked by bridges guarding the western tip of the island; walk across for the classic photo, then continue to the Barrage Vauban terrace behind.
A 17th-century defensive dam and covered gallery whose rooftop terrace gives the best free panorama of the Ponts Couverts and La Petite France; go up for sunset.
The sumptuous 18th-century bishops' palace on the riverbank now holding three museums, including the decorative arts apartments and the fine arts gallery; one ticket covers all three.
A folk museum spread through interlinked old houses with wooden galleries, recreating Alsatian rural life across painted rooms, costumes and kitchens; allow an unhurried hour.
The city's most famous winstub since 1873, a red-checked room behind the cathedral serving baeckeoffe, coq au Riesling and tete de veau to locals and presidents alike.
Strasbourg's grand gastronomic table, a Michelin-starred institution near Place Kleber pairing refined Alsatian produce with a legendary regional wine cellar.
Snug beamed winstub on the old cheese market square, prized for grilled munster, presskopf and hearty Alsatian plates in a warmly wood-lined room.
Dining inside the ornately carved 1427 merchant house on the cathedral square, known for its towering fisherman's choucroute of three fish under painted vaulted ceilings.
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France