Strasbourg (German: Straßburg, Alsatian: Strossburi), in Alsace, is the capital of the Grand-Est region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre - the Grande Île, which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Strasbourg is the ninth largest city in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine. The city is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the Eurocorps, the European Audiovisual Observatory and, most famously, the European Parliament, which also holds sessions in Brussels. Strasbourg is a popular tourist destination primarily thanks to the beautifully preserved and pedestrian-friendly city centre, which can be explored on foot or bicycle in a few days.
Strasbourg is most easily explored on foot, and the historic city centre can easily be explored in a day or two. To be able to cover more ground, you should consider hiring a bike or using the public transport network. Strasbourg is ideal for cycling - the city center is flat and there are plenty of bike lanes and bike paths. You can rent bikes at: the automatic or manned bike sharing stations vélhop. rue du Maire Kuss, in front of the train station rue des Bouchers, on the south bank of the Ill river, near the rue d'Austerlitz and the Porte de l'Hôpital tramway station. Bikes are allowed on trams except during peak hours. More information on cycling in Strasbourg is available on the Str…
1 Cathédrale Notre Dame. Built between 1176 and 1439 and with a 142-m tower (the highest cathedral tower in France), the Gothic cathedral is undoubtedly Strasbourg's finest architectural highlight. Check out the astrometric clock inside the cathedral. Free admission. (updated Sep 2018) 2 Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre Dame - Medieval and Renaissance Art, place du Château. A splendid museum of medieval religious art related to the cathedral. €6.5. (updated Sep 2018) 3 Maison Kammerzell (The Kammerzell house) (to the left of the front of the cathedral). The intricately carved half-timbered frames decorating the upper floors date from 1589. (updated Sep 2018) 4 Palais des Rohan.
Walking around the old town is a very nice way to pass a day. And there are lots of good cafes to stop and rest in as you make your tour. Boat tours along the Rhine offer views over both Strasbourg and neighbouring Germany. Batorama offer several river tours lasting from around 45 minutes to a few hours, costing around €10 per person. 45-min tours run around the town center and the European district. Boats can be found below Place du Marché aux Poissons. Football: RC Strasbourg Alsace play soccer in Ligue 1, the top tier in France.
Alsatian specialties are numerous and can be eaten in many traditional restaurants, in the city or in the neighborhood. Particularly you shouldn't visit Alsace without having the sauerkraut (choucroute in French). Choucroute seems to have a standard price throughout Alsace of €14. Don't be too dismayed by this seemingly high price as what is brought to you is a heaping plate of Sauerkraut (big enough for 2 people) as well as sausages and other meats. This is usually translated as "garnished sauerkraut" on English menus, when in doubt ask your server. There is also a delicious fish choucroute.
Beer: Alsace is the first beer-producing region of France and Strasbourg has many breweries. Best known are Kronenbourg and Fischer, whose factories can be visited for free, with free drinks at the end of the tour. Alsatian white wine: usually drunk with Alsatian food, but also with fish. The main varieties are Gewürtztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. They have a particularly floral flavour and are well worth investigating. Explore it on the Alsace Wine Route with free tastings everywhere. 1 Les BerThoM, 18 Rue des Tonneliers, ☏ +33 3 88 32 81 18. Beer bar near la place Gutenburg. Spacious with an agreeable atmosphere.
Strasbourg is just like any other major French city: there are safe areas and there are unsafe areas. In any case, standard safety precautions need to be applied. In the city center, watch out for pickpockets near the Cathedral (and even inside, according to the signs), during the high tourist season, and throughout the old town. The areas immediately surrounding the railway station might look unsavory at night, but there are usually lots of people around there, and the streets are well-lit. Avoid looking like a lost tourist and you will be fine.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Strasbourg typically sees ~25°C daytime highs and 14 rainy days.
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