Colmar in 5 days

Alsace's fairytale capital: half-timbered houses, canals of Little Venice and the greatest Christmas markets in France. Best time to visit: May-June, September, and late November-December. Average daily budget: $110 to $190 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Petite Venise, Canal-side half-timbered houses and flat-bottomed boat rides, the postcard Colmar.

Morning: Unterlinden Museum. Stand before Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece, one of the most powerful paintings in Europe.

Afternoon: Explore Petite Venise, Canal-side half-timbered houses and flat-bottomed boat rides, the postcard Colmar.

Evening: Petite Venise boat ride. Take a 25-minute flat-bottomed boat along the Lauch through flower-hung houses.

Eat: Tarte flambée (flammekueche) with bacon and onion

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Quartier des Tanneurs, Tall narrow tanners' houses restored in the 1970s, best at golden hour.

Morning: Alsace wine route loop. Drive or cycle to Eguisheim and Riquewihr for Riesling and Gewürztraminer tastings.

Afternoon: Explore Quartier des Tanneurs, Tall narrow tanners' houses restored in the 1970s, best at golden hour.

Evening: Christmas markets. Six themed markets light the old town from late November to late December.

Eat: Choucroute garnie and baeckeoffe casserole

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Vieille Ville, The core around Place de l'Ancienne Douane and the Koïfhus customs house.

Morning: The Bartholdi Museum, birthplace of the Statue of Liberty's sculptor.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Vieille Ville, The core around Place de l'Ancienne Douane and the Koïfhus customs house.

Evening: Église des Dominicains and its luminous Virgin in the Rose Bower.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Kougelhopf and bretzels from a village bakery

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Quartier de la Krutenau, The old market-gardeners' district, quieter and lived-in.

Morning: Marché Couvert's Alsatian charcuterie and cheese stalls on a weekday morning.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Quartier de la Krutenau, The old market-gardeners' district, quieter and lived-in.

Evening: The vineyard footpath above Eguisheim at sunset with the Vosges behind.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Dry Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Crémant d'Alsace

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Route des Vins villages, Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, all within 15 minutes.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Route des Vins villages, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Route des Vins villages, Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, all within 15 minutes.

Evening: Dinner at Tarte flambée (flammekueche) with bacon and onion, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Route des Vins villages.

Eat: Tarte flambée (flammekueche) with bacon and onion

Hidden gems

The Bartholdi Museum, birthplace of the Statue of Liberty's sculptor.
Église des Dominicains and its luminous Virgin in the Rose Bower.
Marché Couvert's Alsatian charcuterie and cheese stalls on a weekday morning.
The vineyard footpath above Eguisheim at sunset with the Vosges behind.

Getting around

Colmar's station is 10 minutes' walk from the old town, with direct TER trains from Strasbourg in 30 minutes and TGV connections from Paris in about 2h40. Basel-Mulhouse airport is 45 minutes away. The centre is entirely walkable and largely pedestrianised, and bikes are ideal for the vineyards. A car or a small-group wine tour helps for the more remote Route des Vins villages.

Safety

Colmar is very safe, including at night, with pickpocketing at the Christmas markets the only real concern. Winter cobbles get slippery and December crowds are intense on weekends, when parking fills by mid-morning. Book accommodation months ahead for the Christmas season, when prices roughly double and nearby towns sell out too.

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