5 Best Day Trips From Strasbourg France You’ll Love

Taking day trips from Strasbourg, France, is one of the easiest and most fun ways to see more of the Alsace region. All without having to move hotels every night!

When I was in Europe last December, I made Strasbourg my home base and took several day trips to nearby towns (even over the border to Switzerland and Luxembourg!).

Colmar ended up being my favorite, but there were a few other stops that totally surprised me with their charm, history, and cozy Christmas vibes.

If you’re trying to figure out which places are doable as a day trip from Strasbourg, this post is for you.

I’m sharing my top five favorites, including how to get to each one and what makes them special, so that you can plan your own unforgettable adventures.

The 5 Best Day Trips From Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is the perfect home base for exploring the Alsace region.

When I visited, I loved how I could spend the day discovering somewhere new and still be back in Strasbourg by dinner. And back in my same hotel room!

There are so many charming villages and even nearby countries, just a short train ride away. Honestly, the hardest part was choosing where to go first!

To make it easier for you, I’ve narrowed it down to the five best day trips from Strasbourg, France, that I truly think are worth your time.

These spots are beautiful, easy to get to, and full of charm.

1. Day Trip to Colmar

If you only have time for one day trip from Strasbourg, let it be Colmar. It’s just a quick 30-minute train ride, so it’s super easy to add to your itinerary.

The second you arrive, it feels like you’ve stepped into a real-life storybook.

Colmar is known for its colorful half-timbered houses, pretty canals, and the charming “Little Venice” neighborhood that looks beautiful year-round.

The Old Town is small and easy to walk, which means you don’t need a car to enjoy it all in one day!

If you’re visiting around Christmas, like I did, it’s even more magical. The lights, market stalls, and over-the-top decorations make it feel like a holiday movie set.

Out of all the day trips I took, Colmar was my favorite. It has that perfect mix of charm, history, and holiday magic that makes you fall in love with the Alsace region.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth a day? Absolutely. Don’t skip it.

If you don’t have a lot of time and need help deciding whether to visit Colmar or Strasbourg, I’ve got you covered with my post, where I do a complete comparison of the two.

2. Day Trip to Ribeauville

Ribeauvillé is about an hour from Strasbourg by train, with a short bus ride at the end. But don’t worry, it’s easy to navigate.

This little town is one of the prettiest villages in the Alsace wine region. It’s full of colorful medieval houses, cobblestone streets, and a main street lined with shops, bakeries, and wine cellars where you can sample local Alsatian wines.

What makes Ribeauvillé extra special are the castle ruins perched above the village. It’s also a little quieter than Colmar, so you can really enjoy a more local vibe.

If you love a mix of history, wine, and half-timbered charm, Ribeauvillé is absolutely worth the trip.

3. Day Trip to Riquewihr

Riquewihr is about an hour and 15 minutes from Strasbourg by train and bus, and let me tell you, it’s worth the trip.

This tiny village is often named one of the most beautiful in all of France. Some even say it inspired Belle’s hometown in Beauty and the Beast.

With its colorful half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and vineyards all around, it really does feel like stepping into a Disney movie.

The town is quite small, so you don’t need a full day here.

You can spend your time browsing local shops, sipping Alsatian wine in local cellars, and just enjoying the slower pace.

And if you’re visiting during the holidays, the Christmas decorations make it feel even more magical.

4. Day Trip to Basel

One of the best parts about staying in Strasbourg is how easy it is to visit another country for the day. Basel, Switzerland, is just over an hour away by train, which makes it a super easy day trip.

I visited Basel during my Christmas market trip, and it honestly ended up being one of the best surprises.

The city has this really cool mix of French, German, and Swiss culture that you can feel in the food, architecture, and overall vibe. The Old Town is full of charm, with winding cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a big, beautiful cathedral that really stands out.

If you’re visiting during the holidays, the Christmas markets here are some of the best in Switzerland.

One of my favorite little moments was visiting the Dreiländereck. It’s the exact spot where France, Germany, and Switzerland all meet.

It’s marked with a monument right by the river, and it’s such a fun and unique photo op! You can say that you were in three countries at once. (Well, sort of.)

So, if you’re looking to squeeze in another country into your trip without much effort, I think Basel is a must.

5. Day Trip to Luxembourg

Out of all my day trips from Strasbourg, France, Luxembourg was the furthest. But definitely worth the effort!

The train ride takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes, so you’ll want to get an early start. But once you’re there, you’ll be exploring one of Europe’s smallest (and most underrated) countries in a single day.

I visited in December, and the Christmas markets were pretty great. They’re smaller than some of the others I’d seen, but still super festive with good food stalls, lights, and decorations.

Even if you’re not visiting during the holidays, the Old Town is beautiful and full of charm, with cobblestone streets, lots of cafés, and a unique blend of French and German influences.

One of my favorite parts was walking the Chemin de la Corniche, which is often called “Europe’s most beautiful balcony.” The views over the valley and fortress walls were incredible. I also explored the Bock Casemates—these underground tunnels carved into the cliffs are both historic and a little spooky.

Luxembourg might not be the first place you think of when planning a trip to Alsace, but if you’re up for a slightly longer day, it makes for a really fun and unique addition to your itinerary.

Tips For Taking Day Trips From Strasbourg

When I used Strasbourg as my home base, I quickly learned that a few simple tricks can make day trips so much easier.

These are the things I wish someone had told me before I went, so I’m sharing them with you.

Book Guided Day Trips Instead of on Your Own

If you’re short on time or just don’t want to stress about planning, booking a guided tour is such a good idea. It makes things so simple.

No figuring out train schedules, no renting a car, no worrying about directions. You just show up and enjoy the day.

When I travel, I usually book with Viator, but I’ve also used GetYourGuide and really like both. They make it super easy to find the right tour, and they work with local guides who really know the ins and outs of the destination.

I also love that they offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, which has saved me more than once when plans changed at the last minute.

If you’re anything like me and like to keep travel as stress-free as possible, guided tours are totally worth it. You get to learn more, relax more, and just take it all in.

>> Book Your Strasbourg Day Trips on Viator Here <<

>> Also, Check out GetYourGuide’s Day Trips Here! <<

Use Omio For Your Train Tickets

If you’re planning to take the train for any of your day trips, do yourself a favor and use Omio. It’s the only app I use to book my train tickets when I travel around Europe.

You can compare routes, see prices, and keep all your tickets in one spot on your phone. No printing, no scrambling at the station, and no stress. It made the whole process really simple.

Book Your Accommodation Near The Train Station

One of the biggest tips I can give you for doing day trips from Strasbourg is to book your hotel near the train station! It makes those early mornings and late returns so much easier.

You can just roll out the door and walk to your train within minutes. No scrambling for taxis or figuring out public transportation.

The best part is that in Strasbourg, the train station is only a short walk from the historic old town, which also happens to be the best area to stay if it’s your first visit.

So you get the convenience of quick access to trains and the charm of being close to all the main sights.

I’d Choose One Of These Hotels

These three hotels are my top picks. They’re popular for a reason, so if you see availability, snatch it up ASAP!

That’s a Wrap

Strasbourg totally stole my heart, but what really made the trip unforgettable were the easy day trips I took from there.

I based myself in Strasbourg for three days last December and used the train to hop around to nearby towns (and even other countries!). It made my trip feel full and exciting without the stress of constantly changing hotels.

From fairytale villages like Colmar and Riquewihr to the surprising charm of Basel and Luxembourg, each place had its own beauty, making the whole trip feel even more magical.

If it’s your first time visiting the region, I can’t recommend adding a few of these day trips enough. It’s such an easy way to see more, experience more, and fall even deeper in love with Alsace.

And if you’re heading to Europe during the holidays, be sure to grab my free European Christmas Market Guide—it’s packed with sample itineraries and tips that I personally used to plan my own trip.