The fairytale starts here
Colmar looks like a scene straight out of a fairytale. Gorgeous half-timbered houses and colourful balconies full of flowers set a unique stage. The canals reflect all those colours. Everything feels calmer and more relaxed. The air smells of cinnamon in winter and of flowers in spring. Colmar is a town that makes you walk a little more slowly, notice the details on the façades and pause on the little wooden bridges. Within a few blocks you’ll come across Little Venice (Petite Venise) — perhaps the most tender scene in town. There, the beauty of the houses is reflected in the canals and every turn becomes a photo backdrop.
At Christmas, the squares fill with sparkling decorations. Five different Christmas markets, each with its own character. Here follows our guide to the sights of Colmar. Short stops, short distances, all on foot. Walk the “Little Venice” of Alsace. Try vin chaud, cinnamon tarts, handmade biscuits and chocolates. Let your gaze linger on shop windows that look like they came out of a fairytale.
Leave room for little surprises; here the moments don’t shout — they simply find you.
Why you’ll love it
- It’s easy to walk and you feel safe.
- Little Venice delivers magical moments at any hour.
- The seasons transform the town beautifully.
- Alsace on a plate: crispy Flammekueche, local flavours and fragrant sweets.
- Regional wines for wonderful, atmospheric afternoons.
- Every corner is a unique photo backdrop, with zero effort.
- The Christmas markets warm up the atmosphere.
The main sights in Colmar
Time to get to know the sights of Colmar. They’re all close together, ideal for walking. Short stops, short distances and everything on foot. From Little Venice to the Old Town, from the Maison Pfister to the Unterlinden. Here is the ideal route to see the best of it and enjoy it all without rushing.
Little Venice (Petite Venise)
The town’s signature neighbourhood. Canals, half-timbered houses, bridges framing the picture. The best first image of the town.
How to experience it: come early in the morning for quiet light. Try dusk too, for warmer colours and cosy reflections. Stand on the small bridge of Rue Turenne — a narrow, historic street that crosses the canal and offers the “classic” view. Then walk to the Quai de la Poissonnerie. It’s one of the oldest quarters of the town. Once upon a time this was a fishermen’s haunt. Today you walk along one of the loveliest pedestrian streets of Colmar. A route beside the water with views that change at every step. Small corners, big photographs.
Old Town (Vieux Colmar)
Alleys weaving between squares, little shops with ornaments and souvenirs, patisseries and bakeries full of treats. This is the rhythm of Colmar. You don’t need a map. You won’t get lost anywhere — except among beautiful people, elegant little shops and stalls full of goodies and traditional treats. Follow your instinct and wander.
A short 20′ route: Place de la Cathédrale (the cathedral’s central square) → Rue des Marchands (a shopping street lined with historic houses) → Place de l’Ancienne Douane (the “old customs house” square) → Quai de la Poissonnerie (the riverside “fishermen’s promenade”). Stop wherever a lovely façade or a pretty alley “winks” at you.
Maison Pfister
A jewel of a house from the 16th century. Wooden balconies, painted details, corners that shine through every lens. Not many words are needed. Just one look upwards.
Tip: pass by twice, morning and afternoon. The light transforms the house and the picture is magical.
Koïfhus (Old Customs House)
A historic building with a trading past. A hub between the market and the canals. A central point from which to continue your exploration.
Why stop: its square is perfect for a break. Take a pause. There you’ll feel the town flowing past you.
Saint-Martin Church
A Gothic church in the heart of Colmar. The stone, the stained glass, the square around it. It’s a point of orientation — and a place to catch your breath.
Tip: if you like, step inside for a few minutes. Quiet, cool, a lovely break in your wanderings.
Unterlinden Museum
A monastery complex turned art museum. There you’ll see medieval and Renaissance works and sculptures in courtyards and cloisters. There’s also a newer wing with more contemporary art. Ideal for a quiet rainy day, towards the afternoon.
Allow around an hour for the visit. Go late in the afternoon, then sit for a coffee and a croissant nearby.
In this order you’ll see the essential sights of Colmar at a relaxed pace, without stressing to fit them all in. Our next stop, in its own right: the markets and the festive side of the town.
Christmas markets in Colmar
From late November, Colmar gets dressed up and thousands of little lights come on. Fairy lights in the windows. Wooden chalets and lovely stalls in the squares. Music mingling with laughter.
The Christmas markets of Colmar spread across the Old Town. You’ll find little chalets with ornaments, ceramic handicrafts, souvenirs and local sweets. Each square has its own character and its own personality. One is more romantic. Another more “gastronomic”. Near Little Venice there’s also a more “family-friendly” atmosphere.
What to try: Vin chaud in French or Glühwein in German. Whatever you call it, it’s the hot, aromatic wine drunk in winter. And it’s the best thing you can sip as you wander through this wintry fairytale setting. Don’t forget the spiced biscuits, tarts, croissants and chocolates. Small hand-held treats for the road.
When to go: early evening — unique lighting, wonderful atmosphere. Weekends bring more people; go on a weekday for a quieter stroll.
Small tips: keep cash for small purchases. Wear gloves and dress up warm and snug, so your hands stay toasty for the stroll and the photos. Otherwise, hold a mug of hot wine!
If you want ideas for a winter route, take a look at our Glühwein roadtrip — it pairs beautifully with the atmosphere of Colmar.
Food & wine in Alsace
Colmar and the whole Alsace region love warm flavours and aromas.
Flammeküche or tarte flambée: thin, crispy dough, like a pizza with cream, onions and bacon.
Choucroute: pickled cabbage with charcuterie. Rich and wintry.
Baeckeoffe (“baker’s oven”): meat with potatoes and vegetables, marinated in white wine, cooked for hours in a ceramic pot. Ideal for cold days.
Sweets: Kougelhopf, a soft and fluffy brioche, sweet with raisins or even in savoury variations. Also tarts, cinnamon and spice biscuits and, of course, croissants in endless flavours and variations
In the glass: Riesling (a local white wine) for freshness. Gewürztraminer (an aromatic white with spicy notes) for a fragrant sip. Pinot Gris for something fuller. Crémant d’Alsace if you fancy a champagne-style sparkling.
Small tip: try the plat du jour (dish of the day) with a glass of local wine. It’s often the best choice.
And if you want something simple and honest, step into a Winstub (a traditional Alsatian bistro-tavern). A warm space, wooden seats, low lights. Local specialities, lovely people and lots of smiles.
When to go to Colmar
- December: festive atmosphere and markets. Lots of people. Book early.
- Spring (Apr–May): mild temperatures, flowers everywhere. Ideal for walking.
- Summer: long days, tables by the water. More touristy.
- Autumn (Sept–Oct): vineyards turning gold. Lovely for the Route des Vins.
- Weekend or weekday? Weekday for fewer crowds.
- Best hours in town: morning for quiet light, dusk for photos.
How to get to Colmar & how to get around town
By plane:
- Frequent connections with Strasbourg (SXB), Basel–Mulhouse (BSL/MLH) and Zurich (ZRH).
- From there, train or car to Colmar.
By train:
- Frequent connections from Strasbourg (~30′).
- For times/connections, see Strasbourg → Colmar routes.
- A good option for day trips.
Driving / Roadtrip:
- Easy access via the Route des Vins.
- Parking around the edges of the Old Town; then walk.
- You can visit it with the Glühwein roadtrip we run every December. We combine it with the snow-covered Swiss Alps and elegant Lake Como. See the detailed guide to Lake Como with sights, stops and little getaways.
Getting around town:
- The centre is pedestrianised. You can go everywhere on foot.
- Bike for longer distances.
- Buses/taxis exist around the centre, but you won’t need them anywhere.
Useful:
- Offline maps on your phone.
- Cash for small purchases at the stalls.
Little day trips around Colmar
A few ideas for short excursions. Start your first day with the Old Town and Little Venice. Then Saint-Martin and a brief stop at the Unterlinden. In the evening, flammekueche. On the second day, put Riquewihr (a medieval village) and Ribeauvillé (a medieval small town) on the plan for colourful alleys. Then Eguisheim (a circular village, like a “dollhouse”). Climb up to Haut-Koenigsbourg. A medieval castle on a ridge, with breathtaking views over villages and vineyards.
Drive calmly among the vineyards of the Route des Vins and make a stop at a winery for a glass of Riesling. For photos, head out early in the morning or near sunset: the water and the façades are lit softly. If you prefer winter wanderings, this pattern pairs perfectly with the winter Glühwein route — you can add a detour to the Swiss Alps and return late to Colmar for an evening stroll along the canals.
The fairytale doesn’t end in Colmar — it simply continues
From Little Venice to the next stop, every moment of the stroll is worth it.
Every neighbourhood has a moment that wins you over. In Colmar, one glance at the canal and everything changes. A light that warms the colours and the atmosphere. Delicious treats and hot wine with the best company in a setting you’ll remember forever.
You come for the sights. You stay for the beautiful moments with the new travellers you’ve just met. For the little stops that become stories. That’s why it’s worth coming.
Let’s experience Colmar up close. Simply, slowly, just as it deserves.
If winter and the Christmas atmosphere tempt you, come join our crew. We tie Colmar together with canals, lights and wine and the unique Swiss Alps. With stops that smell of spices and streets that sparkle.
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With love for travel, roadtrips and adventure.
The Altervan team
