FR · Grand Est · 48.58°N 7.75°E

strasbourg

Timbered canal houses, a sandstone cathedral and Christmas stalls across the old town.

Best time
May, June and September are good for walking and boat trips. Through Advent the old town fills with Christmas markets: cold, crowded and very festive. January and February are grey, and July and August can be hot.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly direct to Paris on Malaysia Airlines (about 13.5 hours), then the TGV from Gare de l'Est to Strasbourg (about 2 hours; some leave straight from CDG airport). The old town is a 10-minute walk from the station. France is 6 hours behind KL in summer and 7 in winter.
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FR · Grand Eststrasbourg48.58°N 7.75°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Timbered canal houses, a sandstone cathedral and Christmas stalls across the old town.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingStrasbourgFR, Grand Est
KLstrasbourg
≈ 10,035 km from KL, as the crow flies
The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Strasbourg, France

Photo: Jonathan Martz · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Strasbourg is French café life with German-style timbered houses, right on the border. The pink sandstone cathedral towers over everything, and Petite France is made for a slow walk over the canal bridges.

Makan

  1. Tarte flambéeAlsace's thin, crisp flatbread with cream and onions. The classic has pork lardons, but many places do a cheese or mushroom one too.Map ↗
  2. BretzelSoft, salty pretzels from the bakeries, an easy snack between squares.Map ↗
  3. BredeleLittle Alsatian Christmas biscuits, sold by the bag at the markets and bakeries in December.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Petite FranceThe old tanners' and millers' quarter, with timbered houses leaning over locks and canals.Map ↗
  2. Strasbourg CathedralPink sandstone carved like lace, an astronomical clock inside and a platform you can climb for the view.Map ↗
  3. A boat trip on the IllGlass-roofed boats loop round the old town and out to the European Parliament.Map ↗
  4. The Christmas marketsWooden stalls and lights across the old town's squares in December; the oldest, on Place Broglie, dates back to 1570.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The Christmas markets are far calmer on weekdays. Stay central so you can walk back after dark, and look for the hot spiced apple juice if you skip the mulled wine.
  • Turkish döner and lahmacun places are all over town and the easiest halal meal; the traditional winstubs lean heavily on pork.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.