Things to do in Colmar: 15 Must-See Places (Definitive Guide 2026)

There are places that seem taken from a fairytale, and Colmar is one of them. We arrived on a July day from Zurich, without many expectations, and we left completely in love. If you are looking for things to do in Colmar, we’ll give you a heads-up: this small city in Alsace, in eastern France, is one of those that will stay with you forever. Quiet canals, colorful timber-framed houses, and a historic center that you can explore on foot, without rushing and with your camera always ready.

In our nine+ years traveling the world, we have visited many pretty towns, but Alsace has a different kind of magic. We returned to the region several times and even stayed in Strasbourg for almost two months, so we speak from experience here. In this guide, we tell you everything: the spots you can’t miss, where to eat, how to get there, and our itinerary to make the most of Colmar. Let’s get started!

Summary: Things to do in Colmar – France

Why Colmar stole our hearts

Colmar is the third-largest city in Alsace, after Strasbourg and Mulhouse, but don’t let its size fool you. Its historic center is a true open-air museum. You walk through cobblestone streets and suddenly a crooked 15th-century house appears, a canal full of flowers, or a square with a fountain crowned by a Bartholdi sculpture.

What we liked most was that, unlike other tourist cities, Colmar retains an authentic atmosphere. Yes, there are tourists (many), but the center is still alive: there are locals shopping at the market, family-run wine bars, and that aroma of freshly baked bread that follows you everywhere. It is one of those cities that you enjoy slowly.

Furthermore, the location is ideal. Colmar is the perfect base to explore the famous Alsace Wine Route and fairytale villages like Eguisheim or Turckheim, which are just a few minutes away. But we’ll leave that for later. First, the important things.

How to get to Colmar

Colmar is very well connected, so getting there is very easy regardless of where you are coming from. We did it in a day from Zurich, and honestly, it was comfortable and fast.

• By train: it’s the most practical option. From Strasbourg, the trip takes just about 30 minutes, and the Colmar station is a 10-minute walk from the historic center. There are also frequent connections from Mulhouse, Basel, and other cities.
• By car: if you are going to explore Alsace, renting a car is highly recommended because it gives you total freedom to visit the villages. Keep in mind that the center of Colmar is pedestrian-only, so you will have to leave the car in a parking lot nearby.
• By bus: there are international buses that connect Colmar with cities like Zurich or Freiburg. In our case, we returned by direct bus to Zurich at night, and everything was very punctual.
• By plane: the closest airports are Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (about 70 km away) and Strasbourg.

Before you leave, we recommend having everything organized ahead of time. If you want ideas to plan your route, we leave you our guide on how to plan your trip step by step. And just in case, never travel without good travel insurance for Europe… it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Things to do in Colmar: the 15 must-see places

We’ve arrived at what you came to find. These are, for us, the essential places to see in Colmar. The good news is that almost all of them are concentrated in the historic center, so they can be easily covered on foot in one day.

1. La Petite Venise, the postcard of Colmar

If there is one place that defines Colmar, it’s La Petite Venise (“Little Venice”). It is the most photogenic neighborhood in the city, where the Lauch River meanders between colorful, flower-covered houses. The name comes from those canals that remind you, from a distance, of the Italian Venice.

We explored it first thing in the morning, before the crowds arrived, and it was magical. Everything in silence, with the reflection of the houses in the water. One of the best views is from the Pont Saint-Pierre. If you have the desire and time, you can take a boat ride through the canals, an experience that many travelers recommend to see it from another perspective.

2. Quai de la Poissonnerie and the Tanner’s District

Next to La Petite Venise is the Quai de la Poissonnerie, the former fisherman’s wharf. Here, the colorful houses line the water’s edge and form one of the most beautiful scenes in Colmar. Walk slowly and pay attention to the details of each facade.

Very close by, you will find the Tanner’s District (Quartier des Tanneurs), with its tall 17th-century timber-framed houses. These dwellings have so many floors because the tanners used to dry skins on the upper levels. Today, it is one of the most charming corners of the city.

3. The Covered Market (Marché Couvert)

This is one of our favorite places and, on top of that, it’s free to enter. Colmar’s Marché Couvert was built in 1865 and inside there are around twenty stalls with local products: cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, Alsatian wines, and much more. It’s the ideal place to mingle with the locals and, while you’re at it, taste specialties without spending a fortune.

TIP: there is a floating terrace at the back, right over one of the canals. Buy something tasty and sit down to enjoy it with a view of the water. Unmissable.

4. The Place de l’Ancienne Douane and the Koïfhus

The Place de l’Ancienne Douane (Old Customs House Square) is one of the liveliest squares in Colmar. In the center is the Fontaine Schwendi, another Bartholdi sculpture, surrounded by bars and restaurants with outdoor seating. It is a good spot to take a break.

The building that dominates the square is the Koïfhus, the former 15th-century customs house. It was the economic and political heart of the medieval city, and its colorful glazed tile roof is beautiful. Look up, it’s worth it.

5. The Maison Pfister, jewel of the Renaissance

The Maison Pfister is probably the most famous house in Colmar. Built in 1537 for a wealthy hatter, it features a wooden gallery, an angular turret, and frescoes on the facade that depict biblical and historical scenes. It is one of those houses that make you stop in your tracks to look at them in detail.

It is on Rue des Marchands, one of the most beautiful streets in the center, so you will definitely pass by it. Have your camera ready.

6. The Maison des Têtes (The House of Heads)

Another house you can’t miss. The Maison des Têtes was built in 1609 and owes its name to the 105 grotesque heads and masks that decorate its Renaissance facade. At the very top, a bronze sculpture of a cooper, work of Bartholdi, reminds us that the building was once used as a wine market.

Today it functions as a luxury hotel and restaurant, but the beauty is on the outside: stop to count how many faces you can find. It’s a game that never fails.

7. St. Martin’s Collegiate Church

In the heart of the historic center stands St. Martin’s Collegiate Church, an imposing 13th-century Gothic church that many mistake for a cathedral. Its size dominates the square, and its interior, with stained glass and an impressive organ, is worth visiting (admission is free).

Around the collegiate church is part of Colmar’s charm, with medieval houses and, in winter, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the city.

8. The Dominican Church

A few steps away is the Dominican Church (Église des Dominicains), which houses a true jewel: the Flemish panel painting The Virgin of the Rose Bower, painted by Martin Schongauer in 1473. It is a delicate and fascinating work, guarded under the roof of this Gothic church with beautiful 14th-century stained glass windows.

We are not huge museum-goers, but if you are interested in medieval art, many travelers point to it as one of the most special visits in Colmar.

9. The Unterlinden Museum

The Unterlinden Museum is one of the most visited museums in all of France outside of Paris, and that says enough. Its greatest treasure is the Isenheim Altarpiece, a Renaissance masterpiece painted by Grünewald and Nicolas de Haguenau between 1512 and 1516. It also has pieces of archaeology, Gothic art, and works by Monet or Picasso.

It is housed in a former 13th-century convent, which gives it a special charm. If you are an art lover, many travelers consider it a mandatory stop.
Keep in mind: it usually closes on Tuesdays, so check the hours before you go.

10. The Bartholdi Museum and the Statue of Liberty

Did you know that the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty in New York was born in Colmar? That’s right: Auguste Bartholdi was born here in 1834. His birthplace, at number 30 Rue des Marchands, is now the Bartholdi Museum, where models, drawings, and personal objects of the artist are exhibited.

And as a tribute, at the northern entrance to the city, there is a 12-meter replica of the Statue of Liberty, installed in 2004 to commemorate the centenary of the sculptor’s death. If you arrive by car, you will surely see it at a roundabout… and it will surprise you to find it there, in the middle of Alsace.

11. Place du 2 Février and St. Matthew’s Church

A little further from the hustle and bustle, the Place du 2 Février is a quiet square, ideal for resting from the crowds. There you can find St. Matthew’s Church, a Protestant temple with ancient stained glass that goes more unnoticed but has its charm.

It’s a good place to sit for a while and breathe before continuing your tour. Sometimes the less famous corners are the ones you enjoy the most.

12. The Village Hansi

On Rue des Têtes, you will find the Village Hansi, a museum and shop dedicated to Jean-Jacques Waltz, known as “Hansi,” the illustrator who portrayed traditional Alsace with those tender drawings of snowy villages and children in traditional costumes. Even if you don’t enter the museum, peek into the shop: the facade and the souvenirs are a treasure.

13. Timber-framed houses and floral corners

Beyond the specific monuments, the best thing about Colmar is to get lost. Each corner hides a colorful house, a balcony with geraniums, or a wrought-iron sign. Let yourself be carried away without a map along the Grand Rue, the Rue des Marchands, and the little streets that branch off from La Petite Venise. We assure you that you will take a thousand photos.

14. The Roesselmann Fountain

Next to La Petite Venise, in the Place des Six Montagnes Noires, is the Roesselmann Fountain, crowned by a bronze statue—again by Bartholdi—in honor of Jean Roesselmann, a local hero who died defending the independence of Colmar. One more detail that shows how much this city loves its most famous sculptor.

15. The pedestrian district and wine bars

To wrap up, nothing better than walking through the pedestrian streets of the center and entering a wine bar to taste the wines of the region. Here, wine is not a luxury; it is part of the culture. A well-chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer is the best way to say goodbye to Colmar. Cheers!

Colmar at Christmas: the capital of Alsatian magic

If there is a time when Colmar transforms into pure magic, it is at Christmas. Although we visited it in summer, we know that Alsace is, without a doubt, the queen of European Christmases. The city is filled with lights, garlands, and several Christmas markets spread throughout the historic center.

Colmar’s Christmas markets usually open from late November (in 2025 they started on November 25th) until December 29th. The most typical ones are set up in the Collegiate church square, the Dominican square, the Old Customs House, and next to La Petite Venise. Each one has its own personality.

A beautiful detail: during December, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, children’s choirs sing Christmas carols from illuminated boats that travel the canals of La Petite Venise. If you happen to see it, it is one of those moments you never forget. Mind you: at this time everything gets crowded and accommodation prices skyrocket, so book well in advance.

Where to eat in Colmar: Alsatian gastronomy

Let’s be honest: in Alsace, you eat incredibly well. The cuisine mixes the best of France and Germany, with hearty, tasty dishes perfect to pair with regional wine. In the center, there are many tourist restaurants, so it’s worth getting a little further away from the main squares to eat better and cheaper.

One of the best options to try local products without spending too much is the aforementioned Marché Couvert. And to start the day right, a good Alsatian brunch with a board of cheeses and cold cuts is a winning idea.

These are the typical dishes of Colmar and the Alsace area that you have to try:

• Tarte flambée (Flammekueche): a kind of thin pizza with cream, onion, and bacon. Our favorite.
• Choucroute: the star dish of Alsace, based on fermented cabbage with various types of meat and sausages.
• Baeckeoffe: a stew of three meats (pork, lamb, and beef) cooked in white wine with potatoes.
• Quiche Lorraine: although it originates from the neighboring region of Lorraine, it is on every menu.
• Bretzels: those bread knots with coarse salt that you will see everywhere.
• Foie gras and Alsatian-style snails: for the more gourmet.
• Kougelhopf: a raisin and almond sponge cake with a very peculiar shape, ideal for a snack.

And to accompany it, the wines. The Riesling is, for us, the king of Alsace: dry, fresh, and perfect with local food. If you like sweeter and more aromatic wines, try the Gewürztraminer, which goes great with the local Munster cheese. You will also find Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Sylvaner. Impossible to choose just one.

Itinerary for seeing Colmar in one day

Since we went in a day trip from Zurich, we put together a route that makes good use of the hours. If you only have one day, this itinerary fits perfectly:

• Morning: walk from the train station to La Petite Venise. Have a quiet breakfast at a cafe in the neighborhood or at the Marché Couvert and explore the canals with the soft morning light.
• Mid-morning: continue to the Quai de la Poissonnerie, the Tanner’s District, and the Place de l’Ancienne Douane with the Koïfhus.
• Noon: have something typical for lunch (a tarte flambée never fails) and start the house route: Maison Pfister, Maison des Têtes, and Rue des Marchands.
• Afternoon: visit St. Martin’s Collegiate Church, the Dominican Church, and, if you are interested in art, the Unterlinden Museum. End the day by getting lost in the pedestrian streets.

One day is enough to see the essentials of Colmar, but if you can stay overnight, even better: the city at night, without the crowds, is something else.

For updated hours of museums, events, and Christmas markets, you can consult the official Colmar tourist office.

Where to stay in Colmar

Colmar is an ideal base for exploring all of Alsace, so it is worth spending at least one night. The most recommended areas are the historic center (to have everything steps away, although more expensive) or the well-connected outskirts, where you get better prices and, often, parking included if you travel by car.

We recommend booking in advance, especially in high season and at Christmas, when prices skyrocket. Here we leave you a map with the best accommodation options in Colmar for all budgets:

Where to Sleep in Colmar: Map and Prices

On the map below you can move, zoom, and filter by your dates to see real accommodation prices in Colmar:

Excursions from Colmar through Alsace

If there is something we learned on our trips around the region, it’s that Colmar is enjoyed even more when you use it as a starting point. A few minutes away you have some of the most beautiful villages in France:

• Eguisheim: just 7 km away, a circular fairytale village that is one of the most beautiful in France. Unmissable.
• Turckheim: known for its night watchman who still patrols the streets, it’s perfect for a quiet visit.
• Strasbourg: the capital of Alsace, where we stayed for almost two months. Its cathedral and the Petite France neighborhood will fascinate you.

If you have several days, the ideal is to rent a car and travel the Wine Route, stopping in the villages at your own pace. It is one of the plans we enjoyed the most in Europe.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Colmar

How many days are needed to see Colmar?

One full day is enough to see the essentials of the historic center, as everything can be toured on foot. But if you want to enjoy it without rushing and use it as a base to visit other villages in Alsace, the ideal is to stay two or three days.

What is the best time to visit Colmar?

Colmar is beautiful all year round. In spring and summer, you will find the houses full of flowers and an ideal climate for strolling. At Christmas, however, it is transformed with its famous Christmas markets, although there are more people and prices rise significantly.

Is Colmar prettier than Strasbourg?

They are different and both are worth it. Colmar is smaller, intimate, and fairytale-like, while Strasbourg is larger, with its imposing cathedral and more urban life. Our advice: visit both, they are just 30 minutes away by train.

What can you see in Colmar for free?

A lot. Touring La Petite Venise, the Tanner’s District, the squares, historical houses like the Maison Pfister and the Maison des Têtes, the Marché Couvert, and St. Martin’s Collegiate Church costs nothing. The true charm of Colmar is in its streets.

How to get from Colmar to other Alsatian villages?

The most comfortable way is by renting a car, which gives you total freedom to stop wherever you want. Likewise, several villages are connected by train or bus from Colmar, which acts as a transport hub for the region.

Is it worth visiting Colmar with little time?

Yes, totally. Even if you only have a few hours, Colmar is one of those cities that you enjoy immediately. Its center is compact and La Petite Venise alone justifies the stop. For us, one day was enough to fall in love.

Conclusion: Colmar, a piece of fairytale in Alsace

After so many years of traveling, we can sincerely tell you that few cities left us with as sweet a feeling as Colmar. Knowing things to do in Colmar is easy; the hard part is leaving. Its canals, its colorful houses, and that fairytale atmosphere catch you as soon as you step into La Petite Venise.

Whether you visit it in summer, with facades laden with flowers, or at Christmas, wrapped in lights and markets, Colmar never disappoints. Our best advice is to tour it slowly, get lost in its little streets, and have a Riesling without rushing. And, above all, use it as an excuse to discover the rest of Alsace. It will steal your heart, just as it stole ours!

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