15 Best Things To Do In Strasbourg In Summer 2026

Why Visit Strasbourg In The Summer?

I lived in Strasbourg for two years, so I have experienced every season in the city.

Most of the activities in Strasbourg are not weather-specific, so it is possible to visit any time of the year and have a good time! 

That being said, while there is something to do regardless of when you visit, my favorite season in Strasbourg is summer. 

Winters in Strasbourg are cold, it can snow, and temperatures are often around 0 – one thing to keep in mind if you’re backpacking Europe in winter.

The autumn colors in Strasbourg are beautiful, but it rains a lot. Spring is unpredictable, as some days will be sunny and warm while others will be cold and rainy.

Strasbourg summers are not very hot. The temperature hardly ever goes over 30 °C.

That makes for the perfect summer weather and takes away one of the main downsides of backpacking Europe in summer.

The city blooms, terraces are busy with locals enjoying a drink as the sun sets, and the canals and parks are full of chatter and people enjoying picnics. 

The Best Things To Do In Strasbourg In Summer

1. Explore Petite France 

Petite France is the most charming and picturesque neighborhood in Strasbourg.

The river Ill flows through the neighborhood, connected by many bridges, resembling Venice. 

If you have just one day in Strasbourg, La Petite France should be your first stop.

While Petit France is beautiful regardless of the time of year you visit, it is especially lovely in the summer.

You will notice that half-timbered, historic houses are decorated with colorful flowers, just like the bridges and paths along the canals.

Some of the highlights in Petite France are Place Benjamin Zix Square, Covered Bridges and Vauban Dam, steps on the Quai de la Bruche, Tanners’ house, and St. Martin Bridge.

2. Walk around Grand Ile and admire Strasbourg Cathedral

The Grand Ile is home to the historic city center of Strasbourg and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The island, surrounded by the River Ill, is mainly a pedestrian area. 

The most prominent landmark in the city center of Strasbourg is the impressive Strasbourg Cathedral. This Gothic masterpiece used to be the highest building in the whole of Alsace. 

It is equally as beautiful inside as it is on the outside. Inside the Cathedral, you will find the Astronomical Clock. The main attraction is the animated figures that come to life every day at 12:30. 

For the best view of Strasbourg and the Alsace region, climb the Cathedral Tower. Check out the prices and working hours of the cathedral here. 

Some of the most stunning places in the city center of Strasbourg are Lycée International des Pontonniers, St. Paul’s Church, and Place Kleber.

3. Go On a Free Guided Walking tour

While strolling the streets of Strasbourg on your own is fun, how about discovering hidden gems with a local?

Free walking tours are super affordable – you tip the guide the amount you can pay.

Your guide will take you to some of Strasbourg’s hidden gems and tell you fascinating stories about city attractions.

I loved the free walking tour I joined, and I learned so much about places I walked by every day but never noticed!

4. Have a picnic in the Orangerie Park or Park Heyritz

French love picnics. As soon as there is a sunny day, Strasbourg parks and canals are filled with people on blankets enjoying an afternoon apéro. 

What do you need for a perfect French picnic? 

Firstly, you want to find a nice, green area away from the busy streets. There are many parks in Strasbourg, but the most popular for picnics are Orangerie Park and Park Heyritz.

Bring a blanket or sarong you can sit on and arrange your snacks.

We are in France, so pick up a nice bottle of French wine. If you want to make it alcohol-free, go for your favorite cold drink.

A baguette is a must-have! You can not have a French picnic without this symbol of France.

We are going for a vegan picnic here, so bring some hummus and olive tapenade to dip in your bread.

As for other salty snacks, you can pick up some cherry tomatoes, chips, and olives.

You can not go wrong with fruit. Strawberries are the most popular picnic fruit, but any berries and grapes work perfectly!

If you have a place to cut and prepare your fruit, go for watermelon or any other type of melon.

Also, don’t forget to put on sunscreen! 

To complete your picnic, and make it as French as possible, try to join a French group and play some pétanque!

5. Rent a boat and explore the canals

Once you have walked around the city center, you can experience Strasbourg from a different perspective!

You do not need any license or special skills to rent and drive a little electric boat in the Strasbourg canals. It is a perfect activity for a hot summer day in Strasbourg.

These small electric boats can carry 5-11 people, so you can choose the right boat for your group. 

Two companies offer rental boats in Strasbourg, operating from different river ports: Marine d’Eau Douce and Captain Bretzel.

The prices are similar, so it depends on which part of the city is more convenient for you. 

Alternatively, you book a private boat tour and sit back and relax as you’re cruising down the Strasbourg canals.

This Private tour of Strasbourg in a privatized boat with a skipper has excellent reviews, and it makes for a perfect afternoon activity.

6. Kayak in the Strasbourg Canals

If you do not feel comfortable renting a boat or you are looking for a fun workout, another unique summer activity in Strasbourg is kayaking!

If you feel sporty, kayaking in the river is a great summer activity.

There are a couple of companies offering kayak tours around Strasbourg. You can choose between short trips and full-day trips kayaking in the Alsace.

Check out the rates and routes on their website Les canoes du Ried and Alsace canoes.

7. Escape the crowds in the Robertsau forest

Strasbourg actually has three forests that are protected as National Nature Reserves. My favorite one is the Robertsau forest, as it is easily accessible by public transport. 

It is easy to reach the forest by tram E. You will get off at the last station and walk about 10 minutes towards the Château de Pourtalès. Once you are in the park, explore the shaded trails in the forest. 

8. Swim in the Strasbourg lakes

If you are wondering if you can swim in Strasbourg, the answer is yes! There are 8 local pools in Strasbourg if you like pools. However, I prefer the sea and lakes. 

Luckily, there are many swimming lakes around Strasbourg where you can cool off in the summer. The best part is you can combine it with a cycling day and enjoy a well-deserved dip after biking.

The best swimming lakes in Strasbourg:

Lac Baggersee

The most accessible lake by public transport is Lake Baggersee. You will take tram A in the direction of Illkirch Graffenstaden and get off at the Baggersee stop. 

There is a supervised swimming area, and you can easily find shade under the trees. The lake is popular and gets busy in the summer.

There are designated barbecue spots, and you can also play volleyball and other sports around the lake.

Lac Achard

Close to Baggersee is Lac Achard. The best way to reach Lac Archard is by biking, and that is how I usually go there. 

It is a bit more complicated to reach Lac Achard by public transport, as you will also take tram A in the direction of Illkirch Graffenstaden, get off at Cours de l’Illiade, and then you have to walk for 1,5 km.

This lake is larger than Baggersee, and it was my go-to when I was in Strasbourg.

Plan d’eau La Ballastière

La Ballastiere is located in the north of Strasbourg, and it is hard to reach by public transport. You will have to switch a couple of buses to reach it from the city center of Strasbourg. 

However, you can easily reach it in half an hour from the city center of Strasbourg by bike!

Plan d’eau Neubiltz de Reichstett

Another lake in the north of Strasbourg. Just like La Ballastiere, this lake is also not easily accessible by public transport.

However, you can bike there!

Full disclosure, I never swam in this lake. I only biked there in the autumn, but I have heard people recommend it for swimming.

9. Bike to German Lakes near Kehl from Strasbourg

This is a full-day trip activity. Once you have visited all the lakes around Strasbourg, it is time to cross the border and bike to swim in Germany.

It sounds more challenging than it is because Kehl Germany is just across the river from Strasbourg. 

Kork Baggersee is the lake I visited and recommend. It is less than 14 km away from the city center of Strasbourg.

Depending on your fitness level, it will take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to get there. 

Once you reach Kehl, you just follow the bike road signs leading you to the lake. The bike ride is pretty scenic, as you will bike alongside the fields once you leave the city.

There is no shade once you are on the road, so ensure you bring enough water because there are no shops around the lake. 

10. Bike to Saverne from Strasbourg

Did you know Strasbourg and Saverne are connected by a man-made canal and that you can bike along the canal all the way from one city to another?

This activity may be best saved for a cooler day in Strasbourg because the road is over 45 km long.

Google Maps says it will take you 2 and a half hours to bike, but do not be fooled. It took me over 5 hours. 

The route is pretty straightforward. Once you reach the canal behind the European institutions, it literally just follows the canal for 45 km. 

You can stop along the way, enjoy nature, and have lunch… You can not get lost on the way as you just have to look for the canal!

11. Hike Alsatian castles from Strasbourg by public transport

The Alsace region is filled with old castles. The best way to explore them is to hike up them since they are mainly on the hills.

These are my favorite Alsatian castle hikes, accessible by public transport:

Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle is the most impressive castle in the region. It is easy to reach it from Strasbourg by taking a train to Selestat and then a regional bus to the castle.

After exploring the castle, embark on the hike to discover even more castles!

On the hike from Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle to Ribeauvillé, you will find three more ancient castles the Saint-Ulrich, the Ribeaupierre, and the Giersberg. It is an amazing hike that ends in the picturesque Alsatian village of Ribeauvillé.

Château du Haut-Barr, close to Saverne, is another castle hike that is easily accessible by public transport. Once you reach Saverne, it is less than an hour’s hike. Bonus: it is free to enter and explore the castle ruins.

Check the full list of all the castles in Alsace here. 

You want to see Alsace castles, but don’t want to stress about public transport? You can join this Full-Day Highlights of the Alsace Tour!

The tour departs from Strasbourg and takes you along the Alsace wine road, covering the best of Alsace.

You will visit Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, Alsace villages, and Colmar! A perfect way to see all the Alsace highlights in one go!

🏰 Check Alsace castles and villages tour rates and availability here!

12. Explore the Alsatian wine route from Strasbourg

This is the only activity that might be best done by car or on a tour. However, I know people who biked parts of the Alsace wine route, but the road is hilly, and you share narrow roads with cars. 

Alsace Wine Route officially launched as a tourist trail in 1953. It starts close to Strasbourg, in the village of Marlenheim, and ends close to Mulhouse in Thann, covering roughly 170 km. 

If you want to enjoy your wine tasting, and nobody in your group volunteers to be a designated driver, joining a wine-tasting tour is the best way to go!

This Alsace Tour from Strasbourg takes you along the Alsace wine route to discover some of the best wineries in France.

Cycling the Alsace wine route

If you want to bike the Alsace wine route, select the part of the route you would like to bike, take a train to the closest city, and bike to the next one.

For example, start in Selestat and end in Colmar, or start in Molsheim and end in Obernai, for a shorter route. 

Plan your bike trip with the help of Cycling in Alsace. 

13. Day trip to Alsatian villages from Strasbourg

A trip to Strasbourg would not be complete without one of the best day trips from Strasbourg – picturesque Alsatian villages.

It is hard to narrow it down, but here are some of the must-see Alsatian Villages. 

Colmar 

Visit Colmar! It is not actually a village, but it is by far the most popular day trip from Strasbourg.

The city center of Colmar is small, and it can be explored on foot. The most picturesque neighborhood of Colmar is Petit Venice, but you will.

Riquewihr

From Colmar, you can easily take a regional bus to Riquewihr.

It is my favorite Alsatian village as it looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. Therefore, it is no surprise that it is classified among the «Most Beautiful Villages in France».

Eguisheim 

Another popular village to visit from Colmar is Eguisheim.

This medieval village was an inspiration for the Beauty and the Beast village, and you will quickly see why!

The public transportation to Egusheim is not the best, but if you come by bike, it is only 7km from Colmar.

Ribeauvillé

I have already suggested you visit Ribeauvillé on a hike from Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.

Even if you are not a fan of hiking, you can also visit Ribeauvillé by bus from Selestat. 

14. Visit Strasbourg museums

On an exceptionally hot or rainy day, you can visit one of many Strasbourg Museums when you do not want to be outside.

There are over 15 museums in Strasbourg, and you will definitely find the one you are interested in. Check out the list of museums in Strasbourg. 

Visit European institutions

Did you know that Strasbourg is home to the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, and the European Parliament?

All of these institutions are also open to visitors.

Check out the opening hours for the European Parliament visit. 

The Council of Europe has slightly different visitor requirements, so check out how to visit on the official website of the Council of Europe. 

15. Grab A Drink On A Terrace

Finally, the best way to end every summer day in Strasbourg is to grab a drink at one of the many open-air bars in the city. 

French love after-work happy hours. If you walk in the city in the late afternoon, you will find terraces bustling with chatter, laughter, and clinking glasses.

Summer nights are warm and the best way to end a day is to grab a drink and enjoy the city. 

Some of my favorite places to have a drink are Place d’Austerlitz, around Place des Tripiers, and Petite France around Place Benjamin Zix. 

However, you cannot go wrong wherever you sit, including along the canals with local students.

How To Get Around Strasbourg

Most major sights in Strasbourg are located in the city center.

The city center of Strasbourg is small, and it is possible to explore the city on foot. 

But, if you want to visit the European Court of Human Rights and the European Parliament in Strasbourg, you might want to use public transport, as they are further out. 

Public transport in Strasbourg

Strasbourg public transport includes trams and buses. You can use Google Maps to see which line you need to take to reach your destination. 

One Aller simple ticket is valid for a single ride in one direction with or without a connection. It will cost €2.50 if you buy it on the bus, and €2.10 if you buy it on a machine.

You can find ticket machines at most tram stops. 

If your accommodation is further from the city center, you should consider a 24-hour ticket or a 10 journey ticket. You can check out all ticket options on the CTS website. 

When taking a tram, you have to validate your ticket on a validation pole at the tram station before entering the tram. You validate the bus ticket upon entering the bus. 

Where to rent a bike in Strasbourg?

You will notice that many of the activities I suggest require a bike. By far the best way to explore Strasbourg is to rent a bike.

Strasbourg is a very bike-friendly city with bike lanes everywhere, and you will see many locals biking around. Summer weather is great for cycling as well!

You can easily rent a bike at one of many Velhop stations around the city.

It is the easiest way to get a bike in Strasbourg, as it will only cost you 1€ per hour or 7€ if you take it for 24 hours. Check the prices and conditions on the Velhop website. 

Where To Stay In Strasbourg In Summer

• TOP Pick: LE NID DE L’ILL 
• Best Mid-Range Option: Hotel des Arts
• Best Hostel: The People hostel

Generally, the best area of Strasbourg to stay in is the Grand Ille, the historic city center. Yet, as long as you stay close to the Grand Ille, you are close to the city center.

Krutenau, Bourse, Poincare, Neustad, and Quartier de la Gare, are all great areas to stay in Strasbourg.

Vegan Restaurants In Strasbourg

While traditional Alsatian cuisine is not particularly vegan-friendly, there are many vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants popping up around the town.

If you check on Happycow App, you will see over 100 vegan-friendly restaurants. 

My favorite place for vegan fast food in Strasbourg is Vegeman. Their vegan durums are by far the best vegan junk food you can find in Strasbourg.

For a quick vegan lunch, my favorite is Le Café Potager. Although not fully vegan, they always have a daily vegan menu and cakes to choose from. 

If you are visiting in the summer, you will want to grab a vegan sorbet in Amorino. This French chain of ice cream stores is best known for its photogenic flower-shaped ice creams.