If you’re planning to visit Strasbourg, France in 2024, one of the most important decisions you’ll make will be deciding when to book your ticket.
If you do even the slightest bit of research, you’ll quickly learn that the weather in Strasbourg is often gray and rainy, and can get quite cold in the winter months. However, that’s not to say that there is one “best” season to visit.
Why visit Strasbourg?
This mid-size city in eastern France makes for an excellent day (or weekend) trip away from Paris. Although it can hardly be said to be an “off-the-beaten-path” destination for Europeans, most Americans have no idea what or where Strasbourg is. (Most people guess Germany, or confuse it with Stuttgart, which is in Germany.)
One of the many reasons people love Strasbourg is because it makes a great weekend trip. Personally, as a longtime resident of the capital of the Alsace region, one of the things I love about Strasbourg is how it doesn’t feel difficult to get to know. Paris, for all its romance and allure, is one of those places that beckons precisely because it’s such a diverse and complex place. While Strasbourg certainly has a rich history, it also has a charming forthrightness.
Spend a weekend in Strasbourg, leave with a lifetime of memories
I’ve lived here for some time now and hosted people at various times throughout the year. I can attest to the fact the summer makes for a great time to explore the city.
There are the usual drawbacks associated with visiting a popular city in the summer, however, it would feel remiss not to begin this post about the weather in Strasbourg, France with a summertime focus.
Strasbourg weather in the Summer (late June through early September)
Normally, Strasbourg is considered a temperate city that experiences four seasons The summer is hot, but not unbearably so. In recent years, the temperature has been noticeably climbing, and nowhere in France escaped the now-infamous canicule (heatwave) of 2022.
Most tourists visit Strasbourg in the summertime months
Summer in Strasbourg is stunning. The sky hits that all-is-right-with-the-world shade of blue, the terraces beckon, and the white wine and cocktails flow. There is also no shortage of things to do.
Best things to do in Strasbourg in the summer
Summertime is definitely when there is the most to do in Strasbourg. Read on for a mix of classic and more original suggestions for how to spend your summertime visit.
Climb to the top of the Cathedral
The Strasbourg Cathedral is a city icon, easily visible from many parts of the city. Defined by its mysterious-looking single spire, the church is a beautiful dedication to Gothic architecture. In the summer, it’s not uncommon to hear musicians playing on the square, nor see artists at the ready to sketch a commemorative portrait of any interested tourist.
Along the far side of the Cathedral is the entrance to a staircase with 330 steps that will lead you to a viewing platform at the top. From there, it’s possible to see as far as the Black Forest in Germany on a clear day.
Rent a boat and explore the canals at your own pace
Over by the Ponts Couverts (covered bridges) is a boat rental service, Marin D’Eau Douce Strasbourg. In the summer, it’s extremely pleasant to pack a little picnic and pile into the boat to cruise up and down the river; you quickly feel as though you are well outside the city and there is a cheerful sense of camaraderie as you pass by other boats. What’s more, the boats are extremely safe and don’t go very fast, making it easy for the entire party to enjoy themselves.
For current pricing and excursion options, visit the company’s website.
Tour the famous Route des Vins
Alsace is renowned for its wine and with good reason. Due to the low-lying mountain range in the area, the Vosges, the region benefits from a certain microclimate that is extremely conducive to producing delicious varieties of mostly white wines, but some red as well. A popular way to explore the route is to rent bikes for a day (or plan to stay in hotels along the route) and make a mini-trip out of visiting a few of the amazing wineries in the region. In 2023, La Route des Vins d’Alsace is celebrating 70 years of existence, so the wineries are sure to be upping the ante on tourist experiences this summer.
Take a walk in Orangerie Park and admire the storks
Parc de l’Orangerie is situated a bit outside the city center, but if you rent bikes for the day or are in the mood for a long walk, it’s worth a visit. As the oldest and largest park in the city, it boasts lovely walking trails that wind around a large lake and through lightly forested paths. Don’t forget to look up – there are massive storks’ nests situated high in the trees down certain paths. These animals are considered symbolic of Alsace and split their time between Alsace in the summer and destinations as far south as South Africa in the winter.
Spend a day in Kehl
Kehl is technically in Germany and is often considered a more utilitarian place because cigarettes, beer, and other goods have typically been cheaper to purchase than in France. However, I’m going to put a stake in the ground and vouch for a Kehl visit in the summertime. Top recommendations: climb the viewing platform for a stunning view, indulge in a huge Mexican meal at El Bolero, and top off the day with the yummiest (and cheapest!) ice cream in the area at the very Instagrammable Eiscafé Pierod. From there, you can wander back across the border via the pedestrian footbridge and walk through the Jardin des Deux Rives before taking the tram back into Strasbourg city center.
Watch the evening light show against the Cathedral
Throughout the month of August, there is a beautiful light show put on against the body of the Cathedral every evening when the sun goes down. The show repeats many times throughout the evening, and the later shows are usually less crowded.
Strasbourg weather in the fall (late September through early November)
Best things to do in Strasbourg in the fall
Fall in Strasbourg is my favorite season. The throngs of tourists from the summer have faded away, and the thrum of the city starts to feel more local and less frantic. Colors are everywhere, but especially along the canal. One of my favorite things to do is simply walk the stretch between Gallia and Les Halles when the leaves are changing. The colors are unforgettable and the water is incredibly peaceful. Of course, there are many other things to do in Strasbourg in the fall besides go for a short walk!
Go for a hike in the Vosges
One very cool fact about Alsace is that it’s the only region in France that was designed to make it possible for hikers to begin their journeys directly from train stations. The idea was to democratize the activity by making it as equally accessible to everyone as possible; even if you don’t have a bike or a car, you can still get on a train, go to a city, and start a hike. Moreover, the Vosges aren’t known for being especially challenging mountains, so a day hike is usually well within the physical comfort zone of most people who enjoy the activity.
Indulge in a pumpkin spice latte in a local coffee shop
Once considered to be an American specialty, in the past couple of years the coffee shops in Strasbourg have really stepped up their game in providing seasonally-themed beverages. Chief among these is, of course, the classic PSL. Check out my recommendations for the best ones in Strasbourg in my complete guide to pumpkin spice lattes in Strasbourg.
Do a fall-themed photo shoot in Parc de la Republique
This park is a gorgeous riot of color in the fall and it’s common to see both locals and tourists alike indulging in fun photoshoots.
Strasbourg weather in the winter (mid-November through early April)
The weather in Strasbourg gets very cold in the wintertime. Temperatures typically hover just around freezing but can sink into the single digits (Fahrenheit). If you’re going to be visiting in the winter, layers are crucial, including thermal tights underneath jeans. I also never go anywhere without a scarf, hat, and gloves.
Does it snow in Strasbourg?
Not every year, but yes, we do see snow from time to time! When we are lucky enough to see snowfall, it typically doesn’t exceed more than a couple of inches at a time, but that’s more than enough to cast this fairytale city in an even more magical glow.
Best things to do in Strasbourg in the winter
Visit the Strasbourg Christmas Markets
The Strasbourg Christmas Markets are, without a doubt, the city’s number one tourist attraction. In 2022, just under three million people visited during the Christmas market period from late November until the close of the markets on December 24th! During this time, there is no better way to spend an evening than meandering around sipping vin chaud, nibbling on bredele, and admiring the many beautiful artisanal tchotchkes available for sale.
Learn more about the Strasbourg Christmas Markets.
Indulge in a meal at a classic Winstub
A “winstub” is a general term for a restaurant serving classic Alsatian food, much in the same way “brasserie” refers to a restaurant serving classic French food.
Alsatian food is extremely hearty fare. That said, the locals are very proud of their cuisine, and their Frenchness comes out in this local saying describing what Alsatian food is like: “German quantity with French quality.”
While people from the area have no qualms about digging into massive potato-based dishes of sausages and cabbage year-round, I think they’re most enjoyable during the winter season.
Visit the Christmas markets in the nearby Alsatian villages
Strasbourg gets a lot of the Christmas market publicity because it’s the capital of the Grand Est, but no winter visit to Alsace is complete without taking the train to visit one of the local village Christmas markets! Popular destinations include Colmar, Kayserberg, and Ribeauvillé, to name a few. However, I’m going to make a plug for Mulhouse because I have a huge soft spot for Ferris wheels.
Strasbourg weather in the spring (mid-April through mid-June)
The weather in Strasbourg is probably the most unpredictable in the spring; you really don’t know what you’re going to get. It rains often, so an umbrella is a must-have, even on a clear morning.
Best things to do in Strasbourg in the spring
Have a photoshoot with all the magnolias
Warning: This activity will also probably be accompanied by lots of sneezing. When Spring arrives to Strasbourg, the city truly bursts into bloom. This triggers gorgeous colors – and lots of allergies.
Enjoy happy hour on a terrace
The weather in Strasbourg is very unpredictable. Sometimes, you can enjoy a warm evening on a terrace as early as March. Other times, you’re huddling close to the outdoor heater and burrowing your nose into your scarf, waiting for people inside to leave so you can steal their table. In either case, Le Tigre, Abbatoir Café, and The People Bar in Krutenau make great happy hour stops.
Check out one of the many great coffee shops in Strasbourg
Strasbourg has tons of great coffee shops, which make an excellent backup option if you have a fair-weather plan and the weather is… uncooperative. Many of these places offer specialty coffee, vegetarian or even vegan options. Be sure to check out the daily menu, and plan to arrive just before noon to ensure you get a seat.
Strasbourg is a great place to visit throughout the year
Are you planning to visit Strasbourg this year? If you’d be so kind, booking through my affiliate link at Booking.com helps support with the cost of running this blog, at zero additional cost to you!
Finally, let me know in the comments if you have any follow-up questions about the best time to visit Strasbourg, and feel free to connect with me on Instagram for the most up-to-date activities in this beautiful pocket of the world.
