Picture yourself strolling down a cobblestone street lined with colorful, half-timbered houses. A small canal flows nearby, and the smell of freshly baked croissants fills the air. It feels like something out of a dream. Welcome to Colmar, France. Honestly, it’s like walking into a fairytale.
If it sounds like I’m describing Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” you’re not wrong. The town of Colmar inspired much of the movie’s setting. When I first saw it with my own eyes, I half expected Belle to walk out of one of the bookstores. It’s magical–no wonder Disney was inspired by it.
But Colmar is more than just a pretty face. Its rich history, gorgeous architecture, and unforgettable food will steal your heart the moment you arrive. Trust me, you’ll never want to leave.
- The Charm of Colmar's Old Town (La Petite Venise)
- Things to do in Colmar
- Colmar's Food Scene: Traditional Alsatian
- Colmar's famous wine route and vineyard tours
- Colmar Events Throughout the Year
- Best Day Trips from Colmar
- Where To Stay in Colmar
- Transportation options: Getting around Colmar
- How Many Days in Colmar is Enough?
- Is Colmar Worth Visiting?
The Charm of Colmar’s Old Town (La Petite Venise)
One of the most famous spots in Colmar is Little Venice (or La Petite Venise). Here, the houses along the canal resemble Venice, Italy, and this area was once a place for people to trade fish and wine. Today, it’s perfect for a relaxing stroll, a peaceful boat ride, or a nice glass of Riesling.
Colmar is a small city in France that has been around for over a thousand years! Brief history lesson: It was first mentioned way back in 823. Over the centuries, it switched between French and German rule many times. As you wander the streets, you’ll notice a unique blend of French and German influences that make Colmar such a special place to visit.
Explore Little Venice with a Gondola Tour
- You can always explore Little Venice on foot, but it’s not the only way to get around. Much like Venice, Italy is famous for its gondolas, Colmar, France offers scenic boat rides. It’s a must if you’re bringing kids with you! And unlike Italy, the prices are very reasonable!
- Sweet Narcisse is one of the most popular boat tour companies in Colmar. Reservations are not required, but highly encouraged!
Best spots for Instagram-worthy photos
Colmar is filled with photo-worthy spots. Here are a few of the best:
Pont Saint-Martin: This bridge gives you a perfect view of the canals, half-timbered houses, and the iconic Tanners’ Bridge.
Tanners’ Bridge: One of the most popular spots in Colmar, with colorful flowers and beautiful architecture.
Rue des Marchands: A charming street filled with colorful buildings and photo opps.
The Covered Market: After grabbing a photo by the canal, stop inside for a delicious snack.
Outside of Little Venice, you can also hit St. Martin Church, Place de la République, and Colmar’s Historic Center for some epic shots.
Things to do in Colmar
It may be a small village, but Colmar is packed with activities. Here are some highlights:
- Unterlinden Museum: Home to the famous Isenheim Altarpiece
- Maison Pfister: The first example of Renaissance architecture in Colmar
- Bartholdi Museum: Dedicated to the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty
- St. Martin’s Church: A famous Gothic church in the heart of Colmar
- Marché Couvert: A large market where you can sample classic French cuisine.
- Petit Train: We loved this train so much we went twice! It’s a small tourist train with a very affordable price. Kids and adults love it, and you’ll learn about Colmar’s history during the ride. It even features 16 different languages.
- And this is just the tip of the iceberg. While planning your trip, make sure to check out Colmar’s Tourist Office. They are a great resource for things to do, places to eat, where to stay, and events around Colmar.
Colmar’s Food Scene: Traditional Alsatian
One of the biggest draws to Colmar, France is its unique cuisine. Because of its proximity to Germany, Alsatian food combines French and German flavors. Being able to experience traditional French flavors with a German twist–It’s truly unique. Here are some must try dishes:
Tarte Flambée: Throughout France and Germany you may hear this referred to as Flammkuchen. But in Alsace, it’s known as Tarte Flambée. It’s essentially a flatbread pizza, made with a few simple ingredients. Great for kids!
Baeckeoffe: A hearty casserole made with marinated meat and potatoes. It’s your classic meat and potatoes, except elevated.
Sauerkraut: A widely popular dish in the region. Choucroute is the typical presentation with sausages and sometimes potatoes.
Pain d´épices: A gingerbread-like cake, especially popular during the holidays.
Munster Cheese: Famous cheese from nearby Munster, just 20 km from Colmar
Foodies can also join an Alsatian cooking class to learn how to make these delicious dishes!
Best restaurants for authentic local cuisine
If traditional Alsatian cuisine is what you’re after, there are no shortage of restaurants for all ages and budgets.
Caveau Saint Jean: Traditional Alsatian food and a cozy vibe
Restaurant La Soi: A small, family-run restaurant known for its delicious flambees
Le Petit Tanneur: Traditional food with outdoor seating and a kids’ menu
Au Koïfhus: In the heart of Old Town, with great views and even better food
Le Petit Schlossberg: In the historic district, offering both meat and pizza options
Wistub Brenner: High-quality Alsatian cuisine, located in Little Venice
Colmar’s famous wine route and vineyard tours
The Alsace Wine Route is another big draw to Colmar, France. The region is known for its excellent wines, notably Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. They also specialize in Crémant, Alsace’s version of champagne.
While not typically known for its red wine, Colmar and the Alsace region offer some delicious Pinot Noirs. If you’re a red lover, they got you covered, too!
We popped into a different winery each day (highly encourage this strategy). Here are some of our favorite wineries in and around Colmar:
Martin Jund: A gorgeous courtyard, beautiful presentation, and food pairings. Because why not?
Domaine Robert Karcher et Fils: This place was right around the corner from our Airbnb. The tasting experience is personalized and informative.
Bestheim: Unique winery offering treasure hunts. Perfect if you have kids in tow. Full disclosure: the treasure hunt is a bit rigorous. But you will earn every last drop of that wine.
Famille HUGEL: Currently being managed by the 12th consecutive generation of the family–impressive! The wine is great and the history is strong here.
Because there are so many wineries in the Alsace region, and it can be tricky to get around (more on that later), many visitors opt for a wine tour. We tend to use Viator when booking tours, and here are a couple of popular options:
Alsace Half Day Wine Tour From Colmar
Alsace Full Day Wine Tour From Colmar
Alsace Vineyards and Wine Villages Private Bike Tour
Colmar Events Throughout the Year
Colmar Christmas Market
By far, the biggest event you’ll hear about in Colmar is the Christmas Market. During December, Colmar truly gets into the Christmas spirit. The city is sparkling with beautiful lights–making this fairytale village even more like a fairytale. And of course, the shopping. Stroll through all the market stalls and you’ll find ornaments, holiday treats, books, decor–all kinds of goodies.
The holiday period is a popular time to travel to Colmar because you can visit multiple Christmas markets in one trip. You can easily travel to Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr, knocking out multiple Christmas markets in one go.
Colmar International Festival
This one’s for the music lovers. The Colmar International Festival takes place every year in July to celebrate the finest in classical music.
Alsace Wine Fair
For 10-15 days during the Summer, you can party, listen to music, and drink wine. The event brings together many winemakers throughout the region so you can sample all the best in Alsatian wine.
Best Day Trips from Colmar
One of the BEST reasons to visit Colmar is the close proximity to other villages. It makes a great home base for day trips. Some top spots to visit include:
- Riquewihr and Eguisheim: These two charming villages are very close to Colmar. We’re talking under 10 miles away. They are so close that many tourists rent bicycles to get there.
- Strasbourg: The capital of Alsace. Strasbourg has lots to do and would be a great jumping off point in its own right. It has an impressive cathedral and sits right off the Rhine River.
- Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle: This is your best bet for a castle visit. The panoramic views are beautiful and there’s much to explore throughout the grounds.
- Germany and Switzerland: Ever wanted to visit 3 countries in quick succession? Basel, Switzerland is a quick hop from Colmar–under an hour by car. And Colmar to Germany, albeit a longer day trip, can be reached in a few hours.
Where To Stay in Colmar
If Colmar is home base, you have options–from luxury hotels to traditional Airbnb townhomes. We opted for the Airbnb rental, and it’s a wonderful option. Because the homes in Colmar are so unique and historic, how better to get the full experience?
Colmar Airbnbs
Traditional Alsatian Townhouse – We stayed here. It was large, centrally located, and full of local charm.
Little Venice Apartment – You can’t beat the ideal location of this apartment, and its cozy vibe.
Central Duplex – Modern meets tradition in this central apartment. Plenty of room to spread out. And a play area for kids!
Chez Sophie – Stare out your window at the half-timbered house all day.
Le Nid – Full of tradition and a beautiful fountain view
Colmar Hotels
From historic to luxury, Colmar has hotels for everyone. Here are some of the most popular choices:
La Maison des Têtes – True luxury and one of the highest-rated hotels in Colmar
Hotel Le Maréchal – True charm and tradition in Little Venice
Novotel Suites Colmar Centre – Well priced and family friendly
Martin Jund – A winery offering unique apartment rentals
L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar – MGallery – another luxury resort with a wonderful location and spa
Transportation options: Getting around Colmar
Transportation in Colmar was honestly the trickiest part of our trip, and we weren’t as prepared as we should have been. When we arrived (after taking three trains from Lyon), we found no trains, buses, or Ubers available to get us to our Airbnb. So, we decided to walk—with seven suitcases, backpacks, a stroller, and a travel crib. It was truly exhausting!
Colmar by Bus
If you look up bus routes on Google Maps, you’ll see buses running throughout Colmar, with stops in nearby villages. This is where my research ended, and, yeah, that was a mistake. Yes, there are buses, but they aren’t the easiest to figure out.
We’ve traveled all over the world using public transport—including navigating Japan’s complex rail maps in Japanese. So we felt confident. But Colmar’s buses threw us for a loop. Here’s what we learned:
- Buses aren’t always on time. If it seems like you missed it, it’s probably just running late.
- They don’t run frequently. We got off at the wrong stop and the next bus wasn’t due for an hour—so we Ubered.
- They don’t run late into the evening. Plan your day accordingly to avoid getting stuck somewhere.
Since buses don’t come very often, you’ll want to plan your trips in advance.
Getting Around Colmar by Car
Renting a car is another popular option for exploring Colmar. With a car, you’re not confined to a schedule, which may be preferred given the infrequent bus service.
However, parking can be tricky in some of the smaller villages. Be prepared to walk a bit from your parking spot to your destination. Also, if you’re not comfortable with driving a manual transmission, your options for automatic cars might be limited.
Colmar By Bike
Exploring Colmar and the surrounding Alsace region by bike is a great way to take it all in. Locals and tourists use bikes to get around. And since several villages are within 10 miles of Colmar, it’s an easy and enjoyable way to explore. While not ideal for longer trips, like going to Strasbourg, it’s perfect for nearby sightseeing.
Is Uber available in Colmar?
Uber is hit-or-miss in Colmar. When we first arrived at the train station, we tried to grab an Uber but couldn’t find a driver. Later, when we got off at the wrong bus stop, we managed to get one. So, while Uber is possible, don’t rely on it as your primary mode of transportation.
How Many Days in Colmar is Enough?
To experience Colmar’s highlights and soak in the fairytale vibe, I’d recommend spending 2 to 3 days here. If you want to explore the surrounding Alsace region, a week is ideal. With more time, you can take it slow, wander, and really immerse yourself. If you’re short on time, a boat ride and the petit train will give you a nice taste of Colmar’s history.
Is Colmar Worth Visiting?
Absolutely–I’ve never been to a place quite like it. It’s charming, quirky, interesting, and full of character. It’s not an exaggeration to say Colmar, France feels like you are in a real life fairytale! From its architecture to its delicious cuisine, Colmar is enchanting. And once you’re back home, you’ll dream of those nights sitting outside sipping a glass of Riesling, munching on some escargot, and admiring the colorful half-timbered houses. Pack your bags, pick up some French (and maybe some German) phrases, and get ready to live out your real life Beauty and the Beast fantasy!
