Is Colmar France Worth Visiting + Photo Diary

Is Colmar, France worth visiting? A common question since this small French city doesn't receive much attention. Get my take on Colmar, why I enjoyed it (and have returned multiple times), plus plenty of photos!

Colmar may not have well-known museums or famous cathedrals, but it's one of the most picture-perfect fairytale towns in Europe.

The mix of German and French culture/cuisine, famous wines, twisting water canals, and half-timbered houses make this a memorable place to visit and a photographer's delight.

My first visit to Colmar, France was a quick stop on a river cruise. When we arrived, Jake and I couldn't believe our eyes. "Is this place even real?"

My camera was constantly out, snapping pictures left and right. Each street seemed more picture-perfect than the last...oozing charm and personality.

Since that first visit, we've returned multiple times...Christmastime being our favorite.

As you can surmise, I adore Colmar, but is Colmar worth visiting for the typical tourist? That depends on what type of traveler you are and what type of trip you're looking for.

This city isn't meant for everyone and may not offer enough sights and attractions for the typical tourist.

Now let's dive into whether Colmar is worth visiting, my take on the city, some general information, and a ton of photos!

Before we dive into the question of "is Colmar worth visiting?" let's get some housekeeping out of the way. I'll discuss some general information and the most common questions I'm asked about this region.

Where is Colmar, France?

First things first. Where exactly is Colmar, France? This charming city is located in the Alsace region (northeast France).

Alsace borders southern Germany and is famed for its wine and half-timbered houses.

Colmar is also very close to Switzerland. Basel is a 45-minute train ride south of Colmar.

How to get to Colmar and the Alsace region

Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport, BSL, is the best airport to fly into. The direct train to Colmar from Basel is 45 minutes. 

Zurich Airport (ZRH) and Paris (CDG) are both 2.5 hours via train. Expect to have at least one or two transfers.

Other airports to look into are Frankfurt (FRA) and Stuttgart (STR). Both are about 3 hours away by train with at least one or two transfers.

Whether you're coming directly from the airport or taking the train/bus from another European city, you'll be within walking distance of Colmar's city center. It's about 20 minutes from the train and bus station to most hotels in the city center.

How to get around Colmar

I love a walkable city! Not only is the historic center of Colmar entirely walkable (you can walk the entire length in 20 minutes), but most of it is car-free and pedestrianized. 

This significantly adds to the overall atmosphere and joy of wandering the city.

What about staying in Strasbourg vs Colmar, France?

Most people choose to base themselves in Strasbourg as opposed to Colmar when visiting the Alsace region. 

Strasbourg is the closest "major" city to Colmar. It's a 30-minute train ride between the two cities. If you like staying in a place with more to do, you could easily stay in Strasbourg and take the direct train to Colmar.

Strasbourg has more hotels to choose from

There are also considerably better hotel options in Strasbourg, with it being a larger city. I loved my stay at Maison Rouge - Marriott Autograph Collection.

Though, I'm still partial to Colmar because it has more of a "fairytale vibe". I'll deal with the higher rates and fewer hotel options.

Recommended Colmar hotels:

• L'Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar: my TOP pick for a luxury stay
• James Boutique Hôtel: affordable mid-range hotel

Strasbourg has more direct train connections

Another thing to note with Strasbourg is that it's easier to reach by direct train from other cities in Europe than Colmar. Some of the more popular nearby cities that have direct trains to Strasbourg are Heidelberg, Munich, and Basel.

To get to Colmar from most major cities, you'll most likely have to change trains.

Don't forget to check buses as well. I've traveled to/from Colmar twice via Flix Bus and it was great.

Strasbourg has more group tour options

Lastly, unsurprisingly, Strasbourg has more tours to choose from. These are some of the tours I recommend:

Recommend day tours from Strasbourg:

• Medieval Villages and Wine Tasting from Strasbourg - I would do this tour again in a heartbeat! My tour was the Christmas version and focused more on the markets and skipped the wine tastings. Up to 17 people.
• Alsace Wine Route Wineries & Tasting Small Group Guided Tour from Strasbourg - maximum of 8 travelers.
• Boat Alsace Visit Strasbourg in a private boat + Captain - while this isn't a day trip, it's a fun tour to consider if you're staying in Strasbourg.

When is the best time to visit Colmar, France?

I've visited Colmar, France in fall, summer, and winter.

While Colmar is beautiful year-round, Christmas is my favorite time to visit. Jake agrees.

The weather is mild and the Christmas markets are on another level. The entire city is decked out in twinkle lights, teddy bears, and holiday decor. It's incredible.

In fact, the Alsatian Christmas markets (not just Colmar, but the surrounding villages as well) are some of my favorite Christmas markets in all of Europe.

It's why Jake and I have visited multiple times during the holidays.

I also prefer the holiday season because the Christmas markets give you something to do. It's fun to shop, wander, and eat your way through the markets.

Will you love Colmar, France? It depends on what type of traveler you are

I absolutely LOVE Colmar, France. So much so, I've visited this tiny French town 4 times in the last 5 years. Jake loves Colmar almost as much as I do.

Why do we gravitate towards this town? It's beyond picturesque and a joy to wander. Colmar is so perfect it almost doesn't feel real. The moment you arrive, you feel like you've stepped inside a fairytale...until all the tourists arrive.

Our mornings and evenings in Colmar, Alsace are always beyond magical. Once the crowds have left and you have the city to yourself (more so in the morning vs. the evening)...I can't even begin to describe it. It's like you're on a movie set.

Jake and I have traveled a lot, and we have spent significant time in Europe. We don't like to cram our itineraries with a million museums, tours, and tourist sights. For us, half the fun of traveling is experiencing the culture, views, food, people, and overall atmosphere.

This is why we love Colmar, France. We are in our element just wandering the city, stopping at cafes, taking photos, enjoying long morning jogs, etc.

If you prefer destinations with a long list of tours, activities, sights, and museums, then Colmar is most likely not worth your time. Colmar is not known for tourist attractions or museums. The city itself is "the attraction".

My sister, who likes a packed itinerary with tours and activities, thinks we are crazy for going back to Colmar again and again. "But what do you DO there?" is always the question.

So, is Colmar worth visiting? If you like to wander, take photos, relax at a cafe while people watching, and don't need a list of museums and sights to visit, then you'll love Colmar. 

Like fairytale towns? Check out Bruges, Belgium!

CHRISTMAS IN BRUGES – CHRISTMAS MARKETS, HOT COCOA, ICE SKATING & MORE!

BRUGES OR GHENT | WHICH SHOULD YOU VISIT?

There's more to visit beyond Colmar, France

Beyond wandering all the picturesque areas in Colmar, popping into St Martin's Church, checking out the food market (Marché Couvert Colmar), shopping, and restaurant/coffee stops...there isn't much to do. In fact, you can see the historic core of Colmar in one day.

So is Colmar worth visiting if you can "do it" in just a day? 

Yes! Because you are within striking distance of other worthwhile places.

I highly recommend joining a full-day tour to visit the charming Alsace Villages. If you think Colmar is magical, just wait till you see these fairytale towns.

Jake and I rented a car and visited three of these towns: Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, and Riquewihr. It was fun to explore on our own and not be on a schedule, but I thought it was a better experience when I joined a tour the following year.

Parking was sometimes difficult in the villages and we wasted a lot of time getting our rental car (we had to Uber to it).

With the tour, I was able to see four villages: Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, and Ribeauville. It was nice to be dropped off in the center of each village.

There's also the Alsace Wine Route. This is wine country! Cyclists will be spoiled for choice with bike routes between the villages and vineyards.

Colmar is a 30-minute train ride from Strasbourg, the biggest city in the Alsace region. Strasbourg has a picturesque area similar to Colmar called La Petite France, but it also has a lot more in terms of shopping, museums, and an incredible cathedral.

Basel, Switzerland is a 45-minute train ride from Colmar if you'd like to check another country off your list.

So, while Colmar may not have days' worth of attractions, you could easily keep yourself busy for 3 days with side trips.

Recommended day tours from Colmar:

• Alsace 4 Wonders Small-Group Day Trip from Colmar - this tour stops at all the villages I visited on my day trip, but also includes wine tastings and is a smaller group of just 8 people.
• Alsace PRIVATE Tailored Tour in a Luxury Car
• Alsace Full Day Wine Tour from Colmar - maximum of 8 travelers.
  

In Summary 

Is Colmar worth visiting? If you enjoy small, picturesque towns and are happy to spend your day wandering, stopping at cafes, and taking photos, then you'll love Colmar.

If you're the type of traveler who needs an itinerary jammed with sights, attractions, and tours, then Colmar may not be the right fit for you. Beyond enjoying the overall atmosphere and fairytale setting, there isn't much to do in Colmar. 

I will also note that Colmar, and the entire Alsace region, is unlike any other area in France. If you want something entirely different from Paris, Lyon, Burgundy, etc., Alsace will offer a nice change.

I love Colmar and the Alsace region is one of my favorite places on the planet. But that's because I'm happy to soak in the atmosphere and not have an itinerary full of museums and attractions.

Hopefully, this post steered you in the right direction if Colmar is worth visiting for you.

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Is Colmar, France Worth Visiting + Photo Diary

If you like fairytale towns you'll enjoy Bruges. See my France and Belgium blog posts!

Did you decide to visit Colmar or the Alsace region? Come back after your trip and share if you think Colmar is worth visiting in the comments below!