Colmar vs Strasbourg: Christmas Market Showdown
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ”
If you're planning a Christmas market trip in Europe, Colmar and Strasbourg are probably two names you've already come across. Both are in France's Alsace region, close to the German border, and Christmas here isn't limited to a few stalls on the main square. Markets, decorations, lights, and food stalls take over large parts of both cities, which is exactly why people travel here specifically for the Christmas season.
I've visited both Colmar and Strasbourg during Christmas, and if you have enough time, I'd absolutely recommend seeing both. They're only around 30 minutes apart by train, so it's very easy to combine them in one trip. But if you're planning a shorter weekend or simply only have time for one, choosing between them isn't quite as straightforward as you might think.
Strasbourg is the bigger of the two and proudly calls itself the Capital of Christmas. It has multiple markets spread throughout the city, a huge Christmas tree on Place Kléber, and generally feels like there's something Christmas-related happening wherever you go. Colmar is much smaller, but that's also part of its appeal. You can walk between its different markets, past half-timbered houses that are completely covered in Christmas decorations, without ever really leaving the historic center.
And while they're close enough that you might expect the experience to be fairly similar, I definitely preferred one over the other. So, whether you're trying to decide where to base yourself, only have time to visit one, or simply want to know what makes them different, let's compare the Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg.
In this article:
Planning more trips to France? Don’t miss my Reims travel guide for everything you need to know about visiting the Champagne region.
OK, ready? Here’s all you need to know before deciding whether to head to Colmar or Strasbourg:
Why Spend Christmas In The Alsace Region?
With so many Christmas markets across Europe, you might wonder why you should pick Alsace. For me, what makes this region different is that Christmas doesn't feel confined to the markets themselves. Colmar and Strasbourg really go all out, and the decorations spill into the streets, shops, restaurants, and pretty much anywhere else they can find space for a Christmas tree.
The half-timbered houses also happen to work ridiculously well with Christmas decorations. Add lights, garlands, and the occasional giant teddy bear hanging off a building, and there are parts of Colmar in particular that barely look real. And yes, there's also plenty of mulled wine and food involved, which certainly doesn't hurt.
But there's more to it than pretty decorations. Alsace has both French and German influences, something you'll notice in everything from the architecture to what you'll find at the Christmas markets. There's also a real emphasis on local traditions, with regional food, handmade decorations, and Christmas customs that have been part of the area for generations.
What I particularly like is that you don't really have to go looking for Christmas once you're here. The markets are spread throughout the historic centers, so you naturally move between them while exploring the cities themselves. If you're planning a Christmas trip to Europe where the markets are actually one of the main reasons for going, rather than something you visit for an hour between sightseeing, Alsace should definitely be high on your list.
What Makes Colmar's Market So Special?
Colmar is small, and I think that’s exactly what makes it so charming at Christmas. The whole town center feels like a storybook village that’s come to life. You’ll see rows of half-timbered houses painted in soft pastels, each one decorated with wreaths, lights, and festive displays in the windows. I know comparing places to a Christmas fairy tale can sound a little cliché, but in Colmar, I genuinely think it fits.
Because Colmar is compact, you can explore it all on foot without ever feeling overwhelmed. The little stone bridges, canals, squares, and Christmas markets are all within easy walking distance of each other, so you don’t really need to plan a route. I think that’s part of what makes Colmar so enjoyable at Christmas. You can just wander around and see where you end up.
The town’s size also adds to the atmosphere. Instead of being swallowed up by a massive city, everything feels much more intimate. I particularly loved Colmar at night, when the buildings were lit up and you could see the lights reflecting on the water. If there’s anywhere I’m willing to use the words “Christmas movie,” it’s probably here.
And Colmar has a fun claim to fame too. Many say it inspired the village in Beauty and the Beast. Once you see it in person, especially during the holidays, I think you’ll understand why. The colorful houses and narrow streets definitely have that Belle-walking-through-her-village feel to them. Honestly, it’s hard not to run around shouting “Bonjour!” at the top of your lungs while complaining about the price of eggs. If you know, you know.
What Makes Strasbourg’s Market So Special?
Now let’s head over to Strasbourg, famously called the “Capital of Christmas.” Unlike Colmar, Strasbourg is a full-on city, so you don’t get quite the same small storybook-village feeling. But what you do get is Christmas on a much bigger scale. There are markets spread throughout the historic center, huge decorations hanging from buildings, and honestly, it feels like the entire city has decided to participate.
The main highlight is Place Kléber, where you’ll find the enormous Christmas tree, but I think Strasbourg Cathedral is just as impressive during this time of year. There are Christmas markets around the cathedral too, and having this huge Gothic building towering over all the little wooden stalls is quite a backdrop. As you walk around the city, you’ll also come across food stalls, decorations, gifts, and plenty of places to stop for mulled wine.
Because Strasbourg is much bigger than Colmar, exploring the Christmas markets feels more like exploring a city. You can spend hours walking from one market to another while seeing plenty of Strasbourg itself along the way. But I think there’s an important difference between Strasbourg and somewhere like the Kraków Christmas Market in South Poland. In Kraków, you can spend a couple of hours at the market and then continue sightseeing around the city. In Strasbourg, it’s almost the other way around. You can absolutely combine the markets with sightseeing, but during Christmas, the markets really are the main event and sightseeing takes second place.
The downside is that Strasbourg can get very busy, particularly later in the day. There were moments when I felt like we were moving through the streets as one giant group rather than actually walking anywhere ourselves. That doesn’t ruin the experience, but it’s definitely something I’d keep in mind if you don’t love crowds.
It may not have Colmar’s tiny fairytale-village feel, but Strasbourg absolutely makes up for it in scale. And considering it calls itself the “Capital of Christmas,” I suppose it has a reputation to defend.
The Verdict: Who Takes the Claim to Christmas Fame?
So, which Christmas market takes the spotlight? Colmar, with its cozy, intimate streets that feel straight out of a holiday storybook, or Strasbourg, filled with grand architecture and history at every turn?
If you have the chance to explore both, it’s worth experiencing each city’s unique charm. A day spent wandering Colmar’s markets is like stepping into a cozy Yuletide wonderland. Strasbourg, on the other hand, offers a bigger city experience—there’s plenty to do beyond the markets, from visiting the stunning cathedral and exploring the historic streets to taking a boat tour along the canals. If you’re looking for a Christmas trip that’s part city adventure, Strasbourg has it all, but to really do it justice and enjoy the markets properly, you’ll want at least two full days. Colmar, by contrast, is compact and easy—you can see it all comfortably in a single day.
But if time allows for only one stop, I personally lean toward Colmar. While both cities are magical, Colmar’s fairytale-like streets and peaceful ambiance make it stand out. Strasbourg, especially in the afternoons and evenings, can get crowded, which sometimes makes it harder to enjoy the markets fully. Colmar, by contrast, keeps a relaxed, storybook vibe that feels truly special.
In my experience, Colmar offers the most authentic, delightful, and peaceful Christmas market experience in Alsace—perfect if you’re chasing that classic holiday charm.
Where to Stay in Colmar and Strasbourg
You absolutely can stay in either Colmar or Strasbourg and visit the other as a day trip. They're close enough that you don't technically need to change hotels, especially if you're traveling by train. We had a car, which made getting between the two even easier, but I still decided to split our stay and spend a night in each.
Part of that was simply because I wanted to experience both cities properly. Christmas markets are at their best once it gets dark, and I didn't want to spend the evening thinking about when we needed to head back, especially if it was raining. Staying overnight meant we could take our time, walk around the markets, and fully enjoy the mulled wine.
That last part turned out to be particularly important in Strasbourg. Most stalls serve drinks in reusable cups that you pay a deposit for and get back when you return them. For some reason, I kept feeling bad returning an empty cup to a different stall without ordering anything, so naturally, I ordered another mulled wine. And then another. And then…. another. By the end of the evening, I was very happy that all I had to do was roll back to my hotel.
If you have the time, I'd actually recommend splitting your stay too. It makes the trip feel much less like you're staying in one city and quickly ticking off the other as a day trip, and gives you the chance to experience both after dark without having to watch the time.
Hotel Recommendation: Where To Stay In Colmar?
In Colmar, I stayed at Maison des Têtes, and I ended up liking it much more than I expected. The rooms aren't particularly big, but they felt warm and comfortable, and the historic building fits in perfectly with the rest of Colmar. There’s also a restaurant at the hotel serving local dishes, which is a nice option if you don’t feel like heading back out into the cold for dinner.
The location was probably my favorite thing about staying here, especially for a Christmas market trip. You’re right in the center of Colmar, so we could walk to the markets, come back to the hotel whenever we wanted, and head out again later in the evening without having to think about transport.
We were traveling by car, so the fact that the hotel has its own parking was also incredibly convenient. Parking in the middle of a historic town is not something I ever particularly look forward to figuring out, so being able to leave the car at the hotel and explore everything on foot made life much easier.
Overall, I think Maison des Têtes is a great choice if you want to stay somewhere that feels very much part of Colmar rather than just using your hotel as a place to sleep.
Hotel Recommendation: Where To Stay In Strasbourg?
In Strasbourg, I stayed at Hôtel Cour du Corbeau, and the location couldn't have been much better for visiting the Christmas markets. The hotel is just across the water from the historic center, so you're only a short walk from the markets but slightly removed from the busiest streets. Considering just how crowded Strasbourg can get at Christmas, I really appreciated being able to escape from it all at the end of the evening.
The hotel itself is also part of the experience. It dates back to the 1600s, and you can really see that history in the building and its architecture. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, which was particularly welcome after spending most of the day walking around Strasbourg.
We were traveling by car, and the hotel offers valet parking, which made arriving in the middle of Strasbourg considerably easier. Once the car was taken care of, we didn't need it again until we left because everything we wanted to see was within walking distance.
I think Hôtel Cour du Corbeau works particularly well for a Christmas trip because you get the best of both worlds: you're close enough to walk straight into the Christmas markets, but when you've had enough of the crowds (and, in my case, perhaps one too many mulled wines), you can just walk back across the water and roll into your hotel.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions. Happy travels!
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