It reminds a little of Germany and in other respects a little bit of France. And indeed Colmar, even geographically, is right on the border between these two great nations . Among the most enchanting cities in Europe, Colmar is a small jewel city of Alsace, nestled at the foot of the Vosges mountain range, nicknamed Petite Venice for the presence of bridges and canals that make it truly magical and romantic. The beauty and atmosphere of the city enchant in every season , but it is in autumn that it takes on an even more fascinating allure. Being located on the Route du Vin, the famous Alsace Wine Route, cross the roads that wind through the vineyards characterized by the warm colors of the foliage and a truly breathtaking spectacle.
Here is a series of tips to better organize a stay in Colmar !
Travel informed: useful information
- Inhabitants : 70.284
- Language : French, Alsatian
- Local currency : euro (€)
- Climate : semi-continental, with cold and gray winters, accompanied by frequent snowfalls although generally not abundant, and moderately hot and stormy summers
- Nearest airports : Colmar-Houssen, Strasbourg (54 km), Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (57 km), Zurich (113 km), Stuttgart (152 km), Baden-Baden (132 km) and Luxembourg (192 km)
Where it is
Colmar is located in the north-east of France , in Alsace, in the Haut-Rhin department, a short distance from the border with Germany. At the foot of the Vosges massif, it is the third largest city in Alsace and the second in the Haut-Rhin department, after Mulhouse.
How to get
- From Milan or Rome : there are no direct flights from Italy, so it is recommended to land at nearby airports such as Strasbourg (66 km away) and Baden-Baden (120 km away). Flights from € 97.00 – check the offers
- From the main European capitals : the main connections with Colmar are operated by KLM from Amsterdam, Lufhtansa from Frankfurt, Czech Airlines from Prague
When to go
Info on climate and best period
Month Average temperatures (min / max) Precipitation (days / mm) January -1 / 5 ° 7 days / 30 mm
February -1 / 7 ° 7 days / 30 mm
March 2/12 ° 8 dd / 35 mm
April 5th / 16th 9th / 45th mm
May 9th / 20th 11th / 75th mm
June 12th / 24th 10th / 65th mm
July 14th / 26th 9th / 65th mm
August 14th / 26th 9th day / 55 mm
September 10/21 ° 8 days / 60 mm
October 7/16 ° 9 days / 55 mm
November 2/9 ° 7 days / 40 mm
December 0/6 ° 8 days / 50 mm
- Climate : semi-continental, with cold, gray winters and moderately hot, stormy summers. The rains are frequent as well as the winter snows, generally not abundant. Average temperature 1.7 ° in January, 20.2 ° in July
- Best time : from mid-May to mid-September because it is the hottest and sunniest of the year
- Period to avoid : from November to February it is quite cold and the risk of snow is high, however during the Christmas holidays the city takes on a particular charm
- Advice : even in the height of summer, at night it can be cool or even a little cold. It is therefore advisable to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket for the evening even in July and August
10 things to see in and around Colmar
- La Petite Venice : the most characteristic neighborhood as well as the most photographed corner. A glimpse to admire from one of the numerous bridges overlooking the canals
- Collegiate Church of San Martino : the most important religious building in the city, one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture in Alsace
- Covered market : characteristic market frequented daily by locals inserted in a historic and characteristic structure dating back to 1865. A series of kiosks selling food products and local cuisine
- Bartholdi Museum , home-museum of the sculptor who designed the Statue of Liberty in New York. The original scale models of his most famous works are visible
- Colmar Old Customs House : Koifhus in Alsatian dialect, is the oldest in the city. It is a very characteristic construction built in 1480 where goods were stored and taxed before being imported or exported
- Unterlinden Museum : one of the most important in France, located in a former convent of Dominican nuns. In addition to the splendid cloister, you can admire works of art from every era, by both local and international artists
- Maison des Tetes and Maison Pfister , among the oldest in the city. The first takes its name from the incredible amount of stone heads that emerge from its facade, the second is famous for the typical “erker”, the two-story projecting window
- The Route de Vins d’Alsace : among the oldest in France, the Alsatian Wine Route stretches for 170 km, from Marlenheim to Thann. A journey through vineyards, medieval castles and cellars where you can taste excellent wines. A half day wine tour from Colmar is recommended
- Christmas markets : despite being the coldest period, they are a great attraction. They are generally set up in the most characteristic places of the historic center: Place des Dominicains, place de l’Ancienne Douane, Place Jeanne d’Arca and Petite Venise
- Eguisheim : typical Alsatian-style village with alleys and half-timbered houses. In the central square is the castle and around it the streets are arranged in concentric circles
What to do in Colmar: excursions and tours
How much does it cost to visit Colmar
Prices, offers and advice
A stay in Colmar is not a low cost one . As for flights, super offers are almost never found and it is recommended to land in Strasbourg or Baden-Baden, connected by direct flights to Italy.
Once you have reached your destination, if you are not only stopping in the town but want to explore the surroundings, it is strongly recommended to hire a car (one week from € 118.00). In this case, we recommend the purchase of the Pass-Alsace, with free access to 56 tourist sites in Alsace! To get around Colmar you can instead easily move on foot, to settle in the citywe recommend the 2-hour Segway tour!
For accommodation, unless you go to sleep in Strasbourg where there are also large international structures, in Colmar there are mostly small to medium-sized pensions of a good standard with prices starting from € 50.00 per room. For food, the prices are in the European average : a dinner in a good restaurant is around € 25.00 / 30.00 per person, even more if you drink wine. If you are a wine lover, we recommend the one day wine tasting tour from Colmar!
SEE ALSO : Journey to Alsace: useful information and recommended itineraries
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 47.00 per room – see the offers
- Low cost flights: from € 123.00 – check the offers
