Looking for things to do in Colmar? Stroll through Little Venice and the Tanners’ Quarter, take a boat ride on the Lauch, admire the Maison Pfister and the Maison des Têtes, see the Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum, then head out along the wine route to Eguisheim and Riquewihr. To visit Colmar, allow one to two days; the best times are May-June, September-October and the Christmas market season.
The prefecture of the Haut-Rhin, Colmar has kept a remarkably consistent old town, with colorful half-timbered houses, canals and Gothic churches. Sheltered by the Vosges, it is one of the driest towns in France. This guide covers the must-sees, a 1- to 2-day itinerary, day trips, the 2026 Christmas markets, where to stay, the budget and the month-by-month climate according to Météo-France.
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Colmar at a glance
- Location Haut-Rhin (Alsace), about 70 km (43 mi) south of Strasbourg
- Airports EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse and Strasbourg-Entzheim · detailsColmar station has TGV high-speed services to Paris-Est, direct or via Strasbourg
- Ideal length 1 day for the town, 2 to 3 with the wine route
- Best time May-June, September-October (grape harvest)Late November-December for the Christmas markets
- Entry Schengen area: US and UK citizens need no visa for short tourist stays · US: travel.state.gov · UK: GOV.UKCarry your passport if you cross into Germany or Switzerland
- Currency euro (€) · currencies
- Budget see our budget section
Things to do in Colmar: the highlights
Little Venice
Along the Lauch, between the Quai de la Poissonnerie and the Pont Saint-Pierre, Little Venice (Petite Venise) lines up colorful half-timbered houses and waterside gardens. It is Colmar’s most photographed district; come early in the morning to avoid the groups. The bridge on Rue de Turenne offers one of the best views.
A boat ride
Flat-bottomed boats show you Little Venice from the river, on a trip of about half an hour. They run mainly from spring to fall; ask the tourist office about seasons and boarding points.
The Tanners’ Quarter and the Krutenau
The Tanners’ Quarter, restored in the 1970s, gathers tall houses whose lofts were used to dry hides. It leads to the Krutenau, the old market gardeners’ district, where vegetables were grown by the water. The neighboring covered market hosts local producers.
The Maison Pfister, the Maison des Têtes and the Koïfhus
In the heart of the old town, the 16th-century Maison Pfister is recognizable by its turret, wooden galleries and murals. The Maison des Têtes owes its name to the dozens of carved faces on its facade. The old customs house, the Koïfhus, with its glazed-tile roof, overlooks the square that hosts one of the Christmas markets.
The Unterlinden Museum and the Isenheim Altarpiece
Housed in a former Dominican convent extended by a contemporary building, the Unterlinden Museum holds the Isenheim Altarpiece, painted by Matthias Grünewald and carved by Nikolaus of Haguenau in the early 16th century. The collections range from archaeology to modern art. Allow one to two hours.
Saint-Martin collegiate church and the Dominican church
The Gothic collegiate church of Saint-Martin dominates Place de la Cathédrale. The Dominican church houses the Madonna of the Rose Bower by Martin Schongauer, a painter born in Colmar in the 15th century.
The Bartholdi Museum and the Statue of Liberty
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of New York’s Statue of Liberty, was born in Colmar. His birthplace is now a museum devoted to his work. A replica of the Statue of Liberty stands on a roundabout at the northern entrance to town.
Day trips from Colmar
Colmar is the ideal base for the wine route: Eguisheim, a circular village about 7 km (4 mi) away, Turckheim, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé are less than half an hour away. Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, the Écomusée d’Alsace and the Munster valley round out the options. Freiburg im Breisgau, in Germany, is less than an hour away. Our page on visiting Alsace covers Strasbourg and the region’s other stops.
Itinerary: Colmar in 1 or 2 days
Colmar in 1 day
- Morning: Little Venice and the Tanners’ Quarter before the groups arrive
- Late morning: covered market, Maison Pfister and Koïfhus
- Lunch: tarte flambée, choucroute or baeckeoffe in a winstub
- Afternoon: the Unterlinden Museum and the Isenheim Altarpiece
- Late afternoon: boat ride or a stroll through the old town
Colmar in 2 days
- Day 1: as above
- Day 2: the wine route: Eguisheim in the morning, Kaysersberg and Riquewihr in the afternoon, with a tasting at a winemaker’s (in moderation and without driving)
Colmar’s Christmas markets
At the end of the year, Colmar hosts six Christmas markets, from 23 November to 29 December 2026, according to the official markets website (checked 26 October 2026). They are spread over several squares in the old town, a few minutes’ walk apart (map on the official site). The neighboring villages hold their own too.
| Place | 2026 dates |
|---|---|
| Colmar (six markets) | 23 November – 29 December |
| Eguisheim | 27 November – 30 December |
| Turckheim | 27 November – 30 December |
| Riquewihr | 27 November – 20 December |
| Kaysersberg | Fridays to Sundays, 27 November to 20 December |
| Ribeauvillé (medieval market) | 5-6 and 12-13 December |
December weekends are very busy and hotels fill up months in advance. Shuttles and park-and-ride sites are set up; come on a weekday if you can. For more year-end ideas, see where to go in December.
When to go to Colmar
The best months are May, June, September and early October. Colmar has a semi-continental climate sheltered by the Vosges: cold winters (slightly negative lows in January-February), hot summers (close to 27 °C, or 81 °F, in the afternoon in July-August), and only 595 mm (23.4 in) of rain a year according to Météo-France, one of the lowest totals in France. Rain falls mostly from May to August, often as thunderstorms.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.6 °C (42 °F) | -0.8 °C (31 °F) | 33.1 mm (1.3 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Cold, grey, quiet town |
| February | 7.6 °C (46 °F) | -0.7 °C (31 °F) | 30.6 mm (1.2 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Cold but dry, quiet museums |
| March | 12.6 °C (55 °F) | 1.9 °C (35 °F) | 34.0 mm (1.3 in) | Low to medium | Low | ⚠️ End of winter, lengthening days |
| April | 17.1 °C (63 °F) | 5.1 °C (41 °F) | 42.8 mm (1.7 in) | Medium | Medium | ✅ Spring, Easter holidays |
| May | 21.0 °C (70 °F) | 9.4 °C (49 °F) | 69.8 mm (2.7 in) | Medium to high | Medium | ✅ Mild, green vineyards; the wettest month |
| June | 24.7 °C (76 °F) | 12.9 °C (55 °F) | 66.2 mm (2.6 in) | Medium | Medium | ✅ Long days, some thunderstorms |
| July | 26.7 °C (80 °F) | 14.4 °C (58 °F) | 62.8 mm (2.5 in) | High | High | ⚠️ Hot, lots of visitors |
| August | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 14.0 °C (57 °F) | 60.8 mm (2.4 in) | High | High | ⚠️ Hot, wine fair |
| September | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 10.2 °C (50 °F) | 51.3 mm (2.0 in) | Medium | Medium | ✅ Mild, harvest begins |
| October | 16.3 °C (61 °F) | 6.7 °C (44 °F) | 56.8 mm (2.2 in) | Medium | Medium | ✅ Vineyard colors |
| November | 9.8 °C (50 °F) | 2.7 °C (37 °F) | 43.6 mm (1.7 in) | Low, then very high | Medium to high | ⚠️ Quiet until the Christmas markets open |
| December | 6.3 °C (43 °F) | 0.2 °C (32 °F) | 43.2 mm (1.7 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ Christmas markets: magical but crowded |
- Spring (April-June): the best season for walking in town and in the vineyards; May is the wettest month (70 mm, or 2.7 in), mostly in showers.
- Summer (July-August): hot and lively, with the Alsace Wine Fair (late July-August, check the dates each year).
- Fall (September-October): grape harvest and colors in the vineyards; ideal for combining town and wine route.
- Winter (November-March): cold, but the Christmas market period is the busiest of the year. Outside it, the town is very quiet.
Where to stay in Colmar
| Area | Best for | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Old town (Little Venice, Tanners’ Quarter) | First visit | Everything on foot, atmosphere; high prices and difficult parking |
| Around the station | No car | More affordable hotels, 15 minutes’ walk from the center |
| Outer districts | With a car | Easier parking, quick access to the wine route |
| Wine route villages (Eguisheim, Turckheim, Kaysersberg) | A quiet stay | Gîtes and B&Bs in the vineyards |
Budget for visiting Colmar
| Item (per person per day) | Tight budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared double room) | roughly €35 to 55 (hostel, simple hotel) | roughly €80 to 150 |
| Meals | roughly €25 to 35 (tarte flambée, pretzels, covered market) | roughly €50 to 80 (winstub, fine dining) |
| Transport | roughly €0 to 10 (on foot, local bus) | roughly €10 to 30 (car, parking) |
| Sightseeing | roughly €5 to 15 (walks, churches) | roughly €20 to 40 (Unterlinden, boat ride, tasting) |
| Total | roughly €70 to 110 | roughly €150 to 250 |
Getting around Colmar
- By high-speed train: TGV services link Colmar with Paris-Est, direct or with a change in Strasbourg. See our tips for cheap train travel.
- From Strasbourg and Mulhouse: frequent regional TER trains, about 30 minutes from Strasbourg.
- In town: the historic center is explored on foot; a bus network serves the area and a small tourist train circles the old town.
- Wine route: car, bike or regional buses; a car remains the most flexible way to string the villages together.
- Parking: paid car parks around the center; in December, use the park-and-ride sites and shuttles.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025): you may enter the Schengen area, including France, for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa; your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay, and officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket.
- UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026): no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist; your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented: fingerprints and a photo may be taken at your first entry, free of charge.
- Health: take out travel insurance that covers medical costs; UK residents can also use a GHIC or a valid EHIC (GOV.UK). The State Department advises being up to date on CDC-recommended vaccinations.
- Crossing into Germany or Switzerland: France has temporarily reintroduced border controls with its Schengen neighbours (travel.state.gov), and GOV.UK notes temporary controls at Germany’s land borders: carry your passport for a trip to Freiburg or Basel.
- Safety: the UK FCDO considers that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France; stay alert in crowded places such as the Christmas markets (GOV.UK).
- Emergencies: 112 (European emergency number), 15 for medical emergencies (travel.state.gov, GOV.UK).
Practical tips for Colmar
- Timing: visit Little Venice early in the morning or late in the day, when the groups have gone.
- Museums: check closing days (often one day a week) before you go.
- Food: try tarte flambée, choucroute, baeckeoffe, kougelhopf and Alsace wines (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris).
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need to visit Colmar?
One day is enough for Little Venice, the Tanners’ Quarter, the Maison Pfister and the Unterlinden Museum. Add one or two days for the wine route (Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr). Above Sélestat, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle pairs well with the wine route.
What are the dates of the Colmar Christmas market in 2026?
From 23 November to 29 December 2026 for the town’s six markets, according to the official Christmas markets website. Check opening hours before you go.
What is the best time to visit Colmar?
May, June, September and early October: 16 to 25 °C (61 to 76 °F) in the afternoon according to Météo-France 1991-2020 normals for Colmar-Meyenheim, and fewer people than in July-August or December.
Can you visit Colmar without a car?
Yes: the TGV station is about 15 minutes’ walk from the center, and the old town is pedestrianized. For the wine route villages, buses and bikes are possible, but a car is more practical.
What can you do in Colmar when it rains?
The Unterlinden Museum, the Bartholdi Museum, Saint-Martin collegiate church, the Dominican church, the covered market and the winstubs.
Colmar or Strasbourg: which should you choose?
Strasbourg for a big city and its museums, Colmar for a more compact center close to the wine route. The two are about 30 minutes apart by train.
Our sources
- Météo-France: climate data sheet, 1991-2020 statistics, Colmar-Meyenheim station
- Official website of the Christmas markets of Colmar and the surrounding area (noel-colmar.com): 2026 dates, checked 26 October 2026
- Colmar tourist office: home and transport pages, checked October 2026
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, France country information (last updated August 11, 2025) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for France (updated 22 October 2026).
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To extend your trip, see our France travel guide, our page on things to do in Lyon and our other destinations in Europe.
