Free things to do · Strasbourg · France
10 free things to do in Strasbourg
Strasbourg without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jonathan M, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Strasbourg without paying an entry fee: Strasbourg Cathedral, Petite France, Place Kléber and Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban are all free. The cathedral nave, Petite France and the Barrage Vauban terrace are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 7
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- February
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Grande Île
1.Strasbourg Cathedral
See the west façade twice: in the late-afternoon sun, when the sandstone turns rose-red, and floodlit after dark.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · Petite France
2.Petite France
Come early in the morning or after dinner, when the crowds have gone and the reflections in the canals are clearest.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Architecture
Landmark · Grande Île
3.Place Kléber
Combine it with Place Gutenberg and the shopping streets of Rue des Grandes Arcades nearby.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Shopping
Historic site · Petite France
4.Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban
Climb to the Barrage Vauban terrace for the classic view of the Ponts Couverts with the cathedral behind.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Architecture · Grande Île
5.Maison Kammerzell
Look closely at the carved wooden figures depicting the five senses, the ages of man and biblical scenes.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
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Neighbourhood · Neustadt
6.Neustadt and Place de la République
Walk from Place de la République along Avenue de la Liberté to the University Palace for the most impressive façades.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Architecture · Orangerie and the European Quarter
7.European Parliament and the European Quarter
Check the European Parliament site for visitor-centre access and whether a plenary session is taking place.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Park · Orangerie and the European Quarter
8.Parc de l'Orangerie
Rent a rowing boat on the lake and look up at the storks' nests from spring to summer.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Park · Neudorf
9.Jardin des Deux Rives
Walk across the footbridge to Germany and back, then take tram D to Kehl's centre for a German coffee and cake.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Religious site · Grande Île
10.Église Saint-Thomas
Check the church noticeboard for organ concerts.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Grande Île | Strasbourg Cathedral, Place Kléber, Maison Kammerzell and Église Saint-Thomas | 1 hour + 20 minutes + 15 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Petite France | Petite France and Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban | 1–2 hours + 30 minutes |
| Neustadt | Neustadt and Place de la République | 1–2 hours |
| Orangerie and the European Quarter | European Parliament and the European Quarter and Parc de l'Orangerie | 1–2 hours + 1.5–2 hours |
| Neudorf | Jardin des Deux Rives | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Grande Île
Astronomical Clock
Buy a ticket for the midday show and arrive early, as the viewing area fills quickly.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Grande Île
Cathedral platform
Go on a clear morning for the best visibility of the Black Forest and the Vosges.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
Experience · Grande Île
Batorama boat tour
Book in advance in summer and at Christmas; the boats leave from near the Palais Rohan.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
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Palace · Grande Île
Palais Rohan
Start with the princes' apartments, then choose fine arts or archaeology depending on your interest.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Grande Île
Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame
Visit before or after the cathedral to compare the originals with the copies on the façade.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Grande Île
Musée Alsacien
Look out for the painted wooden furniture and the traditional Alsatian costumes with their large bow headdresses.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Gallery · Gare district
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Visit after the Barrage Vauban; it is just across the water.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- The cathedral nave, Petite France and the Barrage Vauban terrace are free.
- Many winstubs offer a weekday lunch formule at lower prices than dinner.
- Visit outside December for much lower hotel prices.
- Stay near the station for budget hotels within walking distance of the old town.
- Use Vélhop bikes or trams rather than taxis.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Strasbourg expensive to visit?
Strasbourg is moderately priced for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Strasbourg?
Strasbourg Cathedral: See the west façade twice: in the late-afternoon sun, when the sandstone turns rose-red, and floodlit after dark.