Things to do in Strasbourg - Hidden Gems & Budget Hacks

After living in Strasbourg for a year now, here are some of my favourite spots, budget hacks and (in my opinion) the best place to get a croissant 🥐. I still have a lot of places to try and explore, so I will be continuously updating this post! Feel free to send me a message if there is somewhere you think should be added, and I will go and try it out!

• 

• 

• 

Sight-Seeing - Free things to do in Strasbourg

There are many things to see and do in Strasbourg, but here is a list of FREE things to do in Strasbourg:

• The Petite France - This is a gorgeous area and definitely worth a wander around. Here you can soak in examples of colourful Alsatian architecture and even watch the boats go through a lock.

• Barrage Vauban - Go through the tunnel to see the casts and replicas of the statues on the Strasbourg cathedral. Then go on the top as this has one of the best views of Strasbourg.

• Strasbourg Cathedral - It's free to go into the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg but there is usually a line up, it goes quite quickly though. Don't go in the middle of the day though, as it is only open to those that have bought tickets to see the Astronomical Clock show.

• Museums - Visit a museum on the first Sunday of the month as entry is free.

• Stolpersteine - When walking around Strasbourg, look out for Stolpersteine 'Stumbling Stones', which are little golden cobblestones that pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. There are over 60 in Strasbourg and they are on the ground outside where that person used to live. It is quite chilling but also a historic reminder that everyone matters.

• European Parliament - Explore the European Parliament on a self-guided free tour. No bookings are necessary unless it is during a plenary session. NOTE: You will need to bring your passport for security checks.

• Parc de l'Orangerie - This is a wonderful place to see many, many storks, gorgeous gardens and stretch your legs on its 2.2km round route.

• The Robertsau Forest - Another nice place to stretch your legs and get out of the city buzz. 

• Lac du Baggersee - This is a great place for a swim in the summer.

• Christmas Markets - Named the 'Capital of Christmas', there is no place better than Strasbourg to get you into the Christmas spirit. Usually open from the end of November to the end of December, you will be able to explore the many Christmas markets that line the squares of Strasbourg. 🎄

• Historic Wine Cellar of Strasbourg Hospices - Take a free tour of the Historic Wine Cellar and see over 50 large wooden vats in the gallery of barrels.

Shopping in Strasbourg

Markets - There are markets EVERYWHERE in Strasbourg! Whether you are looking for fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, charcuterie, cheeses (because we all know you can't visit France without sampling multiple types of cheese 🧀) or random nick-nacks, you'll be in heaven roaming the streets here. They also do some of the best vintage markets I have ever seen. Check out the different markets and their opening hours here.

Thrifting/Vintage Clothes - There is nothing better than finding that hidden vintage gem 😍 and you're sure to find something in one of the many vintage shops that Strasbourg has to offer. Here are my favourites:

• Friperie Le Léopard

• Le Grenier

• Poulet Fripes

• Friperie Le Concept

• Oxfam

• Label Fripe - This one in in Vendenheim but worth the drive!

• Communauté Emmaüs Strasbourg - This place is great if you need anything second hand for the house. I really like the kitchenware room, some things are only 50 cents a piece!

Souvenirs - There are so many souvenir shops in Strasbourg and if you want a typical souvenir make sure you shop around. A lot of the stores around the Catherdral will sell the same thing but at different prices. I have saved a few Euros by going to the next shop. If you want something a bit different to take home with you, Strasbourg has a few artist collective stores. These allow different artists to sell their products in one store and most of the stuff is pretty impressive! Here are a few of them:

• Le Générateur - Boutique de Créateurs

• Little Nuage

• Curieux

• Berthel
  

There is also a lady, Youngmi Kim, who sells her watercolour paintings in Petite France and sometimes you are lucky enough to get one in an arch-window shaped frame. This makes for a great souvenir as it is like you always have a window looking into Strasbourg. You can usually find her set up here, but she also has a gallery.

Asian Groceries - For your ramen, kimchi, asian sauces or vegetable fix, then go no further than to Paris store. It has a great variety of products and is reasonably priced.

Toiletries or other random stuff - If you have run out of shampoo, soap, toothpaste, cosmetics etc. head over to Normal, they have a huge range of things and the prices aren't too bad. It's one of those 'Ikea' type set-ups where you have one entrance and one exit and you have to go through the whole shop to find your way out, but on a much smaller scale than Ikea. It's always a fun visit though, as they have super random things in there too, like cheap spices, novelty gifts, lollies, make your own bubble tea sets, japanese mayonnaise and even once they had Tim Tams! And if you don't know what Tim Tams are, get out to Normal and grab a pack of these delicious Australian chocolate biscuits and ask me how to do a Tim Tam Slam!

• 

• 

• 

Food in Strasbourg

Lunch Deals - They love their 'Menu du Midi' (lunch menu) here and you'll find many restaurants offering this. Usually there is a set price for the main meal and then about 5-6€ to add on a main or dessert. Most are only available Monday-Friday and you will need to book a table as they are popular. Here are some that I have tested out...just for you 😉

• La Hache - This is quite a fancy restaurant and their lunch menu offers mains for 14€.

• The Drunky Stork - FIRSTLY, can we have a little giggle at the name of this place! Secondly, here you'll be able to have an all-you-can-eat salad/quiche bar in the summer and a soup/quiche bar in the winter for only 15€.

• Chez l'Oncle Freddy - For some tasty Alsatian food in the heart of Petite France, this place has an entree and main deal for 25€ or main and cake of the day for 23€.

• Michelin Star Restaurants - Strasbourg has a lot of these and if you want to try them out but not remorgage your house, check out their website as most them have a significantly reduced menu at lunchtime.

Tarte flambée - Don't know what this is? Ok, think of a thin doughy crust covered in crème fraîche, onions and dripping with bacon and all of its fatty goodness. This is a Tarte Flambe, well the original. You can also get this with melted cheese on top and many other toppings, including sweet versions 🤤. Many restaurants around town will offer these delicious Alsatian creations on their menu, but Mama Bubbele is my all time favourite as they only have tarte flambee on their menu (well they do have a side salad too but why waist your stomach space). Must trys are the 24-month-old Basque ham with comté and the banana, milk chocolate and hazelnut! They also do gluten free tarte flambee for those that have intolerances. Coming in a close second is Binchstub Broglie and the banana toblerone one is a must try there. For both restaurants, make a booking so you don't miss out. I haven't been to Flam's, but they have all-you-can-eat tatre flambees for 13.90€, so I thought it was worth a mention.

Cafés/pâtisseries - This list could be endless but here are some that I have tested and recommend:

• Sébastien - Drum roll please...this place has the best croissant I've ever had. Think ALL the layers and ALL the butter!  🥐 🥐 🥐 🥐 🥐

• Mokka - They have a nice breakfast here and it is a cozy place to sit. They also allow you to order anything from the attached bakery to have with your coffee or tea at your table.

• L'Atelier 116 - Everything here is amazing, from savory to sweet. They only have a few outdoor seats though.

• Au Fond de la Théière - They specialise in tea infusions here and have some nice cakes. The interior is quite big and you can usually get a table. 

• Le Café Potager - This is a cute place and a good spot to get off your feet when in the center of the city.

• Pâtisserie Tonton Gâteau - The cakes here are amazing and it has a great atmosphere.

• Cafés du Monde - Very nice, large interior with comfortable seating. They have specialty coffee and even do a nutella latte! A good working cafe also, I even saw a guy playing video games with an old school joy stick in there once.

• Au Pain de Mon Grand Père - This is an iconic bakery...everything is delicious.

• Mokxa Boutique - The place itself is small but they have great coffee (at least that is what my coffee friends tell me)

• Cafe Stub - Small but nice, this one also doubles as a good working cafe.

• Petite Stub - Although the name means small, this is as big as the normal cafe stub and a good working cafe also.

• Pâtisserie Jaune Citron - Literally art on a plate...Instagramer's heaven!

• Bloom - The cookies here are amazing and I had a popcorn tea here which blew my mind 🍿🤯

• L'Eden - GLUTEN FREE BAKERY 🍞🙅!!!! I would say their eclairs rival the gluten full ones!

• Car&Mel - Cuteness overload with its flower wall, play on the name and gorgeous cakes.

Bags of Food - Too Good to Go is an app that was created to help stop food waste. It is where bakeries, restaurants and grocery stores do mystery bags of stuff they don't sell at the end of the day and you can get baguettes, croissants, pastries, fruit, vegetables, sushi, juices etc. for 3-5€ a bag.

Desserts - Ever thought, I wish I could try a few of the desserts on the menu? Well, sometimes you can! Ask for 'Le Café Gourmand' which aren't always on the menu, but a lot of restaurants offer them and it is worth asking if they do! It is made up of 3-5 mini versions of the desserts on their menu plus an expresso. 🍰🍰🍰☕

Transport in Strasbourg and Surrounding Areas

Trains, Buses & Trams

• Strasbourg Area and to Kehl - If you are here for a short time you can get a paper ticket from the tram stops or train station and load it with a single journey, return, day ticket, 10 trips or other options. Otherwise, if you are here for a longer period, get a Badgeo Card which you can uplaod via the CTS app. Whether you opt for the paper or plastic card, make sure you validate your ticket before you get on a tram (there is no machines to tap on inside the trams) and when you enter the bus.

• Grant-Est Region - Get yourself a Fluo Card if you are going to be traveling around the Grant-Est region by train or bus quite often. They offer you a 50% discount on your tickets for a year and only cost 20€ or 1€ if you are under 26. You can buy the cards by mail, at some ticket offices or online.

• Europe - Flix Bus has super cheap bus tickets to practically anywhere in Europe.

Flying

In Strasbourg, we have our own airport. Although small, Volotea and EasyJet  fly directly to many European destinations and are both low-cost airlines. We also have the option to go (within a few hours) to large airports in Paris, Frankfurt, Basel, Baden Baden and Stuttgart . Flix Bus is helpful to get cheap fares out to other airports. If you find a flight with Lufthansa, make sure you select Strasbourg (SXB) as your departure point as the Lufthansa bus is sometimes not much extra when included in the flight (normal price for the bus is 49€) and it is seen as a connecting 'flight'. Meaning that if there are any delays with the bus, then the airline has to deal with any flight changes. Also, if your luggage doesn't make it from your plane to the bus on time, they will deliver your luggage to you within a few days.

Updated: 22 Aug 2025