Mediterranean
Ships anchor offshore; tender boats transport passengers to the town center landing.
Quick Facts: Port of Strasbourg (Rhine River) | France | Strasbourg Cruise Terminal (Port Autonome de Strasbourg) | Dockside | ~75 km southwest to Colmar city center | UTC+1 (CET), UTC+2 in summer (CEST)
Colmar is not a port town — it’s the Alsatian jewel you visit from the Rhine, typically tendered in via Strasbourg or Basel and transferred inland. The single most important planning tip: pre-book your transport or shore excursion to Colmar, because the 75 km transfer eats into your day fast.
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Port & Terminal Information
- Terminal: Strasbourg Cruise Terminal, Port Autonome de Strasbourg, Quai Jacoutot, 67000 Strasbourg. Some itineraries also dock at Basel Cruise Terminal in Switzerland (~65 km from Colmar), so check your cruise documents carefully.
- Docking: Almost always dockside on the Rhine — no tender required, so disembarkation is quick.
- Facilities: The Strasbourg terminal has a small welcome desk, ATM nearby in the city, free Wi-Fi is limited at the dock itself but strong in Strasbourg city center within a 10-minute walk. No luggage storage at the terminal — leave bags onboard.
- Tourist info: Strasbourg Tourist Office is a 15-minute walk or short tram ride; pick up Alsace maps here before heading to Colmar.
- Distance to Colmar: ~75 km from Strasbourg terminal. Find your bearings on Google Maps.
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Getting to the City
- On Foot — Not practical. Colmar is 75 km from the Strasbourg terminal. You can walk into Strasbourg city center in ~15 minutes if you choose to spend the day there instead.
- Train — Best independent option. Take Tram Line D or E from near the port to Strasbourg Gare Centrale (15 min, ~€1.80), then a direct TER regional train to Colmar (35–40 min, ~€12–15 each way). Trains run every 30–60 minutes. Total door-to-door: ~70 minutes. Buy tickets at the station or on the SNCF Connect app.
- Taxi/Private Transfer — A private car from Strasbourg terminal to Colmar runs €80–120 one way. Negotiate a round-trip rate (~€150–180) for best value. Rideshare apps like Bolt operate in Strasbourg. Avoid unlicensed touts at the terminal.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — No HOHO bus connects the river terminal to Colmar. Colmar itself has no HOHO service; the city is compact and best explored on foot once you arrive.
- Rental Car — Hertz, Europcar, and Avis have desks in Strasbourg city center (~20 min from terminal by tram). Driving to Colmar takes ~50 min on the A35. Practical if you want to add Riquewihr or Kaysersberg villages. Budget ~€50–70/day plus fuel.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Worth it if your time ashore is under 5 hours, or if you want a guided narrative through the Alsace villages. Ships often bundle Colmar with Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. Independent travel is easy and cheaper for 6+ hours ashore.
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Top Things to Do in Colmar, France
Colmar delivers more beauty per square kilometer than almost anywhere else in France — half-timbered houses, canal-laced neighborhoods, and world-class art packed into a walkable medieval core. Here’s what earns your hours.
Must-See
1. La Petite Venise (free) — The most photographed neighborhood in Colmar: pastel tanners’ houses reflected in the Lauch River. Walk the Quai de la Poissonnerie at golden hour or hire a flat-bottomed boat (~€6/person, 30 min). A 2-hour walking tour on Viator hits this and all the highlights in a tight time window. 🎟 Book: Colmar : 2H Walking Tour to explore the Highlights of the city Allow 45–60 min to wander.
2. Unterlinden Museum (~€13 adults, €11 reduced) — Home to the Isenheim Altarpiece, one of the most powerful religious paintings in the Western world. Housed in a 13th-century Dominican convent. Book tickets in advance at musee-unterlinden.com to avoid queues. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
3. Colmar Old Town / Rue des Marchands (free) — The medieval spine of the city, flanked by guild houses in candy-stripe timber. Look for the Pfister House (1537) and Maison des Têtes (1609). Allow 1 hour minimum.
4. Collegiate Church of Saint-Martin (free) — A Gothic masterpiece begun in 1234, with a soaring sandstone exterior and luminous interior. Climb the tower for rooftop views over the Alsace plain. Allow 30–45 min.
5. Bartholdi Museum (~€5) — The birthplace and museum of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor behind the Statue of Liberty. Surreal to see the original models. Allow 45 min.
Beaches & Nature
6. Route des Vins d’Alsace (free to drive, wine tasting €5–15) — The famous Alsace Wine Route threads through vine-covered hills south of Colmar. Rent a bike in Colmar (~€15–20/day) and cycle to Turckheim or Eguisheim in under an hour. A half-day Alsace villages tour from Colmar covers the best stops efficiently. 🎟 Book: Alsace villages half day tour from Colmar Allow 3–4 hours.
7. Parc du Champ de Mars (free) — Colmar’s main public park for a picnic and a breather. 15-minute walk from the old town. Allow 30 min.
Day Trips
8. Riquewihr & Kaysersberg (free villages; ~€8–10 for castle entries) — Two of Alsace’s most perfectly preserved medieval wine villages, 15–20 km northwest of Colmar. Riquewihr hasn’t changed since the 16th century. Kaysersberg was Albert Schweitzer’s birthplace. A combined day trip including Haut-Koenigsbourg, Riquewihr, and Kaysersberg on Viator packs all three into 10 hours. 🎟 Book: Day trip: Colmar, Haut-Koenigsbourg, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg
9. Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg (~€9 adults) — A dramatically restored medieval castle perched 757m above the Rhine plain. Views stretch to Germany and Switzerland on clear days. Allow 2 hours including the drive.
10. France, Germany & Switzerland Tri-Border Day (tour from ~$165) — The Rhine at Basel marks the meeting point of three nations. A fascinating half-day detour. France, Germany and Switzerland Full Day Tour from Colmar. 🎟 Book: France, Germany and Switzerland Full Day Tour from Colmar
Family Picks
11. Boat Ride through La Petite Venise (~€6/person) — Kids love the flat-bottomed punts through the canals. Departure point on Quai de la Poissonnerie. Captains narrate in French and English. 30 min.
12. Animated Museum “Le Tribunal” (~€8) — A family-friendly animated history show in an old court building near Place de l’Ancienne Douane. Allow 45 min.
Off the Beaten Track
13. Dominican Church & its Schongauer Madonna (~€2) — Tucked behind Rue des Serruriers, this 14th-century church houses Martin Schongauer’s ethereal Virgin in the Rose Bower (1473). Almost always quiet. Allow 20 min.
14. Smartphone Audioguide Walking Tour (~$8) — For independent explorers who want context without a group, the Colmar audioguide on Viator works on your own phone. 🎟 Book: Colmar Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone 1.5 hours.
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What to Eat & Drink
Alsatian cuisine sits at the joyful intersection of French refinement and German heartiness — choucroute, flammekueche, and Riesling all compete for your loyalty here. Colmar’s winstubs (traditional Alsatian wine taverns) are the real deal; avoid any restaurant on the main tourist drag with photos on the laminated menus.
- Flammekueche (Tarte Flambée) — Thin Alsatian flatbread with crème fraîche, lardons, and onions. Best in any winstub; €8–12.
- Choucroute Garnie — Sauerkraut with pork, sausage, and potatoes. Hearty and filling; €14–18. Try Winstub Brenner on Rue Turenne.
- Baeckeoffe — A slow-cooked meat and potato casserole that must be ordered 24 hours in advance at some restaurants; worth planning for. ~€16–20.
- Munster Cheese — Made in the nearby Vosges valley; pungent and superb on a cheese board. Pick up a round at the covered market. €4–8.
- Alsace Riesling & Gewurztraminer — Dry and aromatic whites produced on the slopes above Colmar. Glass in any cave à vin ~€4–7. Pick up a bottle at the weekly market to take home.
- Kougelhopf — The iconic ring-shaped Alsatian brioche dusted with powdered sugar. Every boulangerie sells them; €3–6.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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Getting Around from the Port
Tender Boat
Official ship tender service directly to Colmar town center
Walking
From tender dock to old town is a short pleasant walk through modern districts
Taxi/Uber
Available at tender dock for direct transport to specific attractions
Guided Shore Excursion
Cruise line organized tours covering old town and regional wine routes
Top Things To Do
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Old Town (Vieille Ville)
Charming medieval quarter with half-timbered houses, narrow canals, and colorful riverside buildings that inspired painter Frederic Brach. The picturesque La Petite Venise (Little Venice) district features gondola-style boat rides through water channels.
Find shore excursions on Viator2
Unterlinden Museum
Houses the famous Isenheim Altarpiece, a masterpiece of Northern Renaissance art, alongside medieval sculptures and modern works in a converted Dominican convent. The museum's courtyard garden provides a peaceful retreat in the heart of the old town.
Find shore excursions on Viator3
Alsatian Wine Route
Colmar is the gateway to this scenic wine region producing world-class Rieslings and Gewu00fcrztraminers from nearby villages like Riquewihr and Kaysersberg. Taste wines at local cellars or join guided vineyard tours.
Find shore excursions on Viator4
Pfister House & Dominican Church
The ornate 16th-century Pfister House showcases Renaissance architecture with intricate woodcarvings and a decorative oriel window. The adjacent Dominican Church contains stunning stained glass and artwork in an atmospheric Gothic setting.
Find shore excursions on ViatorPractical Tips for Cruise Passengers
- Tender service can be slow with large ships; arrive early at the tender boat station and bring motion sickness medication if prone to seasickness
- Colmar's old town is very walkable and compact; wear comfortable shoes as streets are cobblestone and can be slippery when wet
- Euros are required; ATMs are available throughout town but carry cash as some small shops don't accept cards
- French language is primary; English is spoken in tourist areas but learning basic phrases helps; visit in off-peak hours (early morning) to avoid cruise ship crowds
- The town is best explored on foot; skip car rentals as parking is limited and the medieval streets are pedestrian-focused
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a 15-20 minute walk from the tender dock to the old town center, though the tender boat service to the center is included and more convenient for most passengers.
Typical port stops are 8-10 hours, allowing 4-6 hours ashore after tender operations; verify your specific ship's schedule as it varies.
Explore the enchanting old town and Little Venice district on foot, then visit the Unterlinden Museum to see the Isenheim Altarpiece, or join a wine tasting tour of the nearby Alsatian vineyards.
Book your Colmar shore excursion in advance to secure spots on popular wine tours and guided old town walks that fill quickly with other cruise passengers.
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