France · Region
Colmar
Colmar is Alsace's fairy-tale showpiece, its old town threaded with canals and lined with vividly painted half-timbered houses that earned the nicknamed district "La Petite Venise" (Little Venice). Sitting on the Alsace Wine Route between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine, it doubles as a gateway to the region's vineyards and half-timbered villages.
Top attractions
attraction La Petite Venise: Colmar Travel Guide (4.7★)
La Petite Venise is the canal-laced quarter of old Colmar, best seen on foot along Quai de la Poissonnerie and by flat-bottomed boat tour. 4.7★ (57,271 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Musée Unterlinden: Colmar Travel Guide (4.6★)
Musée Unterlinden in Colmar is the city's big art and history museum, built into a 13th-century Dominican convent just off Place des Unterlinden in the town centre. 4.6★ (5,330 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Parc Saint François-Xavier: Colmar Travel Guide (4.5★)
Parc Saint François-Xavier is a quiet neighbourhood park on Rue de Rueil, a 15-20 minute walk south of Colmar's old town, open daily 7:30am-7:30pm. 4.5★ (215 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Vieille ville de Colmar: Travel Guide (4.8★)
Vieille ville de Colmar, the old town centered around Rue des Tanneurs and the "Petite Venise" canals, is Colmar's main draw and easily worth a half or full day on foot. 4.8★ (2,432 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Maison Pfister: Colmar Travel Guide (4.7★)
Maison Pfister is a painted Renaissance house from 1537 at 11 Rue des Marchands in Colmar's old town, a few minutes' walk from the Collégiale Saint-Martin. 4.7★ (868 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Parc du Champ de Mars: Colmar Travel Guide (4.5★)
Parc du Champ de Mars is Colmar's main green space, a few minutes' walk east of the Old Town on Avenue de la République, open around the clock. 4.5★ (7,330 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Place de l'Ancienne Douane: Colmar Travel Guide (4.8★)
Place de l'Ancienne Douane is an open square in Colmar's old town. 4.8★ (210 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Colmar
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Where to stay in Colmar
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Frequently asked questions about Colmar
How do I get to Colmar?
Colmar has no major commercial airport of its own; most travelers fly into EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH) or Strasbourg-Entzheim (SXB), each roughly 70 km away, then continue by TER regional train. Colmar's own station sits on the Strasbourg–Basel railway line, with direct TGV service from Paris taking ~2h50 and regional trains linking it to Strasbourg, Mulhouse, and Basel.
How many days should I spend in Colmar?
Plan on ~1-2 days to wander the old town and Little Venice at an easy pace, or add a day or two more for day trips along the Alsace Wine Route.
What is Colmar known for?
Colmar is Alsace's fairy-tale showpiece, its old town threaded with canals and lined with vividly painted half-timbered houses that earned the nicknamed district "La Petite Venise" (Little Venice). Sitting on the Alsace Wine Route between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine, it doubles as a gateway to the region's vineyards and half-timbered villages.