Fairytale town is right – I’ve been to Colmar four times now and every single time the town takes my breath away. The cobblestone streets, half-timbered homes, brightly colored buildings, and impeccable decor (whether or not it’s Christmas) all adds to the charm of Colmar. But more importantly, the locals are friendly, warm, and welcoming. This is the perfect itinerary for spending one day in Colmar.
If you want to explore more of the Alsace region, don’t miss…
Should You Visit Colmar?
Should you visit Colmar? Absolutely. Not only is it easy to get to Colmar from Paris, but it’s one of those storybook French fairytale towns that you read about in books or see photos of online. Colmar is located in the Alsace wine region, a region that spans northeastern France on the border of Germany. This region is famous for making rieslings, cremant, and other great wines; but it also blends French and Germany culture together due to past wars. (A few times in history, this region of France was occupied by Germany).
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How to Get to Colmar
You can easily get to Colmar on a high speed train from Paris. I prefer to use Omio when searching for trains throughout France so I can choose the best option. When choosing a train, you’ll leave from either “Paris Gare de l’Est” or “Paris Gare de Lyon”. You’ll arrive to “Colmar”. A train journey from Paris to Colmar takes about 2.5 hours (without transfers).
When taking the train in France, you’ll receive your ticket which will have both a car number and seat number. The car number, “voiture”, will be listed first and you’ll see the car numbers on the outside of the train. Your seat number will be listed next and once you’re in the right car, you’ll be able to find your seat.
BOOK YOUR TRAIN TICKET TO COLMAR HERE!
Another option for traveling to Colmar is by car. If you’re driving from Paris, the drive is about 5-6 hours and is relatively seamless. When renting a car, I recommend using a search engine such as Discover Cars so that you can choose from multiple rental companies in one place. If you’re only visiting Colmar for a day or two and don’t plan to explore more of the Alsace, I would not recommend driving. You won’t need a car in Colmar and a train is much faster. However, if you do want to explore more of the Alsace, a car is recommended.
If you don’t feel comfortable picking up a rental in Paris and driving to Colmar, you could consider taking the train to Colmar and picking up a rental car once you arrive.
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BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR HERE!
Where to Stay in Colmar
When booking accommodation in hotel, I highly recommend staying in Colmar’s historic town centre. There are tons of great places to choose from, but I personally recommend these hotels…
- Hotel Le Colombier
- Hotel Restaurant Le Maréchal – Teritoria
- L’esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar – MGallery
- Relais & Châteaux La Maison Des Têtes
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN COLMAR HERE!
How to Spend the Morning in Colmar
Spend your morning in Colmar strolling through the old town and along the canal. Stop in at the many quaint shops, leisurely sip a coffee, and soak in the magic that is Colmar. If you’re interested in learning about the history of the region, I would recommend a walking tour with a local guide.
At this time, I would also recommend heading to Marché Couvert Colmar – Colmar’s covered market where you can get fresh baked pastries for breakfast. Please know, the market is closed on Mondays.
How to Spend the Afternoon in Colmar
For spending the afternoon in Colmar, I would recommend checking out the Unterlinden Museum at some point. Here you’ll find artwork and historical pieces dating back to the 13th-century. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and you can get tickets to the museum here.
Another option if you want to see both the town and the surrounding area of Colmar, would be to book a Segway tour. This is a great option if you want to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Or, view Colmar from the water on the canal tour run by Sweet Narcisse.
For lunch, I recommend trying tarte flambée – or flammkuchen – a typical Alsatian flatbread with cream, cheese, and bacon (although there are different toppings). Both Restaurant La Soï and Restaurant Pfeffel have great flammkuchen.
How to Spend the Evening in Colmar
Because Colmar is in the heart of wine country, I would absolutely recommend stopping for a wine tasting before dinner. The two places that I recommend include L’un Des Sens and Maison Jund.
For dinner, I suggest JY’S, L’Atelier du Peintre, or La Cocotte de Grand-Mére.
Practical Tips & FAQ for Visiting Colmar
Q: “Is one day in Colmar enough?”
- A: Yes, one day in Colmar is enough. However, if you want to explore the Alsace further, basing yourself in Colmar is the perfect place to stay for 2-3 nights to see more of the Alsace.
Q: “When is the best time to visit Colmar?”
- A: It’s no doubt that Christmas in Colmar is absolute magic; but this is also when prices are their highest and tourists swarm the small town. if you prefer to visit at a quieter time, May and September are perfect. You have good weather and fewer crowds.
Language Tips…
- Of course, French is the first language in Colmar, but seeing as the town has previously been occupied by Germany, the region also has its own language, Alsatian. This is because when Germany invaded, the people were required to speak Germany and when France took the area back, the people were required to speak French. Because this went on throughout the years, the people in the Alsace developed their own language so that they could understand each other. English is also widely spoken in Colmar, especially in service areas like hotels and restaurants.
Currency/Payment…
- Most places in Colmar accept credit and debit cards. There are a couple of instances when you might need cash, so just in case, I recommend keeping about 50 Euro cash on hand. Remember to always pay in Euro to get a better conversion rate.
France Essentials – What You Need to Know & Need to Know
TRAVELING THROUGH FRANCE
- The easiest way to book train tickets in France is through Omio
- To book a flight to France, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options
- For car rentals in France, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through France – I use and recommend SafetyWing (read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
ACCOMODATION IN FRANCE
- To easiest way to book hotels in France is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN FRANCE
- For tours and activities in France, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
- For food tours in France, I recommend Devour Tours
- For walking tours in France, I recommend Take Walks
- For tickets to museums and attractions, I recommend Tiqets
WHAT TO BRING TO FRANCE
- Don’t forget a France guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (France uses type C)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- I use this eye mask on the plane to help get some shut eye and help with jet lag
I hope that this one day in Colmar itinerary has inspired your visit and helped you make the most out of your time in Colmar. If you have any questions about visiting Colmar or the Alsace in general, let me know in a comment below!
If you’re visiting France, make sure to check out these guides…
For more information on things to see and do in Colmar, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “France 1″, “France 2”, & “France 3”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
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