25 things to do and see for free in Strasbourg

Exploring a new often starts with visiting its main sights and museums. If you’re traveling on a budget or with your family, the cost of different attractions can quickly add up. So how can you make the most out of your stay without spending a fortune? We’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of 25 things to do and see in Strasbourg – for FREE.

1. Marvel at the monumental façade of Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame Cathedral (from rue Mercière, place du Château or place de la Cathédrale) and explore the inside of the building 

2. Wander into the courtyard of the Palais Rohan (which can be accessed from place du Château)

3. Slip sideways behind the belly-measuring column, also known as the “Büchmesser” (10 place de la Cathédrale) 

4. Visit la Petite France

5. Admire the sunset from the terrace of the Vauban Dam

6. Enjoy the blooming wisteria at the Maison des Ponts-Couverts

7. Explore the Neustadt and look for the Egyptian House

8. Take a picture of the Lycée des Pontonniers from pont Saint-Étienne or the banks of the river Ill below

9. Walk around the two faces of the Janus Fountain, designed by legendary Alsatian artist Tomi Ungerer (square Markos Botzaris)

10. Check out the skylight in the aula of the Palais Universitaire (9 place de l’Université), which is accessible during the University’s opening hours

11. Visit a museum: the first Sunday of every month, all of Strasbourg’s museums are free

12. Relax in a park or a garden: parc de l’Orangerie, parc de Contades, parc du Heyritz, parc de la Citadelle, square Tomi Ungerer, parc de Pourtalès…

13. Amble through the botanical garden and explore the tropical greenhouse

14. Watch the barges pass by on the Rhine from the Mimram footbridge in the jardin des Deux-Rives

15. Walk along the banks of the Ill and have a break on one of the pontoons along on quai des Bateliers

16. Look for the medieval city wall (place Sainte-Madeleine)

17. Go on a street art safari in the streets of Strasbourg

18. Walk along quai Rouget-de-Lisle from place Brant all the way to the European Institutions

19. Admire the Parlement Européen from quai Ernest Bevin, visit the Hemicycle and the Lieu d’Europe

20. Hear the rooster cry at the offices of local newspaper DNA (17 rue de la Nuée Bleue): every day at noon, the rooster above the clock at the main head office of Alsatian paper les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace (DNA) crows three times

21. Wander along the water from parc de l’Orangerie to the Orthodox church of All-Saints

22. Visit the inside of the protestant church of Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune (place Saint-Pierre-le Jeune)

23. Browse the market stalls of the city’s second-hand booksellers (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, rue des Hallebardes and place Kléber) or the flea market (Wednesdays and Saturdays, place de l’Étal, place des Tripiers and place de la Grande Boucherie) 

24. Enjoy the sunset at the foot of the massive Paindavoine cranes on Presqu’île Malraux

25. Discover the oldest wine in the world at the Historic Wine Cellar of the Strasbourg Hospices (1 place de l’Hôpital)