Is Colmar Worth Visiting? 15 Pros and Cons to Consider

If you’re asking yourself “Is Colmar worth visiting?”, I’m here to give you my honest opinion.

Some destinations tend to get overpromoted on IG, and it’s hard to tell if they’re actually worth the hype, so I want to share my personal experiences and opinions about Colmar, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects.

This will help you decide if Colmar is the right destination for your next trip.

*This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.

Colmar France travel inspiration: Is Colmar worth visitng?

Where Is Colmar Located and How to Get There

Colmar is located in northeastern France in the region of Grand Est (formed by Alsace, Lorraine, and Champagne-Ardenne), near the borders with Germany and Switzerland. It’s one of the largest towns in Alsace.

The two nearest airports are Strasbourg Airport (SXB), from which you can take a train to the city’s main station and another train to Colmar, and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (serves both France and Switzerland), from which you can take a 10-minute bus to Saint-Louis and a train to Colmar. You can also take a taxi, but that would be much pricier.

In addition, there’s a direct train from Paris to Colmar three times a day.

colorful half timbered houses in Colmar France

Reasons to Visit Colmar, France

Unique Culture

The Alsace region has a unique culture due to its location and history of being ruled by France and Germany over the years, a blend of French and Germanic influences that make it truly fascinating and special.

It should be your next destination if you’re eager to visit France yet looking to immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind culture, reflected in the architecture, the food (like sauerkraut and spaetzle), and even traditional costumes.

Stunning Architecture

Speaking of the local architecture – unlike other areas in France, Alsace is the only one that can spoil you with colorful half-timbered houses that seem like they belong in a fairytale.

You’ll find them in abundance in Colmar’s old town (Vieux Colmar), boasting beautiful pastel colors that make the scenery extra dreamy.

Every corner is incredibly gorgeous and unique, so when you wander around, it’s impossible to feel that this town is not worth seeing.

Instagrammable Spots

Adding to the lovely architecture are quirky decorations you’ll find on some of the buildings in Colmar.

From the hearts at Brasserie des Tanneurs and Au Vieux Pignon to the teddy bears of Café Korinne to the medieval Alsatian shop signs, I know you’ll love these small details that make a big impact.

Photogenic Historical Landmarks

While sightseeing is not the main reason to travel to Colmar (because its charm is revealed when you roam it freely), it doesn’t mean that the town’s landmarks are not worth mentioning or visiting.

In fact, some of the most beautiful spots in Colmar include the 800-year-old St Martin’s Church – the town’s most famous church and a fine example of Gothic architecture, the covered market, and the quirky Maison Pfister (Pfister House) – a Renaissance-style townhouse built in the 16th century.

Museums

While you won’t a whole lot of museums in Colmar, the main ones will surely win over any culture buff or museum lover.

The most prominent is the Unterlinden Museum, a 13th-century convent turned into an art and history museum which gets roughly 200,000 visitors each year.

You can also visit the Bartholdi Museum – dedicated to the Colmar-born sculptor who designed the Statue of Liberty, the Hansi Museum – showcasing the works of the illustrator Jean-Jacques Waltz, and the quirky Toy Museum.

Cozy Cafes, Boulangeries, and Patisseries

France wouldn’t be France without cafes, boulangeries, and patisseries dotting every corner, and Colmar is no exception.

Whether you’re in the mood for a simple coffee and croissant, a picture-perfect dessert, or a more filling breakfast or brunch, this town has plenty of options to satisfy your cravings.

Certain places specialize in traditional French pastries, while others incorporate elements of German cuisine by offering pretzels and kugelhopf.

Some my favorites were L’Artémise, Boulangerie l’Authentique, Boulangerie Maison Alexandre, Maison Alsacienne de Biscuiterie, Tinto, and MOKKA.

coffee and desserts in LArtemise, Colmar, France — L’Artémise

It’s an Easy Day Trip From Strasbourg or Basel

I love taking day trips when visiting a big city, and I’m always looking for that sweet spot between beauty and easy access. So if you’re planning a weekend break in Strasbourg or Basel, Colmar is only a short train ride away.

I know some people wonder if they should visit Colmar or Strasbourg, and since they’re situated only 30 minutes from one another, you should absolutely experience both.

Tip: If you want to take day trips from Basel and Strasbourg by public transport, you can book your train/bus tickets in advance on Omio (it’s not mandatory, but it can save you time).

Facade of the Strasbourg Cathedral — Strasbourg Cathedral

It’s Also an Ideal Base for Exploring the Alsace Wine Region

While you only need one day in Colmar (or two), you should add a few more to your trip to discover the magic of the stunning Alsace Wine Route.

It’s France’s oldest wine route, boasting endless carpets of vineyards (dotted with dozens of wineries), beautiful scenery of the Vosges Mountains, fairytale medieval villages, and so much more.

So if exploring the surroundings of Colmar sounds tempting to you, don’t skip out on places like Château Haut-Koenigsbourg, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Eguisheim.

Tip: If you’re a wine lover, you can also visit a couple of wineries found in Colmar itself, Domaine Martin JUND and Domaine Robert Karcher et Fils. Also, the town hosts the annual Alsace Wine Fair.

Houses and river of Kaysersberg — Kaysersberg

village square in Ribeauville France — Ribeauville

You Don’t Have to Rent a Car to Enjoy Colmar and Its Surroundings

If you do want to travel through the Alsace Wine Route, Colmar is a great base for those who don’t want to take a road trip.

Colmar itself is a walkable town, and you can easily plan a car-free Alsace itinerary by using buses and trains to get to the places I mentioned above, so even without driving, you’ll still be able to enjoy the beauty of the region.

Different Groups of Travelers Would Love It

Whether you’re looking for a destination for a European girls’ trip, a romantic getaway, or even a mother-daughter weekend break, Colmar (and Alsace) is a wonderful choice.

Each Season Has Something Different to Offer

I chose to visit Colmar (and Alsace in general) in spring because I wanted to enjoy pleasant weather and see the scenery of lush green vineyards with perfectly blue skies in all its glory. And that’s exactly what I got.

In terms of events, Colmar hosts Easter and spring markets, and many wineries across the region invite you to have a “Picnic at the Winegrower’s”, which means you only need to bring a picnic basket, and you’ll get wine, an idyllic spot next to the vineyards, and some fun tours and activities.

In summer, the town hosts the Colmar International Festival, perfect for classical music enthusiasts, and other towns in Alsace invite you to enjoy their wine fairs.

Fall is the time to marvel at the foliage and attend grape harvest festivals.

Winter is also a popular time to visit Alsace, as it’s known for its magical Christmas markets, taking place in Colmar, Strasbourg, and many other towns and villages.

Things About Colmar I Didn’t Like as Much as I Thought I Would

Little Venice

La Petite Venise (Little Venice) is Colmar’s famous canal quarter and the first area that pops up when searching for photos of the town.

And there’s no denying that it does look good in pictures (the views from Pont Saint Pierre and the bridge on Rue Turenne are very pretty) thanks to the gorgeous half-timbered houses, but the canal itself is shallow and dirty.

It’s still a lovely area (way smaller than I had expected), but it looks different in real life, so I was slightly underwhelmed.

Restaurants

I’m always in search of good food, yet I don’t look for anything too fancy. I have to admit that I wasn’t wowed by the restaurants in Colmar, and I can only write about my personal experience, so I hope you’d feel differently.

The cuisine of Alsace is heavily influenced by German gastronomy, so I liked trying dishes such as spaetzle (small dumplings/noodles) baked with local cheeses, potato rosti, and vegetarian versions of the pizza-like tarte flambée (or flammkuchen), but I didn’t have any memorable meal. It was just ok.

It’s not a reason not to visit this town, and there’s a chance you’ll have a completely different experience, so even if food is a big deal for you when choosing a destination, don’t take Colmar off the table.

vegetables at the covered market of Colmar

Other Things to Consider Before Deciding to Visit Colmar

Tourists

If you’re wondering if Colmar is too touristy, I’d say it depends on when you’re visiting. When I traveled there in late spring/early summer, it was very tranquil in the mornings and laid-back yet lively in the evenings.

Throughout the day, some streets got a bit crowded because of groups of tourists that only visited Colmar for the day (I’m guessing it was a day trip from Strasbourg), but it didn’t feel unbearably touristy.

That said, Colmar might feel overcrowded in other seasons (like winter, when travelers flock to Alsace for Christmas markets).

Prices

Colmar is not a budget-friendly destination by definition, but you can enjoy the best of what it has to offer without breaking the bank. It’s also a fantastic place to visit if you’re a mid-range or luxury traveler.

There’s a variety of accommodations for different budgets, though the cheaper ones (that aren’t rated under 7.5) are located outside the center.

You can have coffee and a pastry in a boulangerie for only a few euros or splurge on brunch at a trendy cafe, and many of the meatless main courses I tried cost roughly 15 euros.

Is Colmar Worth Visiting? The Verdict

A destination doesn’t have to be 100% perfect to be enjoyable, and Colmar is very close to being perfect.

Considering that my “complaints” about this town are pretty minor, I’d say that Colmar is definitely worth visiting, especially if you love colorful towns that seem like they belong in a Disney movie.

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