This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
The drive from Luxembourg down to Strasbourg is a destination in itself if you build in the right stops. We had a private driver for this leg, which let us break it up with a hilltop castle and one of the prettiest towns in Alsace. Here’s how it went.
Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg
This restored medieval château sits high above the Alsace plain, and the views from the top are stunning. One honest heads-up: there are a lot of stairs. It rained while we were there, which made the stone a bit slippery, so if stairs or uneven footing are uncomfortable for you, this may be one to admire from below rather than climb. If you’re up for it, though, it’s a genuinely memorable stop.
Colmar (I wish we’d had more time)
Colmar was absolutely stunning — the kind of place I wish we’d given a full day. The half-timbered architecture and the canals of La Petite Venise are beautiful to simply arrive and walk through, no agenda needed. The old town around Maison Pfister and the Koïffhus is dense with restaurants, shops, and little eateries, and it’s well worth wandering off the main drag to find the quieter, equally pretty corners.
The rain had held off by the time we arrived and actually cooled things down, so we got beautiful weather for it. Don’t miss the Marché Couvert (covered market) if you’re there at the right time — it’s a lovely spot to graze.
The takeaway
If you’re routing between Luxembourg and Strasbourg, these two stops turn a transfer day into one of the prettiest days of the trip. If I could redo it, I’d shave time somewhere else and give Colmar a proper afternoon — it earns it.
Comfort tips: grippy, closed-toe shoes for those castle stairs — especially if it’s wet — and something for the rain, because Alsace weather can turn on you mid-visit. I wore the New Balance 1080 v15 and keep the BAODINI mini travel umbrella in my day bag — it’s tiny, fits in a purse, and doubles as excellent sun protection on the hot days.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Affiliate Disclosure for details.
Next up: Alsace — Strasbourg →
Part of A Summer Grand Tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, Alsace & Switzerland.
Comments
One response to “Luxembourg to Strasbourg: A Fairytale Castle and the Storybook Town of Colmar”
[…] Day 8 — Luxembourg to Strasbourg. A fairytale castle and the storybook town of Colmar along the way. Luxembourg to Strasbourg: Haut-Kœnigsbourg & Colmar. […]