Is Colmar worth visiting at Christmas? Absolutely. This charming French town offers a truly unforgettable holiday experience, filled with festive magic. It’s easily one of my favorite Christmas destinations in Europe.

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Is Colmar worth visiting for Christmas?

Christmas atmosphere in Colmar

While I always enjoy the German Christmas markets, if I had to pick just one place in Europe to truly experience the magic of the season, it would be the enchanting French town of Colmar. Christmas in Colmar feels like stepping into a storybook – only it’s real. With its half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, cozy cafés, antique shops, and irresistible French patisseries, the town transforms into a festive wonderland that everyone should experience at least once in their life.

That said, Colmar’s charm comes with a caveat: it gets very busy, especially on weekends and as Christmas approaches. The crowds can take away from the experience, particularly given the town’s small size. While I absolutely loved my day in Colmar, I also admit that it’s not a place I’d return to every year during the holidays – the magic is best enjoyed when it’s not too packed.

christmas in colmar france
Is Colmar worth visiting? – Absolutely!

How to visit Colmar and Strasbourg

Last year, after exploring the Swiss Christmas markets, we decided to take a day trip to France’s Alsace region. Since we were based in Basel, it was the perfect chance to venture into northeastern France – with Strasbourg, the region’s Christmas capital, at the top of our list. Thanks to the frequent and convenient train connections between Basel and Strasbourg, it made for an easy and stress-free choice.

Funny enough, Colmar wasn’t even part of our original plan. We had tickets straight to Strasbourg and only decided to stop in Colmar on the way back – a spontaneous decision that turned out to be the highlight of the day.

Instead of renting a car (which is ideal for exploring Alsace in the warmer months or off-season), we opted for train. Between the winter weather and heavy Christmas crowds, driving and parking in towns like Strasbourg didn’t seem worth the hassle. So, on a foggy December morning, we boarded a train bound for Strasbourg, excited to experience the festive French charm we’d heard so much about.

Colmar or Strasbourg

Getting to Colmar from Basel is just as easy as reaching Strasbourg. Direct trains run frequently (you can find the best deals via Trainline and Omio), and the journey takes just under an hour, making it a perfect day trip if you’re based in Basel. In comparison, Strasbourg is a bit farther – about 90 minutes by train. While Strasbourg offers a grander scale and a more bustling Christmas market, Colmar felt far more intimate and magical, even with its fair share of crowds. Its half-timbered houses, picturesque canals, and cozy market squares felt like something out of a fairy tale.

For me, Colmar had a warmth and charm that Strasbourg didn’t quite match. The festive atmosphere, twinkling lights, and smaller, more personal market stalls made it my unexpected winter travel crush. What began as a spontaneous stop ended up being the highlight of our trip.

If I had to choose between the two, Colmar would win for its storybook setting and magical small-town feel. That said, we visited in early December – before the peak holiday rush. As Christmas Day approaches, the town’s small size and growing popularity could make it feel overcrowded. In that case, Strasbourg might be the better choice, offering more space to explore and a broader range of festivities.

Strasbourg france for christmas
Strasbourg in December
strasbourg or colmar for christmas
Architecture in Strasbourg
is strasbourg worth visiting in winter
Strasbourg is another unique Christmas destination in France

What is so special about Colmar?

It’s hard to capture in words just how magical the tiny village of Colmar truly feels. Strolling through its cobbled streets is like stepping straight into the world of Beauty and the Beast. The half-timbered houses give Colmar year-round charm, but during the holiday season – with sparkling lights, festive décor, cozy French cafés, bustling Christmas markets, and the delicious aroma of mulled wine and spices – the Old Town transforms into a real-life fairy tale.

Colmar’s architecture is a fascinating blend of French and German influences, with some buildings dating back to the 14th century. One of the most postcard-perfect spots, known as “Little Venice,” is especially picturesque – and best appreciated from a canal boat ride during the warmer months.

As you can see in my photos, the town was fairly quiet during the day. But as evening approached, the crowds started to grow noticeably. The foggy weather and light rain likely helped keep daytime visitors to a minimum (even in December), making for a more peaceful experience.

The Magic of Christmas in #Colmar, France. With its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, Colmar is a festive #fairytale everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime! #winter #travel #destinations #blog #Christmas #markets #Europe #France
Visiting Colmar for Christmas
The Magic of Christmas in #Colmar, France. With its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, Colmar is a festive #fairytale everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime! #winter #travel #destinations #blog #Christmas #markets #Europe #France
Colmar´s architecture is straight from the “Beauty and the Beast”
The Magic of Christmas in #Colmar, France. With its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, Colmar is a festive #fairytale everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime! #winter #travel #destinations #blog #Christmas #markets #Europe #France
Christmas decorations in Colmar
The Magic of Christmas in Colmar France
Christmas market in Colmar
Is colmar worth visiting
Little Venice in Colmar
The Magic of Christmas in Colmar, France - Modern Christmas tree
Modern-art-inspired Christmas Tree

Our Train Incident in Colmar

Everything about Colmar felt perfect – except for one hiccup that nearly derailed our experience. As I mentioned earlier, the weather that day was less than ideal: dense fog, biting wind, and a temperature of -1°C that felt closer to -10°C.

When we returned to the Colmar train station, we noticed an alert on the screen – our train had been delayed due to an accident on the French railway line. With no clear update on the expected arrival time, we were stuck waiting for nearly three freezing hours inside a small, overcrowded station. Leaving wasn’t really an option, since trains were running unpredictably, and we didn’t want to miss ours once it finally arrived.

I’m not sure how common these kinds of delays are, or whether driving in winter would have been any easier – though between the fog and limited parking during the holiday season, it’s hard to say. Still, I think it’s important to share this part of the experience as a heads-up. While the train is usually a convenient option for visiting Colmar, it’s not foolproof – especially in winter. If you’re planning a Christmas trip, be sure to leave room for delays and dress warmly, just in case.

The Magic of Christmas in #Colmar, France. With its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, Colmar is a festive #fairytale everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime! #winter #travel #destinations #blog #Christmas #markets #Europe #France
Parc du Champ de Mars
The Magic of Christmas in Colmar France
Window shopping in Colmar

How long to spend at Colmar Christmas Market?

Most visitors spend a full day in Colmar, which is ideal for soaking up the festive atmosphere, strolling through the markets, enjoying a leisurely meal at a local restaurant, and maybe even exploring nearby sights or more of the town’s historic charm. That said, we only had half a day in Colmar – and it still felt wonderfully fulfilling.

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The Magic of Christmas in Colmar, France - Pinterest

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