Is Colmar worth visiting for Christmas? – Visiting this small French town was an unforgettable experience, filled with a magical atmosphere. It ranks as one of my top European Christmas experiences ever.

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Is Colmar worth visiting for Christmas?

Christmas atmosphere in Colmar

Despite my deep love for the German Christmas markets, if I had to choose just one place in Europe to truly feel the magic of Christmas, it would be the charming French town of Colmar. Christmas in Colmar feels like stepping into a storybook, but pinch me – it’s real! With its half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, cozy cafΓ©s, antique shops, and, of course, some of the most delicious French patisseries, Colmar transforms into a festive wonderland that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

However, while the Christmas atmosphere in Colmar is nearly perfect, it can get quite busy, especially on weekends and as Christmas Day approaches. The crowds may lessen the charm for some visitors. As much as I adored my day in Colmar, I wouldn’t necessarily visit every year. The town is smaller than other European Christmas destinations, so the overcrowding becomes noticeable even quicker.

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 the Alsace region of France. Since we were based in Basel, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to venture into northeastern France with Strasbourg known as its main Christmas attraction. With frequent trains running between Basel and Strasbourg, it was an easy and convenient choice. Initially, Colmar wasn’t even part of our plan; we had train tickets for Strasbourg and only decided to stop in Colmar on the way back.

We opted for public transportation instead of renting a car (which would be a great choice for exploring Alsace in warmer months or during the off-season). With the Christmas crowds, parking in busy towns like Strasbourg could have been a hassle, and winter driving didn’t seem ideal. So, on a foggy December morning, we boarded a train to Strasbourg, eager to soak up some festive French charm. While Strasbourg is undeniably stunning – especially during the holiday season – it was Colmar that truly stole my heart. After exploring Strasbourg’s enchanting streets, we still had some time left in the day, so we spontaneously decided to hop off the train in Colmar on our way back to Basel. I had heard good things about Colmar at Christmastime, but it has surpassed my expectations.

Colmar or Strasbourg

Reaching Colmar from Basel is just as easy as getting to Strasbourg. Direct trains run frequently, with the journey taking just under an hour. This makes Colmar an excellent day trip option if you’re based in Basel. By comparison, Strasbourg is a bit farther, with the train taking around 90 minutes. While Strasbourg is larger, with a grander and busier Christmas market, Colmar felt more intimate and magical, even though it was quite busy with visitors as well. Its charming half-timbered houses, winding canals, and quaint market squares felt straight out of a fairy tale.

For me, Colmar had a unique warmth and coziness that I didn’t quite find in Strasbourg, despite Strasbourg’s larger size and Christmas reputation. The festive decorations, twinkling lights, and smaller, more intimate market stalls made Colmar my winter travel crush. What started as a spontaneous stop turned into the highlight of our trip. If I had to choose between Strasbourg and Colmar, Colmar would win for its charm and that magical small-town feel. However, we visited Colmar in early December. If visiting closer to Christmas Day, the town might feel crowded due to its size and the international attention it lately receives. I’m not sure if our experience would have been the same toward the end of December. So, Strasbourg might be a better travel alternative depending on the dates.

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 put into words just how magical the tiny village of Colmar truly feels. Walking through its streets, it’s as if you’ve stepped into the world of Beauty and the Beast. The half-timbered houses make Colmar charming year-round, but with dazzling lights, festive decorations, bustling markets, charming French cafΓ©s, and the mouthwatering scents of holiday spices, Colmar’s Old Town felt like a real-life fairy tale.

Colmar’s architecture is a unique blend of French and German styles, with some buildings dating back to the 14th century. The most picturesque area, “Little Venice,” is best explored by a canal boat tour during the warmer months.

As you can see in my photos, it wasn’t very busy during the day. However, as the evening approached, it started to feel noticeably more crowded. The day we visited was quite foggy, with light rain in the forecast, which may have also contributed to the lower number of visitors.

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
ColmarΒ΄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 was perfect, except for one little incident that could have ruined our experience. I’ve already mentioned the weather conditions on the day we visited Alsace β€” thick fog and a cold wind. It was -1Β°C but felt like at least -10Β°C. So, once we returned to the train station in Colmar, we noticed an alert on the screen indicating that our train had been postponed. Apparently, there was some kind of accident on the French railroad. As a result, we spent three freezing hours inside the small (and very crowded) Colmar train station. We couldn’t really leave because no one knew when our train would arrive. I’m not sure whether this happens often or if traveling by car in winter would be easier (especially with the fog and lack of parking during peak season). However, I felt it was important to warn you to be prepared if you’re visiting Colmar for Christmas. Traveling to Colmar by train isn’t a guaranteed plan either.

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 a great timeframe to fully immerse yourself in the experience. You can take your time enjoying the market, dining in local restaurants, and perhaps visiting nearby attractions or exploring the beautiful historic town. However, we spent only half a day in Colmar, and it felt great as well.

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The Magic of Christmas in Colmar, France - Pinterest

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