As the border city between France and Germany, and the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg today attracts many tourists, not least for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center. With the Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral, Petite France and Place Kleber, this metropolis has a lot to offer. But where to stay in Strasbourg?
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the different areas where it’s worth staying, according to tourist interest and budget. We’ll give you a suggestion for accommodation in each of them.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Strasbourg, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Strasbourg:
- $ This inexpensive accommodation is close to the train station,
- $$ This establishment is located right next to Place Kleber,
- $$$ This luxury hotel is ideally located in the Petite France area.
Map of Strasbourg’s different districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of where to stay in Strasbourg, you’ll find on the map below all the Strasbourg accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Strasbourg
Where to stay in Strasbourg
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where to stay in Strasbourg.
Lodging in the historic heart: the Grande Île
Strasbourg's most central island, the Grande Île is the historic heart of the city. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Most of the city's emblematic monuments can be found here, starting with Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral. The Grande Île is also home to the Place Kleber, famous for its Christmas market in winter.
The Grande Île is the dynamic heart of the city, and if you decide to stay here, you'll easily find good places to eat. Indeed, it's home to numerous cafés and restaurants, ranging from well-known chains to smaller, more typical addresses.
Finally, in terms of accommodation, it's one of the most popular places for travelers. As a result, demand is higher and prices are generally higher. So, if this is where you'd like to stay, make sure you have the necessary budget, but don't forget to book in advance to be sure of finding your ideal accommodation!
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Right in the heart of the historic center and just 150 meters from the Cathedral, this accommodation offers clean, comfortable rooms. Two furnished terraces are available to hotel guests.
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Located right next to Place Kleber, this establishment offers well-equipped apartments with kitchenettes. There's also a gym and children's playroom.
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Ideally located close to Place Kleber, this hotel offers rooms in a historic building featuring antique stained glass windows. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar and wellness center.
Petite France: stay in the emblematic district
Petite France is one of Strasbourg's most lively tourist areas. The district is renowned for its cobbled streets and historic half-timbered houses lining the canals.
Staying in Petite France means staying close to many places of interest, such as Place Benjamin Zix, Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes, Pont du Faisan and Pont Saint-Martin, or the covered bridges bordered by the Vauban dam. But that's not all: thanks to its ideal location, you can also reach the city center on foot in just a few minutes.
Petite France is also the ideal place to find a typical Alsatian restaurant and sample the region's various specialties. In the evening, while there are a few bars, you can easily reach the Grande île and Krutneau, where you'll enjoy a livelier nightlife.
Finally, in terms of accommodation, as you'd expect, Petite France is one of Strasbourg's most popular areas, so you'll find mainly hotels with rather high prices. But be warned, these are quickly snapped up, so you'll need to plan ahead if you want to stay there.
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Located in a pedestrian zone of Petite France, this accommodation offers fully-equipped rooms. In addition to a continental buffet breakfast every morning, you can also enjoy a bar.
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Ideally located in the heart of Petite France, this establishment offers luxurious rooms in a former mill. On-site facilities include a restaurant and wellness center.
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In addition to its ideal location, this accommodation offers rooms with a view of the river. From here, you can easily reach the Cathedral or the main railway station.
Staying in Krutenau: the student district
Located on the Left Bank, Krutenau is a neighboring district to the Grande Île and Petite France, appreciated for its typical architecture and the canals running through it.
While it is home to a number of emblematic sites, such as Place d'Austerlitz and Saint Guillaume church, it is best known as a popular area for young people and students. As you can see, it's a lively place, especially in the evening. It's the ideal place to stay for those who want to enjoy a lively nightlife. You'll find plenty of cafés, bars and nightclubs.
In addition to its lively atmosphere, staying here also means you're within easy reach of the city center, since it takes just ten minutes to walk to Notre Dame Cathedral.
Finally, in terms of accommodation, with its rather central location and growing dynamism over the last few years, prices remain fairly high, although you can find good value accommodation.
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In Krutenau, close to the Grande Ile, this 4-star accommodation features comfortable rooms, some with city views. If you choose to stay here, you'll have access to a shared lounge, a terrace and a massage service at an additional cost.
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Located in Krutenau, this establishment offers original rooms, all decorated with a rose theme. Even though it's in the party district, its soundproofed rooms will let you stay in peace.
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Housed in an old building dating back to the 16th century, this accommodation offers large, fully-equipped rooms. A breakfast based on local produce is served every morning.
Staying in the station area: a strategic choice
Located to the west of the Grande Île, the Gare district is today primarily a residential area. With no real tourist attractions, staying here is above all a practical choice for tourists wishing to visit Strasbourg.
Indeed, while you won't find much to do in the station area, it's perfectly served by public transport, so you can easily reach the more touristy places, such as the historic center or Petite France. From the station, for example, you can reach Place Kleber in just 15 minutes.
But that's not all: although it's more of a residential area, there are plenty of bars, restaurants and hotels that are more accessible than in other central districts.
It's an ideal place to stay for those who want to discover Strasbourg on a budget!
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Just a ten-minute walk from the station, this accommodation offers small, contemporary-style, well-equipped studios. It's an ideal option for staying on a budget!
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In addition to its location right next to the station, this hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms, some with city views.
The European Quarter: accommodation in the heart of the European institutions
Just a 30-minute walk from the city center, the Quartier Européen is home to Europe's institutional monuments, such as the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. Nearby are the Parc de l'Orangerie and the Robertsau forest, both ideal for outdoor activities.
More off-center, this area is usually frequented by business travelers or tourists with an interest in these monuments, which are the main tourist attractions in the area. So, if you want to stay in the heart of Strasbourg's culture, this is not the place to stay.
If you're looking for something to eat, as this area reflects European culture, you'll find a multitude of cafés and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines from different European countries.
Finally, as far as accommodation is concerned, although the European Quarter is more out of the way, prices are rather high. As you can see, this is an ideal place to stay, especially for business travellers or those preferring to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
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Just 400 meters from the European Parliament, this establishment offers a number of accommodation options, some with kitchens or terraces. Free parking is available nearby.
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Located in the European Quarter, this hotel offers comfortable, well-equipped rooms. On-site bar and restaurant.
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Located just 250 meters from the Parc de l'Orangerie, this 4-star establishment is particularly popular with travelers for its facilities. You'll find a spa with jacuzzi, hammam and sauna, as well as 2 swimming pools.
Summary
As you can see, there are many different areas where to stay in Strasbourg. If you prefer to be close to places of interest, Grande Île or Petite France are ideal. Krutenau may also be a good option. If you’re looking for the cheapest possible accommodation, you’ll be better off in the area around the train station. Finally, if you’re looking for a quieter place to live, the European Quarter is a good alternative, although costs are still high.
Whatever your choice, we strongly advise you to book as early as possible. Accommodation can quickly become overcrowded, especially in December when the city hosts its famous Christmas market