Things to do in Colmar for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAll self-guided activities
Take your imagination for a stroll down memory lane with a visit to the charming Toy Museum of Colmar. Discover hundreds of toys and games from the 19th century all the way to the present day, and see how play has evolved over the years – and what it can teach us about ourselves. From vintage rocking horses to venerable toy soldiers and elegant porcelain dolls to iconic games and today's popular toys, it's a unique and fun slice of culture that'll rekindle the magic of childhood.
Once a convent for Dominican sisters, the Musée Unterlinden is now home to even more holy relics. Alongside the famous Isenheim Altarpiece are a number of other altars from the Middle Ages – including the largest collection of paintings by Martin Schongauer. Art isn't all there is. The museum's collection of archaeological finds spans around 7,000 years, including Greco-Roman mosaics, a 17th-century harpsichord, and modern marvels such as Jean Dubuffet's Don Coucoubazar.
Discover Colmar's captivating city center with an enchanting self-guided audio tour, perfect for history and architecture enthusiasts. Wander through charming cobblestone streets, lined with buildings that showcase a unique blend of Germanic and French styles. This personalized tour integrates your interests into a rich narrative filled with local legends, stunning architecture, and significant historical events. Begin your journey at the impressive Saint Martin's Church and end at the serene Unterlinden Square, passing by notable landmarks each with its own story. Highlights include the Pfister House, the Koïfhus, and the picturesque Little Venice, among others that will captivate your imagination. As you explore the Tanners' Quarter, admire the Maison des Têtes, and see the tribute to Lazarus von Schwendi at the Schwendi Fountain, Colmar's history will unfold through your ears. The tour concludes with a moment of reflection in the peaceful Unterlinden Square, surrounded by the city's rich architectural heritage. Notable sights like the Maison des Têtes, with its 106 unique stone faces, promise to create lasting memories. Immerse yourself in Colmar's history and its fascinating cultural blend, and take with you the stories and sights that have shaped this city over the centuries.
Dive into the hidden facets of Colmar with this in-app audio tour tailored for explorers keen on discovering the unusual charms of this historic center. The journey is crafted for adventurers who find joy in stepping off the usual tourist trails and into the storytelling streets of a city rich with secrets. This self-guided escapade tracks a route starting at the breathtaking Saint Martin's Church, notable for its Gothic grandeur, and gently flows to the serene Unterlinden Bridge that lies over the whispers of the Lauch River. Discover the House of Heads and its humorous stone companions, marvel at the mixed architectural beauty of the Old Customs House, and enjoy the unexpected sight of the Schwendi Fountain's vine-clad statue. Admire the exquisite Renaissance flourishes of Maison Pfister and feel the pulse of local life at Colmar's Covered Market. The quiet riverside allure of Quai de la Poissonnerie invites a slower pace, while the Salle des Catherinettes and Dreisbach's House give testament to Colmar's diverse cultural canvas. Each step on this tour is a vignette, where static stones whisper lively tales, balconies burst with floral greetings, and waterways meander with stories. By the conclusion of this self-directed stroll, you'll not only hold snapshots of Colmar's captivating vignettes but leave with the lingering sensation of having walked through a living, breathing history-book page.
About Colmar
The must-see attractions in Colmar for a first visit are:
The best tours to do in Colmar with kids are:
The best walking tours to do in Colmar are:
The best indoor tours in Colmar for rainy days are:
Insider tips for visiting Colmar
Сергей #MSKY is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2022 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Colmar on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Colmar.
When I’m in Colmar, I always start early in Little Venice, when the canals are quiet and the flower boxes reflect in the water. For me, the best attractions in Colmar aren’t only the postcard spots: I recommend the Unterlinden Museum for the Isenheim Altarpiece, then a slow walk through the fishmonger district and along Rue des Marchands to spot old carved facades. If friends ask me what to see in Colmar, I send them to the covered market for local cheese and kougelhopf before heading into the nearby vineyards around Eguisheim. Among all tours in Colmar, I think wandering these smaller corners feels most rewarding.
If you visit Colmar for annual events, I’d time it for July’s Colmar International Festival, when evening concerts fill the old churches and concert halls with a very local atmosphere. In December, Colmar feels completely different: I like going on weekday evenings to the Christmas markets, especially around Place des Dominicains, when the lights are on and the crowds thin after dinner. My personal travel guide Colmar tip is to also watch for the Alsace Wine Fair in summer, where locals come as much for the tastings as the live music. For seasonal things to do in Colmar, these are the moments when Colmar feels most alive.
In my travel guide Colmar advice, I usually tell first-time visitors to stay near the old town but not right on the busiest lanes of Petite Venise. I like the area around Place Jeanne d’Arc and the covered market side of Colmar, because you can walk to the main streets early, before day-trippers arrive, and still sleep quietly. When I visit Colmar, that balance matters. If you want evening atmosphere, the lanes near Rue des Marchands are charming, but they stay lively later. For easy things to do in Colmar and a smoother visit Colmar experience, this edge-of-center area feels the most practical and local to me.
When I visit Colmar for food, I spend most of my time around the Marché Couvert and the streets near Rue des Écoles and Rue de la Poissonnerie. In my travel guide Colmar notes, this is where the city feels most flavorful: market stalls with Munster, kougelhopf, and seasonal Alsatian produce, plus small wine bars tucked into old buildings. I also like the lanes near Place de l’Ancienne Douane in Colmar for tarte flambée later in the evening, though I go a street or two away from the busiest corners. If you visit Colmar hungry, these are the neighborhoods where eating becomes one of the best things to do in Colmar.
In my travel guide Colmar advice, I recommend at least two nights in Colmar. One full day lets you see the old town, but Colmar is best early in the morning and again after day-trippers leave, especially around Petite Venise and Rue des Marchands. When I visit Colmar, I like having time for the Unterlinden Museum, the covered market, and a slow evening with Alsatian wine in a quieter side street. If you only stay one night, the city can feel rushed. To really visit Colmar well and enjoy the smaller things to do in Colmar, two or three days feels right to me.