If you’re headed to Alsace to tour the historic wine route, there’s no better place to stay than Colmar, the capital of Alsatian wine.
Lying 64 KM southwest of Strasbourg, Colmar is a beautiful, well-preserved town home to many architectural landmarks and museums that give you a glimpse of the traditional Alsatian life. You can also almost always count on good weather – thanks to the Vosges mountains, Colmar enjoys a sunny microclimate and is one of the driest cities in France.
We stayed in Colmar for half of our stay in Alsace, instead of staying in Strasbourg for the whole trip. While Strasbourg is an amazing city (and not to be missed!), it’s a good 1-2 hours’ drive away from the best of Alsace’s historic wine route and natural landscapes.
Rather than spending your precious holiday time driving back and forth, I recommend breaking up your stay into two bases: Strasbourg to the north and Colmar to the south.
Here are the best places to stay in Colmar.
Where to stay in Colmar – best hotels and holiday homes
Here are my quick recommendations to help you choose your perfect base in Colmar.
- If you want to explore the town’s cultural and historical highlights easily, stay in one of these gorgeous boutique and luxury hotels in Colmar’s historic center. These hotels are right in the middle of the picturesque old town, so Colmar’s charming streets, best restaurants, and must-see sights will be right outside your doorstep.
- If you’re planning a road trip around Alsace with your family or friends, stay in one of these cozy villas and apartments. You’ll still be within comfortable walking distance of Colmar’s must-see sights, with the perfect mix of home and hotel amenities. Plus, you can quickly head out for road trips around the gorgeous wine region.
- If you’d rather spend your euros on food and wine, stay in one of these budget hotels in Colmar. Don’t worry – in Colmar, “budget” doesn’t mean dingy and gray hotels and cramped rooms. If you can do with no-frills B&Bs with all the comfort and convenience you need, you’ll get to have a lovely and enjoyable stay at reasonable prices.
Plan your trip to Alsace with this free custom itinerary!
Tell us: What are you most excited about your holiday in Alsace?
- Unwinding in Alsace’s picture-perfect fairytale towns 38%, 193 votes193 votes 38%193 votes - 38% of all votes
- Sightseeing, dining, and shopping in Strasbourg 33%, 168 votes168 votes 33%168 votes - 33% of all votes
- Enjoying the region’s fine wines and hearty cuisine 11%, 55 votes55 votes 11%55 votes - 11% of all votes
- Driving through the vineyards and following the wine trail, one enchanting town at a time 10%, 53 votes53 votes 10%53 votes - 10% of all votes
- Hiking and biking Alsace’s forests and wine trails 8%, 43 votes43 votes 8%43 votes - 8% of all votes
Map – essential landmarks and best hotels in Colmar
Use this Google Map to plan your trip. I added all the important landmarks, best sights, and the best places to stay in Colmar.
If you want to explore the town’s cultural and historical highlights easily, stay in one of these gorgeous boutique and luxury hotels in Colmar’s historic center.
A holiday in France is all about treating yourself to the finer things in life – beautiful views, amazing food, and a luxurious stay in a gorgeous and historic city center.
Little Venice district is one of the prettiest spots in Colmar. You’ll find narrow and winding canals, flower-decked half-timbered houses, and historic shops and restaurants. You can easily spend a day winding in and out of the alleys, with frequent stops for coffee and wine.
If you’re planning to spend much of your holiday soaking in the fairytale village vibe, stay in one of these beautiful boutique and luxury hotels in Colmar’s pretty and historic center.
Spend a day or two exploring Colmar’s charming Little Venice district. Walk along the canals and take in the beauty of a traditional Alsatian village. Make sure to make plenty of stops for coffee and wine!Best luxury hotels in Colmar’s historic city center
★Top Pick: Le Colombier is a beautiful and stylish luxury hotel in the heart of Colmar’s Little Venice. It’s the perfect base for a short and sweet stay in Colmar – all of the city’s main historical and cultural sites, as well as the best restaurants and shops, are within walking distance. They have comfortable rooms, a bar and a garden, and upscale amenities for a relaxing stay. Double rooms start at EUR 195.
James Boutique Hotel and Hotel Le Marechal are fabulous alternatives. All these hotels are in the historic center with top-notch rooms and amenities, private parking spaces, and on-site bars to relax in after an exciting day of adventures.
If you’re planning a road trip around Alsace with your family or friends, stay in one of these cozy villas and apartments.
Even when you’re on holiday in a beautiful destination, there’s nothing quite like the comforts of home. And if you’re traveling with a big group, a hotel room can feel pretty cramped and crowded.
These cozy villas and apartments are great options for you – enjoy spacious rooms, extensive amenities, private parking spaces, and the comforts of home with convenient hotel-like amenities.
These are also great options for couples, especially if you’re planning a trip filled with hikes and drives around the countryside. These apartments are just outside the historic city center, so they’re both convenient for exploring Colmar’s cultural center and driving out to the countryside.
Go beyond Colmar and explore the beautiful Alsatian countryside. Hike or bike from one lovely town to the next, through lush vineyards and forest trails. Drive out to the many scenic landmarks around the Vosges national park!Best villas and holiday apartments in Colmar
★Top Pick: Suites Residences Spa checks all our boxes for a delightful and cozy holiday stay. They have spacious apartments with fully equipped kitchens, spa and a patio, breakfast options and a bar, bikes you can freely use to explore the city, private parking space, and all these set in a lovely location near the city center. You can easily drive out to the countryside for an exciting road trip – then come home to a comfortable and upscale holiday home in beautiful Colmar. Apartments for four start at EUR 110.
Check out also Villa Elyane and L’ambassadeur. They have cozy and equipped apartments, private parking spaces, and excellent locations just outside the historic center – the perfect base for a road trip holiday.
If you’d rather spend your euros on food and wine, stay in one of Colmar’s budget hotels.
If you’d rather be out and about discovering Alsace’s beautiful towns and breathtaking natural landscapes, as well as feasting on hearty plates and bowls of the scrumptious regional cuisine, then you wouldn’t mind not having a spa or a rooftop bar to chill in, right? These budget hotels in Colmar are surprisingly cozy and comfortable, with stylish and modern rooms, ample amenities, and even free parking spaces – all at reasonable prices.
The only catch? These hotels are a few minutes’ drive away from the city center, so these options are best if you’re in Alsace for a road trip or don’t mind a scenic walk to town.
Make sure to pack your stretchy pants – Alsatian cuisine is the perfect mix of hearty carbs, mouthwatering meats, and generous amounts of cheese and butter! Enjoy it all with the region’s delicious wines and lovely views.Best budget hotels in Colmar
★Top Pick: B&B Hotel Colmar Expo is a bright and modern hotel with clean and comfy rooms, friendly staff, and a stellar location for road tripping around Alsace. With free parking, daily breakfast buffets, and most things you’ll need for a short trip, this no-frills B&B is an excellent base for your Alsace road trip. Double rooms start at EUR 65.
Check out these other budget hotels in Colmar – Hotel Turenne and Colmar Hotel. All are within a few kilometers outside the historic city center and ideal if you’re planning to drive around the countryside. These hotels all have well-equipped, cozy, and modern rooms with private parking space, amenities, and great value.
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Ready to plan your trip? Here’s my travel guide to Colmar, an amazing road trip itinerary in Alsace, and a free PDF guide with all my top recommendations. It’s the perfect guide to enjoy the most of this lush wine region, with visits to picturesque towns, gorgeous natural landscapes, and top recommended sights. If you’re not driving, join this day tour and explore Alsace’s scenic vineyards and pretty medieval villages.
How long should you stay in Colmar, France? Plan to stay at least a day or two in Colmar. There’s plenty to do within the city itself. Colmar is a perfect base to explore the beautiful towns and villages of southern Alsace, and it’s perfect for hiking and road trips.
To enjoy as much of the region as possible, spend at least five days in Alsace. Stay in Strasbourg while exploring the northern parts of the region, then stay in Colmar to explore the southern parts.
Is Colmar worth visiting? Absolutely, especially if you love historical museums, gorgeous architecture, and amazing gastronomy. Visit Colmar for a fun, relaxing weekend trip or as part of a road trip adventure across Alsace. Make sure to try a bottle or two of the region’s wines, or better yet, go on an Alsatian wine tour!
Is one day in Colmar enough? You can certainly visit most of Colmar’s top sights in one day – in fact, you can visit Colmar on a day trip from Strasbourg. But if you want to enjoy more of the city’s storybook charm, I highly recommend staying at least 2 days!
How do you get around Colmar? Colmar is very walkable and you can visit most of the sights on foot. If you plan to visit surrounding areas, you can go by train, bus, bike, or car.
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I hope this guide to Colmar’s best hotels helps you plan your trip to Alsace!
If you need custom recommendations or extra help planning your trip, send me a message, and I’ll be happy to help you. Thanks for reading and happy travels to France!
First published – 22 October 2017
Last updated – 8 January 2023 – updated information on recommended hotels and added tips and information for easier travel-planning
Going to Alsace , make sure you will visit one of many confectioners to taste delicious macaroons
Absolutely second that! Thanks, Frank!