Things to Do in Colmar with a private driver
Up to 8 per van · English-speaking driver
Colmar is one of the prettiest towns in Alsace: Little Venice along the Lauch, colourful half-timbered houses, the Unterlinden Museum and its Isenheim Altarpiece, and the birthplace of Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. The old town is largely pedestrian, and a convenient way to get there is with a private StrasVan driver, door-to-door from Strasbourg, who can then take you on to the wine villages around it.
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What are the best things to do in Colmar?
The best things to do in Colmar are all in its old town: stroll through Little Venice (La Petite Venise) along the Lauch, see the Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum, and visit the birthplace of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. Then walk past the Maison Pfister of 1537 and the Maison des Têtes of 1609, the Koïfhus, the Collégiale Saint-Martin and the covered market. The old town is largely pedestrian and best explored on foot.
Little Venice is the romantic heart of Colmar, right next to the former tanners' quarter. From the quai de la Poissonnerie, the colourful half-timbered houses are mirrored in the water, and in the warmer months flat-bottomed boats glide along the canals.
A short walk away, the Unterlinden Museum holds the Isenheim Altarpiece, painted by Matthias Grünewald in the early 16th century and one of the most famous works of art in Alsace.
Colmar is also the birthplace of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, who was born here in 1834 and later designed the Statue of Liberty. His family home is now the Bartholdi Museum, and a replica of the Statue of Liberty, about 12 metres high, stands at the northern entrance to the town.
On your walk, look out for the Maison Pfister, a Renaissance house from 1537, and the Maison des Têtes, whose 1609 facade is covered with carved heads. Add the Koïfhus, the old customs house, the Collégiale Saint-Martin and the 19th-century covered market (Marché Couvert), a good place to taste Alsatian specialities.
| Sight | Why go |
|---|---|
| Little Venice (La Petite Venise) | Canal district along the Lauch, next to the former tanners' quarter; boat rides in the warmer months |
| Unterlinden Museum | The Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald (early 16th century) |
| Bartholdi Museum | Birthplace of the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty (born 1834) |
| Maison Pfister | Renaissance house from 1537 |
| Maison des Têtes | 1609 facade covered with carved heads |
| Koïfhus | The town's old customs house |
| Collégiale Saint-Martin | Collegiate church in the old town |
| Covered market (Marché Couvert) | 19th-century market hall, Alsatian specialities |
| Statue of Liberty replica | About 12 metres high, at the northern entrance to the town |
How many days do you need in Colmar?
Half a day is enough for Colmar's old town on foot; a full day lets you add two or three wine villages such as Eguisheim, Riquewihr or Kaysersberg. That is why StrasVan runs Colmar trips as a half day or a full day: you choose the length when you book.
With a half day, you see Little Venice, the Unterlinden Museum and the old town at an easy pace. With a full day, your driver takes you on to the Alsace Wine Route in the afternoon, for the villages and a tasting at the estates of your choice, and brings you back to Strasbourg in the evening.
Is Colmar or Strasbourg better?
Neither is better: the two towns complement each other. Strasbourg is the larger city, with its cathedral and the Grande-Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988; Colmar is smaller, sits in the middle of the wine country and is known for Little Venice and the Unterlinden Museum.
If you are staying in Strasbourg, Colmar makes an easy day trip, about 73 km away. With StrasVan you see both: your driver picks you up at your hotel in Strasbourg and takes you to Colmar in about 45 minutes.
How do you get from Strasbourg to Colmar with a private driver?
Your StrasVan driver picks you up at your hotel or address in Strasbourg and takes you to the edge of Colmar's old town: about 73 km, a little over 45 minutes on the A35 motorway. The driver waits while you explore and takes you back, or on to the next stop of the day, at the time you agree on.
No parking to find and no timetable to follow: a comfortable option for families, small groups and older travellers. If you are weighing up every option, our guide Strasbourg to Colmar compares the train, the coach and the private driver.
Which wine villages can you visit from Colmar?
The closest and best-known wine villages are Eguisheim, about 7 km from Colmar, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg, about 16 km each, and Ribeauvillé, about 18 km. Two or three of them fit easily into the same day as Colmar.
Colmar is often called the capital of Alsace wines and sits roughly in the middle of the Alsace Wine Route, which runs from Marlenheim to Thann. Eguisheim is built in concentric rings around its castle and is officially one of the most beautiful villages in France, like Riquewihr, still enclosed by its double ramparts and the Dolder tower. Kaysersberg, voted France's favourite village in 2017, is the birthplace of Albert Schweitzer; Ribeauvillé is overlooked by three castles and has celebrated its Pfifferdaj, the minstrels' festival, for more than 600 years. Our Alsace Wine Route page details the full day.
| Village | Distance and highlight |
|---|---|
| Eguisheim | About 7 km · one of the most beautiful villages in France, built in rings around its castle |
| Riquewihr | About 16 km · one of the most beautiful villages in France, double ramparts and the Dolder tower |
| Kaysersberg | About 16 km · France's favourite village in 2017, birthplace of Albert Schweitzer |
| Ribeauvillé | About 18 km · three castles and the Pfifferdaj, the minstrels' festival |
Can you go wine tasting near Colmar without driving?
Yes: with a StrasVan driver, the whole group can taste, because nobody has to drive. Your driver stops at the estates you choose and waits while you taste.
On request, StrasVan books your tastings at renowned estates, and for lunch we suggest well-known local restaurants. Tastings and entry fees (castles, museums) are not part of the transport price and are paid on site. Some estates only receive visitors by appointment, so share your wish list when you book.
What does a StrasVan Colmar trip include?
A StrasVan trip includes your private driver for the half day or the full day, at a fixed price for the whole vehicle: fuel, parking and waiting time are included, and there are no tolls on the Wine Route. The price is set before you leave, with no meter.
StrasVan drives three 2025 Mercedes V-Class vans with 7 or 8 seats, leather upholstery, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Up to 8 people travel together in one van, and groups of up to 24 travel together in three vans; for smaller parties there is a sedan (C-, E- or S-Class).
Send us your date, time and number of guests through the booking form, on WhatsApp or by e-mail: you receive your quote within 2 hours. We recommend booking about two weeks ahead, especially from May to October and during the Christmas markets.
From Colmar: the Wine Route and more
Colmar is the ideal starting point: go further with your private driver.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to plan your visit to Colmar.
What are the top things to do in Colmar?
The top things to do in Colmar are Little Venice along the Lauch, the Unterlinden Museum and its Isenheim Altarpiece, the Bartholdi Museum in the sculptor's birthplace (born 1834), the Maison Pfister of 1537, the Maison des Têtes of 1609, the Koïfhus, the Collégiale Saint-Martin and the covered market. StrasVan takes you there from Strasbourg with a private, English-speaking driver (about 73 km, a little over 45 minutes on the A35) and waits for you on site.
Is Colmar worth visiting?
Yes. Colmar packs Little Venice, colourful half-timbered houses and the Unterlinden Museum into a compact, largely pedestrian old town, and it sits in the middle of the wine country. With StrasVan, you can see it on a half-day trip from Strasbourg, or combine it with the wine villages in a full day.
What is Colmar famous for?
Colmar is famous for Little Venice along the Lauch, its colourful half-timbered houses, the Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum, and as the birthplace of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. It sits in the middle of the Alsace Wine Route, so a StrasVan driver can add Eguisheim, Riquewihr or Kaysersberg to the same day.
When is the best time to visit Colmar?
May and June, when the villages are in flower, and September and October, during the grape harvest, are the most pleasant months. The Christmas markets, from late November, are magical but very busy, and summer is the most crowded season, so StrasVan can pick you up early to reach Little Venice before the crowds.
How far is Colmar from Strasbourg?
Colmar is about 73 km from Strasbourg, a little over 45 minutes on the A35 motorway. With StrasVan you travel door-to-door: your driver picks you up at your hotel and takes you straight to Colmar.
How many days do you need in Colmar?
Half a day is enough for the old town; plan a full day if you also want to visit wine villages such as Eguisheim, Riquewihr or Kaysersberg. StrasVan offers both formats: tell us what you would like to see and you receive your quote within 2 hours.
Is Colmar's old town car-free?
The old town is largely pedestrian and best seen on foot. Your StrasVan driver drops you at the edge of the old town, saves you looking for parking, and waits to take you back or on to the next stop.
Does the driver speak English?
Yes. Your StrasVan driver speaks English, as well as German, Italian, Spanish and French.
Can we combine Colmar with the Alsace Wine Route?
Yes. With the same StrasVan driver, you visit Colmar first, then continue to villages such as Eguisheim, Riquewihr or Kaysersberg. The itinerary is flexible and follows your wishes; our Alsace Wine Route page has all the details.
Can StrasVan book wine tastings?
Yes, on request StrasVan books your tastings at renowned estates. You pay for the tastings directly on site, and your driver waits, so nobody in the group has to drive.
How many people can come?
Up to 8 people travel together in a StrasVan Mercedes V-Class (2025, leather seats, air conditioning, Wi-Fi); groups of up to 24 travel in three vans. For smaller parties there is a sedan.
Can we visit Colmar's Christmas market with a private driver?
Yes. From late November, StrasVan takes you from Strasbourg to Colmar's Christmas markets and back, door-to-door, so you can enjoy the evening lights without worrying about the drive home. Book early: it is the busiest time of the year.
How far ahead should we book a Colmar trip with StrasVan?
StrasVan recommends booking about two weeks ahead, especially from May to October and during the Christmas markets. Write to us on WhatsApp or at contact@vtc-van-strasbourg.fr: you receive your quote within 2 hours.
How much does a Colmar day trip with a driver cost?
StrasVan works with a fixed price for the whole vehicle, all-inclusive: fuel, parking and waiting time. Get your exact price on the booking page, or send us your plan on WhatsApp or by e-mail to contact@vtc-van-strasbourg.fr and receive your quote within 2 hours.
Plan your visit to Colmar
Door-to-door from Strasbourg, at your own pace, at a fixed price. Tell us your plan and we organise the day.