In a nutshell
- The neighborhood Krutenau and the riverside terraces Quai des Pêcheurs are our top picks for hip, local-feeling spots in Strasbourg.
- The oldest barrel wine in the world is kept in a cellar beneath a hospital in Strasbourg — pretty wild, right?
- The Presqu’île Malraux district is completely different from the historic attractions in Strasbourg: it’s super modern and full of contemporary architecture.
- Ready to escape the city for a bit? Go on a bike ride along the canal or head out to the Baggersee swimming lake — both are seriously worth it.
- Delicious food! Beyond the typical tarte flambée spots in the old town, we have a few secret restaurant recommendations up our sleeve — like Café Atlantico, for starters.
Krutenau Neighborhood
Krutenau is the student neighborhood in Strasbourg and something of a second, smaller city center for locals.
Here you’ll find hip cafés, cool bars, and great restaurants lined up one after another. During the day, you can relax here away from the tourist crowds and grab a coffee.
In the evenings, the bars and restaurants fill up and the streets of Krutenau really come alive. So if you want to go out at night, Krutenau is the perfect neighborhood.
If you’re after more affordable accommodation in Strasbourg, Krutenau is also a great area to stay in. We share even more hotel picks in our article on the best places to stay in Strasbourg.
Riverfront Terraces Quai des Pêcheurs - La Plage
At the Quai des Pêcheurs — also known as La Plage — three boats are moored on the Ill River, all converted into bars and restaurants.
They border the Krutenau neighborhood, and from the boats’ decks you get a great view of St. Paul’s Church.
When the sun is shining, you can kick back in the lounge chairs and soak up the relaxed atmosphere along the river.
Whether the Quai des Pêcheurs still counts as a true Strasbourg hidden gem, we honestly can’t say — it was already pretty busy when we visited. But the boats have definitely held on to their local charm.
Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg
The Cave des Hospices Strasbourg is a wine cellar beneath a civil hospital located south of the city center.
The very fact that wine was produced for years in a hospital basement strikes us as completely wild.
And on top of that, this wine cellar is home to the oldest barrel wine in the entire world — dating back to 1472.
Even if you’re not a wine enthusiast, the wine cellar is seriously impressive and the story behind it is fascinating.
You can visit the Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg free of charge. It’s closed on Sundays, though.
Modern Strasbourg Neighborhood Presqu'île Malraux
The Presqu’île Malraux is a peninsula south of the Krutenau neighborhood — a former industrial zone that has evolved into a very modern and culturally lively district.
With its contemporary architecture, the Presqu’île Malraux offers a great contrast to Strasbourg’s historic old quarter.
Besides the two rather quirky-looking gray statues, you can enjoy sitting along the peninsula’s waterfront in summer.
The Presqu’île Malraux is also home to a stunning modern library and a wide variety of international restaurants — from a Latino bar to an American diner, you’ll find it all here.
Bike Ride Along the Rhine-Rhône Canal
Cycling is almost as popular in Strasbourg as it is in Amsterdam. The bike paths are excellent and riding around here is a lot of fun.
Since we love cycling through nature, we went looking for a bike route through green surroundings in Strasbourg too — and we found one!
Starting from Petite France, you can easily ride along the Rhine-Rhône Canal. Especially in spring and fall, it’s wonderfully idyllic and cycling here is a real pleasure.
You can aim for the suburb of Illkirch-Graffenstaden or head to the Baggersee (see the next tip).
To rent a bike in Strasbourg, check out the city’s own provider Vélhop.
Relaxing at the Baggersee
The Baggersee is a swimming lake a bit outside Strasbourg’s city center — perfect for a day trip when it’s really hot and you want to escape the crowds.
The entire area around the lake is very clean. There are playgrounds for kids, and you can relax on the grass or the sandy beach.
One thing is guaranteed: the Baggersee is not touristy at all!
You can get there from the city center in 15 minutes on Tram Line A to the Baggersee stop, then it’s about a ten-minute walk from there.
Right at the tram stop there’s also a large park-and-ride lot. If you park there, you pay €4.20 per day and can ride Strasbourg’s trams for free.
To reach the Baggersee, you’ll need to walk past the Auchan Drive building at the parking lot.
Restaurant Tips for Strasbourg
Beyond the countless tarte flambée restaurants in Strasbourg’s old town, there are some great less touristy spots where you can find delicious food from France.
- Restaurant A l’Abattoir: an unassuming restaurant at first glance, located in the north of Strasbourg. Excellent traditional dishes and great wines.
- Blue Note Café: a hip spot at Parc de l’Étoile with regular themed events and a lovely outdoor seating area.
- Café Atlantico: a great bar on a boat at the Quai des Pêcheurs. Delicious breakfast and a wonderful spot to enjoy a relaxed drink.
- L’Alchimiste: an alternative bar with seriously unique and delicious cocktails.
- Café Bretelles: a charming café in a half-timbered house in Krutenau. Perfect for breakfast.
- Blue Flamingo: a modern, slightly upscale restaurant on the Presqu’île Malraux. There is indeed an actual blue flamingo in the restaurant.
