Where to Stay in Colmar

Colmar is a small town located in northeastern France and is considered to be the wine capital of the Alsace region. Although many tourists visit Colmar on a day trip from Strasbourg, it’s also a lovely option for a peaceful and romantic weekend getaway.

With a population of about 70,000 people, Colmar is a quiet break away from the larger cities of France and Western Europe. If you’ve been on the go during your European adventure, you can come here and relax for a while.

Naturally, this brings up the question of where to stay in Colmar. There are amazing accommodation options all throughout the town, including its well-preserved Old Town and the surrounding areas.

Two of the best times to visit Colmar are during July when the Foire aux Vins Wine Festival is on, as well as during December for the Christmas Market. However, since these are the busiest times of the year, you’ll need to plan ahead and book your hotel early so that you don’t miss out. 

On the Rhine River plain, in northeastern France, sits the historical area of Alsace. With a border with Germany and Switzerland, it reflects a mixture of diverse cultures as a result of centuries of French and German rule.

Strasbourg, the nation’s capital, is situated on the Grand Île island of the Ill River, surrounded by canals, and is the site of the Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, which features an animated astronomical clock. Oftne people ask where to stay in Alsace, Colmar is a great spot within Alsace.

From charming boutique hotels to luxury stays, it won’t be hard to find a stunning hotel that suits your needs. Read on for a useful neighbourhood guide that will help you to narrow down your accommodation in Colmar, this guide will help with best place to stay in Colmar France for different budgets and situations.

Below are 5 of the best neighbourhoods in Colmar to help you make the right decision when trying to work out best suburb to stay in Colmar for you. We have tried to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.

We have also included some things to do or places to visit as well as some eatery suggestions of either our favourite places or some funky places to eat at within the areas in Colmar so you can use this as a go to guide.

Old Town Colmar – where to stay in Colmar for First Timers

The Old Town is the most picturesque and historic area of Colmar, France. If you want to know where to stay in Colmar for first timers, this is definitely the place to be. It is known for its colourful half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets and charming canals.

The area is a maze of winding streets and alleys, perfect for wandering and discovering hidden gems at your leisure. This area is where you’ll find some of the best hotels in Colmar, France.

The Old Town is home to many of Colmar’s most popular main attractions, including the Unterlinden Museum, which features a collection of medieval art, and the Bartholdi Museum, dedicated to the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who created the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

Visitors can also take a stroll along the canals, admire the beautiful flower boxes, and appreciate the colourful architecture of the homes.

Two other must-see architectural attractions are the Dominican Church and St Martin’s Collegiate Church, both of which were completed in the 14th century. The Dominican Church displays impressive Alsatian works of art, while St Martin’s Church is remarkable for its Gothic design and mediaeval statues.

There are also a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants around the Old Town, making it the perfect place to spend a carefree afternoon. Many of the restaurants serve traditional Alsatian cuisine, including local specialties like choucroute (sauerkraut) and tarte flambée (a thin, crispy pizza-like dish).

Overall, the charming atmosphere, rich history and picturesque scenery of the Old Town make it the best place to stay in Colmar, France. It’s the ideal place to be if you only have a day or two in this quaint town.

Best places to stay in Old Town Colmar

Budget accommodation in
 Old Town Colmar
Le Schongauer
le Secret Mama
Un petit Vintage à Colmar
Chez Virginie

Mid range accommodation in
 Old Town Colmar
Ibis Styles Colmar Centre
Colombages de la Lauch
Historical town center cosy flat
Hôtel Mercure Colmar Centre Unterlinden

Family Friendly accommodation in
 Old Town Colmar
Hotel Saint-Martin
Les appartements du Koifhus
appartement à Colmar
Lovely Colmar

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Old Town Colmar
Logis Hôtel Restaurant le Rapp
Hôtel Quatorze
La Maison des Têtes

Krutenau – Where to stay in Colmar near Christmas Markets

Krutenau is the southernmost part of the Old Town known for its gorgeous canals, which are reminiscent of Venice, Italy. It should therefore come as no surprise that the area is aptly nicknamed Little Venice.

If you choose to stay here, you can practically step outside the front door of your accommodation and hop onto a boat for a spontaneous canal ride.

You’ll also find many of the best places to stay in Colmar here. Although there are a lot of higher-end 4-star hotels here, it’s possible to find something to suit any budget.

The famous covered market is located here in Krutenau, where you can see many stalls selling fresh fruit and veggies, as well as other locally-made produce. The market is a great little snapshot of daily life in Colmar, as well as the perfect place to pick up a fresh snack.

Krutenau is best area to stay in Colmar for Christmas Markets. Colmar is a small, easy to navigate city that is great for a day trip or weekend escape. It has one of the best Christmas Markets in Alsace.

In Colmar, there are six to seven different Christmas markets (Old Town), including Little Venise Christmas Market. The distances are close together, so you can easily walk from one market to the next.

Best places to stay in Krutenau

Budget accommodation in
 Krutenau
Gîte “Au Petit Bonheur”
Cosy and You
COLMAR city center Little Venise
Logement unique inspiré de Game of thrones au coeur de Colmar

Mid range accommodation in
 Krutenau
BORD EAU Guest House
Hôtel Turenne
Novotel Suites Colmar Centre
Colmar Historic Center – Cosy Appartement

Family Friendly accommodation in
 Krutenau
Le grand gîte du Sorcier ! Logement magique
Le Wickram
La Maison du Batelier
Hipster suites – Chez Axelle

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Krutenau
Hotel Le Colombier Suites
Hôtel Le Maréchal

Quartier Centre – where to stay in Colmar with Family

Quartier Centre makes up the outskirts surrounding the west, north and east of the Old Town. Although still within walking distance from all of the Old Town attractions, you may find that prices are slightly cheaper here.

If you’re looking for where to stay in Colmar with family, Quartier Centre is ideal, since things are slightly quieter and there are more spacious suites and apartments available to suit those with kids.

Quartier Centre is also a great place to stay with family because the area itself is fairly residential so it’s more peaceful and quiet, making early bed times easier.

Best places to stay in Quartier Centre Colmar

Budget accommodation in
 Quartier Centre Colmar
Le Gerwig Colmar Centre
Colmar chaleureux 5 mn du centre T2
Ibis Budget Colmar Centre Gare
Gite grand format

Mid range accommodation in
 Quartier Centre Colmar
1834 & Spa
Mercure Colmar Centre Unterlinden
Studio-mathias-colmar
ibis Colmar Centre

Family Friendly accommodation in
 Quartier Centre Colmar
Superbe appartement au coeur du Colmar
Hotel Primo Colmar Centre
Le Red Coffee
Les Hauts de Colmar

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Quartier Centre Colmar
L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar – Mgallery
James Boutique Hôtel Colmar centre

Saint-Léon – Where to stay in  Colmar on a Budget

Interested in where to stay in Colmar on a budget? If you don’t mind being outside of the centre of town, Saint-Leon is a good alternative.

Named after the Saint-Léon Catholic Church, this neighbourhood is more of a residential area than a tourist spot, so you’ll find a more low-key atmosphere.

Since the area has some of the most affordable places to stay in Colmar, France, it’s the first place you should consider if you wish to save a little bit of money and a few of the places to stay here that are friendly on your bank account.

Since Saint-Leon is only a little over a kilometre north of the Old Town, you won’t need to travel far to see the sights there. In fact, if the weather is nice during your visit, you could easily walk the distance rather than catch a taxi.

If you’re driving into Colmar from a neighbouring town, it’s much easier to park your car here as most hotels have free private parking available. 

Saint-Leon quarter is also fairly close to the Colmar airport, so we have made sure to include accommodation options at or near the airport for those who arrive super early or need to leave late.

Best places to stay in Saint-Léon

Budget accommodation in
 Saint-Léon
Ibis Styles Colmar Nord (Airport)
Hôtel Roi Soleil Colmar(Airport)
B&B HOTEL Colmar Expo
Hotel Arc-En-Ciel Colmar

Mid range accommodation in
 Saint-Léon
Campanile Colmar – Parc des Expositions (Airport)
Gîte Les Lauriers
Kyriad Colmar Centre Unterlinden

Family Friendly accommodation in
 Saint-Léon
Hôtel Roi Soleil Prestige Colmar (Airport)
L’instant T 4* Balnéo, Sauna et Parking Privé
Résidence Villa d’Ambre

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Saint-Léon
Hotel Beausejour Colmar

Quartier de la Gare – Where to stay in Colmar for Relaxation

For those travelling in or out of Colmar early in the morning or late in the evening, staying near the train station is a convenient option.

It’s incredibly easy to travel around France via train, and there are plenty of good hotels around the ‘Quartier de la Gare’ for you to choose from.

Yet, convenience isn’t the only thing that makes staying near the train station worth it. If you want to be around an area with a bit of greenery, you’ll be pleased to know that a delightful spot called Parc du Champ de Mars is only a short walk away.

This gorgeous public park has lots of benches underneath the shade of the trees, and the central fountain with its two monuments dates all the way back to 1864.

Best places to stay in Quartier de la Gare

Budget accommodation in
 Quartier de la Gare
chalet montségur
Le cosy de la gare
Studio de la Petite Venise

Mid range accommodation in
 Quartier de la Gare
Colmar Hotel
Maison 1934 – Colmar Gare & Parking gratuit
Villa Élyane
Chez Nat&Mat- Colmar gare- Parking gratuit

Family Friendly accommodation in
 Quartier de la Gare
Le jardin des roses
GANZALIESELE
Castelnau

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Quartier de la Gare
Grand Hôtel Bristol
PAUL & PIA – Welcome Home Hotel

Added Extra: Areas to Avoid in Colmar

It is generally safe to visit Colmar, France, and there are no specific areas that should be avoided. However, as with any city, it is always a good idea to be cautious and remain aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night or in unfamiliar areas.

However, when it comes to choosing accommodation, you should avoid staying anywhere that’s too far outside of the Old Town.

This is because you’ll be further away from all of the city’s best attractions and spend unnecessary time and money taking taxis, when that time could be better spent wandering around and seeing as much of Colmar as possible.

FAQs for Where to stay in Colmar

Is it better to stay in Colmar or Strasbourg?

Colmar is more picturesque and quaint, has an art museum containing a historic altarpiece, and is the gateway to the Alsacian wine district and its picturesque towns.

Strasbourg boasts a stunning cathedral, better canal landscapes and boat trips, more art museums, and richer architecture. It takes a little while to get your bearings in Strasbourg if you only have a brief visit.

Although there is nothing necessarily wrong with a fast trip to the cathedral or the boat ride, Colmar is obviously more approachable.

How long should you stay in Colmar France?

Wondering how long to stay in Colmar France? Consider staying at Colmar for at least a day or two. The city itself has a wide range of attractions. Colmar is a great starting point for seeing the picturesque towns and villages of southern Alsace.

It’s also great for road trips, hiking, and wine tours. Most tourists just stay in Colmar for a single day, but if you have the time, it’s worth staying for at least one or two nights.

The best advantage of staying overnight is that you might get to have Petit Venice to yourself in the mornings or in the evening.

Is it worth staying in Colmar?

Colmar is a quiet and peaceful city, a typical tiny Alsatian town that is great for families, as opposed to Strasbourg, which is significantly busier and more populated.

The well-preserved old town, the city’s various architectural attractions, and its museums, are all well-known for the city. Colmar, which believes itself to be the “capital of Alsatian wine,” is located along the Alsatian Wine Route.

So yes, it’s totally worth a visit, I don’t know a single person who was disappointed in their stay in Colmar.

Is Colmar France touristy?

Old Town Colmar can get a little too touristy but otherwise, other areas of the city aren’t too bad and honestly, even the “touristy” bits are super pretty and worth visiting.

Which Christmas market is better Colmar or Strasbourg?

Colmar may be a little preferable because it feels more intimate and is more picturesque. Stay in Strasbourg if you prefer a bigger city feel. Since Colmar’s market is cosier than Strasbourg’s, most people seem to prefer it.

The 6-7 markets that make up the Colmar Christmas Markets are scattered around the city’s historic districts.

The large part of the city of Strasbourg is taken over by the Christmas market, whereas, Colmar, in contrast, is a considerably smaller town with a more intimate and cosy feel.

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