Colmar is wonderfully walkable, with colourful old-town streets, canals and plenty of relaxed stops for children. This plan keeps each day focused on one area, with time for breaks and short transfers.
Budget
Approximately €150–€220 per person for three days, excluding accommodation and transport; children’s admission and meal costs may be lower.
Best time to visit
May–June or September–October for pleasant walking weather and fewer crowds; December is festive but busier and colder.
Old Town and Little Venice
Get to know Colmar’s storybook centre on foot, then slow down beside the canals in Little Venice.
Morning
See the historic centre at Place de la Cathédrale
Start among the old town’s pedestrian streets and admire the Gothic church façade. It’s a short 5-minute walk to the next stop.
Morning
Visit the Unterlinden Museum
Explore the former convent’s art and history collections; families can focus on a few highlights rather than trying to see everything. Walk about 8 minutes from Place de la Cathédrale.
About €14Afternoon
Wander through Little Venice
Follow the canals past half-timbered houses and take a gentle riverside stroll. It’s around a 12-minute walk from the museum.
Afternoon
Take a flat-bottom boat ride
See the colourful canal-side houses from the water; rides are weather-dependent, so keep a stroll as a backup. The embarkation point is about a 5-minute walk within Little Venice.
About €8Evening
Enjoy dinner in the old town
Choose Alsatian classics and a relaxed meal in a central setting. Walk about 8 minutes from the boat landing area.
About €25–€35
Old Town stories and indoor fun
Stay in the compact centre for a puppet-filled museum visit, a lively market stop and an easy evening stroll.
Morning
Discover toys and games through the ages
The three floors of displays make this a fun, hands-on-feeling visit for children and grown-ups alike. It’s about a 7-minute walk from Place de la Cathédrale.
About €6.50Afternoon
Browse the covered market
Pick up a casual lunch or a snack and browse local produce under one roof. Walk about 10 minutes from the toy museum.
About €10–€15Afternoon
Visit the Bartholdi Museum
See the childhood home and works of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty; check opening days before you go. It’s around a 7-minute walk from the market.
About €5Evening
Take an easy old-town evening walk
Enjoy the lanes and illuminated façades at a child-friendly pace, with plenty of chances to pause for a treat. Walk about 5 minutes from the museum to the central square.
Civic sights and a garden escape
Pair the old town’s landmark buildings with fresh air and open space at a nearby park.
Morning
Visit the Collegiate Church of Saint Martin
Step inside this impressive Gothic church and look for its colourful details. It’s about a 6-minute walk from Place de la Cathédrale.
Morning
See the Koïfhus and surrounding square
Admire Colmar’s historic customs house and its distinctive roof, then take a short pause in the square. Walk roughly 5 minutes from the church.
Afternoon
Let the children run around
Take a picnic or enjoy a break beneath the trees in this central green space. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Koïfhus.
Afternoon
Ride the carousel
Finish the park visit with a spin if the carousel is operating; schedules can vary by season. It’s within the park, just a few minutes’ walk from the lawns.
About €2–€3Evening
Have an early Alsatian dinner
Settle in for a family-friendly meal near the park and old town. Walk about 8 minutes from the carousel.
About €20–€30
Good to know
Getting around
The historic centre is compact and mostly easy to explore on foot. Bring a stroller that can handle cobbles, and allow extra time for little legs.
Opening hours
Museums and the Bartholdi Museum can have weekly closing days or seasonal hours; check official listings before setting out.
Food
Alsatian portions can be generous, so sharing tarte flambée or other dishes is an easy way to keep meals relaxed and costs down.