Are you looking to eat your way through the Colmar Christmas markets, admire festive holiday décor, uncover interesting museums, and cozy up with a hot drink at a charming Alsatian café?

Then you absolutely cannot miss a visit to Colmar in winter, the most magical time of year to experience this adorable Alsatian town.

Here’s everything you need to know when planning your Colmar winter escape – from what to do, to where to stay, to how to keep warm throughout it all!

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Winter is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit Colmar! While the village offers a special charm year-round, it’s especially enchanting during the holiday season with buildings decked out in festive décor, beautiful lights twinkling throughout the squares, and shop windows aglow.

Colmar typically remains decorated until early January (generally until the end of the first week), when the final Christmas markets come to a close.

That said, compared to November and December when all of the markets are in full swing, January marks the start of the disassembly process, so you’ll start to see rides/attractions and décor slowly come down during this time.

In terms of festive charm and beauty, it’s hard to beat the holiday season in Colmar. This special time begins with the start of the Christmas markets in late November and runs into early January, when the final market shuts its doors for the season.

Alternatively, Colmar is beautiful in springtime when the weather is conducive to a warm stroll, an outdoor dining experience, and a comfortable ride along the canal.

Colmar most certainly is busy at Christmas! In fact, Christmastime brings over one million visitors to Colmar to admire its beautiful decorations, pick up unique holiday gifts for loved ones back home, and indulge in some of the tantalizing tastes of the season.

Winter weather in Colmar can be quite deceptive! While the forecast often hovers around the 30s and 40s (Fahrenheit), it will likely feel much colder. (Trust me, I questioned the stated temperature more than once.)

The village is situated around the Colmar Canal, which creates additional moisture (and frigidness!) in the air. While snow isn’t particularly common in November and December when the markets are in full swing, it may rain (or at least give off a heavy, sinking feeling in the air).

Just like winter in Innsbruck, Austria, January is the coldest month in Colmar, with the average high hovering around 41 degrees F and average lows around 30 degrees F. January and February are your best bets for a snowy day in Colmar, if that’s what you’re after.

How to Stay Warm When Visiting Colmar in Winter

• Layer up – Layers will be your best friend in Colmar and they’re especially critical when traveling with little ones. I’ve already covered all of the essential toddler winter gear in detail (including cold-weather dressing tips), so be sure to have a look before your trip. Frankly, I don’t think I ever ventured out without a minimum of three shirts on (including a base layer). In fact, if I wasn’t so intensely allergic to wool, I definitely would’ve gotten my hands on this merino wool base layer set, a perfect addition for those cold winter days in Colmar. And don’t forget your hat and gloves, either!
• Hit the ice rink – If you’re more coordinated than I am on skates, why not warm up with a few laps around the ice skating rink? The pop-up rink at Place Rapp offers a picturesque, winter-wonderland environment to spin around, surrounded by beautiful fir trees.
• Visit a Café – Thankfully, cafés aren’t difficult to come by in Colmar. I’ve shared my favorite in the activity section below, so be sure to read on for that!

Colmar is easy to travel into and out of, despite lacking its own airport.

The nearest international airport is in Basel, in the neighboring country of Switzerland. Although it’s located in a separate country, EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is only about a 40-minute drive from Colmar and around a 45-minute train ride.

If you’re seeking an alternative option within France itself, your next best bet is Aéroport Strasbourg, located in the “Christmas Capital” of Strasbourg. And speaking of Christmas, if you wish to enjoy the full magic of the holiday season in France, it’s definitely worth spending at least one day in Strasbourg as well!

If you’re traveling by train, you’ll enjoy the centralized location of the Gare SNCF de Colmar, Colmar’s main train station. There are elevators to and from the train platforms for added convenience.

Colmar is very pedestrian-friendly, so you’ll find you can get most anywhere on foot. That said, on a cold winter’s day – or for a farther excursion –  you may wish to take advantage of Colmar’s public transportation system.

The primary bus network is known as TRACE (the Society of Urban Transport of Colmar) and it allows for convenient and cost-effective travel all throughout the town of Colmar and its surrounding areas.

Bus fare is quite affordable and typically runs from 1.99EUR to 4EUR. There’s no need for advance tickets; you can pay the bus fare directly on the bus. Check out the current bus schedules here.

In addition, Christmas shuttles are also offered during the holiday season and can take you to markets in neighboring towns such as Riquewihr, for example. You can find more information about the Christmas shuttles here.

While a car is certainly not a necessity in Colmar, you may wish to rent one if you’re planning on exploring more of the Alsace region and/or are visiting Colmar as part of a larger road trip.

There are various types of parking available in Colmar, including private parking, public parking, paid/regulated parking, and free parking. If you’re using metered parking, you’ll receive a ticket at the parking meter which you’ll need to display from the inside of your windshield.

Colmar offers a range of accommodation options, from cozy apartment stays to higher-end hotels.

We opted for an apartment – Magic Home – Les Taillandiers – as apartment-style living is preferable when traveling with our baby.

This one-bedroom was just the right size for the three of us and we loved having a kitchen to prepare meals. It was also convenient for walking to the Christmas markets, which were only about 10-15 minutes away on foot.

Otherwise, if you’re more interested in a hotel experience, here are a few recommendations in each budget range.

Luxury: Relais & Châteaux La Maison Des Têtes
Mid-Range: Grand Hôtel Bristol
Budget: Ibis Budget Colmar Centre Gare

Whatever you decide, don’t delay on booking a hotel in Colmar in winter, especially if you’re traveling during Christmas-market season. I booked our accommodation about three months in advance and was surprised how many hotels were already booked up.

Without a doubt, one of the main draws for visiting Colmar in winter is the festive Christmas markets!

Colmar offers six Christmas markets that run from late November through late December (and a Gourmet Market that runs into early January). Each market has something special to offer, from gourmet delicacies, to kiddie rides, to handmade crafts.

I’ve included key details about each of the markets – as well as my top travel tips – in my Christmas markets in Colmar companion guide, so definitely check that out before your visit.

(In addition, if you’re considering a visit to neighboring Switzerland, be sure to check out my guide to the best Bern Christmas markets as well!)

As you stroll the old town of Colmar, you can’t miss the postcard-perfect spot that the Alsatian village is known for: La Petite Venice (a.k.a Little Venice)!

The name likely originated from the houses (all originals!) which line each side of the canal.

If you visit Colmar in winter, you’ll see that this lovely spot also serves as the setting for the popular Petite Venise Children’s Christmas Market.

If you’d prefer a guided experience as you make your way through Colmar, there’s no shortage of walking tours you can join. From off-the-beaten-path tours chock-full of hidden gems to walking-and-wine-tasting-combos, there’s something for everyone.

If you thought Little Venice was magical on its own, just imagine how enchanting it is with a children’s choir singing while sailing down the canal!

During the holiday season, you can watch as illuminated boats float by with children spreading cheer via beloved Christmas carols. I’ll be sure to add more details here as they’re released for the 2025 season, so keep watching this space.

And not to worry, even if you miss this fun experience, you can still catch a glimpse of a boat circling around the canal!

If you need a little break from Colmar’s cold weather, why not check out a museum? Our personal pick is the Musée du Jouet, Colmar’s toy museum.

This inexpensive attraction is the perfect addition to any Colmar itinerary, particularly when the weather isn’t in your favor.

While the museum is certainly a hit with children, it’s just as fun as an adult, as you can reminisce over the nostalgia of beloved toys from your own childhood!

The museum is spread out over three floors and features toys dating back from the 19th century to present day.

Here, you’ll see everything from toy trains, to model villages, to dolls (including the original Barbies), to robots, to vintage roller skates (which I used to own) and more!

Plus, it even includes a little play area for the tiniest of visitors on the ground level.

My personal favorite experience at the museum was watching the marionette show. Just be aware that these shows run at specific times, so you may want to check ahead before your visit.

An adult admission to the Musée du Jouet is 11EUR, a child admission (ages 6-15) is 9EUR, and children under the age of six are free.

Musée du Jouet is located at 40 Rue Vauban, 68000 in Colmar.

When it’s time for a hot drink and a tasty treat to combat the chill, head to Jadis & Gourmande Café.

Looking like it fell straight out of a Hallmark movie, this charming hotspot is popping during winter in Colmar, so be prepared to queue up in the cold for a table!

That said, it’s worth the wait for the picturesque interior and delicious cappuccinos.

In fact, I think it’s the best cappuccino I’ve had yet!

Of course, we couldn’t resist some sweet treats as well (though I personally would’ve enjoyed the apple strudel more if it was served warm.)

Jadis & Gourmande Café is located at 8 Pl. du Marché aux Fruits, 68000 in Colmar.

Still have a sweet tooth to satisfy? Well, you’re in luck because Colmar just so happens to be home to the Choco-Story Chocolate Musuem.

You can join a tour to learn all the tricks of the chocolate trade, including how to get the perfect dip and tips for decorating. Plus, you’ll even have the chance to shape, create, and decorate your own dream chocolate bar!

While we didn’t personally have enough time to do a day trip from Colmar (since our flight was delayed a day), it’s something I’d love to do on a return visit.

I’ve actually got my eye on the neighboring town of Riquewihr, which also offers a Christmas market into late December. Plus, you can enjoy easy access to this charming town by way of the Christmas shuttle, which I included in the transportation section earlier.

Beyond Riquewihr, some other popular day trips from Colmar include: 

• Strasbourg
• Kaysersberg
• Ribeauville
• Basel (which has the closest international airport to Colmar)

I hope this cold-weather guide has sparked your interest in the beautiful Alsatian town of Colmar in winter. Wintertime is truly one of the most special times of year to visit!

Are you ready to experience a winter in Colmar? What questions do you have for me before you do? Let me know in the comments below!