The Best Time to Visit Strasbourg 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Published by: BouncePosted

No matter what time of the year you visit Strasbourg, there are numerous places to go and things to do for everyone. Deciding on the best time for your visit to Strasbourg depends on what you want to do. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, spring and summer are the best choices.

Strasbourg is the largest city in the Alsace region of the Grand Est and the official site of the European Parliament as well as home to almost 300,000 residents. As one of the main capitals of Northeastern France, the city of Strasbourg is the home of many international companies in engineering, manufacturing, and travel as well.

Strasbourg, France has a semi-continental climate with sunny, warm summers and cloudy and cold winters. Even though Strasbourg is not close to the coast, it has also been described as having an oceanic climate. Being in the northern hemisphere, the summer runs from June to August, fall is September to November, winter is December through February, and spring is March through May.

To describe the average weather, the chilliest month is January when the temperatures can drop into the mid-30s. The hottest month is August when the average high is about 78 degrees F (26 degrees C). If you are visiting the city for outdoor fun, you are probably going to want to skip winter and try hot summers or warm spring days in mid-June.

From spring until fall, the chance for rainy days is elevated with an average rainfall of 27 inches (665 millimeters) of rain per year. Snow is not as common but does happen from December until March with an average of three inches per year. As the wind speed can reach 15 knots at times, the perceived temperatures are much lower.

Whichever season you choose to visit Strasbourg, there is much to do both indoors and out. The fall is initially mild but gets increasingly cold and snowy by December and the summer is going full blast by July. Out and about and feeling weighed down? Drop off your bags and other unneeded belongings at a luggage storage site in Strasbourg for safekeeping. Then, see the sites!

Summer in Strasbourg: June - August

Summer in Strasbourg runs from June through August with hot weather and high humidity. This is the perfect time to go to Strasbourg if you want to enjoy outdoor sports, festivals, and parks. The average humidity ranges from 60 to 69% but the temperatures are not high enough to be considered too hot.

This is the time for a trip to Strasbourg if you are wanting to enjoy the outdoors when the average temperatures range from 74 degrees F (23 degrees C) to 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). Of course, the evenings and early mornings are cool with temperatures around 60 degrees F (16 degrees C).

With the summer comes an average monthly rainfall of three inches (80 millimeters) of rain per month and about 10 days with more than one millimeter of precipitation. This warm season can also bring afternoon thunderstorms with a record maximum temperature of 101 degrees F (37 degrees C).

Pack your light clothes and plenty of sunscreen if you plan to visit from early July to mid-August. July boasts the most sunshine with approximately 300 sunny hours per month. You may also need your umbrella though because rain is a possibility just about every day.

Summer is considered to be the high season when the weather in Strasbourg is sunny and warm. You will see lots of tourists and the locals come out to enjoy the weather too. Strangely, this is the least expensive month of the year for bargain hotel prices even though August is the busiest month. so if you want to hit the parks and festivals in Strasbourg, the summer is the best choice.

Speaking of festivals, summer is the most popular time of the year for events from the Strasbourg Music Festival in June, the Huttenheimer Ortsvereine Celebration in July, and the Longevity Festival in August. You can also enjoy walking the streets of Petite France and Alsace to see the quaint half-timbered houses or having a picnic on the banks of the Ill River.

If you do not like the heat and crowds, summer may not be your best choice. However, if you still want to visit during this time, choose the beginning of June when it is the coolest and the least crowded with tourists. But you may be better off making your visit to Strasbourg during the low season from February through March.

Fall in Strasbourg: September - November

The months of autumn or fall in Strasbourg are especially popular with those who come for the changing of the colors in the trees as well as the cooler, but not cold, temperatures. From September until December, the temperatures are mild and the skies are relatively rain-free much of the time.

Fall is a nice season to visit if you are not a fan of hot summer days and do not mind a bit of a chill in the evenings. The average high temperature is about 50 degrees F (11 degrees C) to 55 degrees F (13 degrees C) with lows about 45 degrees F (7 degrees C). The average temperature overall is about 53 degrees F (12 degrees C).

You will not see as much rain in the fall with an average of 10 rain days and total precipitation of nine inches per month during this time. The sun is known to show itself at least 15 days per month. There will not be any snow during the fall either although you may see a flake or two in late November.

To prepare yourself for the fall season in Strasbourg, pack both heavy and light clothes. In September, you will need some short-sleeved shirts and maybe even some shorts because it can still get pretty warm. However, you will still need a jacket and pants for the evenings. Pack a heavy coat and warm clothes if you visit in November.

You may consider this the best time to visit Strasbourg if you dislike crowds because most of the tourists have gone home. This is the time to visit popular spots like Rohan Palace, Kleber Place, and the Strasbourg Cathedral, where its pink sandstone is stunning during sunset. It is also a fantastic time for seeing the flora found in the Botanical Garden at Strasbourg University.

Musica in September is the most popular festival in the city with hundreds of various artists playing over a two-week period. If you like beer (or food) and enjoy the festivities of a big event, be sure to check out the Strasbourg Craft Beer Festival alongside Germany's Oktoberfest. The Jazzdor Festival in early November is a fantastic musical adventure and an autumn tradition in Strasbourg featuring 40 concerts.

Another popular fall tradition in Strasbourg is the grape harvest, which starts in September. Take a guided tour of the wineries or just visit the ones that interest you. This is the perfect time for any outdoor activities as long as you are not planning to swim or enjoy other water sports. But just walking along the streets of Alsace and Petite France enjoying the changing colors of the trees is the best.

Winter in Strasbourg: December - February

Although winter is cold and overcast, Strasbourg does not usually drop below freezing and snow is not that common. This time of year is when the holiday festivities and shopping opportunities are at their peak and you will see a lot of tourists out shopping. The Christmas Markets start opening in early December for all to enjoy.

December is the most humid month of the year, and the temperatures can reach freezing at times because of the cold currents coming from Eastern Europe. You will find the high temps around 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) to 50 degrees F (11 degrees C). The evenings bring the coldest temperatures with averages in the upper 30s and low 40s.

The average precipitation in Strasbourg is about two inches (50 millimeters) with most of it being cold rain. Snow is possible in December but not often. In fact, there are about six days of the month that have a chance of snowfall of any kind. You will be missing the sun though as there are only about 70 hours of sunshine per month.

Make sure to pack your heavy coat, sweaters, and long pants for a trip in winter. For those who are not used to the cold, bring a hat and a scarf, and you may even need some gloves. Just in case, go ahead and grab some boots and long johns too.

December is one of the busiest months with all the shoppers wanting to visit the Christmas markets. During this time, the city is lit up with millions of fairy lights in various colors and a Christmas tree is put up in Kleber Place. People come from all over the world to see the holiday decorations.

There are many great deals on hotels, flights, and attractions in the winter months, especially in January, which is the coldest month of the year. Although there are not as many outdoor festivals at this time, the Christkindelsmark Christmas Market is held from late November until the day after Christmas. Enjoy over 300 vendors with food, gifts, and drinks.

As long as you are not planning on swimming or sunbathing, winter in Strasbourg is fantastic. Not only is it beautiful with all the decorations but it is also a wonderful place to do all your holiday shopping. However, if you want sunshine and warm days, think of spring or summer instead.

Spring in Strasbourg: March - May

When the sun starts coming out more often and the flowers start blooming, everyone starts heading back outside to enjoy it. But in Strasbourg, the average wind speed in March can reach seven miles per hour, making it the windiest month in Strasbourg. However, April is the least humid month of the year so it is very pleasant.

The months of March, April, and May are also when the temperatures are at their best for all outdoor activities, except maybe swimming. On average, the temperatures run 53 degrees F (11 degrees C) to 69 degrees F (21 degrees C) for the highs and 37 degrees F (3 degrees C) to 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) for the lows. It is a perfect time for a trip to Strasbourg.

During the spring the temperatures vary quite a bit, so packing is difficult. If you have the room, go ahead and pack for cold and hot days as well as the average temperature right in the middle. April is the coolest time of the spring and May is just getting started with its hot temperatures. You should pack an umbrella if you are planning an outdoor visit in May.

Spring is not really considered to be a popular tourist time so you can usually get cheaper airfare, accommodations, and tourist packages. When the weather in Strasbourg starts warming up, the locals start heading back out to the rivers and parks though, so it will not be too empty.

In mid-May, when all the attractions start to open back up, try a short trip to one of the surrounding cities. Colmar is a popular spot with cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses. Baden-Baden is just across the border from Germany and is considered a spa town in the Black Forest.

March boasts the most popular event in the city, which is the Strasbourg Carnival. It celebrates the beginning of spring with costumed parades, musicians, dancers, and lots of food and beer. Also, from April until November, visit the International Garden Festival. May brings European Museum Night where all museums are free and open until after midnight.

When the relative humidity is low and the temperatures start rising, that is when many people enjoy visiting Strasbourg, France. This is when it is not too hot but certainly not cold so being out and about is fun and invigorating. A rain shower is just another part of the day and not a big deal because it is the wetter season, after all.

When is the best time to visit Strasbourg for you?

The best time for you to visit Strasbourg depends on your plans. If you are planning outdoor water fun, summer is your best choice. For the change of colors and cooler air, fall would be great. Winter is a perfect option for seeing the holiday decor and shopping for gifts. Spring is when the sun starts to come back out and flowers start to bloom.

The events of Strasbourg are major draws for people from all around the world, especially the food and music festivals. From January through December, there is always something going on. There is also plenty to do when it rains in Strasbourg as well like museums, theaters, and art galleries. With so much to do, you should probably plan an itinerary before you pack your bags so you do not miss anything.

Know what you want to do during your trip to Strasbourg? Check out these guides for inspiration!

The Best Hikes In Strasbourg
Strasbourg On a Rainy Day: Things To Do
Music Festivals in Strasbourg in 2022

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