9 must see parks in Strasbourg

Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region, separated from Germany by the river Rhine. Known for its fascinating architecture, quaint villages, and castles, Strasbourg has the best of both worlds, old and modern, making it one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. Visitors and locals alike come out in force to marvel at the gorgeous city. From the historic Le Petite France to the massive Cathedrale de Notre Dame Strasbourg, major landmarks and attractions exist at every corner.

When the city excitement gets too much for you or your kids, you can escape the crowds and catch your breath at any Strasbourg park, where you can discover many things. Though famous for its stunning architecture, museums, and opera houses, Strasbourg is a green city surrounded by water and boasts parks and gardens at every corner.

Strasbourg parks offer numerous activities for locals and tourists, and people spend entire days meandering pretty pathways and exploring gardens. Whether you want to break a sweat, have a picnic, go bird-watching, or lie in the grass, the parks in Strasbourg have you covered. If you need a safe place to store your backpack after hiking or bags after browsing the stores, our luggage storage facilities in Strasbourg are the perfect solution. With convenient locations all across the city, it's easy to travel light and make the most of Strasbourg's parks and gardens.

Parc de la Citadelle

Built around an old citadel from 1681, Parc de la Citadelle expands over 17 acres of land southeast of the University, near the Esplanade neighborhood. Popular among locals and tourists, Parc de la Citadelle provides the perfect respite from the city street noise, and it's a terrific way to spend the weekends with your children.

Featuring vast green spaces, play areas, a paddling pool, walking paths, and sports fields, in addition to many places to sit and relax, one can forget they're on the grounds of a former military fortress (French military engineer Vauban built the Citadelle to defend the Rhine bridge). The spacious park has several geo-located routes, so you can easily discover some highlights, such as the historic monuments of French soldiers, fallen heroes of the First World War, the Lille Zoo, and the Cita-Parc amusement park.

At Parc de la Citadelle, you can also witness beautiful views of the Ill River, explore the garden's flora and fauna, or complete your daily step count at the many walking and jogging tracks. During summer, Parc de la Citadelle is the site of busy events like music festivals, the October plant festival, the Lille Fair on the Champ de Mars in September, and many more. The park also has many gourmet stands, cafes, and restaurants for all tastes and needs.

Jardin des Deux Rives

A beautiful riverfront garden that sits on two shores, Jardin des Deux Rives or The Two Shores Garden, represents a symbol of friendship between France and Germany. Stretching across 370 acres of land along the Rhine, Jardin des Deux Rives is connected by the Bridge of Europe, allowing you to walk across from Strasbourg, France, to Kehl, Germany, within a minute.

Both sides of the Jardin des Deux Rives offer many beautiful places to see and numerous activities to participate in. On the French side, the garden's vast green spaces are ideal for a family picnic, an evening stroll, sports activities, and relaxing. On the German side, you'll find an aquatic playground, a skate park, a beach volleyball court, and a lovely rose garden. A panoramic lookout boasts amazing views of the Vosges and the Black Forest.

Jardin des Deux Rives hosts many important cultural events in Strasbourg, including garden competitions, floral exhibitions, outdoor concerts, and more. When you need to grab a bite, the park is surrounded by various restaurants and cafes.

Parc de l'Orangerie

Built in the 18th century, Parc de l'Orangerie is the oldest park in Strasbourg and a favorite place to relax for both locals and tourists. With an area of 64 acres, Parc de l'Orangerie is also the largest park in Strasbourg, which means it rarely feels crowded. People come here for various reasons, mainly leisure and sports. At the lovely park, just 3 miles from the city center, you can test your talents at the bowling alley, go canoeing on the boating lake, or check out the exhibitions and events at The Joséphine Pavilion.

Exploring the park, you'll come across a few statues, one dedicated to Pierre Pfilmlin, the first Prime Minister of France. An English-style park with huge green spaces, a waterfall, and a free mini zoo with peacocks, flamingos, monkeys, storks, and giant tortoises, Parc de l'Orangerie is one of the best parks in Strasbourg to visit with children. There's an on-site Alsace-style restaurant to try regional specialties and a few kiosks with light snacks, ice cream, and drinks dotting Parc de l'Orangerie.

The Botanical Garden of Strasbourg

More than a park, The Botanical Garden is a living museum home to over 6,000 species of plants. Located in the heart of the city, half a mile from Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg and the University of Strasbourg, The Botanical Garden and arboretum make for an excellent educational trip with your children. Although small (about 8 acres), you can spend hours exploring all sorts of plants, including cypress trees, a pecan tree, the giant Sequoia, and other rare specimens of plants and trees like you've never seen before.

The highlight of The Botanical Garden is the two-story tropical greenhouse, which also serves as a research center for the University of Strasbourg. Open to the public year-round, the enchanting Botanical Garden is free to explore. You can either book one-hour free guided tours or explore the park's grounds on your own. When you've seen it all, spread a blanket by the side of the pond and have a picnic. If you forget to pack your picnic basket, don't worry; there are many places to buy food.

Parc Friedel

If your idea of a relaxing day with the family involves seeing and petting animals in freedom, this is just the place. Park Friedel is a 5-acre park on the banks of the river Ill in the Illkirch-Graffenstaden area of Strasbourg. The small park features a playground and over 180 free-roaming animals, including sheep, donkeys, goats, ponies, cows, peacocks, and storks, the symbol of Alsace.

Parc Friedel is also the perfect place to stroll, cycle, or jog. Though families with children are a more common sight, you'll also spot people working out or simply relaxing on the many benches. The park is also the site of a tennis club and a football pitch. There are certain rules you must follow, one of which is no dogs or other pets are allowed. Eating in the park or feeding the animals is also not allowed. If you're hungry, make your way to the north end, where you'll find restaurants and cafes.

Pourtalès Park

Pourtalès Park, or Park du Chateau de Pourtales, surrounds the Pourtales Castle, an 18th-century castle once home to Countess Mélanie de Pourtalès, a very close friend of Emperor Napoleon III. An English-style garden, Pourtales Park boasts lush lawns, rose flowerbeds, and neatly trimmed bushes. Being in the countryside makes this park the perfect place for a change of scenery while visiting Strasbourg. A few contemporary art pieces, like Ernest Pignon-Ernest’s half-camouflaged tree sculptures and Claudio Parmigginani's massive bronze ears, make the park even more desirable for visitors.

Pourtales Park covers 62 acres and features vast green spaces, woodsy paths, trees, plants, a greenhouse, ponds, forest areas, and more. The park is popular among cyclists and joggers, but you'll also see people taking a stroll, relaxing, and having a picnic. To round off your stay in a classy way, check out the restaurant and tea room inside the castle for a delicious Sunday brunch.

Park Fort Kléber

Located near the park Square du Boeuf Rouge in Wolfisheim, in a former military fort, Park Fort Kleber is a beautiful and well-maintained park with a mini educational farm, a playground, and a picnic area, welcoming people of all ages to get active, learn and explore. The mini farm is an excellent hands-on experience for the youngest, who get to feed animals like goats, chickens, pigs, sheep, peacocks, and more. And when the kids need to blow off some steam, head to the playground equipped with climbing and balancing elements, slides, and swings while you sit back and relax.

To explore the garden's flora, go to the Garden of the Five Senses, where you can see, taste, touch, smell, and listen to nature. It's the best spot for relaxation in the park, no doubt! If you want to do your daily cardio, the park features a few sports courts, hiking and jogging trails, making it ideal for active people. Park Fort Kleber is also the site of many events throughout the year, including the Wolfi Jazz Festival and a Christmas market at the beginning of December. There aren't many places to find food nearby, but you can always pack a lunch and picnic in the park.

Parc du Contades

Named after the Governor de Contades, commander of the province of Alsace, this 18th-century park provides the perfect grounds for outdoor adventures with the entire family. It is located near the Synagogue de la Paix at the site of a former firing practice range and covers 19 acres. Once popular among the French elite, Parc du Contades is visited by people of all ages and walks of life today.

The park features adventure playgrounds for the youngest, many benches, and shaded areas for those who want to relax with a book. Vast green spaces and tree-shaded paths by the river Aar are the perfect setting for relaxation. A 19th-century cast-iron bandstand in the center of the park is one of the park's highlights and the site of many classical music and jazz concerts in the evenings. Though there's no cafe within the park, there are a few places to eat nearby.

Parc de l'Étoile

A riverside park in the north of the Neudorf district, Parc de l'Etoile provides the perfect respite from the city hustle and bustle. The beautiful park features over thirty species of trees, water jets, pedestrian walks, and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Its convenient location, right next to the large Etoile shopping center, makes it ideal for people looking to stretch their legs after hours of shopping.

At the park, you'll see families having a picnic, people exercising, or groups of friends socializing in the large green space. If you're near Place de l'Etoile Square or the administrative center, you should spend some time in this park, escape the crowds and recharge.

Explore nature at the best gardens and parks in Strasbourg

Now that you know which parks in Strasbourg are worth visiting, it's time to start your outdoor adventure. The best way to enjoy the parks in Strasbourg is with friends and family, but you can always wander around the gardens and admire their beauty on your own. Whether you want to read a book on a bench by the river, picnic under a centennial tree, or complete your daily step count, parks in Strasbourg have it all.

And if you're looking for more adventures to add to your itinerary, Strasbourg offers plenty of hiking trails for the whole family to enjoy. Looking for something less strenuous to do with your kids? Strasbourg is one of the best family-friendly cities in Europe, with plenty of activities for families with kids.