All our hotels in Strasbourg

No city break or romantic weekend in Strasbourg would be complete without a tour of the regional capital's most iconic landmarks. Foremost among these is theCathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg, a wonder of Gothic architecture built from blush-coloured sandstone and completed in 1439. Gaze in awe at the many statues that adorn its soaring façade, or walk through pools of coloured light cast by the interior's stained-glass windows. The spire was once the tallest in all of Christendom – and if you're feeling particularly energetic, you can climb it for panoramic views of Strasbourg and the surrounding riverine countryside. Don't miss the mechanised show put on by the cathedral's Renaissance-era astronomical clock, held at 12:30pm every day. Another of Strasbourg's best places to visit isPetite France, a maze of narrow canals, footbridges and alleyways at the western end of the Grande Île. Abandon your map and allow yourself to get lost there, amid the district's quaint half-timbered and pastel-painted 16th- and 17th-century houses. Don't feel up to walking? Join a Strasbourg Batorama river tour instead, or take in Rhine views from the rooftop terrace of the picturesqueBarrage Vauban dam. Even outside the historic quarter, Strasbourg is a city that lends itself to exploring on foot. Discover beautiful municipal squares, including Kléber Place – the city's central gathering place at the heart of the Grande Île – and Gutenberg Place, named in honour of the legendary printer and inventor, whose statue still stands there today. In Strasbourg's German quarter, Place de la République is a particular highlight, thanks to the 19th-century grandeur of the Palais du Rhin – this imposing building is a relic of the city's time as the capital of the German province of Alsace-Lorraine. For a sense of what life might have been like for the people of Alsace during the 18th and 19th centuries, be sure to visit theAlsatian Museum. Here, painstakingly restored private residences bring the period vividly to life, thanks to a collection of more than 5,000 household items displayed in reconstructions of centuries-old farmhouses, kitchens and a healer's workshop. Many other museums also deserve a place on your itinerary for a lovely weekend in Strasbourg. Three of the best – the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Museum of Fine Arts – are all housed in the former episcopal residence known asPalais Rohan. By visiting this masterpiece of French Baroque architecture, you'll be following in the footsteps of French history-makers who stayed there, including Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte.

December isn't the only time for indulging in the city's fine food and drink. Winstubs, or traditional Alsatian taverns, provide the city's most authentic dining experience – whether for Strasbourg's best brunch or a leisurely supper. These cosy establishments in La Petite France serve regional specialties includingchoucroute (the Alsatian version of sauerkraut, fermented in white wine and typically served with deliciously salty pork), tarte flambée (wood-fired dough topped with crème fraîche, onions and bacon) and baeckeoffe (Alsatian stew). For dessert, sample kougelhopf*,*a staple of every good Strasbourg restaurant that's part fruit cake, part brioche and prepared in a special circular mould. For more refined dining, you'll find plenty of gourmet options in Strasbourg. The Alsace region also has a reputation for excellent white wines, and is particularly renowned for its Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Gewürztraminer varieties. These can be tasted on a day trip to the vineyards that litter the Vosges Mountains foothills, or with a visit to theCaves des Hospices Strasbourg. This fascinating 14th-century cellar was founded to provide wine for the patients at the hospital, in an era when alcohol was deemed to have significant curative properties. Nowadays, it's a must-visit attraction for history buffs and wine connoisseurs alike, offering a chance to view medieval vats and casks, and to sample fine Alsatian wines curated by expert sommeliers. Prefer beer to wine? Strasbourg is home to the famous Kronenbourg Brewery, founded in 1664, while German-style artisanal beers take centre stage in many local taverns. There's even aStrasbourg Craft Beer Festival in October.