A fairy-tale Alsatian town of cobblestone lanes, flower-draped canal houses, and Riesling-soaked wine villages — most cruise passengers arrive by coach from nearby Breisach or Strasbourg, stepping into one of France's most photogenic historic centres.
Colmar has no ocean or major river port — cruise ships dock elsewhere and transfer guests by coach.
💡 Pro move: CroisiEurope passengers can walk to the Old Town from the Port de Colmar marina (~15-20 min). Rhine ship passengers rely on ship-organised or independent coaches.
Colmar itself has no cruise ship terminal — nearby Breisach and Strasbourg are the Rhine docking ports, while CroisiEurope barges use the Colmar Canal.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Tauck, Scenic | Breisach, Germany (Rhine)📍 | Docked |
| Various Rhine lines | Strasbourg, France (Rhine)📍 | Docked |
| CroisiEurope, canal barges | Colmar Canal dock📍 | Docked |
From the Isenheim Altarpiece to rolling vine-covered hillsides, Colmar rewards history lovers, foodies, and wine fans equally.
Board a traditional flat-bottomed punt for a 25-minute guided glide through the Petite Venise district — past the Quai de la Poissonnerie's candy-coloured houses, arched bridges, and hanging flower baskets. The classic Colmar photo op.
Find canal boat tours →Housed in a 13th-century Dominican convent, the Unterlinden Museum contains the stunning Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald — one of the most powerful works of medieval religious art anywhere in Europe. Allow 1-2 hours.
Find Unterlinden Museum tours →Follow Colmar's golden-triangle tourist trail through its perfectly preserved medieval centre: the Gothic St. Martin's Church, the ornate Renaissance Pfister House (1537), the Maison des Têtes with its 106 sculptured heads, the Koïfhus customs house, and the Bartholdi Museum honouring Colmar's most famous son — sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.
Find Old Town walking tours →Drive or coach through the vineyard-draped hills to fairy-tale villages Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé — walled medieval towns surrounded by Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris vines. Tastings at family domaines included on most tours.
Find Alsace wine route tours →A compact but fascinating museum in the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor who designed the Statue of Liberty. Original models, sketches, and personal artefacts trace the creation of the New York icon.
Find Bartholdi Museum tickets →Colmar's pedestrianised Old Town is made for wandering — the entire historic core is easily covered on foot in 2-3 hours.
Start at Place d'Unterlinden and the Unterlinden Museum, then head south through Rue des Marchands past the Pfister House and Koïfhus. Continue to the Quai de la Poissonnerie for the iconic Little Venice canal view. Loop back via the Bartholdi Museum and Place de l'Ancienne Douane.
Follow the golden triangle markers embedded in the pavement — a self-guided circuit linking Colmar's greatest hits: St. Martin's Church, the Dominican Church, the Covered Market, and the main squares. Maps available free from the tourist office on Place d'Unterlinden.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Colmar, Alsace, France (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F / 6°C | 32°F / 0°C | 15 | 8:16 AM | 5:04 PM |
| Feb | 47°F / 8°C | 33°F / 1°C | 11 | 7:37 AM | 5:52 PM |
| Mar | 53°F / 12°C | 37°F / 3°C | 11 | 6:43 AM | 6:35 PM |
| Apr | 60°F / 16°C | 43°F / 6°C | 11 | 6:41 AM | 8:20 PM |
| May | 66°F / 19°C | 49°F / 9°C | 14 | 5:51 AM | 9:02 PM |
| Jun | 75°F / 24°C | 58°F / 14°C | 12 | 5:30 AM | 9:32 PM |
| Jul | 79°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 12 | 5:46 AM | 9:25 PM |
| Aug | 78°F / 26°C | 60°F / 16°C | 12 | 6:25 AM | 8:43 PM |
| Sep | 71°F / 22°C | 54°F / 12°C | 8 | 7:08 AM | 7:42 PM |
| Oct | 62°F / 17°C | 47°F / 8°C | 11 | 7:50 AM | 6:41 PM |
| Nov | 50°F / 10°C | 39°F / 4°C | 13 | 7:37 AM | 4:52 PM |
| Dec | 45°F / 7°C | 35°F / 2°C | 13 | 8:14 AM | 4:37 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Rhine cruises dock at Breisach (Germany) or Strasbourg; cruise lines typically arrange group bus transfers to Colmar. Confirm with your ship — this is usually the primary way in.
Metered taxis available at Colmar train station. Short rides within the city are inexpensive; rates are ~€1.60/km.
Both Uber and Bolt are confirmed active in Colmar. Bolt also offers e-scooters and bikes for shorter trips around the old town.
Colmar runs a free electric mini-shuttle through the hyper-center, every 15 minutes, Mon–Sat 9 AM–7 PM. Connects major car parks and bus stops to the pedestrian old town.
Upcoming cruises that call at Colmar, Alsace, France. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.