The city adorns itself with the Alsacian Christmas traditions from the last week of November till the close of December every year. With more than 300 wooden chalets distributed across over 10 locations in the heart of the city, it is easily one of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe, and perhaps in the world. All these festive hubs are located close to each other and can be explored on foot. The maps are quite user-friendly, although you could just follow the brightly suspended decorations in the streets to reach your next location.  And make sure you do some in the night, so that you don’t miss the luminous spectacles.

The unending varieties of local delicacies, authentic handicrafts and fascinating Christmas ornaments indeed make this a very special place for experiencing the yuletide. And if you are cold, don’t worry: there is always hot wine or cider spiced with cinnamon sticks and vanilla pods, just around the corner. These come with an array of accompaniments you can choose from: the Bredele (small Christmas cookies), the saurkaut (sausage with tangy cabbage), the tarteflambée (signature dish of Strasbourg), the Foie gras (duck liver) and much more. The wine glass is recyclable – not sure whether this is because one cannot stop with just one drink or if it is environmental friendly, but at the end of it all, you could carry it home as a souvenir.