Weekend in Strasbourg with a dog: 2 days of dog-friendly activities
Want to discover Strasbourg with your dog in a weekend? Here's our 2-day itinerary, covering the essential sights in the heart of Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, with your dog!
Strasbourg is on my top list of cities to visit with Musher. Very flowery , accessible on foot, with typical Alsatian architecture , a strong historical side but also peaceful natural areas , I find Strasbourg incredibly charming.
If this city appeals to you as much as it does to me, you won't be disappointed by the itinerary I have in store for you! Everything is dog-friendly , of course, from sightseeing and activities to parks. I also often recommend passing by iconic religious buildings in Strasbourg , as they are truly worth seeing; however, if you wish to visit them, you'll need to take turns keeping the dog outside.
Strasbourg is also an opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal with your dog! This itinerary includes addresses of authentic winstubs , traditional Alsatian restaurants, where you can taste the gastronomy and renowned wine list of the region.
To begin, let's see how to prepare your weekend in Strasbourg with your dog , and in particular where to find a well-located hotel that gladly accepts him!
Summary
Tips for planning a weekend in Strasbourg with your dog: accommodation and transportation
This route is designed to be easily done on foot with your dog. It focuses on the city centre of Strasbourg , and where the route moves away from it, you can get around using soft mobility: boat or bike (I'm giving you a little spoiler about the activities! 🤭).
🛏️ That's why I recommend choosing from hotels in Strasbourg located directly in the city center , close to your sightseeing. Best Western hotels, housed in charming Strasbourg buildings, are very dog-friendly. Some have even signed the Pet Charter to further improve their facilities for dogs, notably by providing a bed and water bowl in the room.
🚋 Strasbourg is well served by a bus and tram network , should you wish to use public transport. The Strasbourg Transport Company (CTS) accepts dogs free of charge under these conditions:
- On buses: only small dogs in closed carriers are allowed
- On trams: small dogs are allowed in a closed basket, and larger dogs must be muzzled and kept on a short leash, away from other passengers.
💡 Final tip : if you have a small dog that has difficulty walking, you can bring a backpack to carry it . This will allow you to give it regular breaks without straining your back, and it's also useful for transportation. Two birds with one stone!
Now that you're ready, let's get started with the two-day itinerary in Strasbourg with a dog!
Day 1 - Between the Grande Île of Strasbourg and Petite France
The first day of your weekend in Strasbourg with your dog starts off with a bang! Discover the city's must-see districts and its bucolic charm, from the colorful half-timbered houses of the Grande Île to the flower-lined canals of Petite France.
The morning :
- Departure at the Place Kleber, the main square of Strasbourg, bordered by theAubette, a long neoclassical building from the 18th century and typical Strasbourg houses
- Walk past theSaint-Pierre-le-Vieux Churchwhich has the distinction of being a simultaneum: built in the 14th century, it was dedicated alternately to Catholic and Protestant worship. This is reflected both in its architecture and in its interior decoration.
- Stroll through the Petite France, the most picturesque district of Strasbourgwhere the Ill River splits into four branches. Stroll through the charming Benjamin-Zix Square before going to meet the little one Pheasant Bridge, a hydraulic bridge from 1888, of covered bridgesto conclude with the Vauban dam, which houses many sculptures and which you can visit with your dog.
- You can give your dog a break and let him play with friends at dog park located on Rue des Frères Matthis.
- Quick detour via theSt. Thomas Church, very imposing, nicknamed the cathedral of Protestantism in Alsace
Noon :
- Back to Petite France for lunch in the Alsatian Baeckeoffe restaurantDog-friendly. This Alsatian specialty, the restaurant's signature dish, is a stew of three meats cooked slowly with vegetables in Alsatian white wine. Vegetarian option available!
The afternoon :
- Rent a boat without a license To explore the Ill River, its wild banks, its ponds and the typical Alsatian castles. The rental companies Marin d'Eau Douce and Captain Bretzel accept dogs.
Day 2 - German Quarter, Alsatian wines and iconic Strasbourg gardens
For this second day in Strasbourg with your dog, I suggest you delve into the history of the city and its German past, understand its wine-growing influence for centuries, before hopping on an electric bike to take the time to discover the remarkable gardens and numerous architectural styles without tiring yourself out too much.
The morning :
- Before discovering the Neustadt, a passage in front of the Great Synagogue of Peace It stands out. An impressive building constructed after the Second World War, both modern and incorporating traditional Jewish symbols, such as the Star of David.
- Pass by the Egyptian House, in the Art Nouveau style, covered with an Egyptian fresco.
- Survey it Neustadt, the German quarter of Strasbourgstarting Republic Square, to admire its very colorful gardens thanks to the magnolias in bloom in spring, the flamboyant yellow ginkgo trees in autumn, and the flowerbeds that brighten the stroll. Also admire the Palais du Rhin, with Prussian architecture, former German imperial palace of the Second Reich.
- Take the opportunity to cross the Ill river and admire theSt. Paul's Church, a neo-Gothic Protestant Reformed church, which dominates the neighborhood. Then go to the Palais Universitaire, a historic building listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, still used as a university.
- Follow the banks of the Ill to return to the center, and pass in front of the Palais Rohan", the Notre-Dame cathedral and its famous Astronomical Clock, then the Tripe Sellers' Square, all in bloom and colorful.
Noon :
- Enjoy an authentic lunch Winstub La Vieille EnseigneRenowned in Strasbourg for its excellent Alsatian cuisine, particularly its sauerkraut with seven meats and its award-winning vol-au-vents. A vegetarian option is also available. Dogs are welcome, but be sure to book in advance to secure a suitable table!
The afternoon :
- Head northwest of the city center to rent a cargo bike where your dog is accepted at VéloRouge.
- Then follow the Canal du Faux-Rempart back to the Ill River and the Petite France district, and then continue up to the Canal du Rhône au Rhin, on the Quai Louis Pasteur. cycle lanes allow you to stay safe throughout.
- Dive into the Civil Hospital district to reach the Historic Cellar of the Hospices of StrasbourgAn unusual visit where your dog is welcome! A place steeped in over 600 years of history, which ensured the food self-sufficiency of the religious community running this hospital. You can taste exceptional wines still aged in the restored cellars.
- Get back on your bike to return to the Rhône-Rhine Canal and cycle eastward to the Citadel ParkThis is an opportunity to let your dog romp in front of the remains of the old fortress and along the still-watery moat.
- If the border with Germany appeals to you, you can take a short detour to the Garden of the Two Shores and take the footbridge across the two banks, to cross the Rhine to our neighbors.
- Then continue until the Orangery ParkArguably the most romantic park in Strasbourg, with its Temple of Love, fountains and sculptures, and its small footbridge over the lake where swans paddle peacefully. It is also a well-known nesting site for storks!
- You can then return to the bike rental shop via the Robertsau alley, lined with numerous private mansions with Art Nouveau and Neo-Renaissance architecture.
That's it for two pretty packed days in Strasbourg with your dog ! I hope you enjoyed this itinerary and that it's inspired you to visit the Alsatian capital with your dog.
👉 If you would like to discover more about the region, I recommend our other articles on Alsace with a dog : hikes, sites to visit, not forgetting the wine routes!
If you have already visited Strasbourg with your dog, feel free to share your favorite spots and good addresses with the community in the comments!
