Alzace and Switzerland: Old towns with a charm
Visit old picturesque towns of Alzace region, beautiful cities of northern Switzerland and taste great cheese and wine!
Dalibor Uremovic
6/25/20263 min read
Here are some tips and information related to my visit to Alsace region in France and some cities in Switzerland.
It all started with cheap flights from Zagreb to Basel, so if you're wondering whether it's worth visiting, read on.
I wouldn't rank Basel among the top cities for sightseeing, but it's perfectly fine for a one-day trip. I definitely recommend visiting the Protestant Münster Cathedral, the Spalentor Gate (the medieval entrance to the old town), the Town Hall, and taking a walk along the riverside promenade on the northern bank of the Rhine.
If you're staying for several days, because accommodation in Basel is very expensive, it's better to stay across the border in France, where our accommodation was three times cheaper (Airbnb option). You may find the nicest accommodation in Colmar, a beautiful town that you can explore in the evenings after visiting the surrounding cities during the day. During our five-day trip, we visited Strasbourg (France), Basel, Zurich, and Lucerne (Switzerland), traveling by train from Colmar each day.
When you land in Basel, exit through the Swiss side of the airport (the signs are clearly marked). You can reach Basel by Bus No. 50, which costs around €5/CHF 5 one way. Train and public transport tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or on board public transport vehicles. In Strasbourg, don't forget to validate your public transport ticket at the red machines located at the stops. In the other cities, we did not use public transportation.
How can you save money? When it comes to trains, there are many different options, so check in advance what works best for you depending on how many days you'll be staying and whether you'll be traveling on weekends. There are discounted weekend tickets, and there is also a monthly pass that allows you to buy tickets at a 50% discount (worth it if you're staying for five or more days and using trains frequently).
As for food and drinks, Switzerland is very expensive, but we found excellent value at Coop restaurants (similar to a supermarket chain with dining areas), where you can find local dishes at roughly half the price of regular restaurants. Coffee costs around €5/CHF 5. Card payments are accepted everywhere, and we used Revolut for most transactions.
We experienced very high temperatures during our trip, so carrying water bottles was essential. Fortunately, Switzerland has a large number of drinking fountains with potable water (especially in Zurich). Strasbourg is not as well equipped in this regard, but there is a fountain on the main square where the cathedral is located (said to be the sixth largest cathedral in Europe).
In Lucerne, I recommend taking a boat trip on the lake. The surroundings are beautiful, with charming houses, nature, hills, and stunning scenery. Boats depart from Pier No. 7, and the price for two passengers is CHF 50. Look for the 1.5-hour "round-trip" cruise.
You can also take a canal cruise in Strasbourg, but if it's hot outside, the sun can be quite intense on the open boats. In Strasbourg, boats depart from a location on the canal near the cathedral. Tickets can be purchased online through the Batorama agency. If you want to disembark in the newer part of Strasbourg where the European Union institutions are located, inform the captain in advance.
As for food and drink, the Alsace region, like Switzerland, is known for dishes featuring grated and fried potatoes, pork knuckles, Alsatian pasta, and tarts (similar to pizza). Cheese seems to be an essential ingredient in almost every dish.
In Switzerland, you should try fondue and raclette, both made with melted cheese, although these are more winter-oriented dishes and can feel quite heavy during hot weather. The Alsace region is also famous for its excellent white wines. If you're dining in Colmar or Strasbourg, try the Pinot varieties (such as Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir) and Gewürztraminer. Grand Cru versions of these wines are more expensive but excellent.