The Cathédrale Notre-Dame is a Gothic masterpiece that took 300 years to build. The 142m climb to the top of its latticed spire is worth every bead of perspiration for the views, which on a good day stretch as far as Germany's Black Forest and make the timber buildings below look like dolls' houses. Be warned - the 329 steps are best approached before a sauerkraut lunch. If you are there at 12.30pm, slip inside the southern door of the cathedral to see the magnificent astronomical clock chiming and watch the mini wooden figures of the apostles scurrying across its face.

Head off to a winstub (local auberge) for filling Alsatian food and wine in a convivial, relaxed atmosphere. Wash down sauerkraut with a sharp vin d'alsace such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer. Or share a tarte flambée with friends – it's a bit like a pizza with a thin pastry base and topped with cream, onions, lardons, cheese or mushrooms – while supping Alsatian beers.

Hire a vélo (bike) from Strasbourg station and hit the streets to clear your head after a long night at a winstub. As 250 miles (400km) of cycle routes converge on Strasbourg, it's a great city to pedal around. When culture calls, park your pedals and learn about the history of Alsace in the Musée Alsacien and admire worthwhile modern art in the Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain. Or, you can kill three birds with one stone at the Palais Rohan which houses Strasbourg's fine art, archaeological and decorative arts museums.

Sit back and take in the sights from the decks of a leisurely waterbus around the Grande Ile and Petite France on the River Ill. By day, sail gently below the Ponts Couverts, medieval covered bridges with watchtowers at each end, or score brownie points with your other half and book an evening dinner cruise for a romantic sojourn on the water. Boats depart from the Palais Rohan near Cathédrale Notre Dame.

Strasbourg's magical Christmas market is held from the end of November to Christmas Eve, and is one of the biggest and best in France. Every year since 1570, storeholders commandeer the streets around Place Broglie and on the Place de la Cathédrale selling traditional Alsatian decorations and gifts from little wooden huts in a fairytale setting. Keep warm with vin chaud (mulled wine), marrons (chestnuts), and pain d'épices (a kind of gingerbread) or burn off a few calories with an hour of ice-skating. End of November to Christmas Eve.

Strasbourg Christmas website

Strasbourg Tourist Office website

If you want to take some great pictures of Strasbourg Old Town, head for the Terrasse Panoramique on the Barrage Vauban, next to the Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain. Joyce Fletcher, Chichester

We decided to try out the new Pierre Bois & Feu restaurant as recommended by the "Hairy Bikers" in the recent BBC series and they're right – it's the tastiest entrecote steak we've ever eaten! Ben &Julie Todd, Cardiff

Where: 6 rue Bain aux Roses, 67000 Strasbourg, +33 (0) 3 88 36 25 59