Holiday in Alsace

Region in France — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇫🇷

Country

France

Type

Region

Best time to travel

May–October, December for Christmas markets

Budget/day

90–160 €

Getting there from Germany

Strasbourg is accessible by TGV from Paris (1 hr 45 min) or ICE from Stuttgart (1 hr 20 min) and Frankfurt (2 hrs). Ideal for road trips from southern Germany.

About Alsace

Alsace, located on the border with Germany and Switzerland, is a region that combines French art de vivre with German coziness. Half-timbered houses in candy colors, flower-adorned window sills, stork nests on church towers, and the vineyards of the Vosges create a backdrop that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. The Alsace Wine Route (Route des Vins d’Alsace) winds over 170 kilometers from Marlenheim to Thann through 73 wine villages and is considered one of the most beautiful wine routes in Europe. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Crémant d’Alsace thrive on the sun-drenched eastern slopes of the Vosges. Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg are among the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” and offer a medieval atmosphere with wine taverns and delicatessen shops. Strasbourg, the capital of Europe, impresses with its Gothic cathedral (142 meters, once the tallest building in the world), the picturesque district of La Petite France with its tanneries, and the European Parliament. Colmar enchants with its “Little Venice” and the Unterlinden Museum featuring Grünewald's Isenheimer Altarpiece. The Haut-Koenigsbourg, a powerful Hohenstaufen castle at 757 meters, offers panoramic views as far as the Black Forest. In winter, the towns transform into magical Christmas markets — the Strasbourg “Christkindelsmärik” is the oldest in France (since 1570). Flammkuchen, Bäckeoffe, Choucroute, and Kougelhopf make Alsatian cuisine a unique culinary experience.

Romance
100
Culture
93
Food
85
Nature
80
Safety
80

Top 5 highlights in Alsace

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Alsace Wine Route

The 170 km long Route des Vins leads through over 70 wine villages with half-timbered houses, wine tastings, and panoramic views of the Vosges.

2

Christmas Markets

Strasbourg's “Capitale de Noël” and Colmar's fairy-tale old town transform into a sea of lights with over 300 chalets during Advent.

3

Eguisheim & Riquewihr

These two half-timbered jewels are among the most beautiful villages in France – with flower-adorned streets and historic wine taverns.

4

Haut-Koenigsbourg

The impressively restored castle from the 12th century sits atop a 757 m high mountain and offers panoramic views over the Rhine plain to the Black Forest.

5

Vosges Ridge

The Grand Ballon (1,424 m) and the Route des Crêtes offer hikes with distant views over Alsace, the Black Forest, and, on clear days, as far as the Alps.

Hotels in Alsace

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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Alsace

Recommended travel time

May–October, December for Christmas markets

Summer

Warm, 22–30 °C, sunny with occasional thunderstorms

Winter

Cold, -2–5 °C, snow in the Vosges

How much does a holiday in Alsace cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

45–70 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

90–160 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

200–400 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

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5 travel tips for Alsace

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

The Wine Route can be excellently explored by bicycle – e-bikes can be rented in many villages.

Reserve wine taverns (elsass wine taverns) in advance on weekends – they are very popular.

Visit the Christmas markets during the week and in the morning to avoid the largest crowds.

Flammkuchen (tarte flambée) is best enjoyed in rustic Ferme-Auberges in the countryside.

The Stork Route (Route des Cigognes) leads to the famous stork nests of Alsace.

Food & drink in Alsace

These specialties you must try!

Flammkuchen (tarte flambée)
Choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with meat)
Bäckeoffe (stew)
Kugelhopf (gugelhupf)
Munster cheese
Brezn and Bibeleskäs (fresh cheese)
Suitable for:Half-timberedWineChristmas marketsCulinaryRomanceVosgesCultureEnjoyment

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