Alsace should be your trip if you want to get your throat punched with mythical beauty.
We’ll list all of the top spots to visit in Alsace, France, ranging from culturally rich cities to beautiful Alsatian hamlets straight out of a Disney film.
Get your tiaras ready. It’s about to get a bit wacky here now.
The extremely lovely region of Alsace, located in Eastern France, is quite likely the most authentic embodiment of fairytale beauty we’ve ever seen.
Because of its proximity to Germany and Switzerland, it has developed a unique hybrid identity, combining France’s pleasant joie de vivre with the quaint charm and comfort of German Gemütlichkeit.
There are many wonderful small towns and big cities to visit in this region, as well as numerous smaller villages.
If you look up photos of Alsace, you’re likely to come across one of the region’s many colorful, fairytale towns, complete with half-timbered buildings and a never-ending stream of beautiful waterways.
Alsace, along with other photogenic locations such as Hallstatt and Burano, is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most captured regions.
One of the main reasons why tourists rush to Alsace in droves is its pure storybook beauty.
Alsace’s Christmas markets are some of the finest in the region, and we’ve written at length about them.
Many of Alsace’s central locations go all-out for Christmas, with distinctive markets and spectacular exhibits, often in ways not seen at German Christmas markets.
Hence, if you’re undecided about when to go to Alsace, Christmas is a fantastic time to go ( Despite the fact that it is a forewarning, it might be exceedingly congested.)
Alsacian wine is absolutely fantastic. That is most likely why Alsace is one of France’s most important wine-producing areas.
The legendary Route des Vins, a beautiful route that takes you through quaint villages, scenic vineyards, and plenty of historic chateaux and residences, is one of the area’s leading tourism draws. However, if you’re short on time, there’s no need to complete the entire circuit; you may sample the delights of Alsace from any restaurant or pub.
Riesling wines are particularly popular here, so try one of theirs.
Aspiring diners will be pleased to learn that Alsatian cuisine combines the sophisticated grace of French cookery with the substantial satisfaction of German cuisine. It’s the best of both worlds, especially when mixed with a classic Alsacian restaurant’s friendly environment.
While Alsace is most renowned for its charming small towns and villages, a few cities in the region are worth seeing.
Listed below are some examples:
Let’s start with Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace.
On our first visit, it was a head-over-heels type of love as you paraded through the Old Town with an ice cream cone in your hand. It is ogling the gorgeous houses lining cobblestone streets, stunning canals, and the truly spectacular Strasbourg Cathedral.
It persuaded UNESCO to designate the entire historic center of the city as a World Heritage Site for the first time in France (Previously, only single monuments have received this distinction.).
Strasbourg has all you need for a fantastic city trip. There are postcard-perfect photo ops like in Petite France and iconic attractions like its massive cathedral, a diverse collection of museums, and, of course, the incredibly breathtaking Strasbourg Christmas Market.
Mulhouse (placed so near Switzerland that its airport is shared with Basel’s) is a must-see for a cultural holiday packed with bright street art murals. There are internationally famous museums. It is a wonderfully cool city that honors its industrial background in entertaining and creative ways, despite being a long cry from the conventional Alsatian image of storybook timbered houses.
PS: If you’re visiting Mulhouse for Christmas, you might want to add some great Switzerland Christmas markets to your itinerary.
Alsace is notorious for its picture-perfect towns and villages that have to be Photoshopped. If that’s the case, there are a few spots in Alsace that you must visit.
Colmar is usually at the top of everyone’s Alsace wish list.
It’s a popular tourist destination, to be sure, but a well-deserved one. It was like entering into a painting when we walked into Colmar’s Petite Venise (or at least a scene from Beauty and the Beast).
Colmar has a few twists up its sleeve. In addition to its vibrant, fancifully adorned facades spread across its gorgeous old center.
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (AKA the man behind the Statue of Liberty) was born here. There’s a museum dedicated to him and even a miniature Statue of Liberty sitting on a roundabout outside town.
Many villages have been named the inspiration for Belle’s famous hometown in Beauty and the Beast throughout the years, but the most frequently mentioned is Eguisheim, a medieval gem just under 7 kilometers from Colmar.
A trip around the town is a great treat, and while it’s small and easy to traverse in an hour or two, it’ll leave an indelible memory.
Wine and castle enthusiasts should not miss a visit to picture-perfect Kaysersberg. It features a fortified town with its mountaintop castle and lush green vineyards. Kaysersberg is a little town with less than 3000 residents. It carries a hard strike no matter what time of year you travel.
You’ll find Yuletide magic in the form of teddy bear facades and shimmering light installations if you visit during the holidays. In the spring and summer, bright flowers cascade from the village’s most charming half-timbered buildings.
While not as well-known as some of the other towns on this list. Obernai offers plenty of the things that make Alsace so appealing to visitors. It is fantastical half-timbered buildings, wonderful small streets to meander down, and excellent hospitality.
If you want to see an Alsace town that isn’t as crowded as the others, we strongly suggest visiting here.
Turckheim is very charming if you’re seeking for some of Alsace’s loveliest villages to visit. With a small historical center surrounded by medieval walls (with three gates still surviving! ), the elf-themed Christmas market, which transforms the town center into a Dr. Seuss-esque paradise of colorful stalls, is the ultimate highlight for me in this small town.
Turckheim is primarily known for its massive yellow Advent Calendar, which has a nightly spectacle of a candle is lit every day in each window and a short narrative being told to the crowds throughout Advent.
With a combination of 16th-century residences and medieval defenses interspersed around the town’s historic heart, a trip through historic Thann is a little like a mini-history lesson. The most notable structure is the Saint Thiébaut Collegiate Church, a gothic masterpiece with the most beautiful bell tower in Alsace.
Ribeauvillé is undeniably one of Alsace’s busiest towns, but it’s also one of its most charming. Once upon a time, the Lords of Ribeaupierre resided in this town. The lords chose to build three fortified castles in the area, the remnants of which may still be seen today. It is capping the undulating green hills that surround the town, as lords often do.
Ribeauvillé’s fortifications and towers are still standing today, offering plenty of photo opportunities along its main street. It’s really worth braving the masses for!
Finally, we must highlight Riquevir, one of the most popular destinations in Alsace, which we were unable to visit! Yes, we were at the whim of absurdly enormous lines on a weekend when we attempted to visit Riquevir’s famous Christmas Market, much like enthusiastic clubbers denied admittance to a popular nightclub.
Basel-Mulhouse Airport and Strasbourg Airport are the two major international airports. Strasbourg has excellent train connections to the rest of France and Europe.
Any time of the year! Despite the heat, the region is attractive in the summer, but during the frigid winter months, Alsace’s beauty comes alive with the region’s delightful Christmas markets.
To get a true sense of the region, sample a variety of wines, dine on regional cuisine and visit a combination of popular destinations (such as Strasbourg and Colmar) and smaller villages. Prepare to take a lot of shots because this is one of Europe’s most gorgeous regions!
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