The Alsace is located in the Grand Est region of France and is famous for its wine route, Christmas markets, medieval villages and artisan foods. A romantic weekend in Alsace is a perfect getaway for lovers while families and solo travellers will enjoy it as well. There is something amazing for you to do in the Alsace.
Plan the perfect Alsace weekend trip
For the sake of our article, our Alsace weekend will start on a Friday afternoon. Ideal starting spots are either Strasbourg or Mulhouse for their close proximity to airports and TGV train connections from Paris France. We are starting our weekend in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace.
Day 1 weekend in the Alsace
Arrive at Strasbourg Gare Centrale Train Station/Airport, or by car. If you are arriving by train or plane we recommend booking a rental car. Book into a centrally located Strasbourg hotel and get ready for your weekend en Alsace
Things to do in Strasbourg on your Alsace weekend
Spending the afternoon-evening in Strasbourg we recommend that you head to the amazing Strasbourg Cathedral to start your weekend itinerary. The cathedral was once the tallest building in the world. You can climb to the top. of the spire for amazing views of the Alsace. The astronomical clock near the naive is a real highlight.
After you visit the cathedral head to the La Petite France area of the city. La Petite France is also known as Quartier des Tanneurs in the historic old town of Strasbourg.
It is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and features an impressive collection of half-timbered buildings and houses from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Stroll back into the centre of the old town along the river taking in the medieval cobblestones of the city. If your looking for more to do visit the Strasbourg Alsace tourism office located adjacent to the cathedral. Find a nice restaurant such as L’Alsace à Table Enjoy a local specialty such as flammkuchen, which is the Alsace version of a pizza. It is traditionally topped with onion, bacon and crème fresh cheese. Wash it down with a bottle of the local Gewürztraminer.
Book entry tickets, attractions and tours in Strasbourg
The best Strasbourg Hotels
Citadines Kleber Strasbourg
BOMA easy living hotel
Hotel Graffalgar
Holiday Inn Express Strasbourg Centre
Image credits: Agoda. We are an affiliate of Agoda and may receive a small payment if you book this property
Related posts
- 5 of the very best Christmas markets in the Alsace you must visit
- Our ultimate guide to spending one day in Strasbourg
- Plan your Alsace itinerary with all the best things to do in the Alsace
Day 2 Alsace Weekend
Have breakfast at your Strasbourg hotel before hitting the road by 9 am on your Alsace en weekend. As the sites of Strasbourg disappear in your rearview mirror, head down the A35 Highway to Mount St Odile.
Mont St Odile
Arrive at the Montastery and enter at 10am
This beautiful picturesque monastery hanging off the Vosges Mountain is 45 minutes from Strasbourg
St Odile is a place of pilgrimage for many people. The monastery was originally built sometime in the early 7th century, but has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the years. Visit the tomb of St Odile, the Chapel of Tears and the Chapel of Angels. Just as famous as the Saint buried there are the views.
Leave Mont St Odile at 11.15 am and head to Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg. The journey south through Alsace will take one hour, and have you arriving at 12.15.
Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg
One of the most scenic places to visit around Strasbourg is Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg. Koenigsbourg chateau dates back to the middle ages and was built by the Hapsburg dynasty. The current version was built by the German Kaiser in the late 18th century when the land belonged to Germany. Today, the Chateau stands proud, overlooking both France and Germany. We recommend a self-guided tour of the staterooms and armoury.
Leave Haut Koenigsbourg by 2 pm and head to Ribeauvillé. The drive will take around 30 minutes. We suggest you park your car and check into your Ribeauvillé accommodation.
The best Ribeauville Hotels
Hotel Au Lion
Hotel Restaurant 3 Chateaux
Gite des Menetriers, LES VIEILLES VIGNES
Duplex a Ribeauville
Image credits: Agoda. We are an affiliate of Agoda and may receive a small payment if you book this property
Once you arrive at Ribeauville
Since we are on Alsace’s wine route, we suggest a visit to Cave Ribeauvillé. This wine co-operative is the oldest in all of France and is easily within walking distance if you’re staying in town. At the Ribeauvillé Cave, you will have the chance to sample wines made from the surrounding hills and villages.
In the region, they grow six distinctive grape varieties, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Muscat d’Alsace, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. A small sample of all is a must for trying the best of Alsace wines.
Head back into the centre of this amazing medieval village, stroll the cobblestone main street, look into the souvenir shops, browse local produce and more. The town really is spectacular with castle ruins and vineyards on the hills overlooking the town.
For dinner, we suggest you get off the tourist trail and visit Gourmand Drinks. It is a small bar/restaurant where locals eat and drink. It will give you a more authentic feel for your weekend Alsace trip. If you don’t want to head back to your accommodation in Ribeauvillé just yet, maybe take a trip to the Casino Barriere de Ribeauvillé. Try your luck at the slot machines or play poker
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Day 3 Alsace en Weekend
We suggest you have breakfast and leave your accommodation in Ribeauvillé by 9 am to head to Riquewihr. A short drive will have you parked and on the streets by 9.30 am.
Things to do in Riquewihr
Riquewihr is one of the great small villages of the Alsace. The main street is one of the best with its colourful traditional Alsace house to admire. The Christmas shop, Féerie de Noël, is a must-visit. You will find every type of Christmas ornament you can think of, from tree decorations to nativity scenes. There is an amazing souvenir shop in the main street called Fort Wenger. The store sells all types of nick snacks, linens, gingerbread and more from the Alsace region.
Leave Riquewihr by 10.30am and head to Colmar. You should arrive in Colmar by 11am.
Things to do in Colmar
On your way into town make sure you go past the French Statue of Liberty. The designer of the statue you see in New York comes from Colmar.
We suggest parking somewhere central such as Place de la Mairie parking garage underneath the Monoprix grocery store. Head towards the Little Venice area of town. In the Krutenau district, on the edge of the old town, the half-timber Alsace house sits picture-perfect on the banks of the Launch River. Calling it Little Venice is a stretch as the Launch River meanders through only a small section of Colmar.
We suggest a walk through this area of Colmar. Start your walk at the statue in Place de l’Ancienne Douane. Follow the canal until you reach the covered market hall of Colmar. The walk is a little over a kilometre and should take you under an hour. Little Venice in Colmar was the old merchants’ quarter of the town
Have lunch and coffee at the Little Market Hall, you will find traders selling all types of food. There is a small picturesque balcony on the water where you should eat. Head back to your car for the last stop of your weekend in Alsace. Don’t forget to look up to see the famous Alsace storks.
Book entry tickets, tours and attractions in Colmar
Leave Colmar by 1.30pm and drive to Mullhouse. You should arrive in Mullhouse around 2.30pm.
Things to do in Mullhouse
You have a few different options for visiting museums in Mulhouse. The most famous museum is the Cité de l’Automobile. One of the most prestigious car museums in the world featuring over 400 vehicles. The museum includes the famous Coupé Napoléon, the 150 Bugatti, Hispano-Suiza, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and more. You will also find a train museum and a textile museum in Mulhouse.
From here, you can either start your journey home by car, train, or plane. The TGV train goes from Mulhouse to Paris daily and flights from the nearby Basel, Mulhouse, Freiburg airport head all over Europe. We hope this Alsace itinerary provides you with a great weekend trip through the region, villages, and castles with wine tasting and museums. There is a little of everything for everyone in Alsace
Our weeeknd cost breakdown
| I night Strasbourg Hotel | € 75 / $85 | € 75 / $85 |
| Mont St Odile Entrance | free entry | € 75 / $85 |
| Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg | € 18 / $ 21.50 | € 93 / $106.50 |
| 2 x bottles of wine | € 25 / $ 30.00 | € 118 / $ 128.00 |
| I night at Ribeauville hotel | € 75 / $ 85 | € 193 / $ 213 |
| Parking Riquewihr | € 5 / $ 6 | € 198 / $ 219 |
| Parking Colmar | € 7 / $ 8.50 | € 205 / $ 227.50 |
| Cité de l’Automobile | € 28 / $ 33.50 | € 233 / $ 261 |
| 2 x dinner & 2 x lunches | € 180 / $ 215 | € 413 / $ 476 |
We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has you inspired to plan holidays in the Alsace region. There are so many things to do in the Alsace to visit that will have you entertained and inspired on your vacation. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in France and the Alsace click through to our France Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.