In our guide to the Alsatian wine route, we look at the highlights and suggests the must-dos, sees and tries on the way. We list the prettiest villages to see while exploring the Alsace region, the most interesting sights and events, and what to taste as you make your way along the route.
Alsace wine route facts
- Length of Alsatian wine route: 170km.
- Start and finish: the official route runs between Marlenheim (North Gate) and Thann (South Gate), but most visitors travel it between Strasbourg and Mulhouse or vice versa.
- Time to allow: minimum five days, better in two weeks.
- Number of villages en route: around 100.
- Number of wineries: around 1,000.
- Best time of year: May-June and September-October.
Find your way around our Alsace wine route guide
- Must try Alsace Wine
- Must see towns and villages
- Must visit attractions
- Must experience events
- Must taste
- Must travel
Must try Alsace wine
Unlike most wine regions in France, Alsatian wineries are situated in the villages rather than in the vineyards themselves. In the region’s turbulent past, this custom allowed the wineries to enjoy the protection of fortified walls. Again in contrast to usual practice, an Alsatian vineyard is often open during harvest (September to November) allowing visitors to see the wine making process for themselves.
Start your Alsatian wine route with an introductory course in tasting at one of the wineries. This will give you the chance to discover the different flavors produced by the Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir grapes. The wines of Alsace are overwhelmingly white (70% of production) and all bottled where they are produced in a thin, green bottle, known as the ‘flute of Alsace’.
A wine tasting will also help you distinguish between a dry Riesling and tannic Pinot Gris; an everyday white and a Grand Cru; and an acidic Pinot Blanc and mineral Gewürzt. Once you have the basics you’re ready to explore the wine route of Alsace at your leisure, time and again.
> Plan your Alsatian wine cruise
Did you know? Wineries in Alsace have a unique layout. Entrance is via an ornate gateway to a courtyard leading to the buildings where the wine is made. Discover more about Alsace wines.
Must see places on the Alsatian wine route
Practically all the towns and villages along this famous wine route offer picture postcard Alsace – half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and flowers everywhere against a backdrop of the Vosges mountains, river valleys or the Alsatian plain. And almost all are surrounded by vineyards. This bucolic scenery makes choosing the best something of a challenge when you visit the Alsace wine region, but we think you should definitely visit the following (listed in alphabetical order):
Colmar
One of the most famous towns on the Alsace wine route, Colmar offers perhaps the prettiest sightseeing of all. It comes crisscrossed with canals and is known as Little Venice. Don’t miss the chance to take a boat trip on the waterways while you admire the medieval façades, covered in flowers.
Eguisheim
Several villages on the Alsatian wine route are classed as the most beautiful in France and Eguisheim is one of them. The village was also voted the favourite of the French in 2013 – take a stroll round the pretty streets to discover why.
Kaysersberg
This beautiful spot sits on the bank of the River Weiss and boasts a Renaissance town hall and many Alsace half-timbered buildings. Climb up to the ruins of the castle on the hillside for one of the best views in the area.
Did you know? Alsace is home to many spectacular castles and chateaux – read about some of the best here.
Mittelbergheim
The village showcases its Renaissance heritage with several stunning buildings. You can admire them in their full glory from the top of Crax hill.
Mulhouse
The start or finish point of the Alsace wine route, Mulhouse lies in the south of Alsace and offers a great introduction to the region. You’ll discover a mixture of old and modern plus a surprisingly long list of museums and monuments. Don’t miss the Zoological and Botanical Garden, founded in 1868.
Obernai
Take a stroll round Obernai and it’s easy to see why it’s the most visited town in the region after Strasbourg. The stunning spot in the River Ehn valley sits at the crossroads of the three quintessentially Alsatian landscapes: vineyards, the Vosges mountains and the Alsatian plain.
Ribeauvillé
In a region with its roots in medieval times, this pretty village is the oldest. It has sweeping views of the vineyards and the remains of three feudal castles whose ruins are worth the climb to see.
Riquewihr
Yet another of the most beautiful villages in France, Riquewihr sits in a sea of vineyards and boasts no less than 40 monuments classed as historical. Visit a select few as you wander the pretty streets.
Strasbourg
The region’s capital and the seat of the European Parliament, Strasbourg is often shown as the start or finish on an Alsace wine route map. Combining traditional with modern, the city offers plenty to do and see including visit La Petite France (a typical fishermen’s and miller’s quarter) and its magnificent Gothic Cathedral. Climb the towers (142-metres high) to see as far as the Black Forest on a clear day.
Did you know? Unlike all other French wines, those in Alsace are called by the name of the grape, not by the region they’re produced in.
Must visit attractions on the Alsatian wine route
Every stop-off en route comes with its own must-see, but we’ve listed the best-known attractions that you should include on your visit.
Grand Cru Wine Trail
The 17km-route takes in seven villages and the best of Alsace food and wine. Discover Marckrain, Sonnenglanz, Mandelberg, Schoenenbourg, Sporen, Froehn and Rosacker as you walk or cycle your way round the finest vin in the region. Allow 4.5 hours.
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
One of the finest châteaux in Alsace and indeed France, the medieval fortress dominates the Alsatian plain with views as far as the Alps. Kaiser Wilhelm II completely refurbished it in the early 20th century and its pink turrets and battlements and Renaissance rooms are the stuff of fairy tales. The restored medieval gardens are a delight between June and September.
Cité de l’Automobile
A must for fans of classic cars, this giant museum in Mulhouse sits inside one of the factories belonging to the Schlumpf brothers. Their collection of vintage cars includes the world’s largest Bugattis.
‘Mountaineers’ vineyards’
The highest part of the wine growing region lies in the south between Soultzmatt and Tharin. Here, the vineyards are so steep that harvesters have to rope themselves together when picking the grapes.
Unterlinden Museum
Colmar boasts the finest collection of Rhineland art at its museum. Must-sees include the 13th century cloister and the stunning Isenheim altarpiece painted in 1512 as well as masterpieces from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Christmas shop
Although you can only experience the region’s famous Christmas markets in December, in Riquewihr you can shop for the festive season all year round. La Féerie de Noel store has one of the largest collections of Christmas decorations in Europe.
Must experience events on the Alsace wine route
Like all wine regions of France, Alsace takes events seriously, especially wine festivals, and dozens take place every year along the route. We’ve selected the following highlights:
Fiddlers’ Festival
The Pfifferdaj takes place on the first Sunday in September at Ribeauvillé and brings together Europe’s finest fiddlers. The folk festival takes a medieval theme and includes (of course) a free wine tasting session.
SlowUp Alsace
The annual event on the first Sunday in June takes the Alsatian wine route in the slow lane. The 38km route (with several shorter loops) between Sélestat and Bergheim is closed to traffic and open to walkers, cyclists and skaters, all of whom must be dressed in white in honour of Alsace wine.
Christmas markets
In true Alsatian style, the towns and villages on the wine route celebrate Advent with Christmas markets. You’ll find festive stalls, lights and displays almost everywhere but the best-known markets take place in Colmar, Eguisheim, Obernai and Riquewihr.
Did you know? Every single village on the wine route celebrates the grape harvest. For details on when and where as well as wine tours see the official calendar of events.
> Discover Alsace’s most famous spots
Traditional Alsace dishes
No trip along a wine route would be complete with pairing the wine with local food and in Alsace, the two are a match made in heaven. In fact, the region’s wine producers recommend that to savour the full palette of Alsace wines you should always try them with a typical local dish.
Jambonneau – pork and potatoes reign supreme in the region’s hearty dishes. Jambonneau (pork knuckle) with potatoes and choucroute pairs deliciously with a crisp Riesling.
Baeckeoffe – the hearty meat (usually mutton, pork and beef) and vegetable stew comes in equally hearty portions and finds its match in a Gewürztraminer white.
Coq au Riesling – this traditional French dish foregoes its usual red wine in favour of a Riesling in Alsace. The result brings a tangy touch to the sauce and goes well with any Alsace white wine.
Flammekueche – the Alsace ‘pizza’, usually with crème fraiche, bacon and onions, goes down a treat with any local whites.
River fish – perch or pike fished in the local rivers pair well with Alsace Pinot Blancs.
Munster cheese – this strong soft cheese needs a full-bodied wine such as a Gewürztraminer white or Pinot Noir red.
Bredele – traditional Christmas biscuits, sometimes with vanilla, cinnamon or jam, taste just that little bit better with a glass of any Alsatian wine.
Alsatian liqueurs – the region’s fruits (apples, apricots, cherries, pears, plums…) make up the famous liqueurs or fruit brandies, all of which are transparent. For some real firewater, try Marc, the Alsatian eau-de-vie.
Did you know? The Pinot Gris Alsace wine is known as the red wine drinker’s white and pairs deliciously with salty and spicy foods. Even a Thai curry.
> Indulge in our Alsace wine guide
Travel the Alsace wine route
You can explore the wine growing regions of Alsace on board a luxury hotel barge, perfect for discovering the delights of the region via its waterways. Take a look at the itinerary. and then choose your barge for a holiday to remember.
> Start your Alsace trip plans
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