The Alsace Wine Route from Strasbourg: a simple guide
Vine-covered hills, half-timbered villages painted in every colour, castle ruins on the ridges above: the Alsace Wine Route is one of the most beautiful drives in Europe. And it is an easy day trip from Strasbourg.
This guide covers what most visitors want to know: which villages to choose, how much time to allow, a sample itinerary hour by hour, and how to enjoy the tastings without worrying about who drives.
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The Wine Route at a glance
- Opened in 1953, it is one of the oldest wine routes in France.
- It runs for about 170 km (105 miles) along the foothills of the Vosges mountains, from Marlenheim in the north to Thann in the south, plus a small section near Wissembourg.
- The region has 51 Grand Cru vineyards and around fifty signposted vineyard walking trails.
- The classic grapes: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Muscat and Pinot Noir.
You don’t need to see it all. Most visitors pick three or four villages in the most picturesque stretch, between Obernai and Colmar.
Good to know The best-known villages (Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim) are around Colmar, roughly 1 hour’s drive south of Strasbourg. Obernai is closer, about 30 to 40 minutes away.
The villages worth your time
Obernai
A lively small town with a big market square, an old corn exchange and medieval walls. It sits on the way south from Strasbourg, so it makes a natural first stop or lunch break.
Riquewihr
Officially one of the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”. Riquewihr still has its walls and a main street that climbs gently up to the Dolder gate tower. The centre is car-free and compact: allow 1 to 1.5 hours. Tip: the cobblestones are uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
Kaysersberg
Voted France’s favourite village on national TV in 2017. A fortified bridge, a little river and castle ruins above the rooftops. It is also the birthplace of Albert Schweitzer. Tip: parking is often very tight at weekends. With a driver, you are dropped in the centre and picked up at the same spot.
Eguisheim
Another of the “Most Beautiful Villages of France” (and France’s favourite village in 2013). Its lanes run in circles around the castle, so you can’t get lost. About 10 minutes from Colmar.
Ribeauvillé
A long main street of colourful houses, with three ruined castles on the hill above. Usually quieter than Riquewihr on weekdays.
Hunawihr and Bergheim
Two smaller “Most Beautiful Villages”, calm and authentic. Hunawihr has a fortified church standing among the vines; Bergheim, voted France’s Favourite Village in 2022, keeps its old ramparts.
Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle
Not a village, but a highlight: a huge restored medieval castle high above the plain, with sweeping views on a clear day. Allow 1 hour 30 to 2 hours.
Good to know: Haut-Koenigsbourg Hours change with the seasons (early October 2026: 9.30am to 6pm; shorter in winter, with a lunch break). Closed 1 January and 25 and 26 December. Last entry one hour before closing. Please check haut-koenigsbourg.fr before you go.
A one-day itinerary from Strasbourg (hour by hour)
Driving times are approximate, based on normal Google Maps times without traffic jams.
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 9.00am | Pick-up at your Strasbourg hotel |
| 9.40am | Obernai (about 40 min): stroll and coffee |
| 10.45am | Continue south |
| 11.30am | Riquewihr (about 40 min): explore, then lunch |
| 2.00pm | Kaysersberg (about 15 min): bridge and old town |
| 3.30pm | Eguisheim (about 25 min): the circular lanes, a wine tasting |
| 5.00pm | Drive back to Strasbourg (about 1 hour) |
| 6.00pm | Back at your hotel |
Castle option: swap Obernai for Haut-Koenigsbourg in the morning, then continue to Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr.
Slower pace: just three villages (Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim) with more time in each. Often the best choice with children or anyone who prefers to walk slowly.
Good to know: wine tastings Many family wine estates welcome visitors for tastings. Some ask you to book ahead, especially groups. With a driver, nobody has to stay sober to drive, so everyone can enjoy a glass.
When to go
- Spring and summer: flowers on every balcony and long days. Busier at weekends.
- Autumn: harvest time and golden vines. A lovely season.
- December: the Christmas markets turn the villages into postcards. Each village has its own calendar (Kaysersberg is only open Friday to Sunday, for example). See our Alsace wine village Christmas tour page for dates.
- January to March: very quiet; some restaurants and wine cellars close for a holiday break. Check before you go.
Why tour the Wine Route with a driver?
- No trains link most of the villages, and buses are infrequent.
- Parking is hard in the popular villages, especially at weekends and in December.
- Tastings: nobody has to drive, everybody can taste.
- Your own pace: you choose the stops; the driver adapts.
Our Mercedes van seats up to 8 passengers; our sedan up to 3. Our drivers speak English, French and Arabic.
Prices: a full day on the Wine Route is quoted on request, depending on the length of the day and the number of stops. For a simple transfer, our price simulator gives you a price in 30 seconds. As an example, Strasbourg to Colmar costs about €190 for the whole vehicle (about €360 return).
Read next
- Colmar day trip
- The Black Forest from Strasbourg
- Getting around Alsace without a car
- Colmar Christmas market
Book your Wine Route day
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- Or use our booking page.