The Alsace Wine Route is the great day trip from Strasbourg and the reason many visitors extend their stay. It runs for 170 kilometres along the foothills of the Vosges, from Marlenheim, just west of Strasbourg, south to Thann beyond Colmar, threading together dozens of wine villages with half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes, fortified gates and church towers rising above the vines. This is white-wine country, built on seven grape varieties, from crisp Riesling and Sylvaner to aromatic Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris, with Pinot Noir the one red and Crémant d’Alsace the local sparkling wine. Winegrowers welcome visitors to their cellars for tastings, and many villages are small enough to explore in an hour. The southern half, around Colmar, is the most famous: Riquewihr within its ramparts, Kaysersberg beneath its ruined castle, Ribeauvillé with its three castles, and Eguisheim built in concentric rings. In December, several villages host their own Christmas markets, and Riquewihr’s runs from 27 November to 20 December 2026. This page links to the Visit Alsace guide to the route.
How to visit: the route is designed for driving, and a car gives you the freedom to stop at cellars and viewpoints; Strasbourg-Entzheim airport, with car hire, is about 20 minutes from the route. Without a car, take the regional train from Strasbourg to Colmar, about half an hour, and use local buses or a small-group tour from there to reach the villages. Never drink and drive: France’s limits are strict, and a designated driver or a guided tour is the sensible choice if you plan several tastings.
What to expect: in November the harvest is over and the vines turn gold before they are pruned, the villages are quiet and many cellars keep shorter hours, so check before you go. From late November the Christmas markets arrive and villages fill on weekends. In spring and summer, village festivals and open cellars are at their liveliest.
Making the most of it: combine two or three villages with Colmar rather than trying to drive the whole route in a day. A good southern loop links Colmar with Eguisheim, Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, with a detour up to the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle above the vineyards.
What to expect
The experience
A self-planned road trip or guided day through wine villages, with walks in old centres and tastings at family cellars.
Best time
Late November and December for the village Christmas markets; spring to early autumn for festivals and the longest cellar hours.
How long
A full day for two or three villages and Colmar; several days to drive the whole 170 kilometres.
Tips
Choose two or three villages rather than the whole route, and use a tour or a designated driver if you plan to taste.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wine lovers and anyone who wants to see the storybook Alsace villages beyond Strasbourg.
- Families
- Children enjoy the ramparts, storks and Christmas markets; keep cellar stops short.
- Couples
- A romantic day of village lanes, vineyard views and a long lunch in a winstub.
- Pair with
- Colmar and the Unterlinden Museum, or the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle above the vines.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How long is the Alsace Wine Route?+
It runs for about 170 kilometres along the Vosges foothills from Marlenheim to Thann. Most visitors explore a section of it rather than the whole road.
Which grape varieties grow in Alsace?+
Alsace is known for seven grape varieties, including Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. Pinot Noir is the region’s main red.
Can I visit the Wine Route without a car?+
Yes, take the regional train to Colmar and continue by local bus or on a small-group tour. Timetables are thinner in winter, so plan ahead.
When is the Riquewihr Christmas market in 2026?+
It runs from 27 November to 20 December 2026. Weekends are the busiest, so a weekday visit is calmer.
Which villages should I visit first?+
Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg are the classic trio near Colmar. Ribeauvillé, with its three castles, is a fine fourth stop.