Want to discover the most beautiful Alsatian villages while taking a road trip along the Alsace Wine Route ? Here's my 170+ km road trip itinerary from north to south. This 4-day tour of Alsace allowed me to travel through beautiful villages and vineyards while enjoying the Alsatian heritage and culture. Plus, since we went just before Christmas, the famous Alsatian Christmas markets were waiting for us…
Alsace wine route - route map
To help you visualize my Alsace wine route itinerary , here's a map showing the route we took by car in just 4 days . Of course, if you have 5 or 7 days, this route will be even more enjoyable as you can spend more time exploring the sights. But for an optimized 4-day trip , it's a great compromise!
Alsace wine route tour - Day 1
Route Strasbourg Dalhenheim
We wanted to divide this first day into two parts. The morning will be devoted to a quick visit of Strasbourg and the afternoon to a visit to a vineyard.
Morning: Strasbourg's historic center with Notre-Dame Cathedral. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, the cathedral's splendor is enhanced by its exterior, built entirely of pink Vosges sandstone. Then we explored Petite France, a beautiful part of old Strasbourg. Walking along the canal, we enjoyed a picturesque view of the facades of the old medieval houses reflected in the water. A cruise on the Ill River is also an option for a touch of romance and relaxation on the water.
We then decide to eat while walking through the Christmas market, having a typical Alsatian sandwich and of course a glass of mulled wine!
Afternoon: Visit to the Pfister estate in Dahlenheim (about twenty kilometers from Strasbourg).
Hotel near Dalhenheim
Here's a typical, small, family-run hotel (at a great price) where we felt very welcome and very comfortable: See this hotel on Booking
Alsace wine route tour - Day 2
Itinerary Dahlenheim – Obernai – Ribeauvillé
Here is a pretty road which allowed us to cross charming little Alsatian villages and beautiful vineyards.
Obernai is an essential tourist stopover but also the land of beer (Kronenbourg breweries).
Visit to the village of Ribeauvillé : superb half-timbered houses and lively little shopping streets.
Near Ribeauvillé, visit and tasting at the Louis Sipp estate : grand crus, dry white wines, sweet wines, reds, there is something for all tastes and all budgets.
Hotel in Ribeauvillé
I loved this hotel! Its location was perfect, right in the center of Ribeauvillé. From our room, we could see the Butchers' Tower… See this hotel on Booking
Alsace wine route tour - Day 3
Route Riquewihr – Kaysersberg – Eguisheim
We begin the day with a visit to the beautiful Riquewihr , which has stood the test of time, remaining as it was before with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, some of which date back to the 13th century!
Visit Kaysersberg , a typical Alsatian village whose medieval setting and the ruins of its castle make it an unmissable tourist stop.
The day will end beautifully with a tasting of organic wines from Emile Beyer . This winery is located in Eguisheim , a small village listed among the most beautiful villages in France . The rampart walk transported us back in time through the narrow streets lined with 17th and 18th-century houses.
Hotel in Eguisheim
I chose this hotel because of its convenient location, but especially for its restaurant. No disappointment whatsoever, everything was perfect! See this hotel on Booking.com
Alsace wine route tour - Day 4
Eguisheim - Colmar - Guebwiller - Mulhouse directions
We wanted to visit Guebwiller briefly because it's a city rich in history. Its heritage is very interesting, especially its two churches: Romanesque, Gothic, and Neoclassical. But if time is too tight, personally I preferred Colmar!
Thirty minutes before arriving in Mulhouse, here is the last vineyard we will visit in Alsace. Domaine François Schmitt is located in Orschwihr . It is a family estate that carefully blends family tradition with modern practices, with the children now running the business.
Hotel in Mulhouse
On our return journey, we decided to stay overnight in Mulhouse . And the best option right in the center of Mulhouse was the Hotel Bristol. I chose it for its location and its parking.
With its excellent value for money (€55 per night), it gave us complete satisfaction and I wholeheartedly recommend it! See this hotel on Booking.
For those who want to come to Alsace with their dog, here is the article: Alsace with a dog
Why not continue along the Vosges Crest Road in Alsace?
Or if you want to discover other beautiful regions of France: