You want to discover the most beautiful Alsatian villages while doing a circuit on the Alsace wine route ? here is my road route over 170 km from North to South. This 4-day tour in Alsace allowed me to cross beautiful Alsace villages and vineyards while enjoying the Alsatian heritage and culture. Also, as we went there just before Christmas, the famous Alsace Christmas markets were waiting for us ...
Alsace wine route - route map
To visualize my route of the wine route in Alsace, here is the map plotting my circuit that we did by car in just 4 days. Of course, if you have 5 or 7 days, this tour will be even more enjoyable because you can better enjoy the tourist sites by staying there longer. But for a 4-day optimized tour, it's a very good compromise!
Alsace wine route tour - Day 1
Route Strasbourg Dalhenheim
This 1st day, we wanted to divide it in two. The morning will be devoted to quick visit of Strasbourg and in the afternoon a visit to a wine estate.
Morning: Historic center of Strasbourg with Notre-Dame cathedral. Listed in 1988 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, all the splendor of the Cathedral is enhanced by its exterior made of pink sandstone from the Vosges. Then we discovered Petite France. It is a beautiful place in old Strasbourg. Along the navigation canal, there is a picturesque panorama of the facades of old medieval houses which are reflected in the water. Possibility of making a cruise on the Ill for a touch of romance and relaxation along 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 of Pfister estate in Dahlenheim (about twenty km from Strasbourg).
Hotel near Dalhenheim
Here is the small, typical and family hotel (low price) where we felt very welcome and very comfortably installed: See this hotel on Booking
Alsace wine route tour - Day 2
Dahlenheim - Obernai– Ribeauvillé directions
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 the village of Ribeauvillé : superb half-timbered houses and small lively and shopping streets.
Next to Ribeauvillé, visit and tasting at Louis Sipp estate : grands crus, dry white wines, mellow, red, there is something for all tastes and all budgets.
Hotel in Ribeauvillé
I loved this hotel! Its location was perfect 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
Riquewihr - Kaysersberg - Eguisheim directions
We start the day with a visit to the beautiful Riquewihr which has survived the ages by remaining as before with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, some of which date from the 13rd century!
Visit of Kaysersberg, a typical Alsatian village whose medieval setting and the ruins of its castle make it an essential tourist stopover.
The day will end in style with a tasting of organic wines from Emile Beyer. This wine estate is located Eguisheim, a small village classified among the most beautiful villages in France. The ramparts circuit took us on a journey out of time through the alleys lined with houses from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Hotel in Eguisheim
I chose this hotel because it was in a good location but above all for its restaurant. No disappointment, everything was perfect! See this hotel on Booking
Alsace wine route tour - Day 4
Eguisheim - Colmar - Guebwiller - Mulhouse directions
We wanted to visit quickly Guebwiller because it is a city rich in history. Its heritage is very interesting in particular its 2 Romanesque, Gothic and Neoclassical churches. But if it's too tight in timing, personally I preferred Colmar !
30 minutes before arriving in Mulhouse, here is the last vineyard we will visit in Alsace. the domain François Schmitt lies Orschwhir. It is a family property which takes care to combine family tradition and modernity with the children who have taken over the exploitation of the domain.
Hotel in Mulhouse
On the route of our return trip, we decided to sleep at Mulhouse. And the good plan in the center of Mulhouse: it is the Bristol hotel. I had chosen it for its location and for its parking.
With its excellent value for money (55 Euros per night), it gave us complete satisfaction and I do not hesitate to recommend it with my eyes closed! See this hotel on Booking
For those who want to come to Alsace with their doggie, here is the article: Alsace with a dog
Why not continue by Route des Crêtes des Vosges in Alsace ?
Or if you want to discover other beautiful regions of France:
