Want to spend 5 days in Alsace without a car? You’ve come to the right place.
From its scenic vineyard landscapes to its mouthwatering colorful towns, this region was everything I hoped it would be, and I got to enjoy its highlights using only public transportation.
So if you wish to do the same, let’s dive into my awesome car-free Alsace itinerary.
*This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.
5-Day Alsace Itinerary Summary and Map
Here’s a quick summary of my trip itinerary (based in Colmar):
Day 1: Colmar.
Day 2: Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg + Selestat.
Day 3+4: Riquewihr + Kaysersberg + Ribeauville + Eguisheim (optional: Hunawhir and Turckheim). Alternatively, book a guided day tour to all four villages (with wine tasting).
Day 5: Strasbourg.
Click here to access the MyMaps interactive map of this itinerary.
Tip: After accessing the map, you can also open it on your Google Maps app. Simply open your app, tap the ‘saved’ icon at the bottom, scroll down and tap the ‘maps’ icon, and choose the MyMaps map you want to see (you can do the same on your computer).
Where to Stay in Alsace Without a Car?
I found the town of Colmar to be a good base for a trip through the Alsace Wine Route.
There are train lines that get to various cities and towns in the region, and some of the prettiest villages in the area are reachable by a hop-on hop-off bus or regular buses, both starting their route in Colmar.
Colmar itself is not very big, and it’s very obvious where all the action is, so most people choose to stay in Vieux Colmar (the old town) or near La Petite Venise.
I stayed at Hotel Turenne in Colmar, located on a quiet street not too far from the Petite Venise.
Some things did bother me, like the layout of the shower or not having a small refrigerator in the room, but it ticked other boxes, and it was the best available option I could find for six nights.
The room was very clean and comfortable, the shared terrace was nice when I wanted to sit outside and enjoy a drink, and there was a bakery right next to the hotel. The breakfast also looked good, but I haven’t tried it myself. Read more reviews on Hotel Turenne.
If you’re looking for higher-rated options, check out other places to stay in Colmar:
- Le Belpierre: Accommodating up to 4 people, this cozy fully-equipped apartment is located in the northern part of the old town, near many restaurants and shops. Read reviews here.
- Les Suites 1902: Situated near La Petite Venise yet away from the hustle and bustle of the old town, this accommodation offers deluxe rooms and suites equipped with a small kitchen, a continental breakfast, and a beautiful shared garden. Read reviews here.
- Novotel Suites Colmar Centre: Located just around the corner from where I stayed, this hotel has spacious suites for 1-2 people and families, as well as a 24/7 reception desk, buffet breakfast, wellness center, and a shared lounge. Read reviews here.
At the end of this post, you’ll also find a tip on how to adjust this itinerary if you prefer to stay in Strasbourg.
WHAT TO EXPECT & IS 5 DAYS IN ALSACE ENOUGH?
Situated on the west bank of the upper Rhine River and spanning roughly 170 km, the Alsace Wine Route is France’s oldest wine route and an official tourist trail passing through rolling hills, neverending vineyards, and colorful storybook villages.
Wine growing in Alsace dates back to Roman times, though the 16th century is considered the region’s Golden Age.
Alternately ruled by France and Germany throughout the years, the area also has a unique culture, combining both French and Germanic influences.
It offers plenty of activities, from cycling and hiking to wine tasting and visiting beautiful towns and old chateaux (most of which are in ruins).
Fun fact: In 2014, Alsace was merged with Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne to form the region of Grand Est.
If you’re wondering how many days you need, I’d say I felt that 5 days were enough to see the Alsace region’s famous highlights. If you want to visit more villages and engage in some outdoor activities, I’d add a couple more days.
If you do decide to rent a car, you can also visit places in Alsace that aren’t a part of its wine route like the North Vosges Regional Natural Reserve, Wissembourg, and Château du Haut-Barr (these are still on my bucket list).
Getting Around Alsace Without a Car
Just because you’re not taking an Alsace road trip, doesn’t mean you can’t visit postcard-perfect places.
By Train
From Colmar, you can reach several towns and cities on the Alsace Wine Route by train, some of which are mentioned on this itinerary.
In Colmar’s train station, you can buy tickets at the ticket office (closed on Sundays). Note that the workers might ask for your passport, but that’s just to know your birthdate to verify the type of ticket you need.
You can also use ticket machines, which only take credit cards and coins (though they only allowed credit cards when I purchased my ticket).
They don’t have a touchscreen or arrow buttons, so to change the language and move between options, you need to turn the grey part surrounding the round green button (I would never figure that out without the help of a local).
Even when you choose ‘English’, it still seems to write everything in French, so look for ‘tarif normal’ if you’re not eligible for some kind of reduction. Alternatively, book your tickets in advance on Omio to make things easier.
By Bus
The beautiful Alsatian villages near Colmar are reachable by regional buses, but you might not find them convenient.
Their timetables can be manageable, but if you want to visit 2-3 places in one day, you won’t always be able to plan a circular route, so you’ll have to go back to Colmar before heading to another village.
That’s where the Kutzig hop-on hop-off bus comes into the picture. It operates from the end of April to mid-October, traveling circularly every 90 minutes from Colmar through Ribeauville, Hunawhir, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Turckheim, and Eguisheim.
This bus is pricier than the regional ones, but I found it convenient to use. You need to purchase your ticket in advance (valid for one specific day) and scan the QR code on it every time you get on the bus.
The bus is quite small, so get on it at the first of the two stops in Colmar (the train station) to make sure you have a place to seat.
Also, don’t try to see all the villages in one day. Instead, buy two tickets for two dates (like I did), and only visit 2-3 places per day to experience them more slowly and thoroughly.
If you’re not visiting between April and October, use the regional bus 68R030 to get from Colmar to Eguisheim, 68R013 to get to Kaysersberg, and 68R016 to get to Ribeauville, Hunawhir, and Riquewihr (see timetable here). Turckheim can be reached by train.
5 Days in Alsace – Day 1
Colmar
With its half-timbered houses, quirky architectural landmarks, cozy cafes, and intriguing museums, the visit-worthy Colmar is an easy-to-love medieval Alsatian town.
Its two main focal points are the old town and La Petite Venise (Little Venice), and I have to say something about the latter. Colmar’s famous canal district is always the first to appear in photos promoting this town, but I feel like it’s not as striking in real life.
The views from Pont St-Pierre and the bridge on Rue Turenne are very pretty, but when you get to Pont Rue des Ecoles, you realize the canal itself is shallow and dirty (somehow, it looks good in pictures).
Nevertheless, all the surrounding houses are extremely beautiful, so that makes up for the underwhelming canal.
Now you can explore the old town freely, though there are a few specific spots you cannot miss, including the Gothic-style St Martin’s Church, the lovely covered market, Koïfhus (the old customs house, known for its colorful roof tiles), and the unusual Renaissance-style Maison Pfister.
You can also opt for a free walking tour of Colmar!
If you’re a culture buff, head to the Unterlinden Museum, a 13th-century convent turned into an art & history museum (you can purchase your ticket here), or the Bartholdi Museum, dedicated to the Colmar-born sculptor who designed the Statue of Liberty.
Fun fact: Colmar has its own mini Statue of Liberty, which you can see when you hop on the Kutzig bus I mentioned.
I also want to recommend two cafes I loved – MOKKA Café for morning coffee and breakfast and L’Artémise for afternoon coffee and desserts.
Note that throughout the day, tourists that only visit Colmar as a day trip from Basel or Strasbourg can make some areas feel a bit crowded, but I found it tolerable. The mornings were tranquil, and the evenings were lively.
5 Days in Alsace – Day 2
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Overlooking the Vosges Mountains, the Plain of Alsace, and the Black Forest, the 12th-century Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle is a jaw-dropping landmark that has to be on your Alsace bucket list.
It was built for the Hohenstaufen dynasty and later was owned by the Counts of Thierstein, besieged by the Swedish Empire during the Thirty Years’ War, and reconstructed by the German emperor Wilhelm II.
Visiting this medieval beauty is an incredible experience, as you get to marvel at its fairytale-like exteriors, step back in time and learn about its history while exploring its rooms, and feast on dreamy panoramic views.
If you love hiking, the castle is also the starting/ending point of several trails.
Getting to the chateau: After a 10-minute train ride from Colmar to Selestat, you’ll see a small bus stop right outside the train station. Here you can take a shuttle bus (number 500) all the way to the castle (it takes about 30 minutes to get there). Consult its timetables here (download the PDF at the bottom of the page).
Good to know #1: You can ask the driver for a one-way ticket (€2.50) or a round-trip (€5). They will give you a charged card, which you need to validate in the machine near the bus door, and they will take it back after you validate it when you return.
Good to know #2: Using the shuttle bus gives you a 2-euro discount on the ticket to enter the castle (€7 instead of €9).
It’s not mandatory, but you can book your train ticket from Colmar to Selestat online.
Sélestat
I don’t think Selestat is a must-visit, but if you don’t want to go back to Colmar after this half-day trip, you can definitely spend an hour or two in this quiet town (note that there’s a bit of walking from the bus stop/train station to the center).
It has a lovely historic center and a few photogenic points of interest, like the Tour de l’Horloge (Clock Tower), St. Faith’s Church, the Humanist Library of Sélestat, a synagogue, and even a museum dedicated to…bread (Maison du Pain d’Alsace)!
5 Days in Alsace – Days 3+4
As I’ve mentioned, I used the Kutzig hop-on hop-off bus to get to the villages near Colmar.
I preferred seeing only a couple of them each day instead of trying to experience each one in just 90 minutes to tick all of them off the bucket list in one day.
You can also book a guided day tour to all four villages (with wine tasting).
They might be similar in features, but they have a different atmosphere, so each village is worth it. Apart from the four I visited, the bus also stopped at Hunawhir and Turckheim.
Riquewihr
Greeting you with an abundance of colors courtesy of storybook Alsatian houses and gorgeous flowers, Riquewihr is a well-preserved medieval treasure, one of the few that wasn’t severely damaged in World War II.
I honestly didn’t know where to look as every corner was so picture-perfect, and I couldn’t believe such a magical place was real.
When you wander around the pretty alleys lined with shops, restaurants, and wineries, it only takes a second to understand why it is a part of the association of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (“The Most Beautiful Villages of France”).
If that’s not enough, at the end of the main street (Rue du Général de Gaulle), stands the unmissable Dolder watchtower, which houses a museum where you can learn about the town’s history (see opening hours here).
Kaysersberg
Kaysersberg is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace, dominated by the Sainte Croix church and the imposing remains of the Château de Kaysersberg (to which you can walk to reach a gorgeous viewpoint).
Beyond its stunning half-timbered houses, some of which will surely make you think of Hansel and Gretel, the Wiess River passing through the town is what makes it extra picturesque.
If you’re in for something sweet, I know Boulangerie L’Enfariné is a famous spot in Kaysersberg, but I also recommend stopping at the cozy La Pâtisserie Laura et Nicolas for coffee and delicious desserts.
Ribeauville
At first sight, I thought Ribeauvillé wasn’t going to be as jaw-dropping as its Alsatian siblings, but that bubble burst pretty quickly.
Ruled by the Lords of Rappoltstein (French: Ribeaupierre) for centuries, the town is overlooked by three of their castles – Château de Saint-Ulrich, Château du Giersberg, and Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre, which you can see when you roam the enchanting alleys.
Notable photogenic spots in Ribeauvillé include the Église du Couvent, Fontaine au Cerf, Fontaine de Ribeauvillé, and the town hall, though every corner here is mesmerizing.
If you’re here in the morning, head to Boulangerie Pâtisserie Confiserie Vogel.
Instead of just buying pastries and being on your way, sit at the table and have a look at the breakfast menu. I enjoyed the simplicity of their traditional French breakfast of a pastry, a baguette, butter, and jam.
I also stumbled upon the local weekly market, which was small yet charming, so I think it’s worth checking each town’s weekly market schedule.
Eguisheim
One of the biggest inspirations for Belle’s village in Beauty and the Beast, Eguisheim undoubtedly looks like the setting of a Disney movie.
The flower-adorned pastel-colored houses, cobblestone streets, and the charming little square dominated by the Château of Saint-Léon and its chapel make it a feast for the eyes.
It’s also home to some of the best wineries in the region, so don’t skip out on having a wine tasting.
I had a great experience at Freudenreich Joseph et Fils, situated in a lovely courtyard – I did not have a reservation, yet I immediately felt welcome by the owner and one of his workers.
You can choose to try a specific wine or get three small samples, and they will give you a short explanation about each and every variety. I tried 3 white wines and a sparkling one, and they were all fantastic.
I also wanted to follow Eguisheim’s Sentier Viticole (wine trail), a short circular route passing through the surrounding vineyards, accompanied by educational panels about the local grape varieties and the wine-growing process. That day was very warm, so I decided not to walk there in such heat.
On the outskirts of the village, you can also glimpse at The Three Castles of Eguisheim.
5 Days in Alsace – Day 5
Strasbourg
While one day in the Alsatian capital is not enough to experience it to the fullest, it’s still worth taking a day trip from Colmar to Strasbourg.
Packed with historical sites, stunning German and French architecture, intriguing museums, beautiful parks, and amazing places to eat, it’s a city where traditional and modern go hand in hand.
Its main focal point is Grande Île, the island-like historic center surrounded by the Ill River and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is where you’ll find the awe-inspiring Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg), the Rohan Palace (which houses several museums), and the enchanting Petite France quarter (which makes a much better representation of a ‘Little Venice’ than Colmar’s Petite Venise).
If you’re looking for a hidden gem here, head to the Donatien Maître Eclair to try the perfect eclair (the strawberry one was sooo good!).
You should also roam the Neustadt district, known as the German imperial quarter (built in the 19th-20th centuries), to marvel at a perfect mix of architectural styles, including Art Nouveau, Neo-Renaissance, and Rococo.
If you want to explore the city with a guide, opt for a free walking tour of Strasbourg!
I also wanted to stroll through the Parc de l’Orangerie, which seems like an ideal oasis, but it’s located a bit further from the city center, and I didn’t have enough time to get there.
Getting to Strasbourg: It only takes about 30 minutes to travel from Colmar to Strasbourg by train. You don’t have to purchase a two-way ticket, as there are ticket machines at Strasbourg’s train station (and they are much more user-friendly than the ones in Colmar). Note that you can see the platform number on the departure board only 20 minutes before the train leaves the station.
It’s not mandatory, but you can book your train ticket from Colmar to Strasbourg online.
Fun fact: Strasbourg is also a popular winter city break in Europe!
Alsace Wine Route Itinerary – Other Travel Tips and Notes
What to Do if You Prefer Basing Yourself in Strasbourg
If staying in a big city like Strasbourg instead of Colmar is more up your alley, you can still use this itinerary and explore Alsace by train and bus.
Colmar and Selestat are easily reachable by train from Strasbourg, and you can book this highly-rated tour to visit Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Eguisheim.
Alternatively, you can discover other places in Alsace by public transport, including Wissembourg, Obernai, and the Sanctuary of Mont Sainte-Odile.
Best Month to Visit Alsace
I visited in mid-June when it was getting quite hot yet it didn’t feel too touristy, so I assume mid-May, the beginning of June, mid-September, and the beginning of October would also be great.
Another advantage of traveling to Alsace in June is being able to enjoy many hours of daylight (it wasn’t completely dark even after 10:30 PM).
I know many people choose to visit Alsace in the winter because of its dreamy Christmas markets (which I plan on doing in the future), but this time, I wanted to see the green of the vineyards along with the blue skies, and I’m glad I did.
RESTAURANTS & WINERIES
It’s good to know that most of the wineries in Alsace’s beautiful villages do not require making a reservation, but if there’s a specific place you want to try, visit the official website to verify that no reservation is needed.
Note that many restaurants in Alsace (except the ones in Strasbourg) are only open from 12 PM – 2 PM for lunch and from 7 PM – 9 PM for dinner, and cafes usually work from 10 AM – 6 PM.
Most menus don’t have an English translation (though some are also written in German), so if your French is rusty or non-existent, use Google Translate.
The Germanic influence is very much present, so expect to see lots of sauerkraut, potatoes, local cheeses, and even kugelhopf and pretzels.
Another popular dish is tarte flambée (or flammkuchen), which I can describe as an Alsatian pizza (Italians, please don’t hate me) – a thin dough topped with cheese/crème fraîche, onions, and small pieces of bacon (I don’t eat meat, so I looked for vegetarian versions).
How to Get to Colmar
You can book a flight to either Strasbourg or Basel, from which it’s fairly easy to get to Colmar.
From Strasbourg’s airport, you’ll have to take a train to the city’s main train station or the town of Selestat and then take another train to Colmar (in the direction of Mulhouse/Basel).
As for Basel’s airport (where I arrived), it’s important to know that it serves both Switzerland and France (and you’ll see on the map that it’s technically in France).
Both countries are part of the Schengen Area, which means there’s no border control when you cross from one to the other.
After going through the airport’s passport control, you’ll immediately see two signs – one for the Swiss exit and one for the French exit.
Go to the latter, and follow the bus/taxi signs. Right outside, there’s a bus stop for bus number 11, which will take you in 10 minutes to the train station of Saint-Louis (it leaves every 15 minutes, and the ride costs 2.50 euros).
From Saint-Louis, take the train to Colmar (in the direction of Strasbourg).
Souvenirs
While I’ll never miss the opportunity to buy magnets and other cheesy souvenirs, I love the fact that many shops in Alsace (that are clearly oriented towards tourists) sell regional products, from cheeses (like the beloved Munster) to spreads to biscuits, so you can bring something traditional from Alsace back home.
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