Alsace Without a Car—21 Ideas for Sightseeing and Activities

1. Explore the cities of Alsace

The good news is that it is easy to get to the main towns in Alsace by train, and even to some villages. Here is a small list of my favorites:

• Strasbourg, European capital and a great city to visit!
• Colmar, the small Alsatian postcard full of charm
• Mulhouse, an old industrial city full of life with beautiful museums.
• Sélestat, a town that’s relatively unknown but very pretty, home to, among other things, a remarkable Humanist Library.
• Obernai, a small town on the Wine Route that really deserves a visit
• Rosheim, a pretty village located on both the Wine Route and the Romanesque Route
• Barr, a charming village on the Wine Route where it is good to stroll
• Scherwiller, a village full of charm on the Wine Route, with many wash houses
• Turckheim, another beautiful village on the Wine Route
• Haguenau, a pleasant and lively little town
• Wissembourg, a city located in the north of Alsace and full of charm even though it is not the most famous corner of the region
• Saverne, a charming city away from the tourist routes, where you can admire the magnificent Château des Rohan.

2. Explore the Alsace wine region by train or bus

The train line from Strasbourg to Sélestat via Molsheim holds a little secret: between Molsheim and Sélestat, the train slows down considerably and winds its way through the Alsatian vineyards! There are several small towns worth visiting along the route: Obernai, a must-see stop on the Wine Route, as well as Barr, Epfig, Dambach-la-Ville, and Scherwiller.

Another option, the Kutzig bus allows you to discover some of the villages of the Alsace Wine Route located near Colmar. The bus operates on the Hop On Hop Off principle: you buy your ticket for the day and off you go for a day of sightseeing.

3. Get a bird’s-eye view at Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

The Castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg is one of the most visited sites in Alsace: it must be said that it is impressive, both inside and outside since it dominates Alsace and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surroundings. The castle is accessible by the Navette du Haut-Koenigsbourg (line 500), which leaves from the Sélestat train station and takes about 30 minutes. Attention, it does not circulate every day.

4. Meet animals at the Monkey Mountain, the Eagle Sanctuary, and Cigoland

The Monkey Mountain, the Eagle Sanctuary, and Cigoland are also must-see attractions for families visiting Alsace. These three parks are located close to one another (and also near Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle) and are really fun to visit. To get there, you’ll need to take the Haut-Koenigsbourg Shuttle (Line 500), which departs from the Sélestat train station and stops at all three parks. Please note that it doesn’t run every day.

5. Immerse yourself in Alsatian culture at the Ecomusée d’Alsace

The Alsace Ecomuseum is without a doubt one of my favorite museums in Alsace: there, you can explore magnificent Alsatian houses and learn about traditional crafts, and there are plenty of activities offered year-round. There’s so much to see that you can easily visit several times! To get there, take the train to Bollwiller Station (served by trains from Mulhouse, Colmar, and Strasbourg), then book the on-demand shuttle “Soléa à la demande” (formerly Filéa), which takes 7 minutes to get from the station to the Ecomuseum. Reservations are required at least 1 hour in advance, daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (except on holidays).

6. Have Fun with the Family at the Parc du Petit Prince

Right next to the Alsace Ecomuseum is the Parc du Petit Prince, a recreational park. You can walk between the two along a 900-meter-long paved path. It’s the perfect way to spend a wonderful day with the family! To get there, follow the same route as for the Ecomuseum: take the train to Bollwiller Station, then the on-demand shuttle “Soléa à la demande” (10-minute ride; reservations required at least 1 hour in advance).

7. Cycling along the Alsace Wine Route

The Alsace Wine Route has its own bike route: the Vignoble Bike Route lets you enjoy the magnificent scenery and villages along the Wine Route by bike—which is much more charming than traveling by car!

There are several options for starting your trip: the train stations in Molsheim, Barr, Dambach-la-Ville, Obernai, Colmar, or even Sélestat (from where it’s easy to reach the vineyard bike route). For example, you can take the train to one of these stations, go for a bike ride, and then board a train at the next station for the return trip. Good news: you can bring your bike on trains in Alsace for free (except on the TGV), except on certain trains during peak hours.

8. Discover the world of brewing at Villa Météor

Villa Météor is a museum located next to the famous Alsatian brewery of the same name. There, you can learn about the history of this family-owned brewery as well as the beer-making process—and don’t forget to sample the brand’s various beers at the end of the tour! Villa Météor is within easy walking distance (about 5 minutes) from the Hochfelden train station, which is easily accessible from Strasbourg. Please note that Villa Météor will be closed for renovations starting in late September/early October 2026: it’s best to check the visiting hours before you go.

9. Relax at the Chez Julien Spa

Why not spend a day at the Chez Julien spa? One of the most beautiful spas in the region awaits you for a day of relaxation in the heart of the Bruche Valley. Chez Julien is accessible by train from Strasbourg: just stop at Fouday station and walk 10 minutes.

10. Have fun at Europa Park

Europa Park, the world-famous amusement park voted best in the world several times over, needs no introduction! The good news is that it’s located in Germany, but very easy to get to from Alsace: it’s just over the border! The easiest way to get to Europa Park is by train to Strasbourg or Sélestat, then take the Fluo Grand Est shuttle to the park.

11. Hiking around Mont Sainte Odile

The Mount Sainte-Odile (753m) is a high spiritual place in Alsace: it shelters an abbey and a convent still in activity today. The place has been a place of worship since Celtic times, and is surrounded by a wall called the “pagan wall”, which is said to be more than 3000 years old.

A path from the train station in Barr leads to the city center, where the marked route starts. The climb is done in 2h15 with a good rhythm. On the way, the Kiosk Jadelot is a nice place to have a picnic, with a great view! The route also takes in Landsberg Castle and the Pagan Wall.

12. Visit the Lalique Museum

The Musée Lalique, located in Wingen-sur-Moder, traces the history of the famous crystal maker and presents the world and creations of René Lalique and his successors. This is a beautiful museum! It is possible to reach the museum from the train station of Wingen-sur-Moder, located 2km away. It’s a 20-minute walk, or you can take a cab (which must be booked in advance, as you won’t find one on the spot).

13. Hiking in the Vosges

Train lines serve the Alsatian valleys of the Bruche, Munster and Thann. This is excellent news for hiking enthusiasts, as these lines sometimes provide access to the starting points of very beautiful hikes in the Vosges! You’ll have to look at each individual case, but to help you find your way around, here’s a map of the TER Grand Est network. In summer, don’t hesitate to take the Navette des Crêtes, a shuttle service that takes you to the Route des Crêtes by bus: it’s just too convenient!

14. Swimming at Lake Kruth-Wildenstein

Looking for nature and freshness? How about a swim at Lac de Kruth in the Thann Valley? In addition to swimming, you can rent canoes or pedal boats and even go tree climbing! A train serves the station of Kruth from Mulhouse. Then, a bus serves the lake in 15 minutes. If you have a bike, you can also pedal to the lake from the station (about 20 minutes, 4km).

15. Take a stroll through Wesserling Park

Not far from Kruth is the Park of Wesserling and its textile museum. A very pleasant visit to make with the family: the gardens of the park are beautiful and the museum interesting! A train serves the station of Husseren-Wesserling from Mulhouse. Then walk for about 10 minutes.

16. Hiking around the castles of Saverne

This hike takes place in Saverne and it is possible to discover up to 5 castles depending on your motivation! The city is crossed by the Canal de la Marne au Rhin. A signposted footpath starts at lock no. 30/31 and takes 45 to 60 minutes to reach Haut-Barr castle on foot.

These ruins overlook Saverne and offer a view of the whole of Alsace, as far as Strasbourg cathedral and the Black Forest on a clear day. A very popular walk for the locals, who usually go up to the Haut-Barr for the Sunday outing. By extending the 45-minute walk to the Brotsch Tower through a beautiful forest, the visitor will be able to discover the Petit and Grand Geroldseck. More information on the different possible walks here.

17. Indulge in Gertwiller, the gingerbread capital

Gertwiller is a small village on the Alsace Wine Route, which is also the capital of Alsatian gingerbread! Today, you can visit two manufacturers: Maison Lips and Palais du Pain d’épices (Fortwenger brand). A fun activity to discover the secrets of delicious gingerbread and do some gourmet shopping! Both museums can be reached in 5/10 minutes on foot from Gertwiller station.

18. Understanding History at the Alsace-Moselle Memorial

The memorial of Alsace-Moselle is a museum retracing the history of Alsace and Moselle from 1870 to the post-war period, with a particular focus on the period of the Second World War (1939-1945). An extremely interesting place to discover the history of the region. It is easy to get there from Strasbourg by taking the train to the Schirmeck station, which is a 10-minute walk from the memorial.

19. Shopping at The Style Outlet in Roppenheim

If you’re in the mood for shopping, in Alsace we have the Roppenheim The Style Outlet outlet center, which brings together factory outlets for top brands. The mall provides a free shuttle service from Strasbourg, but you’ll need to make a reservation in advance.

20. Swimming in the Rhine in Basel

In Basel, Switzerland, the Rhine flows through the city and has been specially developed for swimming over a 3-kilometer stretch. From June through August, Basel residents enjoy floating along with the current of the Rhine. You’ll need a waterproof bag called a “Wickelfisch,” which is sold at newsstands throughout the city. It keeps your belongings dry and doubles as a flotation device, since the current can be strong.

With the Alsa+ ticket, you can take the TER to Basel SBB/CFF station (direct train from Strasbourg, 1h15). Then simply walk towards the Wettsteinbrücke, a bridge over the Rhine.

21. Spend a car-free weekend in the Bruche Valley

The Bruche Valley offers a great way to explore the valley without a car: with “Bruche to Doux, ” you arrive by train and then get around on e-bikes (electric-assist bicycles) for the duration of your stay. Not bad, right? To learn more, I invite you to read my article about my experience trying out this package.

Key Takeaways on Exploring Alsace Without a Car

• 🚆 The Grand Est TER network serves many of Alsace’s must-see destinations
• 🚌 Several seasonal shuttle buses complement the train service to castles, parks, and museums
• 📅 Reservations are increasingly required: Be sure to check before you go
• 🚲 Bikes can be transported for free on TER trains (except on the Strasbourg–Basel line, where they are prohibited during rush hour), which greatly expands your options

Want a hassle-free weekend getaway without a car? Check out my article on the “Bruche to Doux” package in the Bruche Valley.

Your Questions About Traveling in Alsace Without a Car