Visit Alsace in 3 days – My tour idea

What tour to do in Alsace in 3 days?

Here is the circuit that I propose for 3 days of visit of Alsace:

• Day 1 – Strasbourg
• Day 2 – Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle and Colmar
• Day 3 – Alsace Wine Route

Day 1 – Tourism in the city of Strasbourg

It is impossible not to start this itinerary without mentioning the beautiful Strasbourg, the largest city in Alsace, which is also one of the European capitals since it is home to many institutions, including the famous European Parliament. I advise you to spend a day in Strasbourg. Even if the city is not huge, you should really take the time to stroll around: the city is very beautiful, it would be a shame not to enjoy it! I give you my detailed advice in my article about visiting Strasbourg, but here is already an idea of a day trip.

🚶 Local tip: As soon as you arrive, park in a lot on the outskirts and leave your car there for the day. The city center is easy to explore on foot, and parking there is expensive and limited.

Morning – Strasbourg Cathedral, Batorama and cellars of the Hospices civils

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to set out for a day of exploring Strasbourg’s must-see attractions! I recommend starting with a visit to Strasbourg’s Notre Dame Cathedral ( go early enough, and there will be fewer people), unless you’d like to see the astronomical clock show: the explanatory film plays at noon, and then the automatons come to life at exactly 12:30 p.m. If you’re up for it, don’t hesitate to head up to the observation deck—the view of Strasbourg is magnificent!

Just next door, board one of the river boats of the Batorama company for a tour of Strasbourg on the water. A tourist activity but one that I systematically recommend to my friends visiting Alsace: the tour allows you to apprehend Strasbourg differently, to have a good global view of it and also allows you to go to districts that you would not necessarily have seen on foot (such as the district of the European institutions).

Finally, visit the cellar of the Hospices civils de Strasbourg before having lunch in a traditional winstub. This cellar has the oldest white wine in the world kept in barrels, but it is also simply beautiful to see!

Afternoon – Stroll in the Petite France, on the Grande Île and in the Neustadt

Did you know that Strasbourg has two districts classified as Unesco World Heritage Sites? The Grande Île, the heart of the city center, but also more recently the Neustadt, also known as the imperial district or German quarter. I simply advise you to stroll around Strasbourg: you will see that the distances are not very great. You’ll discover the Petite France district, one of the most photogenic, but you’ll see that the whole downtown area is beautiful in reality!

Don’t forget when you’re in Petite France to climb the Vauban dam to have a magnificent view of the Ponts Couverts and Strasbourg. This is one of my favorite panoramas! Obviously, if your stay in Alsace takes place during the Christmas market period, you will not miss the opportunity to visit the different Christmas markets in Strasbourg.

Day 2 – Visit of Colmar and the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle

Morning – Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg

The Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle is a must-see during a stay in Alsace, and I think you’ll immediately understand why when you see it! It is an impressive castle remarkably well preserved (for what reason? You will discover it during the visit…). The discovery of the castle is really worth it for the beauty of the place and the historical aspect of the visit as well as for the exceptional panorama that its situation offers on the Alsace Plain, the Black Forest and even the Alps on a clear day!

🕗 Local tip: Arrive at the castle as soon as it opens. During peak season, tour buses flood the site by mid-morning.

Afternoon – Discovering Colmar

Colmar is the second-largest city in Alsace, the wine capital of Alsace, and generally a favorite among visitors: it’s a truly charming little postcard-perfect town—and, let’s face it, the ideal spot for a romantic weekend! Here are all my tips for visiting Colmar.

Spend the afternoon in Colmar and take a leisurely stroll through the city center (it’s small!), passing by the famous Petite Venise or the magnificent Maison des Têtes, do some gourmet shopping at the Marché Couvert, take a boat trip and maybe visit one of Colmar’s museums if you arrive in the late morning/early afternoon.

If your extended weekend in Alsace takes place during the Christmas market period, you will also have the Christmas markets of Colmar to stroll around (and there is plenty to do!).

Day 3 – Alsace Wine Route and its villages (Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé…)

For this third and final day (didn’t that go by fast? I knew you’d want to come back!), I’m not going to split the day into morning and afternoon because it really depends on what you want to do on the Alsace Wine Route. Some of you will prefer to go from winery to winery (you can book tours and tastings here. Just remember to drink in moderation—or spit it out, in that case ;-)), while others will focus on the villages, and still others on walks through the vineyards.

In any case, I advise you to visit the most beautiful villages of Alsace, which you will find on the Wine Route. On the program, magnificent half-timbered houses with colored and flowered facades, adorable lanes, pretty stores… You can’t help but fall under its spell!

You will not be able to see them all, you will have to choose among the unavoidable cities (Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Eguisheim) and others a little less known (I confess to have a little weakness for Obernai, Rosheim and Scherwiller on my side).

Don’t hesitate to push the door of the winemakers for a tasting and possibly a visit of the cellar (think of reserving in advance, you will be sure to have someone having time to welcome you). And if you want to go for a walk, you will usually find wine trails starting from the villages. They are only forbidden during the harvest so as not to disturb the work of the winegrowers, but otherwise it is always nice to walk in the vineyards!

🍷 Local tip: Book your tastings in advance, especially on weekends. At family-run wineries, there’s often only one person available to welcome visitors.

What You Need to Know for a 3-Day Trip to Alsace

• Strasbourg, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, Colmar, and the Wine Route: the perfect mix for a first visit to Alsace.
• A car is highly recommended, especially for the third day on the Wine Route.
• Book your winery tastings in advance, especially on weekends.
• Three days are barely enough to scratch the surface of Alsace—be sure to come back!

Are you looking for other ideas of places to visit and activities to do in Alsace?

Practical Information and How to Get Around

Here are a few practical tips to help you plan your 3-day tour of Alsace so that everything goes smoothly.

• 📍 Recommended starting point: Strasbourg, which has good TGV service
• 🗓️ Best time to visit: spring, summer, and fall.
• 🍇 Please note: On the Wine Route (Day 3), the vineyard trails leading from the villages are closed during the grape harvest so as not to interfere with the winemakers’ work.

How can I get around during these three days?

• 🚗 Car: The easiest way to travel this route, especially for exploring the Wine Route on the third day.
• 🚆 Without a car: Strasbourg and Colmar are connected by TER train in just under half an hour. The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is accessible by shuttle bus from the Sélestat train station (note: the shuttle doesn’t run every day, so be sure to check before you go). Some villages along the Wine Route are also accessible by train; you’ll just need to choose your route accordingly.
• 🚲 By bike: If you’re more into cycling tourism, I have a special route for exploring the Wine Route in a different way.

Your questions about a 3-day trip to Alsace