Even if it was only one week since we arrived in Switzerland, when I saw photos of Alsace, I immediately planned a day trip for the next weekend.
On a sunny Saturday morning, we got up in the car early in the morning, filled with excitement and curiosity. It was difficult to choose only a few villages to visit in a day since they are all so pretty! In mid-September, we were blessed with perfect weather, 20 °C – 22 °C and sunny skies.
The region is located in northeastern France on the Rhine Riverbank and it shares a border with Germany and Switzerland. From Zurich, you can reach this beautiful french area in approximately two hours by car. Alsace is well-known for its wine, colorful houses, castles, delicious tarte flambée, and savory desserts. The beauty of the Alsace region is hard to express in words.
Without any other further ado, here are my top fairy tale villages worth visiting in Alsace:
Colmar
Colmar is the most visited and also the heart of the Alsace region. Since it’s also the largest town in Alsace, you could wander around the city for hours. We parked our car here, and we were lucky to find free spots for 3 hours.
This small town is so colorful and picturesque, you will be amazed right away. Start your journey at Little Venice. This picture-perfect canal is the most famous in Colmar, with colorful houses and restaurants along the riverbank, you can even book a boat ride on Lauch River. Find more information about this on their site.
Walk around the city center narrow streets, checking famous attraction on your list:
- picturesque street Quai de la Poissonnerie located on Little Venice.
- Pfister House, a historic house from the 16th century famous for its murals.
- House of Heads, decorated with 111 sculptures of heads.
- St. Martin’s Church
- you have to try the tarte flambée and Escargot (cooked snails dish), a popular French delicacy.
- indulge in some delicious desserts. We stopped at patisserie Gilg for some amazing macaroons.
Riquewihr
Just 15 km from Colmar, there is Riquewihr, another romantic historical little village. We had a quick stop here for about an hour where we enjoyed some tasty grape juice, ate Gugelhupf cake and coconut macaroons, my favorite! The streets were so deliciously flavored from all the bakeries around.
If you look closely at the photos above, you can tell how crowded these two destinations are. I think that no one loves an overcrowded tourist place, that’s why the next two charming towns are my absolute favorite in Alsace.
Kaysersberg
No wonder this place was named 2017’s favorite French village, it’s gorgeous. The road to this picturesque medieval village takes you through scented vineyards and small colorful towns. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
The village itself sets in a valley surrounded by vineyards and forested hills. Ruins of the 13th-century old fortress stand on the hill above the town.
Eguisheim
This medieval village impressed us the most. Eguisheim got the award of Europe’s Most Beautiful Flowered Village in 2006 and Favorite French Village in 2013.
At just 7 km from Colmar, Eguisheim is placed in the center of the Alsatian vineyards with fabulous traditional houses lined up in a circle. Almost like a maze. Even if Eguisheim is the smallest village in Alsace, you will find that is everyone’s favorite.
The beautiful artistic decorated houses along the narrow streets look like something out of a fairytale. So colorful, and with all the scent from the bakeries nearby, it seems like you are in Hansel and Gretel tale. You could almost eat them :))
On a full day, we managed to visit 4 beautiful places in Alsace. On our way home, we stocked up on some tasty desserts and delicious wine from Domaine Robert Karcher et Fils in Colmar.
The whole region is mesmerizing, and one day is definitely not enough. Book at least a couple of days, because there is more to visit. You can travel between the villages using the local bus, or take the bike to discover the famous Alsace Wine Route through the vineyards.
Have an amazing day!
Andreea
