Best of Alsace Historical Day Trip from Strasbourg

Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

Perched at about 750 metres on a rocky spur of the Vosges, Haut-Koenigsbourg is the most famous castle in Alsace. First recorded in the 12th century, it guarded the routes of the plain below, was burned during the Thirty Years' War in 1633 and lay in ruins for more than two centuries, before a major restoration in the early 20th century brought it back to its medieval appearance.

Built of pink Vosges sandstone, it has a drawbridge, a keep, furnished living rooms, an armoury, a great hall and a powerful bastion. From its ramparts the view sweeps over the Alsace plain to the Black Forest in Germany and, on clear days, the Alps. Your visit lasts about 75 minutes with the ticket included. Haut-Koenigsbourg opening hours vary with the season, but this tour times your visit for you.

Riquewihr, the Medieval Walled Village

Riquewihr is often called the pearl of Alsace, and with good reason. Surrounded by its old walls and largely spared during the Second World War, it has kept its cobbled main street, colourful half-timbered houses from the 16th century, carved wooden balconies, flower-filled windows and old fountains almost unchanged.

The village entrance is guarded by the Dolder, a tall gate tower first built in 1291, and the Thieves' Tower, once a prison, stands nearby. You have about an hour and three-quarters here, enough to explore the lanes and courtyards, browse the shops and have lunch. Halal options in small Alsace villages are limited, so we suggest bringing snacks or choosing fish or vegetarian dishes. Is Riquewihr worth visiting? For many travellers it is the highlight of the day.

Kaysersberg and Its Fortified Bridge

Kaysersberg, whose name means the emperor's mountain, sits in the valley of the Weiss river at the entrance to the Vosges. The town's emblem is its fortified bridge from the early 16th century, with a small chapel-like guard post in the middle, and above the rooftops rise the ruins of a 13th-century castle with a round keep that you can climb to for a view over the valley.

The main street is lined with Renaissance houses, painted facades and wrought-iron signs, and in December the town hosts one of the most charming Christmas markets in Alsace. You have about an hour here, perfect for crossing the bridge, taking photos along the river and strolling through the old centre at a relaxed pace.

Colmar and Little Venice

The day ends with two hours in Colmar, the most picturesque town in Alsace. Its old centre was largely spared during the wars, and its streets are a festival of half-timbered houses painted in blue, yellow, green and pink. The best-known corner is Little Venice, where houses line the banks of the Lauch river, with flower boxes and small boats gliding by.

Nearby are the Tanners' quarter with its tall timbered houses, the old customs house from 1480 with its colourful glazed roof, the House of Heads decorated with dozens of carved faces, and the covered market on the river. A Colmar day trip from Strasbourg is worth it in every season, but the Christmas markets from late November make the town especially magical. Colmar has a few halal eateries, more than the villages.

The Scenic Road Through Bergheim and Hunawihr

Between the castle and Riquewihr, the coach follows the winding road along the foothills of the Vosges, a landscape of green hillsides, small fortified towns and church spires that is one of the most photogenic drives in France. The panoramic coach, with its convertible roof opened in good weather, is designed exactly for this stretch.

You pass Bergheim, a medieval town still enclosed by its ramparts and towers with a fortified upper gate, and Hunawihr, a tiny village whose fortified church stands on a hill surrounded by a defensive wall. The audio guide explains how Alsace changed hands between France and Germany over the centuries, which you can see in its architecture, place names and traditions. This is the best way to see the Alsace countryside without driving yourself.