Arrive in Strasbourg and settle into your hotel near Grande Île, then begin with a gentle wander to orient yourself — stroll across Ponts Couverts to the atmospheric canals of Petite France and admire the half-timbered houses and mill wheels. Pop into a local café such as Café Bretelles or La Brûlerie to warm up with a chocolat chaud and a kougelhopf before heading to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame to marvel at the intricate façade and climb (or take the lift where available) for sweeping views over the old town.
After lunch at a winstub (try tarte flambée at Le Gruber or Au Crocodile’s bistro alternative), explore the interior of the cathedral, catch the Astronomical Clock performance if timing allows, and browse nearby artisan shops along Rue Mercière for Alsatian crafts and biscuits. Continue with a relaxing Batorama river cruise that circumnavigates Grande Île to see the European institutions from the water and learn about Strasbourg’s layered history — a perfect introduction to the region that sets the tone for the days ahead.
If visiting during the season, immerse yourself in the Christkindelsmärik on Place Broglie and around the cathedral, sampling vin chaud, bredele cookies, and roasted chestnuts while browsing wooden chalets for local gifts; otherwise enjoy an evening stroll through illuminated streets toward Place Kléber. Dine at a cozy winstub such as La Maison des Tanneurs or Chez Yvonne for classic Alsatian cuisine, and finish with a leisurely walk along the Ill River to take in the town’s nighttime reflections and the medieval ambiance that will accompany your roadtrip through Alsace.
Begin the day with a return to Cathédrale Notre-Dame to explore its Gothic interior more deeply—catch the Astronomical Clock’s midday show if your timing allows and linger on the terraces for a different perspective of the city you glimpsed yesterday. Afterwards, lose yourself in the cobbled lanes of Petite France: admire the timbered fishermen’s houses along Rue des Moulins, pop into local shops for handmade bredele and pottery, and stop for a late-morning coffee and a slice of kougelhopf at Café Bretelles or Au Brasseur.
After a winstub lunch of choucroute or tarte flambée (try Le Gruber or La Maison des Tanneurs for authentic Alsatian fare), take a Batorama river cruise to view Grande Île and the European quarter from the water — the narrated tour ties together the architectural and political history you’ve been exploring. Disembark to visit the Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame or browse Rue Mercière for artisan shops and postcards, continuing the discovery of Strasbourg’s layered past and vibrant crafts scene.
As dusk falls, return to the cathedral precinct and wander toward Place Kléber and Place Gutenberg to enjoy illuminated façades; if the Christkindelsmärik stalls are still open, sample vin chaud and spiced treats beneath the trees. Dine at a cozy bistro such as Chez Yvonne or Au Crocodile’s more casual bistro, then finish with a leisurely riverside stroll past Ponts Couverts, letting the evening lights and gentle flow of the Ill seal another memorable day in Alsace.
Leave Strasbourg after a hearty Alsatian breakfast and enjoy the 45-60 minute scenic drive south along the wine route, passing vine-covered slopes and picture-book villages; arrive in Colmar and begin with a gentle walk through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, starting at Place de la Cathédrale and past the ornate Koïfhus (old customs house). Pause for coffee and a kougelhopf at Café Rapp or the charming La Soï to warm up before wandering into the Little Venice quarter with its canals and flower-framed half-timbered houses.
After lunch at a winstub like L'Ancienne Douane (tarte flambée or choucroute recommended), spend the afternoon at the Unterlinden Museum to see the Isenheim Altarpiece and an excellent collection of medieval and Renaissance art, then stroll through rue des Têtes and rue Turenne to browse boutiques selling local crafts and bredele. If time permits, visit the Musée Bartholdi (the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty) or take a short tram/boat ride to the covered market to sample Munster cheese and regional charcuterie.
As twilight falls, let Colmar’s illuminated façades and canals set a magical tone—enjoy a relaxed dinner at La Table du Brocanteur or Wistub de la Petite Venise for seasonal Alsatian specialties paired with a local Riesling. Finish the evening with a leisurely riverside walk through Little Venice, perhaps stopping for vin chaud if the Christmas markets are open, before settling into your Colmar hotel for a restful night ahead of the wine-route explorations to come.
Drive from Colmar after breakfast and head first to Eguisheim, a concentric-village jewel where winding lanes and flower-bespoke half-timbered houses feel pulled from a storybook; wander from Place du Château past the colorful fountains, pop into Cave Vinicole d'Eguisheim or a small domaine for a tasting of local Gewurztraminer, and savor a warming café and kougelhopf at a village patisserie. The intimate scale and medieval ramparts make for gentle exploration that continues the river-and-timberhouse charm you enjoyed in Colmar.
In the early afternoon, continue along the wine route to Riquewihr — park just outside the ramparts and stroll down Dolder and Rue du Général de Gaulle to admire perfectly preserved Renaissance façades; enjoy lunch at a winstub such as Restaurant Le Sarment or Au Tonneau with choucroute or baeckeoffe paired with a glass from a local producer. After lunch, visit the Huet or Hugel cellars for a guided tasting or walk up toward the Dolder tower for panoramic views of vineyards that roll toward the Vosges, deepening your appreciation for Alsace’s wine heritage.
As daylight softens, return to Riquewihr’s market square where atmospheric lighting turns the medieval streets golden — sample vin chaud at a market stall if seasonal, or sit for a relaxed dinner at La Table du Vigneron to continue sampling regional wines and seasonal dishes. Finish the evening with a slow stroll back to your car through narrow lanes, letting the quiet of the villages and the memory of their fairy-tale architecture set the tone for tomorrow’s visit to Kaysersberg and the castle above.
Leave Colmar after a leisurely Alsatian breakfast and drive the short, scenic route to Kaysersberg, where the river, timbered houses and the medieval bridge make for a picture-perfect morning stroll; pause at Place de l'Église to visit Château de Kaysersberg’s ruins and enjoy views down the valley. Pop into Maison Gresser or a local boulangerie for a kougelhopf or brioche, then browse artisan shops and the Musée Albert Schweitzer to tie the village’s intimate history to the region’s cultural thread you’ve been following.
After a winstub lunch — try La Table d'Olivier or Wistub Brenet for hearty baeckeoffe or choucroute paired with a local Riesling — drive up to the imposing Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg and join a guided tour to explore its restored halls, armories and machicolations; climb the towers for sweeping panoramic views of the Rhine plain and Vosges slopes. Spend time wandering the castle ramparts and tasting regional specialities at the on-site boutique or nearby domaine, deepening your understanding of Alsace’s strategic and viticultural heritage.
Return to Kaysersberg as dusk settles and enjoy a cozy dinner at a traditional winstub like Le Chambard’s bistro or Restaurant L'ardoise for seasonal fare and local wines, letting the warm interiors and timbered facades recall earlier village visits. If the Christmas markets are open, sip vin chaud beneath twinkling stalls and take a final stroll across the illuminated bridge, savoring the medieval atmosphere before heading back to your base to rest for tomorrow’s Mulhouse or leisure day.
Drive to Mulhouse after breakfast (about 45-60 minutes from Colmar) and dive into the Cité de l'Automobile (Schlumpf Collection) to admire its spectacular lineup of classic Bugattis and other automotive icons—book timed tickets in advance and allow at least 90 minutes to wander the galleries. If you prefer a gentler morning, linger in Colmar or return to Strasbourg for a relaxed stroll through any remaining Christmas market stalls, a café stop for vin chaud and a final kougelhopf, continuing the festive rhythm of the trip.
After lunch at a Mulhouse brasserie such as Brasserie de l'Europe or Le Bistrot des Trois Rois, choose between the Cité du Train (Europe’s largest railway museum) for immersive locomotives and interactive exhibits or the Musée de l'Impression sur Étoffes to explore Alsace’s rich textile-printing history and colorful designs. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely afternoon back in Colmar visiting any small museums you missed—Musée Bartholdi or the Unterlinden annex—or shop for last-minute local wines and bredele to take home.
Return to your base (Mulhouse, Colmar or Strasbourg) and relax with a classic Alsatian dinner—try tarte flambée and a glass of local Riesling at a cozy winstub like La Table du Brocanteur in Colmar or Au Brasseur in Mulhouse—then take a gentle evening walk through illuminated streets or market squares to soak up the seasonal atmosphere. If you’re in Mulhouse and museums are still hosting evening events, check for special exhibitions or concerts; otherwise, settle in at a local bar for a digestif and reflect on the roadtrip’s tapestry of medieval towns, vineyards and culinary discoveries.
After checking out of your hotel, return to Grande Île for a final stroll through the Christkindelsmärik stalls around Place Kléber and Place Broglie to pick up any last-minute bredele, artisan crafts or a bottle of Alsace wine; pause for a café and kougelhopf at Café Bretelles or La Brûlerie to savor the morning atmosphere. If you prefer a quieter start, visit the peaceful Parc de l'Orangerie for a short walk and views of the European Quarter before heading back toward the cathedral precinct.
Enjoy a leisurely flammekueche lunch at a beloved winstub such as Le Gruber or La Maison des Tanneurs, pairing it with a crisp Riesling while you reminisce about the week’s highlights; afterwards, pop into the Cathédrale Notre-Dame one last time to admire its stained glass and the Astronomical Clock, or browse Rue Mercière and the covered market for final gourmet souvenirs like Munster cheese or spiced vins. Allow time to return to your hotel or the station/airport, collecting luggage and confirming travel connections so departure is relaxed and timely.
If your schedule allows a late departure, enjoy a final early-evening glass of vin chaud beneath the cathedral lights or a casual dinner of regional comfort food at Chez Yvonne before you leave; otherwise, bid farewell to Strasbourg with a short riverside walk along the Ill to soak in the city’s illuminated façades one last time. Head to the station or airport with warm memories of timbered villages, vineyard panoramas and festive markets that defined your Alsace roadtrip.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Arrive & settle in hotel (Grande Île area, Strasbourg) | €0 (except hotel cost) |
| Café (Café Bretelles / La Brûlerie) — chocolat chaud & kougelhopf | €6-€12 per person |
| Ponts Couverts & Petite France stroll | Free |
| Cathédrale Notre-Dame (exterior visit / climb/tower access) | Cathedral entry Free; tower climb / lift €5-€8 (approx.) |
| Winstub lunch (Le Gruber / Au Crocodile bistro) | €18-€35 per person |
| Rue Mercière artisan shopping / bredele | €5-€40 depending on purchases |
| Batorama river cruise (Grande Île circumnavigation) | €14-€16 per adult (standard adult fare) |
| Christkindelsmärik (Place Broglie / Place Kléber) — seasonal markets | Free to enter; food/drink/souvenirs €5-€30 |
| Dinner at a winstub (La Maison des Tanneurs / Chez Yvonne) | €20-€45 per person |
| Cathédrale Notre-Dame (morning return / Astronomical Clock show) | Free |
| Petite France deeper exploration & coffee | €4-€10 for coffee/snack |
| Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame (optional) | €6-€9 per adult |
| Place Kléber / Place Gutenberg evening stroll | Free |
| Drive to Colmar (Strasbourg -> Colmar) | Fuel ~€8-€20 (depends on car / shared rental); tolls none on this route |
| Colmar Old Town walk (Place de la Cathédrale, Koïfhus) | Free |
| Coffee & kougelhopf (Café Rapp / La Soï) | €5-€10 |
| Little Venice canals stroll | Free |
| Unterlinden Museum (Isenheim Altarpiece) | €9-€12 per adult |
| Musée Bartholdi (optional) | €4-€7 per adult |
| Covered market / tasting Munster cheese & charcuterie | €6-€20 (depending on purchases/tastings) |
| Drive to Eguisheim | Fuel ~€2-€6 |
| Eguisheim village walk & village tasting | Wine tasting €5-€12; coffee/pastry €4-€8 |
| Drive to Riquewihr | Fuel ~€2-€5 |
| Riquewihr stroll & lunch at winstub | €18-€35 per person; wine by glass €4-€8 |
| Wine cellar tasting (e.g., Hugel, Huet) | €8-€20 (guided tasting varies; sometimes complimentary with purchase) |
| Drive to Kaysersberg | Fuel ~€2-€5 |
| Kaysersberg village walk & Château de Kaysersberg (ruins) | Village walk Free; small local museum or sites €3-€6 if applicable |
| Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg (visit & guided tour) | Entrance €9-€12 per adult; guided tours/upgrades additional €2-€5 |
| Mulhouse drive (Colmar -> Mulhouse) | Fuel ~€6-€15 |
| Cité de l'Automobile (Schlumpf Collection) | €12-€18 per adult (timed ticket recommended) |
| Cité du Train (railway museum) | €10-€16 per adult |
| Musée de l'Impression sur Étoffes (textile museum) | €6-€10 per adult |
| Mulhouse brasserie lunch (Brasserie de l'Europe / Le Bistrot des Trois Rois) | €15-€30 per person |
| Return to Strasbourg (drive Colmar->Strasbourg or Mulhouse->Strasbourg) | Fuel ~€6-€15 |
| Parc de l'Orangerie short walk (optional) | Free |
| Final flammekueche lunch (Le Gruber / La Maison des Tanneurs) | €10-€18 per person |
| Station/airport transfer | Tram/bus €1.80-€2.50 single; taxi €10-€40 depending on distance; Uber/local equivalent similar |
| Misc small purchases (bredele, souvenirs, small wine bottles) | €10-€60 total per person |
| Car rental (if used) - estimated per day | €35-€70 per day (compact car, off-season Dec; includes basic insurance; variable) |
| Fuel (estimate for ~350-450 km over trip) | €60-€120 total (depending on vehicle fuel efficiency) |
| Accommodation (7 nights estimate — mid-range hotels / guesthouses) | €70-€150 per night → €490-€1,050 total |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €880 - €2,200 per person (7-day estimate, mid-range comfort) Breakdown highlights: accommodation €490-€1,050; car rental €245-€490 (if rented for 7 days) or public transport/trains cheaper (~€50-€150 total); fuel €60-€120; meals €210-€420 (≈€30-€60/day); attractions & museums €80-€150; incidentals/souvenirs €45-€100. Prices in December can vary with seasonal demand and market purchases. |