I wanted to see as much of Alsace as possible without renting a car, so I booked a full-day tour through GetYourGuide. The meeting point was Gare Routière near the Étoile-Bourse tram stop.
It’s easy to get there by tram, but I decided to walk from my hostel, Ciarus, thinking it would be a nice start to the day. It was, just longer than I expected. If you do this tour, take the tram and save your energy.
The group was small, around 12 to 14 people. The minibus had a retractable roof, which was great for photos and for enjoying the views. On a sunny July day, it made a big difference.
First Stop: Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
About an hour after leaving Strasbourg, the castle appeared high up on a ridge. Even from the parking lot, the view over Alsace was impressive. Inside, the route is easy to follow, leading you through different parts of the castle. It’s interesting to see how it has changed over the centuries.
At the top, cannons line the walls and the view stretches for miles. On a clear day you can see the Black Forest in the distance.
We had about an hour and twenty minutes here, which was enough to walk through without rushing. On the way up, we passed some cyclists climbing the steep road. You’d need to be very fit for that.
A Quick Stop in Bergheim
Next was Bergheim, a small walled village. I didn’t make the most of this stop. I was on the wrong side of the bus and missed the entrance gate, which is the best photo spot. It’s a nice place, but if time is short, I’d spend more time in the next villages instead.
Riquewihr: The Highlight of the Day
Riquewihr was the main highlight for me. If you’ve seen photos of Alsace, you’ve probably seen this village. The main street is lined with half-timbered houses in soft colours and flower boxes on the balconies.
Shops sell local products like wine, kougelhopf and Alsace macarons. These are not like the French ones you might know. They’re chewy and coconutty, more like Swedish kokostoppar. I tried one and it was good.
For lunch, I had a mushroom crepe, but if you want something typical for the region, try tarte flambée, a local dish that looks a bit like a thin pizza.
Most of my time here was spent walking around and looking into the shops. There’s also a church on Place des Trois Églises, but the main street is where most things happen.
If you want to taste wine or shop for local food, this is the place. With a tour, you don’t have much time, so if that’s important to you, it’s better to rent a car and go at your own pace.
Rolling Past Bennwihr
On the way to the next stop, we passed Bennwihr, another small village surrounded by vineyards. At this point, the scenery had a rhythm: green hills, church spires, clusters of timbered houses. It was still beautiful.
The driver also took us to a World War II monument with a panoramic view of the area. You could see the vineyards and villages stretching out in every direction.
Stopping for Ice Cream in Kaysersberg
By the time we got to Kaysersberg, the heat was noticeable. Alsace in July is warm and there isn’t much shade, so bring water and sunscreen. Good shoes help too.
The river makes this village feel different. I walked down to the stone bridge for some photos, then got ice cream with another traveler from the group. It was a good chance to sit down and take a short break before we continued.
Ending the Day in Colmar
Our last stop was Colmar, which could easily be a trip on its own. The plan was to take the tourist train, but I asked if I could walk instead. I’m glad I did. The others later said the train felt rushed.
I started at the meeting point near Monoprix and walked into the old town. It was busy, especially around Maison Pfister, but worth seeing.
Petite Venise is the most photographed part, with colourful houses, flowers and small boats moving along the canal. It reminded me of Petite France in Strasbourg. If you can, take the boat ride instead of the train.
On the way back, I passed Parc du Champ de Mars, a quiet green space that was a nice break from the crowds.
Would I Recommend It?
If you want to see the highlights of Alsace in one day, this is a good way to do it. The tour was well organised and the open roof on the bus was a nice touch. The only downside is the pace. You see a lot, but you don’t have time to stay long in each place.
If I went again, I’d rent a car, choose three stops—Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Colmar—and take my time. Colmar especially deserves at least one night. In the evening, the crowds are gone and I can imagine how nice it feels then. If you want to do wine tastings or shop for local specialties, a self-drive trip makes more sense.
