Thanks to Instagram, Alsace has become quite the travel destination over the past few years. And online, it looks like a true dream. But is Alsace really worth visiting?
Instagram can often be deceiving. So it is no wonder that you want to make sure it lives up to the hype before booking your vacation tickets to the French region.
First of all: yes, Alsace is worth visiting! It is the most charming part of France, in my opinion. It is one of the few places in the world that I have seen that have barely any downsides. However, you do need to get your expectations straight before going.
If you want to find out if Alsace is the right fit for you, keep on reading!
Why Alsace Is Worth Visiting – In Short
🩷 Picturesque Towns
🩷 Friendly Locals
🩷 Delicious Food
🩷 Affordable
🩷 Great Wine Area
🩷 Lots of Outdoor Activities
🩷 Interesting Culture & Traditions
🩷 Lovely Christmas Markets
🩷 Stunning Castles
🩷 Beautiful Mountains
Downsides of Visiting Alsace
There are no true downsides to visiting Alsace.
In all honesty, this was one of the best vacations we ever took, and we had nothing to complain about.
However, if you go in the summer, the crowds might run you over. It is essential that you don’t go there in the main season – and perhaps stay outside of Colmar or Strasbourg.
The weather might be a bit lacking during the first few months of the year, but that also means lower prices and fewer crowds.
The area really lacks nothing, so for me, there is no reason not to put Alsace on your travel bucket list (and that means something).
10 Reasons Why Alsace Is Worth Visiting
1. Cute and Instagram-Worthy Towns
Alsace is mainly famous for its adorable towns, and they do not disappoint. The fairytale vibe is real.
Imagine walking through streets lined with colorful, charming houses, and flowers everywhere! One of the cutest towns there is Colmar, with its charming canals that remind one of Venice.
And of course, there are cute, smaller villages, such as Riquewihr, with its medieval architecture. Kaysersberg is another stunning place.
Then there’s Eguisheim, a cozy village with winding streets and pretty houses. And don’t forget my favorite town in Alsace: Ribeauvillé.
This is probably the biggest reason why Alsace is worth visiting.
2. Friendly Locals
Honestly, the French are usually not my favorite kind of people when visiting. They usually barely speak English and can be snotty.
But not in Alsace! The region is pretty close to Germany, so most people are super welcoming and friendly. They are so warm and funny and charming, which made me feel like I was at home there, too.
Especially restaurant staff is great in Alsace – we had so many lovely experiences. People are kindly sharing the best places to visit, and you can feel their genuine excitement over the region.
Make sure to treat the locals and their heritage with respect, so this does not change over the years, and with the influx of tourists.
3. Delicious Alsatian Cuisine
Alsatian cuisine is amazing because it’s a mix of French and German flavors. That makes for unique and delicious dishes.
It’s famous for hearty meals like choucroute garnie, a yummy sauerkraut dish with sausages and other meats.
Then there’s tarte flambée, a thin, crispy pizza-like treat with cream, onions, and bacon. (They usually call it Flammkuche)
Of course, there is lots of delicious French (and German) cheese and some Kugelhupf for dessert!
If you visit Alsace in Spring, you must try their white asparagus. It is the dish of the season.
Alsatian food is not pretentious, like other French food. And eating out is super affordable – what is not to love?
4. Affordable
Alsace is definitely a lot more affordable than other French regions.
We visited the Champagne region right before Alsace, and we spent about 1/3 of the money on the same things.
Especially wine and food are greatly priced. If you come by car, I suggest grabbing a few bottles of wine directly from the wineries for home.
Also, hotels and restaurants are pretty cheap. Most hotels have charming rooms at great rates. Some even offer a spa to relax at at the end of the day.
Maybe try to avoid Colmar during the main season; other than that, Alsace is totally affordable.
My tip for a great hotel deal: check out Ribeauvillé, that village is totally underrated.
5. Great Wine Area
Alsace wine is really special because the region is known for its amazing white wines.
The vineyards are in a beautiful area with rolling hills and lots of sunshine, which is perfect for growing grapes. You can plan a road trip along the Alsace Wine Route.
Some of the most famous wines from Alsace are Riesling, which is crisp and refreshing, and Gewürztraminer, which is aromatic and slightly sweet.
They also make a lovely sparkling wine called Crémant d’Alsace. My favorite wine is the Pinot Gris, though.
6. Great For Outdoor Activities
In Alsace, outdoor activities are all about enjoying the stunning landscapes and charming villages.
You can go hiking in the Vosges Mountains, with trails that offer breathtaking views of vineyards and castles. Our favorite trail leads up to three stunning castles, right from the village of Ribeauvillé.
Cycling is popular too, with cool routes along the wine road. For a bit of adventure, try paragliding over the beautiful countryside (not for us, though).
In winter, the region is great for skiing and snowshoeing. There is something for everyone, which makes Alsace definitely worth visiting.
7. Interesting Culture and Traditions
Alsace has a super interesting culture and is totally different from the rest of France. Because it has such close ties to Germany, the culture is a fun mix of both countries.
They also have some super cute traditions, like celebrating the storks each year. Of course, there are lots of harvest festivals in the fall. And my favorite: cute little Gingerbread men everywhere!
Alsace is a super happy and cheerful place, and the traditions are definitely part of it.
8. Christmas Markets
The Alsace area is internationally known as the Christmas capital – and for good reason.
It gives the vibe of Christmas in my childhood. There is nothing pretentious or trashy about any of the decorations.
The cute, half-timbered houses are decorated to the brim, and sparkly lights pop up all over the towns.
There are beautiful Christmas markets all over the area, so December is definitely an awesome time to visit Alsace. Some of the Christmas markets in Alsace are among the oldest in Europe, so a visit combines culture with fun!
9. Stunning Castles
In Alsace, you can visit some really cool castles that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale!
One of the most famous is Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, perched high on a hill with amazing views of the surrounding countryside. It’s like a medieval fortress from Game of Thrones. You can even eat a lovely meal there.
Another must-see is Château du Haut-Barr, known as the “Eye of Alsace” because of its stunning panoramic views.
My favorite castles are in Ribeauvillé; they are called the Three Castles of Ribeauvillé. It is only a short hike up there from the city center, super doable, and with great views.
10. Beautiful Mountains
The last reason why Alsace is worth visiting is the beautiful mountains.
The mountains in Alsace are part of the Vosges range, which runs along the western side of the region. They’re not super tall, but they’re really beautiful, with rolling hills, dense forests, and lovely valleys.
One of the most popular spots is the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. It’s a huge area with lots of hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and pretty lakes.
The highest peak in the Vosges is the Grand Ballon, which has amazing views from the top.
In the winter, the mountains are great for skiing and snowboarding, with several ski resorts like Lac Blanc and Le Markstein.
Is Colmar Worth Visiting?
Most people head to Colmar when visiting Alsace. So you are probably wondering if Colmar is worth visiting.
The short answer is: yes, you should definitely hop by there once. Colmar is stunningly beautiful.
But Colmar is also the tourist center of the area, so I would not plan on spending too much time there. Alternatively, check out cute villages like Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, or Eguisheim.
The smaller villages are more charming and less crowded. But Colmar is definitely extremely beautiful and worth visiting.
Conclusion: Is Alsace Worth Visiting?
To sum it up: yes, Alsace is worth visiting.
It is one of my favorite destinations in Europe. Alsace is an awesome spot for a shorter weekend trip or a longer vacation.
Friendly people, charming villages, delicious food, and stunning nature are the biggest reasons why Alsace is worth visiting.
The only downside: Colmar and Strasbourg can get so crowded. Of course, you’ll want to visit Little Venice (or Petite Venise) at least once, but I would focus my attention on other villages for sure.
There is so much to do and see, from the Rhine River to UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Alsace is totally worth seeing.
About the Author
Hi friend, I am Sabrina, a passionate travel blogger and photographer from Austria.
I love capturing the world through the lens of the seasons, chasing soft spring blooms, golden autumn light, and cozy winter moments along the way. My goal is to help you discover destinations at their most magical moments.
