If you are looking to have the most magical winter getaway to the capital of Christmas, then you have come to the right place. Alsace villages in France are the most magical during Christmas time, when the Christmas markets are running and the decorations are absolutely everywhere. You can really feel the spirit of Christmas in these towns, and not many places can compare to the atmosphere that you can find here. Whether you want to find the perfect souvenir to take home, or just want to experience *that* magical vibe, this travel guide will show you the villages that you absolutely have to add to your must-visit list this Christmas.
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How to get around
The best way to get around in the Alsace region and to see all the villages is by renting a car. This way you will have a lot of freedom on where to go, and you will be able to cover quite a few towns in one day. The highway in Alsace is also free which makes it even easier to drive here.
However, if driving is not an option, then the SNCF train system in Alsace is also pretty good and frequent. You can book your tickets and check timings here.
Buses are also a good option to get between towns. Here is a website that you can use to check the timetables and work out your toutes.
Where to stay
There are multiple options of where you can base yourself in Alsace in order to make the most of the towns.
If you are renting a car, you may want to base yourself in Colmar. It is only an hour away from most of the towns that you will want to see.
If you plan on commuting by public transport, it may be easier to base yourself in Strasbourg. Since this is a bigger city, there are a lot more transportation options from here than Colmar.
Either way, both Strasbourg and Colmar are good to be based as they are located at a close proximity with most villages and have many activities and tourist attractions.
We stayed in a hotel called L’Esquisse Hotel and Spa in Colmar, which is a stylish art hotel only a few minutes walk from the markets. It also has a 2 Michelin Star restaurant inside called JY’s, but be sure to book this in advance if you fancy dining here.
Alsace villages map
To give you a better idea of the proximity of each of the Alsace villages, here is a map with all the towns mentioned below.
1. Colmar
2023 Christmas market dates: 24 November to 30 December
Colmar is most likely the first village that comes to mind when you think of Alsace. Its magic is undeniable and the Christmas markets here really do live up to the hype. This is also the town where the Christmas markets are open the latest (until 30th December), so you can still experience the magic after Christmas.
Make sure to explore the markets during the day as well as at night. The town really changes at night, and becomes even more magical. You will find night markets, Christmas lights, and an amazing atmosphere with people all around. You can spend hours browsing through the endless markets and festive shops!
Try the local “tarte flambée” – a pizza – like dish, and visit the Little Venice. This will transport you into a real life fairytale, as the colourful buildings are reflected in the water. Take the time to also stroll around and take some photos – every corner is beautiful, and no amount of photos will be enough!
However, as Colmar is probably the most popular town in Alsace, it gets very crowded. Be aware of this and plan ahead, or come early in order to beat the crowds.
2. Egusheim
2023 Christmas market dates: 24 November to 14 December
Egusheim is known as one of the villages that “Beauty and the Beast” was modelled after. And visiting this town, you can definitely feel that storybook vibe – as if Belle is about to stroll down the street with her book.
This town is located only about an hour from Colmar, and is absolutely worth visiting not only due to the beautiful timbered houses and cosy atmosphere, but also because of the Christmas markets that take place here each year.
Egusheim is also known for its wine as it is surrounded by vineyards. You can find the production of white French wines here such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Blanc. There are many wine shops all around where you can do wine tasting and buy a bottle to take home. Egusheim is also the starting point of the Alsace wine route, making it the perfect place for discovering on your tour of Alsace.
3. Ribeauvillé
2023 Christmas market dates: 2-3 December & 9-10 December
Ribeauvillé is another beautiful and magical town in the region. The Christmas market here is one of the most enchanting and authentic ones you will find. Its medieval buildings have been very well preserved, but are even more accentuated at Christmas time. The decorations are at every corner, making you feel that festive spirit everywhere.
There are also many other factors that make this a really unique place to visit at Christmas time. If you find yourself in this town at night, you will see all the twinkling Christmas lights and be able to hear the carol singers. The atmosphere in this town is really unbeatable as it comes alive with festivities.
Treat yourself to some mulled wine, and you can also try local specialties such as bredele (Christmas cookies), foie gras, choucroute, and various pastries.
4. Riquewihr
2023 Christmas market dates: 25 November to 21 December 2023
After Colmar, Riquewihr is my favourite of the Alsace villages to visit. The Christmas market in this town takes over from late November till December. Here you will find a huge variety of local food and beverages, decorations, and lots of souvenirs to take home. The souvenirs found here are really one-of-a-kind, as they are hand made and make for the most unique keepsake of your trip.
The cobbled streets combined with the medieval buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, give this town a true “Winter Wonderland” feel. All around the town you will find festive decorations, Christmas trees, and more, in a picture perfect way. You can get lost here and wander around for hours!
Be sure to wander through the main square and the main street Rue Charles de Gaulle. Most of the prettiest shops and houses can be found along this street.
If you want to try some of the local food and wine, visit the winstubs – a traditional, popular wine bar in the region. You will find here some of the best food and wine and experience the rustic atmosphere.
5. Kayserberg
2023 Christmas market dates: Every weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) from 24 November to 17 December 2023 and from 18 to 19 December.
Kayserberg is another charming town in Alsace. When entering the town, you will arrive to the main square and a main street. Here you will find a couple shops selling local souvenirs. Follow the street down and you will arrive upon a river and a 16th century stone bridge, perhaps the most picturesque part of the town.
The Christmas market here is also one not to be missed. It takes place each weekend of advent, but even without the market, the town comes alive at Christmas time. With unique and elaborate decorations at every corner, this is the best town to take your perfect holiday pictures.
There is also a lot of history that remains in this town. Among some of the the notable monuments in Kaysersberg are the Kessler Gate from in 1371, the Renaissance townhall from 1521, and the fortified bridge, dating from 1514.
6. Obernai
2023 Christmas market dates: 24 November to 31 December
With its medieval architecture and charming streets, Obernai is adorned with Christmas trees and decorations during the festive season. There is a Christmas market held in the town’s picturesque city centre, where you can buy local souvenirs, Alsatian products, try local food and much more. This town is the perfect place to shop for locally made souvenirs and gifts.
As well as the exceptional Christmas market, you will be able to enjoy events and live entertainment, such as carol singers, concerts, and even storytelling walks.
7. Strasbourg
2023 Christmas market dates: 24th November to 24th December
Strasbourg may not be part of the Alsace villages, but I absolutely had to add it here as it is a must visit on your trip. The city officially holds the title of the Christmas Capital of the World, and visiting it you really understand why.
Here you will find multiple Christmas markets, here is a list of all of them:
🎄Strasbourg Cathedral Christmas Market (Christkindelsmärik)
🎄Place Broglie Market
🎄Place Gutenberg Market
🎄Place du Château Market
🎄Place d’Austerlitz Market
🎄Place du Marché aux Poissons Market
🎄Place des Meuniers Market
🎄Place de la Gare Market
🎄Neudorf Market
🎄Rivetoile Christmas Village
There are lots of things happening at Christmas time in Strasbourg. Alongside visiting the Christmas markets, you can also go ice skating, admire window displays, ascend the Cathedral for the best view over the city, take a carriage ride, and enjoy Christmas concerts.
Strasbourg is also known for having one of the most iconic Christmas tree in the world. The search for the perfect tree starts in March each year, and the tree surgeons spend about 120 hours getting it ready for its journey to Strasbourg. It weighs between 7-9 tonnes and the trunk measures up to 120 cm in diameter!
8. Haguenau
2023 Christmas market dates: 24th November to 30th December
If you want to visit a town with a lively Christmas vibe but a more manageable size, head to Hagenau. With over 50 stalls, the market here is actually one of the biggest in Alsace.
The town offers plenty of entertainment, as well as activities that kids can enjoy. A petting zoo, visit from Santa, a fun carousel make this the perfect destination for families.
Haguenau also hosts an indoor market. It is called Marché Gourmand and you can explore a wide range of gourmet products, wines, and regional delicacies here.
It is the ideal destination if you want an authentic Christmas experience, away from the crowds.
9. Hunspach
2023 Christmas market dates: 9-10 December
Huspach may be a town you have not heard of, which may be because it is a lot smaller than the other Alsace villages mentioned in this list.
You can visit this town in about 20 minutes, and the upside to it is that the Christmas market here is very local. So if you are looking to avoid the crowds, you could choose to visit this village.
A small downside to its size is that the atmosphere is nowhere as exciting as some of the other towns you will find in the region. The decorations are not as elaborate, as most tourists choose to visit the bigger towns instead.
However, the quality of the products is still amazing. You will find similar local hand made gifts at the Christmas markets here.
If you are short on time, I would skip this town, but it is definitely a great option if you are looking for something more quiet and peceful.
10. Guebwiller
2023 Christmas market dates: Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays from November 25 – December 24, 2023
Set against the backdrop of the Vosges Mountains, the Christmas market in a town called Guebwiller (it doesn’t sound like a real place – but it is!) is particularly special.
What makes this place special is the fact that the theme of their Christmas decorations is fully blue. Blue lights, blue decorations, blue everything, which really adds to its picturesque appeal. This is the most unique town in the Alsace region in terms of the theme. However, this is a much smaller town than some of the others.
If you are looking for the hustle and bustle in the atmosphere, Guebwiller may not be the place for you. But if you want to enjoy the charm of a small town with less tourists fighting for a photo spot, this town is the perfect hidden gem.
The main market to visit here is the Guebwiller Blue Christmas Market which is set up in front of the Town Hall. The atmosphere here tends to be quite lively and busy.
This town is located between Colmar and Mulhouse, so it is ideal for a quick stop on your road trip.
Watch my vlog!
Here is the vlog I made from my trip, which gives a better idea of what each village is like. Hope you enjoy watching it and it helps to plan your own trip!
Overall verdict
In my opinion, the best of the villages Alsace offers are Colmar, Strasbourg, Egusheim and Riquewihr. If you are short on time or only visiting for the weekend, these are the towns I would opt for seeing.
However, all of the Alsace villages have their own charm. Although they are very similar, they do have some differences. You can discover many hidden gems, buy unique souvenirs, and try the most delicious Alsatian treats. For example, I had the best pretzel in Strasbourg – no other city had one that matched it.
Hopefully this post has helped to give you a better idea of what each village is like and what a trip to the magical villages of Alsace really looks like.
