Where to Stay in Alsace: Best Towns & Hotels

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Searching for where to stay in Alsace that’ll suit your trip the best? Discover the best towns in Alsace to base yourself in.

When planning a trip to Alsace, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is choosing the right base for your adventures. With its picturesque villages, renowned vineyards, and rich cultural heritage, Alsace offers a variety of charming accommodations to suit any occasion.

Whether you’re traveling with family, enjoying a honeymoon, or to visit the Alsace wine route, finding the perfect place to stay can significantly enhance your experience in this beautiful region.

From the vibrant atmosphere of larger cities to the serene charm of quaint countryside towns, this guide will help you discover the best places to stay for an unforgettable Alsatian getaway.

Quick List of Where to Stay in Alsace

Town:	Best For:
Colmar	Experiencing Christmas
Strasbourg	Traveling Without a Car
Sélestat	Families With Kids
Eguisheim or Riquewihr	Wine Tasting and Tours
Kaysersberg	Outdoor Activities
Ribeauvillé	Couples
Barr	Finding a Good Deal

The Essentials for Where to Stay in Alsace

📍For a quick getaway to Alsace, consider staying in Colmar. The town itself is stunning, and it’s conveniently located just 20 minutes from some of the region’s most famous villages.

🍷 If your focus is on wine tourism, opt for a cozy town along the Alsace Wine Route rather than a bustling city. This way, you can immerse yourself in the local culture and scenery.

🚉 Traveling without a car? It’s best to choose a town with a train station, as not all of them have this amenity. Trains are a faster and more convenient way to get around compared to buses.

🎅🏼 Be aware that accommodation prices in Alsace skyrocket during the holidays, thanks to the region’s popularity for Christmas markets.

🍇 A special time to experience Alsace is from September to mid-October, during the grape harvest season. Consider booking a stay at a vineyard for a uniquely unforgettable experience!

Best Towns for Staying in Alsace

Colmar: Best Town in Alsace for Christmas

Alsace is famously known as the Christmas capital of France and even of Europe. If you’re planning a visit to Alsace during the holiday season or to Colmar in particular – there’s no town more enchanting than Colmar in December.

The entire town center closes to car traffic, making way for festive markets that fill the streets. While Colmar’s Christmas atmosphere is on a smaller scale compared to Strasbourg’s, it’s often considered to offer better value (though this might be a bit controversial!).

One of the biggest perks of staying in Colmar during the holidays is the easy access to Alsace’s charming small villages, which are reachable via a special Christmas shuttle.

Strasbourg: Best Town to Stay in Without a Car

Strasbourg is the capital of the historic Alsace region and its largest city by population. It’s also the most accessible city to reach from Paris or other major cities in France by train. The railway throughout Alsace doesn’t stop at many of the smaller rural towns located deeper in the countryside; instead, the main line runs between Strasbourg and Colmar.

By staying in Strasbourg, you can easily reach many key destinations via public transportation (a combination of train and bus in most cases) or through the convenience of guided tours.

As the largest and most prominent city in Alsace, Strasbourg is also most ideal for travelers interested in culture and offers a wide range of things to see and do right at your doorstep.

Sélestat: Best Place to Stay for Families With Kids

Though it’s not typically on most tourists’ maps, Sélestat is an excellent base in Alsace for families, thanks to its proximity to several family-friendly attractions. While Alsace is known for its wineries, families might appreciate these activities that cater to all ages.

Just a 15-minute drive from Sélestat, you’ll find two exceptional wildlife parks: a free-roaming monkey reserve (La Montagne des Singes) and The Eagle Park. Additionally, there’s Cigoland Amusement Park, a smaller-scale theme park featuring roller coasters, water rides, and entertainment suitable even for young children.

Nearby, families can also visit Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, a stunning 12th-century medieval fortress with spectacular views.

Eguisheim: Best Town for Wineries and Wine Tours

It’s safe to say that you won’t find a less-than-satisfactory place to stay in Alsace that isn’t great for excellent wineries and tours. You really can’t go wrong with any of the charming villages. Eguisheim, in particular, is not only adorable and visually appealing but also home to some of the Alsace wine route’s most historic wineries.

Given the popularity of Eguisheim, you’ll have no trouble finding an enchanting hotel or guesthouse to stay, filled with so much charm that you might find it hard to leave!

Eguisheim has a rich tradition of viticulture that dates back to Roman times. Situated along the Alsace Wine Route, it is renowned for its high-quality wines, particularly Riesling and Gewürztraminer.

If you’re seeking a slightly less (maybe just by 5%) touristy option, Riquewihr is a fantastic alternative to Eguisheim.

Kaysersberg: Best Town for Outdoor Activities

Nestled at the base of lush green hills, Kaysersberg is a hiker’s paradise, brimming with scenic walking trails that weave through Alsace’s breathtaking landscapes. Outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy charming, quaint towns will find Kaysersberg to be the perfect blend of both, offering the best that the region has to offer.

Hikers can embark on a variety of adventures, from an easy trek to the stunning Château de Kaysersberg to all-day strolls through rolling vineyards. For those seeking more challenging terrain, the forest trails provide a rewarding climb with spectacular views.

Along the way, you’ll discover hidden restaurants, cozy chalets, ancient castle ruins, and enchanting medieval churches. Kaysersberg invites you to explore its many pathways and experience the allure of Alsace’s beautiful outdoors.

Ribeauvillé: Best Town for Couples

Ribeauvillé is an enchanting destination for couples seeking a romantic getaway. With its storybook charm, the town features picturesque streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses, cute cafés, and quaint shops that create an idyllic atmosphere for leisurely strolls hand in hand.

The ambiance is perfect for couples looking to escape into a fairytale setting while enjoying the unique beauty of Alsace.

In addition to its enchanting streets, Ribeauvillé offers easy access to numerous wineries, allowing couples to indulge in wine tastings and vineyard tours. For those who enjoy outdoor adventures, the surrounding hills boast hiking trails that lead to ancient castles, providing breathtaking views.

After a day of exploration, couples can retreat to peaceful accommodations nestled in the vineyards, surrounded in a serene and romantic backdrop.

Barr: Most Underrated Town in Alsace (Best Value!)

The town of Barr is severely overlooked as a place to stay (or even visit) in Alsace, and honestly, we stumbled upon it by chance. We were trying to stick to a budget for accommodation and found several charming options in Barr at fantastic prices.

When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the town was. What made it even better was the lack of tourists; it felt like a hidden gem. While visiting the more popular towns in Alsace can sometimes detract from the experience due to crowds, Barr offers a refreshing escape. It truly strikes the perfect balance if you’re looking to enjoy the area without breaking the bank.

Additionally, Barr has a train station, making it easy to travel to Strasbourg or Colmar without needing a car.

FAQs Where to Stay in Alsace

What’s the easiest way to get to Alsace from Paris?

You can hop on a train from Paris and reach Strasbourg in just under two hours. The journey is direct, with no transfers required, though there are stops along the way. Tickets for under €20 one-way are easy to find if you book at the right time.

Alternatively, you can reach the southern end of Alsace by taking a train from Paris to Colmar. This trip is also direct, with no need to change trains, but it takes a bit longer – about 2.5 hours.

Where are the best places to stay in Alsace without a car?

If you’re planning to rely on public transportation to get around Alsace, be mindful of train station locations. Don’t assume that every town along the Alsace wine route is accessible by train, as many popular destinations are not directly served by rail. However, buses run extensively throughout Alsace, making most places reachable.

While Strasbourg and Colmar are the obvious main transportation hubs, consider smaller towns like Dambach-la-Ville and Obernai. These towns are charming, have train stations, and offer a more intimate experience of the region.

🚉 Tip: Open Google Maps and look up the places you’d like to visit by train. Experiment with routes by setting different start and end destinations, then plug them into Trainline (don’t always rely on Google Maps for train services). This will quickly show you which routes are feasible and which are not.

Are hotels in Alsace expensive?

Alsace tourism is fairly predictable, with most visitors arriving during the warmer summer months or specifically for the Christmas markets in December. From June to August, accommodation prices are typical of European summer rates.

However, hotel prices in Alsace can soar during the holiday season, sometimes reaching unprecedented levels. To secure the best rates, book well in advance, or consider staying outside central locations like Colmar and Strasbourg.

Additionally, many travelers visit during the grape harvest season, which begins in early September and lasts through mid-October. When we visited during the first week of September, we saw vineyards bustling with activity and cars lined up – it was “all hands on deck” for the harvest. If wine is a key focus of your trip, this is a season you won’t want to miss!

Surprisingly, accommodation costs in Alsace during the fall were quite reasonable, making it an excellent time to visit for both wine enthusiasts and budget-conscious travelers like us.

Does Alsace have vineyard accommodation?

Staying on a vineyard is one of the most immersive experiences you can have when choosing where to stay in Alsace. Many of these vineyards are historic, adding to the region’s overall charm.

Vineyard hotels and guesthouses are typically located just outside of town centers, making them ideal for those seeking peace and quiet rather than immediate proximity to restaurants and shops.

Of course, the biggest perk of staying at a vineyard accommodation in Alsace is the easy access to winery tours and tastings right on site.

While vineyard accommodations may sound rustic, they are often among the most expensive places to book in Alsace.

Where is the best place to stay in Alsace for a weekend trip?

Colmar is the best base in Alsace for a weekend trip. While Colmar itself is charming, it’s also just a 20–30 minute drive from many of Alsace’s most famous villages. This allows you to efficiently pack as many sights as possible into a short two-day trip.

It’s the most convenient place to stay in Alsace, not only to enjoy the inspiration behind Beauty and the Beast but also to visit bucket-list-worthy sights like Eguisheim and visit the region’s most historic wineries.

More Alsace Posts:

Visiting Alsace, France With Kids

Spending Christmas in Alsace

Cutest Towns on the Alsace Wine Route

Travel Resources for Staying in Alsace

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS, BUSES, FERRIES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

📞 ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo