Is Alsace Worth It? A Local’s Guide to the Pros and Cons

When I first moved to Alsace in 2019, I knew it was famous for its white wines, but it wasn’t exactly at the top of my bucket list.

It seemed like a charming region to drive through, rather than a destination to dedicate an entire trip to.

But over the last few years, its popularity has skyrocketed.

In fact, nearly 8.4 million tourists visit every year

So, is Alsace worth visiting?

The short answer is – Yes, Alsace is definitely worth visiting.

Its fairytale villages, breathtaking landscapes, and magical Christmas markets are just a few reasons why it should be on your itinerary.

But, like any destination, Alsace has its pros and cons. So, before you book your tickets, here is my honest guide to help you decide if it’s the right vacation spot for you.

This is a section of the Alsace Wine Route between Barr and Mittelbergheim. It's a paved road with vineyards on either side. This is what makes Alsace worth visiting. — Alsace Wine Route between Barr and Mittelbergheim

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6 Pros and Cons of Visiting Alsace

1. Pro: Pretty Villages

This a photo of half-timbered houses in Eguisheim. There are two parallel streets and in the middle there is a cream colored half-timbered building. It has an arch that is covered in green hanging vines. — Eguisheim

The biggest draw to Alsace is its fairytale villages along its wine route, especially Colmar, Riquewihr, and Eguisheim.

Here, you’ll find rows of blue, red, yellow, and pink half-timbered houses decorated with hanging baskets of geraniums and dangling vines.

But that’s not all these villages have.

Many have been around since medieval times, and you can still see remnants of their original fortifications.

There are also tons of wineries that you can visit and sample famous wines from the region.

I’ve been traveling in Alsace and visiting these towns since 2019, and I keep going back. I can’t get enough photos. That’s how pretty this part of France is.

2. Con: Overcrowded in Popular Towns

This is Rue du Général de Gaulle at the Christmas market in Riquewihr. There is a mob of people walking along a street and the buildings are decorated with lights and ornaments. This is one reason not to visit Alsace. — Rue du Général de Gaulle at Riquewihr’s Christmas Market

On the downside, because these towns are so charming and well-preserved, they have also become popular tourist destinations.

During peak season (July, August, and December, especially during the Christmas markets), these places get overcrowded.

And, when I say overcrowded, I mean walls of people like the photo above.

There are ways to avoid this.

You could visit early in the morning, late in the evening, or travel during off-peak seasons.

But I recommend adding less popular towns to your itinerary, like Wissembourg, Sélestat, or Rosheim.

3. Pro: Good Food

This is a traditional Alsatian Choucroute Garnie. There are sausages, sauerkraut, and potatoes. It's on a white plate. There is also green parsley on top. — Choucroute Garnie

Alsatian food is a flavorful fusion of German and French culinary traditions.

I would say it blends the heartiness of German food with the flavor of French cuisine.

A few of my favorite dishes are tarte-flambée, choucroute garnie, and kougelhopf.

So, where is the best place to try all this deliciousness?

I’ve tried Alsatian food in every town I’ve been to, and nothing beats Strasbourg’s take on traditional cuisine. It also has the most variety of restaurants, eateries, and bistros.

4. Con: Opening Times Aren’t Clear

This is a photo of the operating hours for the tourist train in Ribeauvillé. It's only open from May to September and much of the information is covered with other signs and changes. — Operating Hours for the Tourist Train in Ribeauvillé

I asked my Alsace Travel Tips Facebook Group some of their biggest issues while traveling in Alsace.

Several people mentioned that the opening times and seasonal closures can be difficult to navigate.

In general, most businesses close on Sundays, and attractions like museums are closed on Mondays.

Helpful Tip: Specialty shops in smaller towns are usually closed for lunch between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.

Then, there are entire months when things are closed.

January is the slowest month for tourism, so you’ll find businesses with limited hours, and some don’t bother opening at all.

Many places also close for summer holidays in August, and some may even have sporadic closures throughout the year for renovations or special events.

5. Pro: Year-Round Destination

This is a photo of me, Jen Ciesielski, at Champ du Feu in January. I am wearing a black jacket and pants and standing on a snowy trail in front of a tree. — Me at Champ du Feu

It might be cliché to say, but Alsace is a year-round destination.

In the spring, cherry trees fill the parks and gardens, and the vineyards show their first signs of life. The weather is pleasantly fresh, perfect for bike rides and scenic hikes.

Summertime in Alsace is full of festivals and celebrations. The most well-known is the Colmar International Festival. It’s also the perfect time to explore the wine route.

As autumn paints the landscape in hues of red and gold, local vineyards begin harvesting. The air is crisp, and the tourist crowds are low. This is my favorite time of year.

When winter rolls around, Christmas markets pop up in nearly every village. There are also outdoor activities, like skiing and snowshoeing.

Helpful Tip: The best ski resort near Strasbourg is Champ du Feu.

6. Con: Difficult to Visit without a Car

This is the Kutzig Bus parked in Riquewihr. It's a small bus with the name Kutzig written on the side. — The Kutzig Bus

One of the biggest downsides is the lack of tourist infrastructure.

Some of the most popular towns DO NOT have a train station, and, if you don’t want to rent a car, you’ll need a lot of patience.

The alternatives to renting a car are:

And each one has its pros and cons.

The public bus isn’t always on time and sometimes doesn’t show up at all.

The other options do work (most of the time). But I have, on more than one occasion, ended up waiting in line for a few hours.

Helpful Tip: I’ve used the Kutzig Bus several times and wrote a complete review.

Conclusion

As cliché as it might sound, Alsace is an enchanting destination.

It ticks that box with fairytale towns that look straight out of a Disney film. But that’s only the start. It’s also full of history, gorgeous landscapes, and indulgent food.

I recommend visiting a mix of popular spots and lesser-known areas, like Wissembourg, Rosheim, or Thann.

All that’s left to do is to plan your trip, so why not choose where you want to stay in Alsace?

I hope you enjoyed my post and found it useful. Here are some other articles that I think you might find interesting.