What to Do in Alsace: Experiences I’d Prioritize as a Local

I moved to Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, in 2019 because I wanted a break from big-city life. Instead, I found my permanent home.

To me, it’s the backdrop to my everyday life, and I have fallen in love with its history, culture, and food.

I have eaten more tartes flambées than I can count, mostly thanks to La Soï, gotten lost hiking to the Château du Holandsbourg, seen the coolest fire show at Wissembourg’s Christmas market, and danced with Waggis at Mulhouse’s Carnival.

Alsace is my backyard, but I know that planning a trip here can feel overwhelming.

Luckily, you do not need to figure it out alone.

I will show you my absolute favorite things to do in Alsace, highlighting my experiences to help you make your visit unforgettable.

Panorama of the Alsace Wine Route from the castles overlooking Ribeauville. This is one of the top things to do in Alsace. — Panorama of the Alsace Wine Route from Ribeauvillé

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1. Visit the Strasbourg Cathedral

This is a view over Strasbourg from the viewing platform of the Strasbourg Cathedral. You can see the roof of the town and in the distance there is an outline of the Vosges mountains. — View from the Strasbourg Cathedral

If you only have time for one major landmark on your trip, make it the Strasbourg Cathedral.

This staggering masterpiece of Gothic architecture took 300 years to build, and it anchors the entire city.

The interior is packed with history, featuring awe-inspiring stained-glass windows, a beautifully detailed organ, and a massive astronomical clock that still draws a crowd every day.

However, my strongest piece of advice is to climb the 330 steps to the top platform.

I went early on a clear morning, and the panoramic views of the city blew me away. I could even see all the way out to the Vosges mountains.

It remains one of the coolest things I’ve done in Strasbourg, even if there are lots of other reasons to visit.

Helpful Tip: Plan your climb for the first slot in the morning. You will skip the long afternoon lines and enjoy a quieter view before the day-trippers arrive.

2. Discover the Écomusée d’Alsace

This is a half-timbered house at the Éco Musée d'Alsace. It has four windows and is surrounded by a small garden. — Typical Half-Timbered House

This is the inside of a typical half-timbered house at the Éco Musée d'Alsace. There is a cabinet, a few chairs, and a table. — Inside a Half-Timbered House

There are tons of museums in Alsace, but the Écomusée d’Alsace is at the top of my list.

It features around 80 authentic Alsatian buildings, including traditional farmhouses, a functioning bakery, and an old schoolhouse.

You can wander freely through the buildings to see exactly what rural life looked like in the past.

Getting a close look at how these famous half-timbered houses were actually put together gave me a whole new appreciation for the villages I walk through every week.

Beyond the buildings themselves, the museum brings history to life with local artisans demonstrating traditional crafts. During my visit, I enjoyed watching a blacksmith, a stained-glass maker, and a woodcarver at work.

It took me slightly longer than half a day to visit the site and watch three demonstrations.

3. Explore the Alsace Wine Route

Flourishing flowers and bushes at Jardin de la Ville in Turckheim. In the background there are half-timbered buildings and the city hall, all of which are decorated with hanging baskets of flowers. — Jardin de la Ville in Turckheim

The biggest draw to Alsace is its wine route, and there’s no doubt that it’s something to see. I, myself, have written tons of travel guides about it.

You can drive a section of it, rent a bike, go on a tour, use the Kutzig Bus, or take the public bus. It’s more or less easy to get around.

Helpful Tip: The best bike tour I’ve done was with Detour Alsace.

I’ve done them all, and my number one piece of advice is to mix popular stops with lesser-known ones.

Colmar, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg are often highlighted as the most beautiful towns in the region, and, I won’t lie, they are spectacular.

However, they also draw huge numbers of tourists and can quickly feel overwhelming. It’s an unavoidable downside.

Instead of trying to see all the heavy hitters in one day, I recommend picking just one or two of those popular towns.

Then, add a village like Turckheim, Bergheim, or Niedermorschwihr to your itinerary. These towns are just as colorful and historic as their famous neighbors, but they are far less busy.

4. Tour Vauban’s Fortifications in Neuf-Brisach

A spray-painted car surrounded by painting from local artists inside the Vauban Fortificaitons in Neuf-Brisach. — Musée d’Art Urbain et du Street Art

When I visited Neuf-Brisach, I immediately noticed it has a different vibe than your typical Alsatian village.

Because the area was heavily bombarded during the Franco-Prussian War and again in World War II, the town center does not look completely historic today.

However, the real draw for me was exploring its massive UNESCO World Heritage fortifications.

Designed in the 17th century by the famous military engineer Vauban, these defenses are among the best-preserved examples of his work.

I loved walking along the top of the walls and diving down to explore the interior passages.

While wandering through the defenses, I also stopped by the two museums tucked inside the fortifications.

The Musée Vauban offered great context on the site’s history.

At the same time, the Musée d’Art Urbain et du Street Art provided a fun, unexpected contrast by displaying artwork from international street artists right inside the ramparts.

5. Visit the Château du Holandsbourg

Outer walls and towers of the Château du Holandsbourg in Alsace. It's surrounded by trees and in the distance the Vosges mountains. — Château du Holandsbourg

Panorama from the Upper Walls of the Château du Holandsbourg. In the distance there are the tree covered Vosges and the rooftops of small villages. — Panorama from the Upper Walls of the Château du Holandsbourg

There’s no denying that the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is the number one castle to visit in Alsace. But it has become so inundated with tourists that I can’t stand it.

The last time I went was in the spring of 2026, and I had to push past people in every room.

That’s why I now recommend Château du Holandsbourg over Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg.

It’s the largest fortified castle in Alsace, and the views were just as good, if not better than those from Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, at least in my opinion.

I also enjoyed the little museum. It was within the walls of the castle itself, and some of the artifacts on display dated to the Bronze Age.

The only downside is that the Château du Holandsbourg is only accessible by car or on foot.

I hiked from the St. Gilles bus stop in Wintzenheim (Bus B from Colmar), and it took me about 90 minutes to reach the top.

6. Uncover the Legends of Hans Trapp at Wissembourg’s Christmas Market

Two people dressed in black robes are holding flaming ropes and dancing around in the dark at the Christmas market in Wissembourg. — Fire Show at Wissembourg’s Christmas Market

Alsace is known for its Christmas markets. Most towns host one during the holiday season, but they aren’t all created equal.

The most popular ones are in Colmar and Strasbourg, followed by those in the little towns along the wine route.

And, while they are all worth visiting, they have become too crowded for me.

So I started visiting the Christmas markets in other towns, and one of my favorites is the one in Wissembourg.

The theme is based on the legend of Hans Trapp. If you aren’t familiar with him, he is a famous figure in local Alsatian folklore, inspired by a real 14th-century lord named Hans von Trotha.

Instead of leaning into the spooky boogeyman vibes, the town turns his story into a celebration of regional heritage.

I visited on a Saturday evening, and there were fun theatrical performances and fire shows. It’s definitely something you won’t see in the other towns.

7. Stop by Mont Sainte-Odile

Mont Sainte-Odile perched on a stone outcropped and surrounded by tree covered hills. This is one of the best attractions in Alsace. — Mont Sainte-Odile

Mont Sainte-Odile is a former monastery dedicated to the patron saint of Alsace, and exploring its grounds feels like uncovering a special piece of local history.

While the main church remains active, the rest of the complex is now a hotel with two restaurants.

I’ve visited twice, so far. My first was a two-day hike from Rosheim, and I stayed at the hotel. The second time, I took Bus 257 from Strasbourg and spent the afternoon at the monastery.

The church was calm and quiet, even when there are lots of people.

I also visited Odile’s tomb, learned about her life in Alsace, and tried the water from the magic spring that is said to cure eyesight. (It didn’t work, but it was fun.)

But the coolest part was the view from the main terrace. Both times, I had clear skies, and I could see as far as the horizon would let me.

8. Hike the Grand Ballon Panorama Tour

Panorama from the Grand Ballon Panorama Tour. There are tree covered hills in the distance and in the middle there is the Route des Cretes weaving through the hills. — View from the Grand Ballon Panorama Hike

If there is one thing to see in the Vosges mountains in Alsace, it’s the Grand Ballon.

This is the highest peak, and the views are incredible.

I have tackled the massive climbs from Guebwiller and Vieux-Thann, but those long routes take up too much time. Instead, I recommend the Grand Ballon Panorama Tour.

This well-marked trail gently circles the summit with only slight inclines and no difficult obstacles along the route.

It might not be the wildest trek in the region, but it is easily the best way to soak in those sweeping mountain panoramas without committing to an exhausting hike.

The only downside is that you need a car to visit.

Helpful Tip: You can also take the Navettes des Crêtes, but it only runs in summer.

9. Meet a Waggi at Mulhouse’s Carnival

A group of Waggis dressed in traditional costumes and dancing in Place de la Réunion in Mulhouse during Carnival. — Waggis at the Carnival in Mulhouse

Carnival is one of Mulhouse’s biggest annual events and easily one of the most fun times of year to visit the city.

When I went, the center was buzzing with parades, music, food stands, and families lining the streets to watch the festivities.

What stood out to me most were the Mülhüser Waggis, the traditional carnival figures who symbolically take over the city during the celebration.

They are inspired by Alsatian farmers and are usually dressed in blue shirts, white trousers, red scarves, wooden clogs, and sometimes berets.

But I noticed that plenty of people had put their own spin on the costume, so the streets were full of brighter, more playful versions.

It felt lively, local, and a little chaotic in the best way, and it ended up being one of those events that made me appreciate Mulhouse in a completely different light.

10. Go Skiing at Champ du Feu

Jen Ciesielski dressed in snow gear standing on a snowshoeing trail in Champ du Feu. — Jen at Champ du Feu

Skiing might not be the first activity that comes to mind when you think of Alsace, but believe it or not, it is possible.

One of the best places to do it is Champ du Feu, a mountain plateau in the Vosges that’s only an hour from Strasbourg.

I’ve been there in both summer and winter, and while it is a great hiking area once the snow melts, winter is when it really stands out.

Along with skiing, you can also go snowshoeing or sledding. I was able to rent equipment on site, and all the slopes and trails were well marked.

11. Explore the Route Romaine d’Alsace

nside the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Rosheim. A narrow aisle leads to the altar where there are three stained glass windows and a cross with Jesus. — Saints Peter and Paul Church in Rosheim

While the Alsace Wine Route might be the most popular road trip in the region, it is not the only one worth planning.

One of the more underrated options is the Route Romane d’Alsace.

It was created in 1999 to showcase some of the region’s most remarkable religious architecture, starting in Altenstadt in the north and finishing in Feldbach in the south.

I don’t recommend driving the entire route because it’s just too long for one vacation.

Instead, pick a few sites in the towns you are already visiting.

Some of my favorite stops on this route were the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Rosheim, Sainte-Foy Church in Sélestat, Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune Church in Strasbourg, and the Murbach Abbey.

12. Visit the Alsace-Moselle Memorial

La Salle des Portraits at the Alsace-Moselle Memorial. Pictures are lined along the wall showing all those who lost there lives fighting for Alsace. — La Salle des Portraits at the Alsace-Moselle Memorial

Alsace’s history has been turbulent, and you’ll find lots of history museums dedicated to its past.

But the most comprehensive is the Alsace-Moselle Memorial in Schirmeck.

I went expecting to find a small museum dedicated to World War II, but instead found a comprehensive exhibition, beginning with the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.

The stories about the resistance movements and the individuals who sacrificed their lives to save others were the most moving sections of the memorial for me.

It was a sobering reminder of the resilience and strength of the people who call Alsace home. And because I read every story, it took me a solid two hours to visit the entire memorial site.

Helpful Tip: If you have time, the Struthof Concentration Camp is located down the road. The Alsace-Moselle Memorial does have a section on it, but it doesn’t go into the specifics.

13. Eat at La Soï in Colmar

A thin tarte flambee from La Soi in Colmar topped with cheese, onions, and lardons. — Tarte Flambée from La Soï

Appel Strudel Tarte Flambée from La Soi in Colmar. It's topped with thin apple slices, strudel, and powdered sugar. Two slices have already been eaten. — Appel Strudel Tarte Flambée from La Soï

Eating tarte flambée is one of those Alsace experiences that goes well beyond simple sightseeing, and my top pick is La Soï in Colmar.

Tarte flambée can be compared to pizza, but it has its own thing going on: a much thinner crust, a creamy base, and the classic topping of onions and lardons that somehow always disappears faster than you expect.

I went to La Soï with my mom, who is notoriously picky, so I knew it would be a good test, and somehow it won both of us over immediately.

We ordered the traditional tarte flambée and the Munster version, then finished with an apple strudel dessert tarte flambée, which was just as good as it sounds.

It was one of those meals where you fully intend to pace yourself and then suddenly realize you have eaten way too much, but honestly, I would do it again without hesitation.

Final Thoughts

If you’re like me, you’ll arrive expecting wine, half-timbered villages, and Christmas markets, and yes, all of that is very much here.

But there is also skiing in the Vosges, Romanesque churches hidden along quiet back roads, fortifications that rival anything in France, and carnivals where costumed figures take over an entire city.

The range is real, and it is one of the reasons I never got tired of living here.

Alsace tends to grow on people, and more often than not, one visit is never quite enough.

For first-timers, my best advice is to resist the urge to see everything at once. Pick a few things that genuinely appeal to you, give yourself room to wander, and let the region do the rest.

If you need help, I also offer travel planning services and can answer all of your questions.