How to Visit the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle in Alsace

Since moving to the capital of Alsace in 2019, I’ve visited a lot of castles, and I have to say, none compares to the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.

It sits perched on a 757-meter-high (2483-foot-high) hill in the Vosges mountains. And for over 900 years, it has been a symbol of power and prestige.

In this guide, I’ll share with you how you can visit the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, including tips for getting there, the best time to go, and what to expect.

This is a view of the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle in Alsace from the upper terrace. There is the ride side of the castle with the main tower then in the distance there is the valley below. — The Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

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What to Expect During Your Visit

The Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle was built in the 12th century to watch over the region, which eventually attracted enemy invaders.

It was burnt down during the Thirty Years’ War and left in ruins.

When Alsace was annexed to Germany in 1871, Emperor Wilhelm II set out to rebuild it, and the castle was reopened in 1908.

While the restorations were impressive, they didn’t resemble the original castle (at least that’s what some historians believe).

Today, it’s one of the few intact castles in the region, and the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle you’ll visit is the one that was restored in the 20^th century.

Helpful Tip: Of the castles I’ve visited, it’s one of the most impressive.

Your visit will start in the lower courtyard.

You’ll follow a cobbled path to the main entrance, which features the coat of arms of Emperor Wilhelm II.

This is the main entrance of the the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle. It's made of stone. There is a small doorway with the coat of arms of Emperor Wilhelm II above it. — Main Entrance

This is the second entrance. There is a set of stairs and a door that leads to the inside of the castle. — Second Entrance

Then, you’ll buy your ticket, head to the drawbridge, and walk through the Lion’s Door before arriving at the inner courtyard.

Helpful Tip: On the second floor, you’ll get a better view of the inner courtyard.

This is the inner courtyard of the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle. There is a small tower with an entrance. It leads to the upper levels of the castle. — Inner Courtyard

These are the upper terraces in the inner courtyard of the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle. They are made of wood and their are paintings on the walls. — Terraces in the Inner Courtyard (from the Second Floor)

You’ll head up to the first floor, where there are several rooms decorated with artifacts from the Middle Ages, like weapons and tapestries.

On the second floor, you’ll visit the Kaiser Room and the Lorraine Room, which have a lot of German influence (based on the decorations). It was one of my favorite sections.

This is the Kaiser Room at the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle. This is the ceiling and there are two lamps and paintings. Then on the walls there are tapestries. — The Kaiser Room

This is the Lorraine Room. This is the ceiling that is made of wooden panels. Then above the doorway there is a shield that shows a solider on a horse with a sword. — The Lorraine Room

Then you’ll head outside to the medieval garden. If you’re visiting in summer, it will be in full bloom, but when I went in October, most of the plants were dead.

Here, a set of stairs leads to a walkway that gives the best views. Initially, you’ll see the Vosges mountains, but as you continue to walk, you’ll have a view of the valley with the castle.

Stairs leading to the upper terraces at the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle. They are stone stairs and there is a small entrance at the top. — Stairs leading to the Upper Terraces

This is the view of the Vosges from the upper terraces in the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle. There are orange, yellow, and green trees. There is also a small layer of fog and clouds in the sky. — View of the Vosges from the Upper Terraces

This is the view of the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle from the upper terraces. There is the side of the castle on the left and the valley below on the right. — The Haut Koenigsbourg Castle from the Upper Terraces

Helpful Tip: This is the most famous photo of the castle (and Alsace).

The tour of the castle ends here. Exit signs are in the medieval garden to lead you back to the parking lot.

This is the pathway that leads to the exit of the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle. It's a paved road with a wooden fence and there are leaves on the ground. — Pathway to the Exit

Practical Information

This is the view of Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle from the vineyards of Orschwiller. There are vineyards in the foreground and the castle is in the distance on top of a hill. — From the Vineyards of Orschwiller

Location

The castle is in the town of Orschwiller, about 64 kilometers (39 miles) from Strasbourg, 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Colmar, and 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Sélestat.

Helpful Tip: If you take a bike tour with Detour Alsace, you will see the castle in the distance.

Admission Fees and Ticket Options

Admission tickets can be purchased at the castle or online in advance.

Prices vary depending on age and type of visit (self-guided or guided tour).

Below is an overview of what you can expect to pay:

Full Admission: €12
Full Admission with an Audio Guide: €16
Guided Tour (only in French): €14
Reduced Rate: €6
Children under 6: Free

Helpful Tips:

You don’t need to buy your tickets in advance, but I bought mine two days before my visit.
From November to March, admission is free on the first Sunday of the month.
If you use the Shuttle Bus, there is a discount when you present your Shuttle Bus ticket.

Opening Hours

The castle is open year-round except for January 1^st and December 25^th and 26^th.

Hours vary depending on the time of year and day of the week.

January to March:

Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Monday: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

April to June and September to December:

Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Monday: 10:30 am – 6:00 pm

July to August:

Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Monday: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm

How to Get There

Since the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle sits on top of a hill in the Vosges mountains, it can be somewhat of a challenge to get to, but not impossible.

Helpful Tip: I have visited by car and shuttle bus, and those are the two best options, in my opinion.

Below, I will cover the different options:

By Car: The road leading to the castle is somewhat steep and circles around the mountain. Free parking is available along the road that leads to the castle.
- From Strasbourg, it’s 64 kilometers (39 miles) and takes about 50 minutes.
- From Colmar, it’s 28 kilometers (17 miles) and takes about 40 minutes.
- From Sélestat: it’s 15 kilometers (9 miles) and takes about 25 minutes.

Helpful Tip: The road that leads to the castle is steep. If you decide to drive, you’ll have to park along the road and then walk to the entrance.

By Shuttle Bus: The train station in Sélestat offers a shuttle service (The Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle Shuttle or Line 500) to the castle. Tickets are €2.50 for one ride (cash only). It runs year-round, but has limited service during the low season, so be sure to check the schedule.
By Bike: It is also possible to follow the road from Sélestat to the castle. The road is winding and steep, so be sure to have proper safety equipment (helmet, reflecting vest, etc.).

Helpful Tip: If you are planning a day trip from Colmar, you’ll need to take the train to Sélestat. Train tickets can be purchased on the SNCF-Connect website or app.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the castle aligns with the travel seasons in Alsace. Below, I will cover each season:

Winter (December to February): This is the calmest time to visit. There’s usually snow on and around the castle, which makes for a beautiful sight. The castle isn’t heated, and there are sections where you will be outside, so dress accordingly.
Spring (March to May): This is an ideal time to visit. The weather starts to warm up, flowers start to bloom, and the tourists have yet to arrive. The castle’s medieval gardens come alive during this time.
Summer (June to August): This is peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and longer wait times. The Vosges mountains are covered in green trees, and the views over the valley are incredible.
Fall (September to November): The fall colors make for a stunning backdrop at the castle during this time. The summer crowds have also left. This is my favorite time of year to visit.

Facilities Available On-Site

Restrooms are available on-site.
There are no elevators or escalators, and several sections with stairs.
There is a picnic area in the medieval garden.
There’s also The 757, which includes a restaurant, a bookshop, a boutique, and a small pavilion. Here you can purchase food and souvenirs. I recommend either bringing your own lunch or choosing a restaurant in one of the nearby towns, like Sélestat.

Conclusion

Visiting Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle was one of my best day trips from Strasbourg. I loved the history, architecture, and the views.

It is challenging to visit without a car, if you are traveling outside the high season, but it’s not impossible. I recommend checking the shuttle bus times and aligning those with the train arrival times in Sélestat.

Now that you know how to visit this incredible castle, why not check out other things to do in the area?

One of the nearest towns, Sélestat, has a ton of fun things to do, and it’s easy to visit in a day.

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