Review: Alsace’s must-sees in a day from Strasbourg
The day’s itinerary
Meet in front of the tourist office on Cathedral Square. The minivan first heads down to Colmar, a good half-hour drive along the motorway.
- Colmar, 2-hour guided walk. Maison Pfister, Koïfhus, Saint Martin’s Collegiate Church, then Little Venice, with some free time at the end. This is the most information-packed part of the day.
- Riquewihr, 30-minute visit then 1 hour free. The guide shows you the highlights, then you’re free to have lunch wherever you like. Lunch is not included.
- The Wine Route by car. The minivan follows the villages between Riquewihr and the foot of the Vosges mountains; this is when the guide tells you all about the vineyards.
- The castle, 1 hour 30-minute guided tour. Lower courtyard, royal apartments, Kaiser’s Hall, great bastion. An hour and a half is longer than other tours allow, and it really shows in the reviews.
- Return to Strasbourg in the late afternoon.
This is the reverse of the budget transfer, which starts with the castle. I prefer this order: by late afternoon, the castle car park is empty and the rooms are less crowded.
What travellers say
Out of 390 reviews, the same three guide names keep coming up: Francesco, Monan, and Laetitia. Complaints about them are rare.
Francesco was very funny and made the tour interesting for my teenager and my husband.
For a short stay, this day covers all the key sites. Monan was fantastic.
Perfect, thanks to our guide Laetitia.
A relaxed pace, plenty of information, free time, and tips for the rest of our trip.
A knowledgeable and warm guide who kept everyone in our small group engaged, whatever their age.
What works
- A guide who speaks, in Colmar, in the van and at the castle
- 1 hour 30 minutes at the castle, the longest duration of the six excursions
- Van for eight: you can hear the guide and park anywhere
- Colmar, Riquewihr and the castle in an order that avoids the crowds at the castle
Things to know
- Comments in English only
- Meals, drinks and tips not included
- Not suitable for wheelchair users (300 steps at the castle)
- The eight seats fill up quickly in July-August and during the Christmas markets
Bring an extra layer even in July: the castle rooms stay cold all year round, and the guided tour lasts an hour and a half. And eat in Riquewihr during the free hour rather than waiting—there’s no other proper meal stop before the return trip.
For whom
Ideal for those staying in Strasbourg without a car who want to see Colmar, a village and the castle all in one day with someone to explain everything. Perfect for families with children aged six and up who can manage the 300 steps. Great for international visitors, as everything is in English.
Less suitable for those who prefer commentary in French, or who would find the coach tour from Colmar with an audio guide in 11 languages more comfortable. Also, if there are four or fewer of you and you want to set your own schedule, the private excursion is available, though without a guide. Full details of the three Strasbourg departures are on the Strasbourg departures page.
Two alternatives
Small groupFrom Colmar: Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle and villages, full-day small-group tour
Shared private driverFrom Strasbourg: Colmar, Riquewihr and Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle
Frequently asked questions
Is the castle tour guided on this excursion?
Yes, 1 hour 30 minutes with the driver-guide, in English. That’s longer than on other excursions, which run between 1 hour and 1 hour 15 minutes. To find out what you’ll see room by room, read what to see at the castle.
Is lunch included?
No. You have one hour free in Riquewihr to eat, at your own expense. Drinks and tips are not included either. For dining options at the castle itself, see dining at the castle.
How is this different from the cheaper excursion from Strasbourg?
The budget transfer is driven by a chauffeur with no commentary, and the castle ticket is purchased on-site. Here, the guide accompanies you, and the castle tour is part of the day. Both depart from Strasbourg with eight seats per van.