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If you wish to expertise the perfect Christmas markets in France, there needs to be one vacation spot on the high of your itinerary: Alsace. This German-flavored area in northeast France is residence to the perfect Christmas markets within the nation.
And boy, does Alsace go all out at Christmas! You’re going to adore it right here. When you can deal with the crowds.
I’ve been overlaying Christmas markets in Europe as a journey blogger since 2016, and in that near-decade, I’ve seen Europe’s Christmas market tourism develop enormously. And as is at all times the case with tourism, that’s each a great and a nasty factor.
On high of that, river cruises have actually taken off throughout the identical time interval, and probably the most common river cruise stops alongside the Rhine is the Alsatian metropolis of Strasbourg. It’s simpler than ever to go to Alsace at Christmas — and the streets have by no means been extra crowded.
Whereas I first visited Alsace on a September journey some years in the past, final 12 months my husband Charlie and I highway tripped from Prague to take pleasure in Christmas in Alsace. We visited 5 totally different Alsatian cities — Strasbourg, Colmar, Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Kayserberg-Vignoble.
And whereas we loved our journey, there’s one BIG factor we have to speak about: overtourism. Alsace’s Christmas markets are flooded with vacationers from throughout France, in addition to your entire world.
And for those who don’t plan appropriately, you would possibly hate your journey right here. Learn on for learn how to plan it properly!
This submit was revealed in November 2025.
Why go to Alsace?
Alsace is German-flavored in nature, which makes it an fascinating place to go to, particularly for those who’ve been to totally different components of France earlier than. This area has been volleyed backwards and forwards between French and German management over the centuries.
Right here, sausages and pretzels are as widespread as pains au chocolat and escargots, and plenty of locals communicate Alsatian as their first language.
(Apparently, whereas the Alsatian language has been in decline, I discovered that new Alsatian language immersion packages started in colleges in 2023! Let’s hope that Alsatian goes the way in which of Welsh and turns into a thriving language as soon as once more!)
And whereas the cities of Alsace are loads of enjoyable, the small cities significantly are beautiful, colourful, and forgive the cliché, however straight out of a fairy story. The Alsatian cities of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr reportedly impressed the setting for Belle’s village in Disney’s Magnificence and the Beast.
And due to this German affect, Alsace has an unimaginable array of Christmas markets. Strasbourg even calls itself La Captitale de Noël (Capital of Christmas).
But although Alsace is German-influenced, that is nonetheless very a lot France. France is a really aesthetics-driven nation, and it doesn’t shock me that Alsace has the prettiest Christmas decorations of anyplace I’ve been in Europe.
And folks are typically a bit extra dressed up on the markets in France than in Germany, for instance. You are inclined to see extra good scarves, hats and boots on locals, and fewer athletic outfits.
The meals right here? As an alternative of German gluhwein, you’ll be consuming vin chaud, or scorching wine. And whereas I favor mulled crimson wine general, Alsace has some beautiful white wines that make a terrific base for vin chaud blanc.
After which there’s the meals. Tarte flambé, choucroute garnie, and loads of hearty but refined French dishes that can fill you with heat on a cold winter day. I discover the meals in Alsace rather more scrumptious and various than German Christmas market fare.
After which there’s the cheese. SO a lot cheese. If you wish to eat cheese at Christmas markets, consider me, you’ll wish to come to Alsace.
The Purpose for Alsace Christmas Overtourism
Nevertheless, you’ll be able to’t discuss in regards to the Christmas markets in Alsace with out speaking in regards to the overtourism. It’s extreme.
Think about heading to what you assume will likely be a pleasant Christmas market expertise, and as an alternative you’re packed to the gills with different vacationers.
Seeking to get some meals from a stall? You’ll be ready in a wraparound line. Acquired your wine and wish to seize a desk? Prepare to face in place, as a result of they’re all taken. Really feel like taking a stroll? You’ll be shuffling alongside at a snail’s tempo as you progress with the horde.
And within the case of Strasbourg, you’ll be herded by means of fences as women and men with huge weapons patrol town.
I do know some Christmas Markets are packed, however I discovered Alsace Christmas Markets to be grotesquely crowded throughout the weekend.
Sadly, it is a pretty current improvement, owing to each the takeoffs of Christmas market tourism and river cruise tourism. Final night time I used to be speaking to a buddy who used to stay in Freiburg who couldn’t consider what I used to be telling her about what it’s like at present.
Eight years in the past, she was capable of stroll up and purchase a Navettes de Noël shuttle bus ticket on a whim in Colmar. These days, these tickets promote out inside hours of the onsale!
So what makes Alsace’s Christmas markets worse than Christmas markets in different nations?
First off: TONS and TONS of French folks.
On my most up-to-date journey, I observed that there have been a number of vacationers from different components of France. (Together with a bunch of older girls shocked that they may not validate their Strasbourg tram tickets “à l’interieur” and had been successfully stealing a experience.)
That’s when it hit me — France funnels all of their Christmas vacationers into one area. Whereas, positive, loads of French vacationers go to Paris and Lyon and different locations in December, if French persons are touring of their nation for Christmas markets, they’re nearly actually visiting Alsace.
Let’s check out the map of France with Alsace highlighted:
Alsace is a tiny area, geographically talking. It’s a small sliver of northeast France.
And it’s much more vital once you take a look at how little of Alsace is developed:
As you’ll be able to see, there’s principally one important highway that runs from north to south, and many of the cities in Alsace are situated off that one highway.
There’s a mountain vary operating alongside Western Alsace, which is a cause why this area stored being handed backwards and forwards between the French and the Germans over time. Total, most of Alsace is kind of rural, with a small hall of cities operating from north to south.
Not solely are tons and tons of French vacationers descending upon a small area, they’re descending upon the minuscule developed portion of mentioned area.
So French folks flock to Alsace annually. However doesn’t this occur in Germany, the nation with the most important draw for Christmas markets? Completely not! Why? All of Germany goes all out for Christmas.
Each German metropolis and most German small cities have their very own Christmas markets; until you’re very rural, you gained’t must go far to seek out one.
And Germans have a tendency to not journey for any Christmas market particularly. Perhaps, sometimes, German vacationers will journey to Dresden’s or Nuremberg’s legendary Christmas markets, and typically they’ll go to family and friends in different cities or do a metropolis break throughout December, however more often than not, Germans keep on with their very own area.
So home tourism in Germany is fairly evenly dispersed throughout the month of December — however France has a large funnel emptying folks from throughout France instantly into Alsace.
The Influence of River Cruises
River cruising has change into an extremely common strategy to discover Europe during the last decade, particularly for retirees and older people. (Maybe all these Viking advertisements throughout Dancing with the Stars had an affect.)
And amongst these cruises, Christmas cruises have tremendously grown in reputation and are actually dominating the scene in December.
The 2 hottest river cruise routes to journey throughout Christmas are alongside the Rhine and the Danube. The Rhine is the border between Alsace and Germany. Most Rhine cruises have their itinerary run from Amsterdam to Basel, stopping in Strasbourg alongside the way in which.
Because of this, Strasbourg is stuffed to the brim with river cruisers in December. I’m trying on the schedule for December 2025, and most days have 4 to seven cruise ships docked on the town.
Though these are thought of “small cruise ships,” they’re collectively dumping a whole lot of extra vacationers into the already crowded city.
And Strasbourg is just not the one vacation spot in Alsace that faces this. Many of the river cruise firms embody excursions to Colmar; some supply excursions to different cities like Riquewihr. That provides to the crowds in these locations.
Keep away from the Crowds at Alsace Christmas Markets
That is my most essential piece of recommendation: go to the preferred Alsace Christmas markets on weekdays versus weekends. And by weekdays, I imply Monday by means of Thursday.
Weekends are packed to the purpose of being insupportable, and weekdays, although nonetheless busy, are far much less crowded and much more gratifying.
I visited Colmar final 12 months on a Saturday night time and a Sunday night time — and you wouldn’t BELIEVE the distinction of the Colmar Christmas Market. Simply by eyeballing, it regarded like Sunday night time had about one third of the crowds of Saturday night time.
One other instance: on Saturday we needed to squish our automobile into the final obtainable spot in our lodge’s parking zone. On Sunday, we had been one among solely three automobiles within the parking zone.
On Saturday, we waited in line for half-hour to get potato galettes at Colmar’s connoisseur market. On Sunday, there have been by no means greater than two folks in line in entrance of us at any meals vendor.
I’d not suggest visiting the Christmas markets of Alsace on the weekend for those who might help it — with one exception, the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market.
Ribeauvillé’s Christmas market is distinctive and solely takes place on two Saturdays and two Sundays every December. Courageous the crowds for this one, as a result of it’s price it.
Keep away from river cruises for those who don’t need crowds. Are river cruises enjoyable? I’m positive they’re a number of enjoyable! But when a vacation spot accommodates river cruises, it means it’s going to be extremely crowded.
That additionally goes for the favored shore excursions from river cruise ports, like Colmar and Riquewihr.
Go to less-popular markets throughout the weekends. Inside Alsace, I’d recommend visiting Mulhouse, the biggest metropolis within the Haut-Rhin (the southern a part of Alsace), which is a little bit bit off the primary vacationer path.
One other good choice is the Obernai Christmas Market. Obernai is a small metropolis southwest of Strasbourg that has a lot of the great thing about the extra common cities, however a fraction of the vacationers.
And for those who’re keen to journey a bit, take into account Metz. This metropolis is within the Grand Est area of France, it’s a couple of 48-minute practice experience from Strasbourg, and has some nice Christmas markets away from the Alsace crowds.
And that’s not all. This information has lists of all of the Christmas markets in Alsace, together with a lot I assure you’ve by no means heard of.
Know that “smaller city” doesn’t imply “smaller crowds.” Ooh, that’s not true within the least! A few of the hottest Christmas markets in Alsace are within the smaller cities: Kayserberg (inhabitants: 4,400), Eguisheim (inhabitants: 1,700) and Riquewihr (inhabitants: 1,000).
So don’t assume that you simply’ll be escaping the crowds by selecting a smaller city — you in all probability gained’t be.
Think about visiting wineries on weekends. The Alsace Wine Route is a well-liked exercise in Alsace, and there are a lot of excursions that can take you to totally different wineries for tastings. I really like these excursions as a result of they’ve a built-in designated driver, and wineries are sometimes situated out of city, removed from the market crowds.
You possibly can take this half-day wine tour from Strasbourg, or this half-day wine tour from Colmar. Each excursions embody a number of wine tastings and can present you the fantastic Alsatian countryside.
Plan your parking upfront — or keep far-off. When you’re touring round Alsace by public transportation, that’s terrific! I extremely encourage that!
When you’re driving, remember to plan your parking forward of time, otherwise you’ll be spending loads of time searching for hard-to-find parking areas.
Suggestions for Visiting the Alsace Christmas Markets
Double-check the dates. Most Alsace Christmas Markets begin in late November and end in late December, however the dates can differ from city to city. At all times double-check earlier than reserving your journey.
Think about your base rigorously. Strasbourg and Colmar are the 2 extra common locations to base in Alsace, they usually have the perfect picks of lodging.
So which one is best? Strasbourg is a bit cheaper general than Colmar, with extra selection, and since Strasbourg has a sturdy public transportation system, you’ll be able to keep additional away and nonetheless get round simply.
Strasbourg has extra practice and bus connections, and you’ll simply day journey to different cities on each the French and German sides of the Rhine.
Colmar, against this, is a smaller city. Although the middle is walkable, you need to use Google Maps to ensure you’re really inside strolling distance of the middle (assume La Petite Venise area). And the nearer you’re, the costlier it will get.
However Colmar can also be nearer to essentially the most well-known small villages within the area, and the Navettes de Noël shuttle buses run from Colmar.
Total, Strasbourg and Colmar are about an hour’s drive aside, however simply half-hour aside by practice. Hooray for efficient public transit! You possibly can simply keep in a single city and go to the opposite, so long as you retain observe of the practice schedule (they usually do get busy throughout the festive season).
We selected to remain on the Ibis Price range Centre Ville in Colmar, which was a fundamental lodge for a good worth, had its personal parking zone, and was inside a 15-minute stroll of most Christmas Markets in Colmar.
E book your lodging EARLY. I can’t emphasize this sufficient. The most well-liked spots with the perfect offers are inclined to guide up months upfront, and I don’t assume you’re overreacting for those who guide your keep as early as January!
Discover offers on locations to remain in Strasbourg right here and discover offers on locations to remain in Colmar right here.
E book the Navettes de Noël from Colmar. That is the Christmas shuttle, and it runs a number of routes across the Colmar area in Alsace. A single weekend ticket prices 17 EUR ($19.50 USD).
I took the route that takes you from Colmar to Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Kayserberg, and it runs in each instructions. In addition they have a route from Colmar to the gorgeous wine city of Eguisheim; from Colmar to the cities of Turckheim and Munster; and on choose weekends, from Colmar to the city of Neuf-Brisach.
I discovered the Navettes de Noël to be well-organized, operating ceaselessly, with pleasant workers. And after I noticed all of the automobiles that parked haphazardly for miles surrounding the cities, BOY was I glad we selected to take the shuttle!
You must know that tickets are inclined to promote out VERY shortly, particularly on the weekend, and particularly particularly on the 2 weekends of the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market. Verify the onsale date on the web site and guide the second they go on sale.
If not, you’ll be able to guide a multi-market tour from Strasbourg or Colmar. Excursions are costlier than the Navettes de Noël, however they’re a great choice in the event that they’re bought out.
This tour from Strasbourg visits a number of cities in Alsace — Colmar, and presumably Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Egusheim, or Berghaim, relying on the day.
This different tour from Strasbourg visits Colmar, Eguisheim, and Riquewihr, in addition to making a go to to Haut-Koenigsbourg citadel.
This tour from Colmar visits Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Kayserberg, and presumably Ribeauvillé relying on the day.
This worldwide tour from Colmar visits Christmas Markets in three nations in a day: Basel, Switzerland; Freiburg, Germany; and Neuf-Brisach, France!
Eat all of the Alsatian specialties. After all, Alsace has so many scrumptious meals you could not often discover exterior the area! So what must you be consuming?
Tarte flambée. Additionally referred to as flammekueche in Alsatian and flammkuchen in German, that is THE dish of Alsace, and maybe the preferred meals to purchase at Alsatian Christmas markets. It’s a skinny flatbread topped with creme fraiche, bacon lardons, and onions, cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Whereas most individuals persist with the basic, you may as well discover varieties with gratinated Gruyere cheese, Muenster cheese or mushrooms. No matter you select, eat it shortly. It’s such a skinny piece of bread that it will get chilly quick!
Choucroute garnie. One other common Alsatian dish that can keep on with your ribs, it is a mixture of sauerkraut and meats — typically knack sausages and ham — with potatoes and typically different greens.
Bouchée à la Reine. Often known as the vol-au-vent, these little bowls of pastry are sometimes full of hen and/or veal in Alsace.
Coq au riesling. You’ll have heard of coq au vin, a well-liked French stew made with hen, crimson wine, mushrooms, and lardons. In Alsace, it’s often made with white wine, and both listed as coq au vin blanc or coq au riesling if made with riesling!
Kougelhopf. You’ll see mini bundt-shaped muffins all over the place. These are yeasted muffins, typically flavored with vanilla and lemon zest, or chocolate, or a marbled combination of the 2. They’re tiny and lovable!
Manalas. Neglect gingerbread males — these are brioche formed like males which might be an Alsatian specialty for St. Nicholas Day on December 6, however yow will discover all through the Christmas season. And don’t overlook ache d’épices (gingerbread!).
Bretzels. Effectively, pretzels. They’re all over the place. I’m personally not a giant pretzel-eater in my common life, however the cheese-covered pretzels of Alsace had been completely stupendous! Don’t knock them till you attempt them!
And don’t overlook to attempt the Alsatian wines! The wines listed below are predominantly whites; if you’d like a crimson, it’s Pinot Noir or nothing. They make wonderful Rieslings (together with dry Rieslings) and Pinot Blancs. However my absolute favourite is the Crémant d’Alsace, a glowing wine that I believe can go toe to toe with champagne any day!
Think about making advance reservations at eating places. Between you and me, Christmas market meals will get outdated quick, particularly once you’re consuming it day by day. Making a reservation at an Asian restaurant is a superb palate-cleanser!
Say bonjour once you stroll as much as a vendor. I do know, this sounds very fundamental, however consider me, in France you’re thought of extraordinarily rude for those who don’t say bonjour once you stroll right into a retailer, bakery, or perhaps a market stand. Simply say it. Or say bonsoir if it’s after darkish.
Score the Alsace Christmas Markets
Strasbourg
When you’re visiting Alsace, you’ll in all probability start in Strasbourg. This main metropolis has a small airport with restricted flights, however is related properly internationally by practice and bus. (There’s even a bus from my residence metropolis of Prague, which takes about seven hours!)
Strasbourg calls itself La Capitale de Noël, or Capital of Christmas, in addition to La Magie de Noël (the Magic of Christmas). The Strasbourg Christmas Market is about on La Grande-Île de Strasbourg, the geographic middle of town that occurs to be a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
(A fast be aware: there was a terror assault on the Strasbourg Christmas Markets in 2018. Since then, the markets have had heightened safety. You will notice safety officers patrolling the markets with huge weapons, which in all probability gained’t part you for those who’re from the US, however could be jarring to others. Simply bear in mind that it is a factor right here.)
You’ll discover loads of basic markets in entrance of the Cathedral de Notre-Dame and round Place Kléber, in addition to an enormous Christmas tree. I truthfully wasn’t the most important fan of those markets; they had been very crowded and didn’t appear to be that includes unique works, solely the mass-produced tchotchkes that yow will discover at any Christmas market.
BUT there have been two Christmas markets in Strasbourg that I particularly beloved.
First, the meals market on Place du Marché aux Poissons was such a great place to eat! I beloved that it was solely meals stalls. We had a wonderful tarte flambée right here, in addition to a dégustacion plate of tasty charcuterie. The vin chaud with Alsatian white wine was so good. And if you’d like some foie gras…properly, you’ve obtained loads of choices.
The opposite good market was the OFF market, a nontraditional Christmas market at Place Grimmeissen. This sq. was lined with transport containers, every that includes works by native artists — cute artistic endeavors, like artwork prints, Christmas decorations, and all types of residence decor and native merchandise. It felt very homey and SO significantly better than the mass-produced junk that the central markets had been promoting.
Attending to Strasbourg: If coming by public transportation, Strasbourg has direct trains from Paris, and is accessible by bus from a number of cities in Germany and Switzerland (Frankfurt and Basel are the 2 closest airports).
Due to the safety state of affairs and crowds, for those who’re driving, I like to recommend parking away from town middle. In Strasbourg, we initially deliberate to park at a P&R (Park & Trip) for our Friday go to. These are parking tons which have easy accessibility to public transportation taking you into town. On this case, Strasbourg’s wonderful tram system.
Effectively. We arrived simply earlier than midday and the automobile in entrance of us was the final automobile allowed into the lot!! After ready a bit for somebody to depart and realizing it wasn’t going to occur, we regarded up close by parking tons and really discovered a free lot.
It’s referred to as Parking P7 Stade de la Meinau and that is its location on Google Maps. It was a five-minute stroll from the Krimmeri Stade de la Meinau station, which is only a nine-minute, four-stop experience on the A tram to Homme de Fer, proper within the metropolis middle. I can’t promise that it’ll nonetheless be free once you go to, however simply throwing it on the market…
You possibly can at all times discover a parking zone close to a tram cease and head into town that manner.
Colmar
Colmar is a small, strikingly lovely metropolis. It doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to, you’ll be delighted by its magnificence — however the vacation season brings a number of the most fantastic lights and decorations I noticed in Alsace.
This metropolis is extraordinarily common for Christmas Markets, and also you’ll must navigate vital crowds. For this weekend, I urge you to go to Colmar midweek somewhat than throughout the weekend.
We stayed on the Ibis Price range Centre Ville, which was fundamental however had parking and wasn’t too far a stroll from the markets.
Colmar can also be the house base for the Navettes de Noël, the shuttle buses taking you to varied cities round Alsace. There are a number of routes departing from Colmar, which makes it a straightforward strategy to go to.
The spotlight of Colmar’s Christmas markets, for me, was the culinary market on Rue de la Montagne. A number of cooks arrange cubicles surrounding tables they usually dish out their treats, each Alsatian and basic French specialties.
(As beforehand talked about, I discovered it significantly better to go to the culinary market on a Sunday somewhat than a Saturday — there have been two folks somewhat than 10 folks in every line, and it was a lot simpler to get a desk.)
There’s additionally a carnival on Colmar’s Champs de Mars, full with enjoyable rides and an precise carousel bar!
An sudden pleasure of Colmar was the perfect quiche lorraine of my life at a spot referred to as Pâtisserie Charles Schmitt on Avenue de la Republique. It’s pretty near the Navettes de Noël cease. Charlie and I beloved it a lot, we drove to their second location to have it once more the following day.
Attending to Colmar: The practice from Strasbourg to Colmar takes simply half-hour.
Colmar can also be the bottom of the Navettes de Noël Christmas shuttle buses, which makes it doable to go to for those who’re staying in one other city.
Ribeauvillé
If there’s any Christmas market in Alsace price touring to see, it’s the Ribeauvillé Christmas market. Ribeauvillé (RI-bo-vee-AY) places on a singular medieval Christmas market that solely takes place on two weekends throughout December.
There are many medieval Christmas markets round Europe, however what makes this one particular? The employees are all in costume as medieval characters, they usually work together with everybody!
Jokers and royalty placed on mini skits on phases. Townspeople put guests within the shares and jokingly flog them. Devils wander city on stilts and seize folks. Males randomly lead a herd of geese by means of crowds! The place else can you discover this?!
I used to be delighted by your entire environment in Ribeauvillé, which added a lot childlike surprise to my journey. And it didn’t damage that Ribeauvillé is without doubt one of the most lovely villages I’ve seen in France. Critically — I believe it’s the prettiest of the 5 cities I’ve visited in Alsace.
Ribeauvillé is principally one lengthy avenue that twists and turns, totally different colourful homes at each angle.
One different factor I observed was that the entire folks working on the market gave the impression to be in a jolly, cheerful temper. Maybe that’s the impact of the market solely going down for 4 days annually. Persons are nonetheless into the enjoyment and novelty of the early days.
Ribeauvillé was extraordinarily crowded, although we arrived on the primary Navettes de Noël Christmas shuttle of the day. And you recognize what? IT WAS WORTH THE CROWDS. It was price EVERY MINUTE.
Actually, if you wish to expertise one thing actually particular in Alsace, come to the Ribeauvillé Christmas Market. This was my favourite.
One factor to be cautious about: there’s a cheese store on the left facet of the road as you stroll into city. The cheeses look and scent SO good, so we purchased some, and practically keeled over after we had been charged one thing like 80 euros. Don’t get roped into shopping for costly cheese like we did!
Attending to Ribeauvillé: You should guide the Navettes de Noël, the shuttle bus from Colmar. The parking state of affairs is horrendous, with automobiles parked on high of one another in a large radius, and public transportation is extraordinarily restricted from larger hubs.
Some Christmas market excursions from Strasbourg and some Christmas market excursions from Colmar go to Ribeauvillé, however take note the Christmas Markets solely happen on 4 dates in December.
Riquewihr
I’ll be sincere — whereas Riquewihr (REEK-veer) is without doubt one of the smaller villages and a feast for the eyes, it was in all probability my least favourite of the 5 Christmas markets we visited in Alsace. It was extremely crowded, the small market space didn’t have something notably fascinating to share, and there was a shocking lack of meals distributors.
I’d not go to Riquewihr on the weekend once more; I solely visited then as a result of it was a part of the shuttle path to Ribeauvillé Christmas market, which solely takes place on the weekend.
That mentioned, this was clearly a really lovely city to {photograph}…although not as twisty and turny and delightful as Ribeauvillé, I have to admit.
And we did have a stunning lunch at Restaurant au View Riquewihr. This restaurant has a number of ranges and is greater than it seems to be, and we simply obtained a desk at 2:00 PM, regardless of the crowds exterior.
Charlie had their bouchée à la reine with veal and hen, and I had their signature rösti with lardons, smoked sausages, and leek cream. Good home wine, too. Extremely advisable!
Attending to Riquewihr: As soon as once more, I like to recommend reserving the Navettes de Noël, the shuttle bus from Colmar. The parking state of affairs is horrendous, with automobiles parked on high of one another in a large radius, and public transportation is extraordinarily restricted from larger hubs.
Some Christmas market excursions from Strasbourg and some Christmas market excursions from Colmar go to Riquewihr. It appears to be a daily cease on all of the excursions, although take note locations can change last-minute.
Kayserberg
Kayserberg (KY-zer-berg), also called Kayserberg-Vignoble, is one other small and beautiful city near Colmar. What makes it particular throughout Christmas time? Its arts custom.
Kayserberg has a glass-blowing studio the place you’ll be able to watch stay glass-blowing demonstrations, in addition to a gallery with skilled items of artwork on the market. I additionally discovered there have been a number of fascinating, artsy stalls in Kayserberg, lots of them set again a bit from the busy streets.
The weekend crowds in Kayserberg had been fairly intense — although truthfully, there have been loads of huge squares right here with extra space to unfold out, which made a distinction from the slender alleys of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr. I’d suggest not visiting on the weekend for those who might help it, but when it’s important to, go for it.
Attending to Kayserberg: As soon as extra, it’s worthwhile to guide the Navettes de Noël, the shuttle bus from Colmar. The parking state of affairs is horrendous, with automobiles parked on high of one another in a large radius, and public transportation is extraordinarily restricted from larger hubs.
Some Christmas market excursions from Colmar go to Kayserberg, however it’s one of many lesser-visited tour stops.
Don’t Neglect Christmas Markets Close to Alsace!
As a lot as I loved visiting the Alsace Christmas markets final 12 months, they weren’t my general favourite. My favourite was Heidelberg! This metropolis in southwest Germany is simply 90 minutes from Strasbourg, and I used to be immediately smitten with each town and its markets.
What was so nice about Heidelberg? It was busy, however to not the purpose of any of the Alsace Christmas markets we visited. (My hunch? As a result of no river cruises cease there or day journey there.)
There have been a number of totally different markets alongside a single highway. The meals was actually nice (I keep in mind their donuts and pierogis with fondness!) and there have been so many sorts of gluhwein.
And better of all, it felt native, however welcoming.
Right here was our general schedule:
- Day 1: Drive from Prague to Rothenburg ob der Tauber (4.5 hours) for lunch and exploration; drive to Heidelberg (2 hours); night time in Heidelberg.
- Day 2: Drive from Heidelberg to Strasbourg (1.5 hours) for lunch and exploration; drive to Colmar (one hour); night time in Colmar.
- Day 3: Take the Navettes de Noel to Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, and Kayserberg; night time in Colmar.
- Day 4: Drive from Colmar to Prague (8 hours).
If we had one other day primarily based in Colmar, I’d have favored to go to the markets of Egusheim or maybe Mulhouse.
We didn’t cease anyplace else on Day 4 as a result of it was raining fairly onerous and we determined we’d somewhat simply head residence.
But when the climate had been nicer, we might have been up for visiting the markets in Stuttgart (2.5 hours from Colmar) or the encompassing cities of Ludwigsburg or Esslingen, that are each identified for his or her wonderful markets. Ludwigsburg has a Baroque Christmas market!
Another choice would have been visiting Nuremberg, which has probably the greatest Christmas Markets in Germany and is a handy cease on the drive from Colmar to Prague. I visited a couple of years in the past; you’ll be able to see some images right here. Sadly it’s additionally extraordinarily crowded nowadays resulting from being a river cruise cease.
And if we had room for yet one more, we might have stopped in Plzěn, Czech Republic, which is true off the freeway and has a small however good market.
What to Pack for Alsace Christmas Markets
Packing for a Christmas market journey is totally different from what you would possibly ordinarily pack for a winter metropolis break in Europe. You’ll be outdoor and standing nonetheless for many of the day. It’s essential to decorate for heat.
Listed below are my favourite necessities for Christmas market journeys:
Base layers (thermal underwear). I’m an enormous fan of the Uniqlo heat-teach scoop-neck high and leggings, that are very heat, inexpensive, and I put on on a regular basis. I discover that base layers are important for Christmas market journeys in winter or any winter journey the place you’re exterior a lot of the day as a result of they provide you an additional layer of heat.
Heat sweater. Sweaters (or jumpers, Brits!) make the proper mid-layer between your base layer and your outerwear. Do you know that Uniqlo makes inexpensive cashmere sweaters in a ton of colours?
Heat winter coat. If it’s not waterproof, that’s okay, however make certain to deliver a journey umbrella.
Boots. Waterproof winter boots are superb, as anybody who’s stepped right into a deep slushy puddle can inform you. You won’t want them, however they’re a great merchandise to have in your wardrobe for winter journey. If not, you’ll be able to keep on with sneakers, which I did for this explicit journey.
Heat socks. I’m a giant fan of merino wool socks, which I put on throughout the winter and for mountaineering year-round.
Hat. I’m not a hat particular person; nonetheless, I rocked a beanie all through this chilly winter journey.
Speakeasy journey provide scarf. I really like these scarves, which are available quite a lot of patterns and supplies, they usually include a hidden zip-up pocket that’s excellent in your valuables!
Are Alsace Christmas Markets price it?
So, the BIG query — are Alsace’s Christmas Markets price it, contemplating how horrific the crowds are nowadays?
For me, they had been price it, however I don’t assume they might be price it for those who’re the sort of one who will get nervous or irritated in huge crowds. I’m glad I visited, but when I returned, I’d do a couple of issues otherwise.
I used to be proud of my resolution to base in Colmar (and keep at Ibis Price range Centre Ville), and my resolution to make use of the Navettes de Noël to go to Ribeauvillé.
However otherwise, I’d time my go to for mid-week somewhat than the weekend. Nevertheless, Ribeauvillé’s markets had been my absolute favourite, they usually solely happen on two Saturdays and two Sundays every December. So a little bit little bit of weekend time would have been mandatory.
I’d have pushed Strasbourg, most market time in Colmar, Riquewihr, and Kayserberg to mid-week. I’d have accomplished Ribeauvillé one weekend day and an Alsace wine route tour from Colmar one other weekend day. And if I had extra time, I’d have beloved to go to the markets in Obernai and Mulhouse.
I stay steadfast in my resolution to not guide a Christmas markets river cruise — that’s the epitome of being a part of the issue, not the answer.
However general, I actually loved the decorations, the decadent meals, the vin chaud, and the general merriment that Christmas brings to Alsace. And that was undoubtedly price it!
Extra on Christmas Markets in Europe:
Extra on France:
Have you ever been to the Alsace Christmas markets? What suggestions do it’s important to share?
