8 Most Beautiful Wine Villages to Visit in Alsace

Despite some stiff competition, Obernai is definitely in the running for the prize of Alsace’s most charming wine town. A walled village 31km south of Strasbourg, Obernai’s main attraction is the pretty Place du Marché, an ancient market square still used each Thursday morning and home to one of Alsace’s best food markets. Around the square, you’ll find the mainly 16th-century Hôtel de Ville, decorated with Baroque trompe-l’œil. But strolling around Obernai’s flower-bedecked courtyards and alleyways is arguably the best way to explore this part of Alsace, making time to savor local cuisine in one of the village’s many excellent taverns.

The charm of this village is its relative anonymity – as yet undiscovered by hordes of visitors, Mittelbergheim feels like an authentic destination rather than a tourist trap. It sits amid a sea of Silvaner vines and seasonal wild tulips; above the village lies Zotzenberg Grand Cru, historically renowned for Silvaner and one of Alsace’s most distinctive vineyard sites. Its tiny streets are lined with ancient houses in subdued tones of tan, mauve, and terracotta. The perfect place to relax, meander, and sip local wine!

Surrounded by vines, Dambach-la-Ville has also managed to avoid tourist overload. However, why this is a complete mystery, for this village is among Alsace’s prettiest. The 14th-century pink-granite ramparts are pierced by four portes (gates), three of which hold aloft ancient watchtowers. The village’s superb half-timbered houses date back to the 15th century. However, it is best known for its proximity to the celebrated Frankstein Grand Cru vineyards, which cover the southern and southeastern slopes of four granite hills west and southwest of Dambach. Some of Alsace’s best wine is produced from this remarkable terroir.

Another extraordinary part of Alsace, the delightful walled village of Bergheim deserves a full day of exploration. Bergheim is effortlessly charming, overflowing with geraniums, dotted with flowerbeds, and enlivened by half-timbered houses in vibrant pastels. Yet its history has been troubled; over the centuries, the village has passed from one overlord to another, sold, ceded, or captured about 20 times. Thankfully, the center was spared from WWII’s ravages, so visitors can enjoy its spectacular Gothic church, lovely winding alleyways, and cafe-filled squares. Bergheim also has two Alsace Grands Crus, Altenberg de Bergheim and Kanzlerberg.

First things first – Ribeauvillé is undeniably one of the most heavily touristed villages on the Route du Vin. If you want the place to yourself in high season – forget it! But it is easy to see why visitors fall in love with Ribeauvillé; this little village, nestled in a valley and brimming with 18th-century overhanging houses and narrow alleys, is irresistible. It’s also a great place to explore Alsace’s leading grand crus: Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé, Osterberg, and Geisberg are all nearby. Along the main street, don’t miss the 17th-century Pfifferhus, which once housed the town’s fife-playing minstrels and is home to a great Winstub, the Hôtel de Ville and its Renaissance fountain, or the nearby Tour des Bouchers. And, of course, take the time to explore the village’s many excellent restaurants and taverns – Santé!

In complete contrast to the frenetic and sometimes crowded Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr is a sedate, quiet hamlet. You’re also likely to see storks here. On a hillside just outside the center stands its fortified church, enclosed by a defensive wall; since 1687 it has been a simultaneum – that is, it has served both the Catholic and Protestant communities.

Another massively popular destination, Riquewihr, is probably best avoided in high season – July to August. Nevertheless, it is the most medieval stop along the Route du Vin and an essential part of your itinerary. Indeed, who could resist Riquewihr’s 13th- and 16th-century fortifications and a maze of alleyways and courtyards that beg to be explored? Highlights include the late-13th-century Dolder, a stone-and-half-timbered gate topped by a 25m bell tower with panoramic views, and a small local-history museum. Choose your restaurant carefully, however, as the village is full of lackluster tourist traps.

We finish with Kaysersberg, a postcard-perfect village with a historic center to die for. The ornate Renaissance Hôtel de Ville and the red-sandstone Église Ste Croix next door are the main reasons to visit Kaysersberg. However, we prefer to wander aimlessly and marvel at the colorful old houses, many half-timbered, and others showing Baroque influences. You should also visit the house where musicologist, doctor, and 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Schweitzer was born, now home to the Centre Schweitzer, an interpretation center devoted to his life, ideas, and message of peace.