Review: Alsace castle, villages and wine tasting from Colmar
The day’s itinerary
The coach passes by hotels in central Colmar; the designated meeting point is Hôtel L’Esquisse, near the statue of Charles Xavier Thomas. The day then heads south before looping back north.
- Eguisheim, 45 min. The village with its concentric circles. Enough time for a walk along the ramparts and a photo in the square.
- Kaysersberg-Vignoble, 45 min. The fortified bridge and the main street.
- Sigolsheim National Necropolis, 10 min. A brief stop that few excursions include.
- Riquewihr, 1 h 45. The longest stop of the day, including lunch (at your own expense).
- The castle, 1 h 30, ticket included. No queue at the ticket office. The visit is with the excursion’s audio guide.
- Wine tasting at a winemaker’s, 1 h. Then return to Colmar in the early evening.
Nine and a half hours is a long day. In my opinion, 45 minutes per village is enough for Eguisheim, but a bit tight for Kaysersberg if you want to walk the full length of the main street and back without rushing.
What travellers say
Guide Sebastian is mentioned several times, as is the open-top coach. Frida sums up the only recurring reservation.
Great, I would have loved more time at the castle.
Perfect timing, extra stops, Sebastian as our guide, and the convertible bus.
The must-do excursion from Colmar.
Sebastian was an excellent guide.
The perfect way to explore the villages without a car.
What works
- Castle ticket included, no queue at the ticket office
- Audio guide in 11 languages, including French
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Colmar
- Four villages, the Sigolsheim necropolis and a wine cellar all in one day
Things to know
- 9:30 AM, the longest day trip from Colmar
- 1.5 hours at the castle, which some found too short
- Coach bus, not a van: more people at each stop
- Not suitable for children under 4, wheelchair users, or those with reduced mobility
The roof opens when the weather’s fine—bring a cap and sunscreen in summer, as the ride between villages is in the open. And since the tasting comes after the castle, save room for the way back: the cellar is the last stop, not a midway break.
For whom
Perfect for those staying in Colmar who want to see it all in one day without touching a car. Francophones who prefer explanations in their own language. And anyone put off by the castle ticket line—it’s gone here.
Less ideal for children under 4 (not allowed) and those who’d rather be in a small group: the eight-seater van from Colmar covers the same villages, with more commentary and a wine bar instead of a cellar. Compare both Colmar departures on the from Colmar page, and see the vineyard stops on Alsace Wine Route and castle.
Two alternatives
Small groupFrom Colmar: Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle and villages, full-day small-group tour
Most bookedFrom Strasbourg: Alsace’s must-sees in a day
Frequently asked questions
Is the castle entrance ticket included?
Yes—it’s one of the three tours that include it, along with the private tour and the departure from Basel. You’ll skip the ticket line entirely. See tickets and what’s included.
Are there explanations in French?
Yes. The audio headsets offer eleven languages, including French, English, German, Spanish, and Italian. This is the only one of the six tours to do so—the small-group vans provide commentary in English only.
Where and how is pickup arranged?
Outside your hotel in Colmar or at the meeting point (Hôtel L’Esquisse, near the Charles Xavier Thomas statue). You’ll return to the same spot in the early evening. For the castle’s own opening hours, see hours and access.