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Colmar is a gorgeous, fairytale city in the region of Alsace and close to the German border. Its historic Old Town, medieval architecture and fascinating museums draw in tourists from all over the world. And once you’ve explored Colmar, it might be time to see the beautiful landscapes, interesting history, and fascinating cultures in other towns in the area.
If you don’t make the effort to plan some day trips from Colmar, then you’ll really miss out on some of the best sites in Alsace, as well as great food and wine! So, if you’re ready to see and do more, then here are the best day trips from Colmar, France.
Colmar Travel
BY TRAIN
The region of Alsace is crossed by the classic lines Paris – Strasbourg, Paris – Mulhouse, and other secondary lines to reach smaller towns. Thanks to these secondary lines, some of the best day trips from Colmar below can be organized by train – Click here to book your train tickets
BY CAR
The Alsace is a great place for memorable road trips in France. From Colmar, visit the main cities in Alsace and then go off the beaten path to get the most out of this wonderful region.
If you don’t have your car, we recommend booking in advance through platforms like RentalCars. This site takes all major rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, etc., and compares prices for you. Check out our best tips for renting a car in France.
ACCOMMODATION IN COLMAR
Hotel Le Colombier is our absolute favorite hotel in Colmar, with beautiful architecture and comfortable rooms in Colmar’s Old Town. For other options, check out where to stay in Colmar – the best neighborhoods and accommodation of all kinds.
Best Colmar Day Trips
Here’s a list of the best day trips from Colmar, France, so that you can experience for yourself all that this area has to offer.
1. Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital of the Grand Est region and is just 70km from Colmar. It’s a city that’s filled with history and heritage and holds one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in all of Alsace. These markets are usually the focus of any Colmar to Strasbourg day trip, but Strasbourg has a lot to offer visitors year-round.
Strasbourg is one of the easiest day trips from Colmar by train. The city is home to a charming and well-preserved old town, filled with unique shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s also dotted with Gothic architecture, like the famous Strasbourg Cathedral.
One of the biggest draws of this city is its history and culture. Strasbourg has changed hands between Germany and France several times over the years and this mix has influenced its culture, architecture, and especially the food. Therefore, the list of things to do in Strasbourg is long and there’s something for every kind of traveler, from interesting museums to food or wine tastings.
2. Riquewihr
Riquewihr is just under 15km from Colmar, making it the ideal location for a Colmar day trip. This town is nestled in between the Vosges Mountains and the Plain of Alsace and is basically an open-air museum, filled with historical architecture.
This town is tiny, but it’s also a must-stop on the Alsace Wine Route and one of the biggest producers of Riesling wine in the area. This is why wine-tasting is a must-do while you’re in Riquewihr and it’s also why the town has been called ‘The Gem of the Alsace Vineyards.’
Riquewihr is amazingly beautiful, filled with rows of half-timbered houses, and surrounded by fortified walls that are surprisingly complete. When you saunter through this town, you’ll be astounded by the 16th and 17th-century architecture, the attractive little courtyards, and the joyfully bubbling fountains. And if you enjoy good museums with interesting displays, then this town will keep you busy for a long time.
3.Ballons des Vosges Regional Park
If you prefer to explore the outdoors during your day trip from Colmar, then you should spend some time in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Park. This protected area is located in the Grand Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions in eastern France and is one of the largest Nature Parks in France.
The Park contains a range of habitats from wetlands to woodland and high-altitude pastures. It’s also home to lots of flora and fauna, ranging from lynxes to mountain pansies. This makes it a great area to get out of the towns and do some wildlife spotting and birdwatching.
The Vosges is also one of the best places in the region to stretch your legs on a hike to some amazing and secluded spots.
4. Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg
This 12th-century castle is under 30km from Colmar and is one of the most beautiful French castles in the area. Château du Haut-Koeingsbourg is also a must of any Alsace road trip, so if you have a car during your stay in Colmar, don’t hesitate to use your day trip from Colmar to visit this château.
Although the castle was originally built in the 12th century, it was destroyed in the Thirty Years War and stood abandoned until it was rebuilt in the early 20th century by the Emperor of Germany Wilhelm II (when Alsace was a German possession).
The renovation stayed true to the original design of the castle, and today it’s a medieval masterpiece of walls, armor, and artwork. It also offers some of the most stunning views imaginable over the French landscape.
Because it is hard to reach by public transportation, Château du Haut-Koeingsbourg is one of the more popular destinations for day tours from Colmar. And when you take a guided tour, you’ll enjoy the added benefit of seeing all the best local spots and learning bits of history that aren’t found in the books.
5. Eguisheim
Eguisheim is just under 7 km from Colmar, so it’s the perfect location for a quick and easy Colmar day trip. You can take public transport there or hire a bike and get there under your own power, enjoying the landscape along the way.
Eguisheim is filled with half-timbered houses and flowers, making it one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace. It boasts a pleasingly medieval atmosphere and is surrounded by vineyards, just in case you need more to do during your visit!
Inside the town, you’ll find medieval buildings like the famous Château Saint-Léon, which has been turned into a church. And if you have time, you should head out of the town to look for Château du Hohlandsbourg, a ruined castle site with views over Alsace and the Black Forest.
Best Day Tours from Colmar
For a day trip from Colmar, nothing beats having an experienced guide at your side. A guided day tour is the easiest, most convenient, and most interesting way to see the best sites and areas in Alsace even when you don’t want to hire your own car.
Because Colmar is close to the German and Swiss border, you can also decide to leave France for a day and visit other places in Europe from the comfort of a van. That’s why Colmar day tours to picturesque Basel (Switzerland) and Freiburg (Germany) are so popular.
Here are some of the best guided day tours from Colmar (transportation included):
And there you have it, the list of best Colmar day trips to see more of the Alsace. Which day trip from Colmar inspires you most?