Alsace is well known for its Christmas markets! They were invented here and in Germany 700 years ago.

Alsace is quite large and has many Christmas markets all as beautiful and unique as each other. So me and my partner decided to stay there for 3 days to have enough time to visit them all.

Colmar’s Christmas markets

Let’s start the ride with my favourite and the most authentic one! To me, Colmar is a fairy tale city. It reminds me of Beauty and the Beast like Bruges.

Every house, shop and alley are decorated according to the Christmas theme for the occasion. From late November to late December several themed Christmas markets are scattered throughout the city.

Here are some addresses: Dominicains Square, Jeanne d’Arc Square, Ancienne Douane Square, Koïfhus and Little Venice.

Strasbourg’s Christmas markets

Strasbourg, the Christmas capital, is probably the most famous Christmas market in Alsace and France. It gathers more than 300 chalets installed on the various places of the city.

This is where the decorations and the illuminations will fill your eyes! The several Christmas markets of the city enable you to discover it in a joyful way.

I’ll give you some of them: The Christmas market of the Cathedral, the historic Christmas market on the Broglie Square, the village of sharing and its huge 30-meters-long tree on Kléber Square, the Delights Christmas market on the Corbeau Square, the Christmas market on Gutenberg Square but also the Austerlitz Square’s one. You have enough to be going on with!

Kaysersberg’s Christmas markets

Another charming village where to enjoy the festive Christmas atmosphere. An authentic Christmas market and a peasant Christmas market are proposed. It’s an enchantment for adults and children thanks to the decorations and illuminations present in each lane of this small medieval city.

Kaysersberg is certainly one of the most visited villages in Alsace beside Christmas period. Don’t be afraid by the crowd or the distance between your parking space and the entrance to the city.

Riquewihr’s Christmas markets

Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé are a few kilometres away from each other so it’s very easy to discover their Christmas markets during the same day.

In addition the village itself is wonderful and beautifully decorated, built on a hillside and surrounded by vineyards. These surroundings make it even more charming.

The first Christmas market is located at the bottom of the town hall and the second along the General de Gaulle Street. These two Christmas markets are focused on cheese, confectionery, mulled wine and charcuterie rather than crafts. This is the perfect stop to have a snack.

Ribeauvillé’s Christmas market

Be careful and watch out for the dates because it’s only built for two consecutive weekends. It lasts less than the others but is well worth it. Indeed this Christmas market is entirely made up following a medieval theme.

I advise you to start from the top of the city to be more peaceful and enjoy a little more this unique Christmas market.

And as a bonus: Bergheim’s nativity scene path

No need to tell you how much I loved this little walk! A rather original way to visit Bergheim through the way of nativity scenes. This enables you to discover over 80 different scenes created by the inhabitants, traders and artisans of this small village.

The nativity scenes are the most present and numerous in this ancient medieval city. You will discover some made of straw, cork, cardboard, pine cone, corn but also a lot of other completely crazy materials.

Where to stay?

We decided to take our car to Alsace and we stayed in a hotel located at a good distance from each Christmas market.

Knowing that I’m cautious my only criteria for the research was a spa in the hotel so we can enjoy it and warm up when returning from the visits. To me Christmas Market are more magical once the night fell, so it was the opportunity for us to mix relaxation and discoveries.

So we chose a Barrière hotel next to Ribeauvillé. It has a Spa with a beautiful outdoor pool but also a casino area and a delicious restaurant! A all-in-one hotel for your ease.

For the curious, here is the booking link! You will surely enjoy it.

That’s enough to delve into the Christmas spirit! What did you plan? A trip, a precise Christmas market, a family meal? Tell me everything!

Love,

Sandinourhands,