Good day all,
I am going to the Alsace Region for 8 days, 5-13 March 25, by car rental, for family holiday.
What are the hidden gems and must dos?
Is Colmar A good base to explore the region? Or what would you recommend?
I also wish to stay in a spa/theme hotel for a few days of relaxation as well, any recommendations?
We will be there for Carnival, is Mulhouse the best one?
Are the Easter markets open this early?
Thanks everyone and have a wonderful day,
Nate
We used Colmar as a base last year, spent a few days there and used the Kutzig hop-on hop-off bus on 2 of the days to visit 5 towns on the Alsace Wine Route. We stayed at Hotel Le Maréchal on a canal right on the edge of La Petite Venise and the Old Town. Most of the Alsace towns that we wanted to visit were close to Colmar, so staying there and using the Kutzig hop-on hop-off bus worked out very well for us.
Colmar's La Petite Venise and Old Town are beautiful areas to visit even if you're not staying in town.
Strasbourg also has a big Carnival. For a spa/therme hotel, there is always Baden-Baden, across the Rhine northeast of Strasbourg.
As best I can tell, Carnival in Mulhouse runs 5-9 MAR, 2025. That's late compared to most places. Rose Montag is 3 March and that's the end of the season in Germany. Most of the towns will have Easter decorations and the patisserie's will have special chocolates, especially eggs and bunnies.
March in the Alsace this past two years has been cold and wet, with snow.
I personally think Colmar is too small for a whole week, but Strasbourg is more expensive, and I don't know Mulhouse well enough to comment. But if you want to get around you are going to want a car.
For a spa, go to Baden Baden, but have a reservation.
A couple places you should visit are Mount St Odile https://www.visit.alsace/en/258000592-mount-sainte-odile/, and the small town of Wissembourg on the German border up north.
No hidden gems. My must-sees may not be your must-sees.
I've not attended a Carnival. Basel has one and Basel is a very good visit. Mulhouse has a down in the mouth kind of feel compared to the other places we visited in the area.
With a car I'd rent an apartment in one of the other villages around Colmar. Riquewihr, Ribeauville, Kayersberg and Bergheim are all good choices (Bergheim is quieter, with few shops and a handful of restaurants; I like it).
If visiting Strasbourg, park the car at Selestat and take the train in. Browse for parking in Basel, it's not cheap. We parked somewhere opposite the cathedral, across the river. Another time we parked in Weil and took a short train ride in.
Wissembourg is worth it, though a bit of hike from where you'll be staying. Mt St Odille, yes. Haut Koenigsbourg a definite yes.
Also consider Obernai, Barr, Dambach, Andlau for short visits. March is probably not good for hiking through the vineyards or woods, though many of the paved and gravel roads in and out of the villages were quiet even during September.
Black Forest. Gengenbach and Staufen, for sure, Endingen. Freiburg can use a day (Carnival also?). Schiltach probably out of reach. Decent therme in Bad Krozingen.
It depends on what you prefer. There are many charming and picturesque villages between Strasbourg and Colmar, both of which tend to be crowded in the summer. I'm not sure about March. Those other small villages vary from quite "touristy" (Riquiwihr and Ribbeauville) to much quieter but virtually all have great bakeries, cheese shops, interesting history, and an abundance of beautiful old half-timbered construction. Several have been in mentioned in the prior response. Looking on a map of the area will reveal others.
We were there in June for 5 nights, based in Strasbourg. I think either Strasbourg or Colmar would be good bases, depending what you want to see. When traveling by train, some destinations in Germany are easier from Strasbourg (Gengenbach, which we loved, the open air museum in Schiltach, or Baden-Baden), while others are easier from Colmar (Freiburg im Breisgau). You will have to look into the travel times with a car.
Every city, town, or village that we visited had a great Tourist Information (TI) office--I highly recommend starting each visit at the TI to pick up good maps, walking routes, etc.
The Colmar Unterlinden museum has the amazing Isenheim Altarpiece, and was not at all crowded even when the historic center was very busy with tourists.
Some of the wine villages are less heavily touristed than others. On the day we visited, Riquewihr was overwhelmed with tourists mid-morning, while Kaysersberg was very pleasant from noon to 3 pm. Since you will have a car, you can plan to visit early or late in the day to avoid the crowds.
8 days is probably more than you need. Yes, Colmar at one end is a great visit. I'd suggest also planning a full day in Strasbourg at the other end.
Every town along the wine route is beautiful and quaint. You don't need to see all of them. Pick a few and don't rush to get to the next.
I also like the Castle Haut Koenigsbourg - especially for a family trip. Not far from the castle is Monkey Mountain. I'm not sure if it's open in March? I skipped the Monkeys (same Barbary Apes, I believe, as you see in Gibraltar) but that may be a great stop with family.
With a little extra time, I'd add Dijon in Burgundy plus a day trip to see the Hospice in Beaune.
March will be chilly so dress warm.
