Kaysersberg is one of the most picturesque villages in France. Set in the Weiss valley, this small village is surrounded by endless vineyards and hills. With its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and beautiful surroundings, Kaysersberg feels like a real-life fairytale.
We visited Kaysersberg on a 4-day trip through the Alsace region in France. Strasbourg was our home base for a few days while we explored small towns nearby.
We spent a half-day trip in Kaysersberg, and it ended up being our favorite place we visited in the region.
In this guide, we’re sharing the top things to do in Kaysersberg, plus the best places to eat and stay.
13 Best things to do in Kaysersberg, France
1. Kaysersberg Castle
Constructed in the 1200s for the Holy Roman Empire, Kaysersberg Castle sits atop a hill overlooking Kaysersberg and the Weiss Valley. Tragically, the castle was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century but was eventually rebuilt in the mid-1800s.
Today, the only part of the castle that is left is the outer structure, so there isn’t much to see inside the castle itself.
The best part is taking a 100-step spiral staircase to the top of the tower for an incredible panoramic view overlooking the entire valley. This is especially beautiful at sunset.
To get to Kaysersberg Castle, you can follow one of two paths leading from the town. The first one is a more scenic route through the vineyards and is about a 15-minute walk from Kaysersberg to the castle. You can follow the path from Rue du Tir.
The second option is a more direct route using stairs to reach the top. This path takes about 10-minutes. You’ll follow the path from Rue des Forgerons.
If you search for Kaysersberg Castle on Google Maps and select the walking option, you will see these two routes show up.
We opted to take the more scenic route through the vineyards and ended up spending over an hour walking to the castle and enjoying the views.
2. Explore the Old Town
Named one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” for a reason, Kaysersberg exudes charm with its colorful half-timbered houses. Make your way through this small village, walking along the cobblestoned streets and taking in the scene.
Stepping into the village truly feels like a fairytale with its blend of Germanic and French architecture. During the spring and summer, the buildings are decorated with flower boxes making it even more magical.
As you’re walking around, keep your eye out for some of Kaysersberg’s well-known buildings and landmarks:
- Town Hall
- Maison Leowart
- Maison Faller-Brief
- Fontaine Constantin
3. Alsace Wine Route
The Alsace Wine Route stretches over 170 kilometers through the Alsace region. This scenic journey takes you through picturesque towns and vineyards where you can enjoy the views and taste local wines at wineries along the way.
There are many different biking, hiking, and driving routes that take you through different parts of the region. Kaysersberg is one of the main stops along the Colmar stage of the route.
With plenty of hikes and biking opportunities nearby, this is a wonderful way to explore the cultural heritage of Kaysersberg and the surrounding area.
4. Wine Tasting at Local Vineyards
Being in the heart of the Alsace wine region, it’s no surprise that there are several wineries near Kaysersberg where you can taste some local Alsatian wines.
You can also find a list of more wineries nearby here. Keep in mind – it’s best to have a car or a bike to get around.
There are 7 grape varietals in Alsace. From delicate white wines, like Pinot Blanc d’Alsace, to local red wines like Pinot Noir. Tasting your way through the Alsace Wine Route is a wonderful way to meet with local growers and get to know the region.
If you’re interested in visiting some of the Grand Cru wineries in Alsace, you’ll find them all on this list.
5. Enjoy the stunning views
For the best lighting and most incredible view, hike up the hill for sunrise or sunset for a stunning view of the Weiss Valley.
If you’re looking for a short walk, then the views are wonderful from Kaysersberg Castle. Otherwise, we recommend hiking to Rocher des Corbeaux for even better views. The hike is a 5.2-mile (8.4km) loop and takes around 3 hours to complete.
6. Photograph the Fortified bridge
The 16th century fortified bridge is a stone bridge that was built over the Weiss river. It connects the old and new parts of town. This is an excellent spot for photos.
7. Enjoy some local cuisine
The cuisine of the Alsace region is a unique blend of French and German cuisine. From hearty meat dishes to France’s take on sauerkraut, here are some local foods that you must try while in Kaysersberg:
- Tarte Flambée (Flammekueche): A thin crust pizza topped with fromage blanc or crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions, and lardons (smoked bacon).
- Choucroute Garnie: This is Alsace’s famous take on sauerkraut, typically served with a variety of meats like sausages, pork knuckles, and other charcuterie.
- Baeckeoffe: A hearty casserole made with marinated meat (usually beef, pork, and lamb), potatoes, onions, and carrots, slow-cooked in white wine and juniper berries.
- Coq au Riesling: A variation of the traditional coq au vin, this dish is cooked with the local Riesling wine, mushrooms, and cream.
- Kugelhopf: A distinctive Alsatian cake with a light texture, often containing raisins, almonds, and flavored with kirsch or rum. It’s recognized by its circular, bundt-like shape.
- Munster Cheese: A strong-smelling yet mild-tasting cheese, often enjoyed with cumin seeds and a slice of bread.
8. Visit the Church of Saint Croix
The Church of Saint Croix (Holy Cross Church) is the main church in Kaysersberg. It features a stunning 16th century altarpiece by Jean Bongart and vibrant stained glass windows.
The church is free to visit and is well worth a visit.
9. Go to a museum
To learn more about the history of Kaysersberg, we recommend visiting one or both of the museums below.
History Museum (Musée Historic de Kaysersberg): This small museum features religious relics, ancient artifacts collected from the region, weapons, and sculptures. It’s free to visit.
Albert Schweitzer Museum: Learn about the life of Albert Schweitzer, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, pastor, doctor, and musician, who was born in Kaysersberg.
Both of these museums are quite small and don’t take much time to visit.
10. Browse the local artisanal shops
Kaysersberg is filled with lovely artisanal shops selling everything from ceramics, wine, chocolate, and more. A. must-visit is the Verriere d’Arte, which is a local glass-blowing studio where you can watch artisans create glass objects in person.
The demo is free and of course, you can visit their shop as well.
11. Visit Nearby Towns
Kaysersberg is just one of many charming towns and villages in the region. We recommend spending a few days in Alsace to allow enough time to explore more of these medieval towns and fairy tale villages that are just a short drive from Kaysersberg.
- Riquewihr
- Colmar
- Eguisheim
- Turckheim
- Ammerschwihr
- Munster
If you have to pick just a few, we recommend Riquewihr, Colmar, and Eguisheim.
12. Hiking in the Vosges mountains
Get out into nature and discover the beauty of the Vosges Mountain range that runs along the France and Germany border.
Hiking here is very popular, with the famous GR5 route (from the Netherlands to Southern France) crossing through the range.
One notable hike is the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges at 4,038 feet (1,231 meters) tall. The reward of this half-day hike are stunning views as far as the eye can see.
13. Discover the Christmas Market
Visiting Kaysersberg during the holiday season? Then a visit to the Christmas market is a must!
Christmas in Kaysersberg is one of the most magical times to visit. The town completely transforms into a Christmas village with lights strewn on the buildings, vendors selling local foods and crafts, and other holiday festivities.
The next market is from November 29 – December 22, 2024.
How much time should you spend in Kaysersberg?
Kaysersberg makes for a great half-day trip, and you can see the entire town within a couple of hours.
We spent a few hours here on an early September afternoon. We had enough time to wander through the streets, admire the German-inspired buildings, and to walk up to the Kaysersberg castle.
You can easily visit Kaysersberg and another town or two on a day trip from Strasbourg or Colmar.
If we had more time, we would have spent a couple of nights here to try some of the restaurants and to go on a hike or two.
Best time of year to visit Kaysersberg
The time of year you visit Kaysersberg depends on what you want to do. We visited in early September when the vineyards were at their peak and the grapes were ready to be picked.
The valley was covered in green and the town was in bloom with flowers everywhere we looked. I would highly recommend visiting during this time of the year – it was absolutely beautiful.
Spring is another wonderful time of year to visit before the height of summer crowds. And of course, November and December are both fantastic months to visit if you want to experience the Christmas market in Kaysersberg.
How to get to Kaysersberg
Strasbourg to Kaysersberg
By car: 1 hour, 78 km
By public transportation: Take the train from Strasbourg to Colmar (30 minutes) and then catch bus line 145 at the Colmar train station to Kaysersberg (20-30 minutes).
Colmar to Kaysersberg
By car: 20-30 minutes, 13 km
By public transportation: Take bus line 145 from the Colmar train station to Kaysersberg. The journey is around 20-30 minutes.
If you are driving, there is a parking lot just outside of the city. You can find it on Google Maps. Do not drive into the city – you need to park in one of the designated parking areas.
To make the most out of your day, I would highly recommend renting a car. You will be able to spend more time seeing things rather than sitting on a bus or train.
Where to Stay in Kaysersberg
Luxury: Le Chambard | Located in the heart of Kaysersberg, this 5-star hotel is home to a 2-star Michelin restaurant and modern rooms.
Boutique: Hotel KLE | This lovely hotel is located in the center of the village and features modern amenities and WiFi.
Budget: La Cour du Vignoble | If you’re traveling with a group or prefer to travel with the option to cook, then this is a great option for you. This small property features several one and two-bedroom apartments for rent that are perfect for a short stay.
Where to Eat in Kaysersberg, France
For being such a small village, Kaysersberg has a surprisingly high-end food scene. With a mix of Michelin-starred restaurants and typical French restaurants, there are plenty of amazing options to choose from.
- La Table d’Olivier Nasti | 2-star Michelin restaurant serving a gourmet and modern take on Alsatian cuisine.
- Alchémille | 1-star Michelin restaurant by Jérôme Jaegle serving up inspiring dishes with produce from his garden.
- Côté Vigne | A Michelin guide recommended restaurant with weekly menus serving refined Alsatian cuisine.
- La Vieille Forge | Another Michelin guide recommended restaurant that serves classic and simple French dishes.
Our overall experience
Overall, we absolutely loved our half-day in Kaysersberg and would go back in a heartbeat! We drove from Strasbourg to Colmar and then to Kaysersberg in one day, and we feel like we had plenty of time to see everything in both towns.
If we were to do it again, we would spend a couple of nights in Kaysersberg and spend time cycling or hiking through the vineyards and visiting some more of the towns in the region.
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