Ribeauvillé: Activities to Discover During Your Stay in One of Alsace’s Most Beautiful Villages

Planning a trip to Alsace for your next vacation? Here’s a glimpse of the activities to enjoy in Ribeauvillé and its surroundings!

Stroll Through the Historic Center

Ribeauvillé is a typical Alsatian village: wandering through the town center, you’ll discover beautiful colorful and flower-decorated half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and plenty of stork nests!

It’s also a medieval city: in addition to its three castles (we’ll come back to those), several remnants of fortifications are still present in the village, such as the famous Butchers’ Tower (a defensive gate-tower built in the 13th century, reaching 29 meters in height).

In short, architectural treasures await you in our charming village – and much more...

Wine Tasting and Cellar Tours

Ribeauvillé is a charming wine-producing village located in the heart of the Wine Route. You’ll find many renowned estates offering excellent Alsace wines (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Muscat, Crémant...).

Just step into the cellars located in the village (or nearby villages like Bergheim, Riquewihr, Hunawihr, Bennwihr…) to enjoy tastings and learn more about winemaking.

It’s advisable to call ahead or book a tasting to ensure a warm welcome (contact Ribeauvillé's Tourist Office to find locations and information on how to participate).

And don't forget, Alsace is famous for its rich, authentic cuisine – enjoy dishes like sauerkraut, tarte flambée, baeckeoffe, kougelhopf...

Hike to the Three Castles of Ribeauvillé

Ribeauvillé is overlooked by three medieval castles: Saint-Ulrich (the most accessible and best preserved), Girsberg, and Haut-Ribeaupierre. These ruins are accessible only on foot via a lovely hike (1 to 2 hours round trip). The ascent rewards you with breathtaking views of the Alsace plain and vineyards.

If you love castles, don’t miss Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle in Orschwiller (about 20 km away). Perched at 757 m altitude, it offers spectacular views over the Vosges, Black Forest, and even the Alps on clear days. Fully restored, it showcases reconstructed medieval architecture with period furniture, weapons, and objects.

Nature Walks and Hikes

Ribeauvillé is the perfect starting point for hikers. Beyond the 3-castle trail, enjoy beautiful hikes through vineyards, forests, or mountains.

Try the Grand Crus Wine Trail (17 km through vineyards and wine villages) or the Géovino trails (9 routes in the Ribeauvillé-Riquewihr area to learn about the terroir and wine).

If you’re up for elevation, hike to Saint-Hippolyte or take the forest pilgrimage to Dusenbach Abbey. By car, explore the mystical Taennchel massif near Thannenkirch. Also consider Aubure, the highest village in Alsace, for classic or Nordic walking routes (or visit Bilstein castle ruins). You can even hike to Haut-Koenigsbourg from Saint-Hippolyte.

Events and Traditional Festivals

Ribeauvillé hosts many not-to-miss events:

• Christmas Market: A major highlight with a unique medieval atmosphere, complete with troubadours, medieval dancers, fire-breathers, and themed decorations.
• Pfifferdaj (Minstrels' Festival): One of Alsace’s oldest festivals held each September, featuring a grand parade with a new story each year.
• Ribeauvillé Wine Fair (FAV): A long-standing event each July where wine lovers gather for a festive weekend.

Want to stay in Ribeauvillé? Book a room in one of our establishments in the heart of the Wine Route (hotel in the town center or near the vineyards)!