The Most Beautiful Panoramas to Discover When Visiting Ribeauvillé and Its Surroundings
28/07/2025 00:00
What if visiting Ribeauvillé was also a feast for the eyes? Located in the heart of the Wine Route, this medieval town, surrounded by vineyards, nestled against the mountains, and overlooked by castles, offers breathtaking landscapes. But where are the best viewpoints? Here are a few to help you make the most of the beauty of Ribeauvillé and its surroundings.
From Above: Castles and Hills Around Ribeauvillé
Alsace is one of the European regions with the highest number of medieval castles. These fortresses are often an excellent way to discover a region and usually offer stunning views. Around Ribeauvillé, we recommend visiting:
- The Three Castles of Ribeauvillé (Saint-Ulrich, Haut-Ribeaupierre, and Girsberg): nestled at over 500 meters in altitude, they are easily accessible via a short hike from the town center. Once there, besides admiring the beautiful ruins, you’ll enjoy an incredible view over the medieval town, the vineyards, and the Alsatian plain.
- The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg (20 minutes away): perched at 757 meters, it is one of the most iconic monuments in Alsace. Restored to resemble what a mountain fortress looked like in the 15th century, it offers not only an incredible panorama—sometimes reaching as far as the Alps—but also a true historical experience thanks to its exceptional interior and exterior arrangements.
From the Vineyards: The Most Beautiful Hillside Views
The trails along the vineyards offer a fresh perspective on the wine-growing villages. From the top of the slopes, you get a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding towns, the Vosges mountains, the castles, and, of course, the vineyards. A perfect spot for photographers—don’t miss out!
From Ribeauvillé, you can follow a route passing through Hunawihr and Riquewihr (15 km for about 6.5 hours) or another that combines vineyard and forest (7.2 km, approx. 3 hours). You can also stroll along the “Les Perles du Vignoble” Grand Cru Wine Trail, which runs through Beblenheim, Bennwihr, Hunawihr, Mittelwihr, Riquewihr, and Zellenberg. Feel free to download the “Pays de Ribeauvillé-Riquewihr Tour” app (available on App Store and Google Play) for detailed itineraries directly on your phone.
From Nearby or Hilltop Villages
Walking through the nearby villages also offers splendid viewpoints. For example, head to Zellenberg, a charming and peaceful village near Ribeauvillé. Its main feature? A panoramic 360° view over the surrounding villages (Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr…). Bergheim is also an excellent choice: voted France’s favorite village in 2022, its ramparts provide a magnificent view of this underrated medieval gem.
Bonus: Nighttime Panoramas at Christmas
At the end of the year, the villages along the Wine Route take on a magical glow with their Christmas decorations and markets. The lights add incredible charm and a unique atmosphere that defines the magic of our beautiful region. No matter where you are in Alsace during this season, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramas featuring snow, lights, quaint villages, and endless vineyards.
To make the most of the beautiful Alsatian landscapes, don’t hesitate to book a stay in one of our establishments (a hotel in the center of Ribeauvillé or a hotel near the vineyards)!