Christmas in Switzerland is really like strolling in a winter wonderland. Add within the merriment of the markets, you’ll be able to’t go improper. For those who’re on the lookout for Christmas markets in Switzerland, I’ve you lined with 10 of the very best!
Once I think about the last word Christmas vacation vacation spot, it consists of snow-capped mountains, historic buildings adorned with twinkling lights, and naturally, magical Christmas markets. There’s arguably no nation on this planet that matches this definition higher than Switzerland, with its snow-covered Swiss Alps, charming alpine cities, culturally-rich cities, and abundance of vacation markets.
I’ve rounded up the very best Christmas Markets in Switzerland, positive to thrill any and all ages!
Relying on the Swiss village, metropolis, or area you go to throughout the vacation season, you’ll have the ability to take pleasure in magical Christmas reminiscences: like a horse-drawn carriage journey via the snow or an unforgettable household ski vacation.
As a connoisseur of European Christmas markets, a few of my most memorable Swiss experiences have been loved perusing the standard wood stalls for distinctive items and snacking on conventional vacation treats.
Luckily, wherever you end up within the nation throughout the vacation season, whether or not within the capital metropolis of Bern or on a ski vacation within the Alps, you’re assured to discover a festive vacation market close by. This information will direct you to my 10 favourite Christmas markets throughout the European winter wonderland generally known as Switzerland.
Now let’s get to 10 of the very best Christmas markets in Switzerland which can be positive to make your holidays fantastic!
Up to date for 2022!
Basel Christmas Market, Basel
Basel’s location because the crossroads of three nations makes it a melting pot of Swiss, French, and German cultures. That variety and cultural uniqueness types the muse for considered one of my favourite vacation markets in all of Switzerland, the Basel Christmas Market.
This market is situated within the heart of the town and within the coronary heart of Previous City, and consists of two markets at Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz. The markets are straightforward to entry, however when you arrive, you’ll in all probability really feel such as you’ve been dropped off at a barely extra festive model of the North Pole.
The towering Christmas tree on the Munsterplatz welcomes guests, and the clinking of gluhwein mugs reminds you that the vacations aren’t simply enjoyable for little ones. Distributors promote the whole lot from hand-carved toys and trinkets to collectable Christmas gadgets, and the twinkling lights overhead spark much more vacation cheer. The well-known tree and gleaming Christmas Pyramid on the heart of the Barfusserplatz present the right backdrop for vacation pictures. There are numerous reminiscences to be made at what is commonly thought of the oldest Christmas market in all of Switzerland.
Basel Christmas Market 2022 dates: November twenty fourth via December twenty third, 2022. Open each day 11am-8:30pm. Dec. 23 at Munsterplatz, from 11am to 6pm, and Dec. 23 at Barfusserplatz, from 11am to 8pm.
Waisenhausplatz, Bern
Bern, Switzerland’s stunning capital metropolis, is understood for being extra tranquil than most of the world’s different capitals, and that’s a lot of what made me fall in love with it. Whereas there’s nonetheless a little bit of a hustle and bustle, Bern shines extra in its cultural richness than its towering skyscrapers. That cultural richness is what makes the Waisenhausplatz Christmas market so particular.
Waisenhausplatz is the extra conventional of Bern’s two well-known vacation markets. It’s bordered by a fence of fir tree branches, which encompass the market with the look and odor of the vacation season. Contained in the fir fence, you’ll discover conventional wood stalls promoting the whole lot from on a regular basis gadgets and items to ornaments and different Christmas decorations. Scorching meals and conventional vacation snacks are additionally served from quite a lot of stalls, so be sure you go to with an empty abdomen.
Waisenhausplatz Christmas market 2022 dates and occasions: Dec 2 – 24, 2022. Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Waisenhausplatz: Dec 2nd – twenty fourth and Dec 27 – 30.
Try a full information to Bern.
Christkindlimarket, Zurich
Zurich is the biggest and most bustling metropolis in Switzerland, and its famed Christmas market doesn’t fall quick on these huge metropolis lights. This market is definitely extra identified for its glitz and glam than something, with an enormous Christmas tree, adorned with Swarovski crystals, on the coronary heart of all of it.
Zurich’s Christkindlmarket is considered one of Europe’s largest indoor markets, and it’s simply accessed by practice, as a result of it’s really held instantly inside the principle practice station. Right here, you’ll be able to wander the labyrinth of stalls, snack on cinnamon-topped baked items, snap pictures in entrance of the crystal-covered tree, and make reminiscences sipping scorching mulled wine with mates. And should you’re trying to knock out all your vacation buying in a single place with distinctive handmade items, there’s no higher market within the nation to go to than this one within the coronary heart of Zurich.
Zurich Christkindlmarket dates 2022: twenty fourth November to twenty fourth December 2022. Opening occasions: 11am to 9pm. Closes at 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 4pm on the twenty fourth December. Location: Between Mühlegasse and Grossmünster within the Niederdorf District
Lucerne Christmas Market, Lucerne
Swiss locals and vacationers from across the globe enterprise to the waterfront metropolis of Lucerne for the annual Christmas Market within the coronary heart of Previous City. From late November to Dec. 23, Franziskanerplatz turns into a miniature city of festively-decorated wood stalls and distributors promoting conventional Swiss vacation meals and drinks. Youngsters can sip on a candy Christmas punch whereas dad and mom savor scorching mulled wine and store for one-of-a-kind items from the greater than 70 distributors.
It’s price visiting the Lucerne Christmas Marketplace for the festive really feel alone. Watch because the little ones run to the Christmas carousel, which is assembled yearly and turns to vacation music performed by choirs and brass ensembles. For those who’re feeling like even the slightest little bit of a Scrooge this yr, the Lucerne Christmas Market is assured to spark your vacation spirit.
Additionally make sure that to take a look at the lined bridge when you there, it is the oldest in Europe!
Lucerne Christmas Market dates: Thursday, December 1st to Mon, Dec. 21, 2022
Lugano Christmas Market, Lugano
Your Christmas vacation travels might take you to the picture-perfect resort city of Lugano on the coast of Lake Como. Whereas this metropolis in southern Switzerland usually feels extra Italian than Swiss (it’s even Italian-speaking), it doesn’t lack any of the vacation appeal you’re in search of. Much more, whereas the remainder of the nation is sort of frigid throughout the winter months, Lugano stays gentle, making a extra attractive ambiance for buying and eating open air.
Lugano’s Previous City space turns into a not-so-snowy winter wonderland throughout the Creation season, when festive vacation market stalls fill the streets. The stalls, providing handmade trinkets and conventional vacation treats, present a welcome change from the numerous high-end retailers close by. After all, you’ll be able to at all times duck into these whenever you want an extra-special reward. And don’t miss the large Christmas tree with its twinkling lights in Piazza Riforma, which is commonly visited by swans from the lake, creating an much more photogenic (and lovely) backdrop.
This market’s proximity to Italy additionally means you’ll take pleasure in decrease costs than many different Swiss Christmas markets, so carry loads of money and be prepared to buy. The Lugano Christmas Market additionally extends into January, which suggests it may be visited in your after-Christmas travels too.
Lugano Christmas Market dates: 1st December to twenty fourth December 2022
Einsiedeln Christmas Market, Einsiedeln
Not all of my favourite Christmas markets are characterised solely by what’s inside. Many occasions, the backdrop is way of what makes a specific vacation market so particular, and that’s definitely the case within the charming municipality of Einsiedeln.
The Einsiedeln Christmas Market is appropriately situated subsequent to the city’s gingerbread museum, which can also be a bakery and an excellent place to seize vacation baked items earlier than leaving. The market provides an intimate ambiance, and its barely smaller dimension solely provides to the appeal. However arguably even higher than the festive stalls, decorations, and meals inside, is the backdrop of the snow-covered Einsiedeln Abbey. This Benedictine monastery, which has been visited by pilgrims for greater than 1,000 years, provides unmatched historical past and appeal, and the encircling jagged mountain tops add much more to the festive spirit and wonder.
The Einsiedeln Christmas Market is just open for 9 days throughout the Creation season, so it is a market you could want to regulate your vacation journey schedule to go to.
Einsiedeln Christmas Market 2022 dates: Nov. 25, 2022 to Dec. 4, 2022
Christkindlimarkt Rapperswil, St Gallen
Hundreds of vacation lights, and 700 stars shining over the sq., welcome guests to Christkindlimarkt Rapperswill in St Gallen, a historic metropolis that takes Christmas severely. Inside the twinkling market, you’ll discover greater than 250 distributors, promoting the whole lot from vacation decorations to items and gourmand meals. I like watching the candle makers dip and beautify the candles they later promote of their cubicles.
The glimmering lights and choirs singing vacation carols can spark the Christmas spirit in even probably the most Scrooge-like guests. Exterior of the market, the town of St Gallen absolutely embraces the Christmas spirit with many eating places providing particular menus with conventional vacation meals. It doesn’t matter should you’ve been to St Gallen previously, the town has a wholly completely different really feel from late November to late December.
Christkindlimarkt Rapperswil 2022 dates: November twenty fourth till December twenty fourth 2022
Chur Christmas Market, Chur
What higher place to expertise Switzerland’s vacation appeal than within the nation’s oldest metropolis? Chur, which frequently falls off the overwhelmed vacationer path, provides a historic backdrop for considered one of my favourite Christmas markets within the nation — the Chur Christmas Market.
The town’s fairytale-like Previous City hosts a Christmas market that appears to fall off the overwhelmed path too, and that’s a lot of what makes it so particular. Right here, you’ll be able to admire glistening vacation lights, store to embellish your property for the vacations (or full your Christmas listing), and snack on conventional Swiss vacation eats. Uncover the town’s wealthy historical past or embark from right here on one of many nation’s scenic winter practice rides and make a complete getaway out of your go to to the charming Chur Christmas Market.
Chur Christmas Market dates and occasions: 25 November – 23 December 2022
Schaffhausen Christmas Market, Stein am Rhein
The fairytale-like city of Stein am Rhein turns into much more magical throughout the vacation season, when the Schaffhausen Christmas Market opens and guests come from world wide to soak within the vacation cheer. Mother and father can store the humanities, crafts, and spices till they drop and children can journey the carousel, hop aboard the steam railway, or greet Santa Claus and his ponies (a unique tackle reindeer).
The whole riverside city of Stein am Rhein embraces the Christmas spirit with its medieval buildings adorned in shining lights, and following the market, it’s an absolute should to stroll the Rhine bridge, as its draped in vacation lights. Deliver your digicam, as a result of the market, and all of Stein am Rhein are particularly photogenic this time of yr.
Schaffhausen Christmas Market dates: November 26, 2022, & Dec. 10, 2022
Montreux Noel Christmas Market, Montreux
It could be the ultimate entry on my listing of the ten greatest Christmas markets in Switzerland, however the Montreux Noel Christmas Market is arguably the highest vacation market within the nation. A lot of the market’s fame comes from its postcard-worthy setting on the shore of Lake Geneva. Lavish accommodations, which look extra castles, and snow-capped mountain peaks function a backdrop for the lake and Switzerland’s most scenic Christmas market.
You may eat till you burst on the Montreux Noel Christmas Market, snacking on freshly-made crepes, candied nuts, and different conventional Swiss vacation eats. Procuring consists of quite a lot of items from distributors across the nation and across the globe. As an illustration, I discovered Canadian maple syrup and hand-crafted gold bookmarks right here. For those who’re on the lookout for a present for that one that already has the whole lot, that is the place to do your vacation buying.
Even higher, you’ll be able to break up your buying and eating with journeys to the wine-drinking igloo. The Montreux Noel Christmas Market is really not like every other in Switzerland, and that’s why it might be final however definitely not least.
Montreux Noel Christmas Market 2022 dates: November 18 to December 24, 2022
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN SWITZERLAND
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE VISITING CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN SWITZERLAND?
Christmas markets in Switzerland are much like these throughout Europe and world wide. Nevertheless, after I journey all through Switzerland, I attempt to permit myself just a little additional time to discover the cities along with the markets. Many Swiss cities take Christmas adorning severely, like Stein am Rhein, so I like to permit myself a day or two additional to discover.
I additionally like to go to Christmas markets with loads of money available, since many distributors want money or just don’t settle for bank card in any respect.
WHAT ARE THE DATES FOR THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS?
Most Christmas markets in Switzerland run from late November to late December, usually closing on Dec. 23, or Dec. 24. Nevertheless, some markets do run via the vacations into January, and others are open for just some weeks previous Christmas.
HOW MANY CHRISTMAS MARKETS ARE THERE IN SWITZERLAND?
Enterprise all through Switzerland, and also you’ll discover Christmas markets all over the place from the biggest metropolis squares to the tiniest villages. It’s troublesome to say precisely what number of Christmas markets there are within the nation, but when you end up in Switzerland throughout the holidays, you’re assured to find a market close by.
A few of my favourite smaller cities shouldn’t have Christmas markets however that should not cease you from going! The city of Zermatt is a winter dream and I extremely advocate it!
For those who’re dreaming of a Christmas wonderland, then Switzerland is the right selection!
Different Christmas posts to learn:
What to Eat and Drink at a Christmas Market
Final Information for The Finest Christmas Markets in Europe
15 Finest Christmas Markets in Germany
