Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it looks like a postcard with snowy mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, rivers, green valleys, breathtaking waterfalls, ancient towns, bustling cities, all these make it a desirable destination, despite being expensive, a trip to Switzerland is A dream come true for many. Switzerland's Christmas markets are pure pleasure, imagine wandering through the market in front of the most beautiful views in the world, with a mug of hot chocolate in hand, tasting the unique holiday traditions in a small town surrounded by nature or enjoying a modern Christmas market, alongside a host of boutique shops in Basel or Zurich, we recommend Don't stay in one place and jump between the many best markets in Switzerland and make it an amazing, experiential winter trip.
The Swiss take Christmas very seriously and the markets are a complete celebration and they will definitely impress you with the special glow and uniqueness each market has.
Switzerland also borders France and Italy, so if the whole trip is expensive for you, you can fly to another country and combine only some of the markets offered here. Switzerland is a country divided into cantons and several languages are spoken, there is the German, Italian and French region, so you can feel in Switzerland as if you are jumping between Different countries, with a different language, culture, cuisine in every area you come to, and this is also the beauty and uniqueness, that the country is small, but very diverse.
The diversity is very evident during the holiday season, the Italian region is different from the German or French region, Christmas is the ultimate time to come to Switzerland and absorb its multitude of traditions and cultures, you will find throughout the small country, a multitude of Christmas markets and activities, from those located on top of mountains or those with a direct view of the lake to For celebrations with dancers and parades - everything is wrapped in a peaceful atmosphere and breathtaking views.
If you are dreaming of a trip to Switzerland and think that it only has something to offer in the summer, think again, it is highly recommended to come to Switzerland at Christmas, we have prepared a guide that will explain to you how to experience the best Christmas markets in Switzerland and get the best out of them.
So where is the best Christmas market in Switzerland? It was very difficult for us to choose one and why choose only one, when we can review some of the most selected ones for you? Switzerland is magical, no matter where you visit or where you go, you will hardly meet a single street or alley in it that is not beautiful, besides that everything is clean and polished, there is magic in the air, the lyrics of the song clear air as wine have never been truer when it comes to Switzerland, so it is true that Switzerland is cold dear, But this list of our Christmas markets will make you want to pack warm clothes and set off to experience a Swiss Christmas
Switzerland Christmas markets trip - Christmas market Switzerland? Here is the full list!
Zurich Christmas Market
If you want to visit big and shiny markets, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and there you will also find the most impressive Christmas tree 50 feet high with Swarovski diamonds. The tree is located at the train station in a market called - Christkindlmarkt,
This is one of the biggest Christmas markets not only in Switzerland, but in Europe as a whole, the market is so big that it stretches all the way to the main shopping street, Bahnhofstrasse, so besides all the amazing stalls, you can enter one of the amazing shops whose shop windows are beautifully decorated and covered in glowing lights. Another market is located at Werdmühleplatz, it is also a very central and large market, here the Christmas tree not only sparkles with lights, but it even sings when you approach it, the market is located near the largest department stores in Zurich, so that you can complete the shopping experience there.
The market we particularly liked is located in the old town at Sechseläutenplatz, near the Zurich Opera House. There you will find countless stalls selling everything, handmade souvenirs, clothing, bags, purses, scarves and woolen clothes and gloves, jewelry, housewares and of course food stalls, the markets are usually heated by ovens and allow you to wander with pleasure, of course you can drink a cup of hot cocoa or enjoy From the traditional mulled wine.
Every year Zurich holds a show with light and sound effects called ILLUMINARIUM, a special show that takes place in the inner courtyard of the National Museum of Zurich, where you can meet storytellers, taste brightly colored cotton candy, enjoy concerts and other surprises for children and teenagers - the light show is the highlight, You are drawn into an interactive experience, feeling like you are going on a journey through the sky and actually touching the stars, the show takes place every evening from 17:00 PM to 20:00 PM.
To complete the Swiss Christmas experience, don't forget to choose a central hotel, preferably in the old town, near Lake Zurich.
In conclusion, in the markets of Zurich you will find many huts, some of them are dedicated only to foods made of ginger and you will even find a fondue hut, in a warm atmosphere you can dip bread in boiling and stretching cheese. The delicacies are so delicious in the markets, it will make you make many stops to sample all the Swiss holiday delicacies and delicacies.
Christmas market by the lake in the town of Montreux
The Christmas market in the town of Montreux, which is located about an hour from Geneva and about two hours from Interlaken, is known as one of the most popular Christmas markets in Switzerland, dozens of stalls are located in front of the breathtaking view of Lake Geneva, with snowy mountains in the background and Schion Castle, which looks like a castle from fairy tales, serves as the perfect backdrop.
If you come to visit the markets in the fall, during November you can enjoy the views of the fall, a golden and red flowerpot against the blue background of the lake and the snow-capped mountains in the background, this is an image that cannot be resisted, in Montreux you can skip between a stall of jewelry and a stall of handmade souvenirs, knitted clothes, Get ready for a variety of goods, even in the food section you can find here both German and French influences, from French crepes to pastry with nuts, we even saw food with foreign influences, for example we were amazed to discover a stand with Lebanese, Indian food and more. So the enjoyment is guaranteed and everyone can find the pastry or the food he likes.
We recommend taking a walk on Montero's spectacular promenade, which is surrounded by flowers and well-kept vegetation, walk all the way until you see the statue of Queen singer Freddie Mercury, who has a 3 m high statue right on the lakeshore as a tribute to the fact that he lived in the city before his death... in Montero, every year they also Igloo houses where you can sit down to eat and enjoy hot wine and alcohol, just like hospitality at the bar.
It is true that the Christmas markets are very bright at night, thanks to the lights, but Switzerland is a special case and if you really want to enjoy its views and see the promenade and the lake, you should visit during the day and then of course you can stay throughout the evening and enjoy both experiences.
Lausanne Christmas Market
Lausanne is a city where there is a university and where many young artists live, as well as those from Europe who have come to study and live there, Lausanne offers some of the most lively markets in Switzerland, with art displays by local artists, the streets are particularly illuminated and the highlight is a festival held in the city and it seems simply, a festival Lausanne Lumiere, where there are huge buildings simulating elephants and many other glamorous houses, the whole city is decorated and in every corner there is an interesting stand that makes you want to explore.
As in all of Switzerland, not far from there you can enjoy the mountain scenery, you can go up to the church towers providing breathtaking views of the city and the crazy mountains in the background of the market that we really liked, it is the covered market in Saint Francois Square, which keeps you dry and warm and also allows you to enjoy the magical Christmas atmosphere and offers entertainment and spirit Hagad, another market located in Papient Square, where you will find dozens of stalls of local artists and artisans and merchants, you will see many students enjoying and drinking craft beer and many others prefer glöhwein, the traditional warm wine, which is mostly alcohol-free.
And of course, although not only a festive activity, I strongly recommend stopping at the Olympic Museum as well, a real treat for Olympic fans like me. In the interest of full disclosure, I may have cried twice.
Here, too, our tip to you is to choose a place to stay in the city center to be within walking distance and thus you will not have to spend a lot of money on the transportation system which is excellent in Switzerland, but also expensive, a central location will put you near the markets and the main attractions in the city. In conclusion, the markets of Lausanne are very special, their Christmas decoration is creative, young and kicking - we could even see decorations that you can buy as a souvenir, inspired by Mary Poppins.
Lugano Christmas Market
We finally arrived in the Italian part of Switzerland, not too far from Italy's famous Lake Como, is the Italian Canton of Switzerland, where Italian is spoken, the cuisine is Italian, the culture is Italian, only the landscapes are completely Swiss, one of the most beautiful cities in the Italian Canton of Ticino , is of course the city of Lugano, where you will find one of the most spectacular promenades and gardens, as well as a spacious park and a bathing beach.
Staying here will confuse you, you will feel that you have left Switzerland and arrived in Italy, the people here are a little warmer and the entertainment places are open until late, you get the advantage here of the most beautiful views in Europe, but with the most delicious cuisine, Italian cuisine.
Lugano is a place of refuge from the coldness that characterizes the German side, this does not mean that it is not cold, but you feel the difference and the climate here is definitely milder, still pack all your warm clothes.
The old town of Lugano is full of stalls where you will find all the usual things, holiday decorations, souvenirs, clothing, bags, coats, jewelry, with the Italian influence evident in them, of course you can't do without the food stalls and treats waiting for you, how could you not? In the central piazza of the city, where you will find a central stage with musicians, orchestras, choirs, entertainment shows for both adults and children, lots of creative workshops, pizza stands, pasta with intoxicating aromas like only an Italian pastry shop can produce, the soft handmade pastas are some of the tastiest we ate in Switzerland, Excite the Italian specialty, the pizzas here are dreamy, but of course you will find many other foods, smoked meats, stews, soups, street food such as greasy and juicy sausage in a bun or baguette, cookies and cakes and gelato in many colors and delicious that is fun to eat even in winter.
The Christmas tree stands in Piazza Reforma, from where you can continue to the promenade, along the lake, watch the ships at anchor, the trees swaying in the wind, see the swans, we even saw a magical sight of a swan hatching on a huge egg and warming it, Lugano is a resort town where you can meet many tourists Both from Italy and Switzerland, to enjoy entertainment, good food, amazing views and relatively comfortable and not too cold weather.
Please note that during Christmas some hotels will offer you packages especially for Christmas that include accommodation in a luxury hotel and hospitality that includes a luxurious multi-course holiday meal.
Even if you chose to go to a more modest hotel, you can choose one of the excellent restaurants in the city, of course it is mandatory to make a reservation in advance, in Lugano there are restaurants for everyone from simple and authentic to luxury restaurants that look like a museum, either way, the food is amazing in this city.
Basel Christmas Market
You must have already realized from all our descriptions that Switzerland at Christmas time is one of the most magical places on the globe, but which city hosts the most popular markets? The answer is unequivocal, the city of Basel.
This city is known to Israelis thanks to the fact that at the end of the 19th century the city hosted the first Zionist Congress, remember the immortal picture of Herzl leaning on the railing? So she was photographed in Basel, Switzerland. Basel is a meeting place of all three cultures, Swiss, German and French and is a city with an art scene and very rich in culture, it has some of the most important and best museums in all of Switzerland.
It offers the best Christmas markets in Switzerland and the most prominent in Europe, befitting any Swiss city, the first market you will find nearby and near the train station, this pleasant market offers you to keep the cups from which you will sip the glöwein, the famous mulled wine, here you can also find jewelry, carved items In wood, decorations and lights for the tree in the shapes of animals or hearts or stars.
We recommend not to miss a visit to the market located in Münsterplatz where you will find very diverse goods, choirs singing holiday carols, the atmosphere is amazing, Santa Claus is handing out sweets to children, the place is simply spectacular with decorations and lights. Another recommended market is located at Barfüsserplatz and is also considered one of the largest Christmas markets in Switzerland, the atmosphere there is magical, as it turns into a kind of winter wonderland, with a crazy sales fair, an entertainment program with local artists, concerts, children's shows and other varied surprises that change too much sleep. The food stalls also do not disappoint and you can find a variety and high quality international food here, from Chinese stir fry to borscht, we were even amazed to see a stall with hummus and falafel.
The city's huge and impressive tree is located next to the towering Christmas pyramid and both form the heart of the market center of Barfüsserplatz, another large and lively market, so as you already understood in Basel, you will not be bored, Basel is the city that started the tradition of Christmas markets in Switzerland and every year It is trying to maintain the high standard it sets and surpass all the markets elsewhere, in the meantime it is succeeding for them.
Lucerne Christmas Market
And we will move to the center of Switzerland to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and certainly in Switzerland, an ancient city with alleys, colorful houses, the famous lion statue, the bridge over the river the most spectacular promenade we have seen in Switzerland, Lucerne is a magical city, it has some of the most beautiful peaks in the center of Switzerland and not far from it you will find Mount Moshel is also a lively city, with many entertainment places and restaurants all year round, from restaurants with Michelin stars to authentic Italian trattorias, sushi to Indian and Mexican food, and all this is also very evident in its markets. Lucerne is a city that hosts festivals and cultural events throughout the year, in the summer it hosts a rock festival as well as a jazz festival, it is always buzzing with life, more than Zurich and therefore very popular, of course its lovely lake makes it a special gem. You will still feel the magic of Christmas when you get off at the train station, where the lights will start to dazzle you, you will see stalls offering goods.
But of course the most worthwhile market is the main market in Franziskanerplatz which offers performances and stages, you can dance and see artists until the wee hours of the night and eat from sausages to gourmet food and buy jewelry and clothes even late at night. Another successful market is the craft market at Mühlenplatz. A charming market and it too is full of stalls, twinkling with lights and offering entertainment to the masses.
Do not miss going up to Mount Pilatus, you can also go up for a lookout towards the amazing views at Christmas, note that Pilatus has a cable car and there is a train, Pilatus hosts a market at an altitude of over 2000 meters above sea level, but find out before you arrive, because the market is open for one weekend , just before the cog train closes for the winter for safety reasons.
FAQ
The Christmas market of the capital city of Switzerland, Bern
It is impossible to review the Christmas markets without visiting the Swiss capital, the beautiful Bern.
Visit a city known for its nightlife, watch and bears, here you will experience culinary and find some of the busiest markets in Switzerland.
A market located in front of the Einsiedeln monastery, the royal Benedictine monastery is located next to a famous bakery that has become a museum where you will taste the most delicious gingerbread in Europe.
Note that it is only open for a week and a half, so check the dates before you come there.
At the St. Gallen Christmas market, this city has not just been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is stunning and will amaze you with its Christmas atmosphere, the city is known for the fact that you can see all the stars in the sky from it, so you can enjoy not only the market and the amazing scenery of Switzerland, but to enjoy an amazing sight of a sky decorated with twinkling stars, beyond the tens of thousands of lights that decorate the city. In St. Gallen you will also find, apparently, the tallest Christmas tree in the country.
In the Interlaken Christmas market, right in the heart of the Swiss valleys and Alps lies Interlaken, so called due to being located between the two lakes of Reinz and Thun in addition to a charming market, you can enjoy a mountain view here. You can wander through the Top of Europe ICE MAGIC fair Hoek is located in the heart of Interlaken and offers countless stands, but the highlight is the ice rink and many snow activities.
There are 6 skating rinks in front of the most beautiful views of Switzerland. There is also a cafe in the premises that sells hot drinks, cakes and many other dishes.
In the city of Chur, it is an ancient and picturesque city with an amazing Christmas market.
The city is connected by some of the most beautiful train routes in Switzerland, so it is definitely recommended to reach it on a winter train trip.
