By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 10th October 2024 | Updated: 29th November 2024
Thinking about taking a trip to Switzerland to experience the world renown Christmas Markets? From mid-November through to January you can find Christmas Markets across Switzerland, in the main cities as well as smaller towns and villages, so visiting Switzerland Christmas markets could not be easier. So here is our guide to the top markets, when to visit them and what you simply have to try at them:
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Best Switzerland Christmas Markets
There are numerous Christmas Markets across Switzerland, but these are our top picks to really get you in the festive spirit:
Basel
Now we may be biased as Basel is our home, but the Christmas Markets in Basel are some of the most beautiful and festive in Switzerland. Open from mid November through to 23rd December, there are three markets to explore in Basel with each having its own twist on the festivities, perfect for spending an evening or two beneath the fairy lights between the rustic decorated chalets. All the markets are easy to get to by public transport, either by tram or bus, or on foot as Basel is quite a small city.
🎄 Christmas Market at Barfüsserplatz – This market is the place to not only find a last minute gift but also try the delicious food selection and Glühwein. We can highly recommend a fondue baguette from the Chäsbängel stand!
🎄 Münsterplatz Christmas Market – In the market square surrounding the Basel Münster, you will find all the traditional Christmas gifts, including handmade ornaments and traditional Basler biscuits, (Läckerli), as well as a childrens Christmas area, so perfect for all the family to enjoy.
🎄 Adväntsgass im Glaibasel – this is the market to go to if you want to try all the traditional, or just delicious food and drink that can be found across the country during the holiday season.
Where to stay in Basel for the Christmas Markets
There are numerous options for accommodation in Basel, but these are our top picks for each budget:
Budget: Hotel by Hyve Basel
Mid Range: Art House Basel
Luxury: Hotel Les Trois Rois
Best Tours in Basel
With numerous tours on offer across the city, these are the best ones to get a taste of what Basel is all about:
📍 Walking Tour through Basel Old Town
📍 Basel Local Chocolate Tasting
Bern
Berner Weihnachtsmarkt transforms the cobbled streets of Bern into a festive village, with chalet style stalls in all the main squares with gifts, souvenirs and of course local delicacies on offer. The markets run from mid November through to the beginning of January (the dates vary depending on which of the Christmas markets you are visiting). They are all also easily accessible by train, with the main train station in Bern just a short walk away.
⛄️ Berner Sternenmarkt on Kleine Schanze – From mid-November through to the end of December.
⛄️ Waisenhausplatz Christmas Market at Waisenhauzplatz – From late November through to Christmas Eve, then Old Years and New Years Markets held between Christmas and New Year and from New Year until the following weekend.
⛄️ Bern Minster Christmas Market below Bern Minster – From late November through to Christmas Eve
⛄️ Minster Terrace Artisan Market on the Bern Minster terrace – Held on weekends in December only
Where to stay in Bern for the Christmas Markets
There are numerous options for accommodation in Bern, but these are our top picks for each budget:
Budget: Hotel Nydeck
Mid Range: Hotel Savoy
Luxury: Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
Best Tours in Bern
With numerous tours on offer across the city, these are the best ones to get a taste of the Swiss capital:
📍 Bern Old Town in 90 Minutes Tour
📍 Bern Zytglogge – Clock Tower Tour
Geneva
The Noël au Quai in Geneva is one of the biggest markets in the region, with the typical traditional markets, fondue chalets at the Quai du Mont-Blanc and a Christmas Pub, (yes you read that correctly a Christmas Pub!). There is also an ice skating rink and children’s yurts perfect for all the family. It is open from mid November through to Christmas Eve and is easily connected to the rest of the city by train and tram.
Where to stay in Geneva for the Christmas Markets
There are numerous options for accommodation in Geneva, but these are our top picks for each budget:
Budget: Hotel Rousseau
Mid Range: Tiffany Hotel
Luxury: Meininger Hotel Geneve Centre Charmilles
Best Tours in Geneva
There are numerous tours on offer across Geneva, these are the best ones:
📍 50 Minute Lake Geneva Cruise
📍 Chocolate Walking Tour of Geneva
📍 Geneva Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus
Lucerne
Lucerne at Christmas is wonderful, with the city bathed in twinkling lights and a few couple of markets to choose from. There is also a beautiful Christmas tree on Europaplatz and an ice rink perfect for enjoying the Christmas atmosphere alongside Advent concerts which are held on selected days from the end of November through to January. The markets are held from mid-November through to Christmas Eve, and are all easy to reach on foot from Lucerne’s main train station.
❄️ Lucerne Christmas Market at Franziskanerplatz – This is the location of the main Christmas Market in Lucerne, right in the heart of the Old Town.
❄️ Rudolf’s Christmas Spectacle at Inseliquai – A small Christmas market filled with local goods and some of the best seasonal food you can find!
❄️ Christmas Market at Schweizerhofquai – alongside the lake, (where there are Christmas trees being sold), this market is held on Sundays during the advent, and is the perfect place to pick up a gift or two.
Where to stay in Lucerne for the Christmas Markets
There are numerous options for accommodation in Lucerne, but these are our top picks for each budget:
Budget: ibis budget Hotel Luzern City
Mid Range: Hotel Astoria
Luxury: Grand Hotel National Luzern
Best Tours in Lucerne
With numerous tours on offer across the city, these are the best ones to get a taste of what Lucerne is all about:
📍 Lucerne: Mt Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise
📍 Lucerne Private Walking Tour with a Local
Lugano
Piazza della Riforma is the location for the main events and entertainment for the Christmas markets in Lugano, with a decorated Christmas tree taking centre stage and the surrounding streets filled with wooden Christmas chalet style market stands selling local goods and delicious Ticinese Christmas food, (we’re talking panettone and chestnuts galore!). Starting at the end of November through to the first weekend in January, this is one of the longer running markets in Switzerland allowing you to visit even after the main Christmas period. The markets are easily accessible from Lugano’s train station with a short funicular train ride from the station down into Lugano leaving you only a couple of minutes’ walk away from the markets.
Where to stay in Lugano for the Christmas Markets
There are numerous options for accommodation in Lugano, but these are our top picks for each budget:
Budget: GuestHouse Lugano Center by LR
Mid Range: Best Western Hotel Bellevue au Lac
Luxury: Hotel Splendide Royal
Best Tours in Lugano
With numerous tours on offer across the city and into the neighbouring mountains these are the best ones to get a taste of what Lugano is all about:
📍 Lugano Self Guided Food Tour
Montreux
The Montreux Noël Market runs from mid-November through to Christmas Eve, with over 170 chalets along the lake edge at the Grand-Rue, with delicious food like grilled sausages and fondue on offer too. Oh, and be sure to catch Santa Claus in his sleigh as he flies over the markets every day at 5, 6 and 7pm! Montreux is also very easily accessible by train and bus from the nearby cities such as Lausanne and Vevey.
Where to stay in Montreux for the Christmas Markets
There are numerous options for accommodation in Montreux, but these are our top picks for each budget:
Budget: Hotel Eden Palace Au Lac
Mid Range: Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic
Luxury: Fairmont Le Montreux Palace
Best Tours in Montreux
These are the best Montreux tours to get a taste of what the place is all about:
📍 Montreux 2 hour Riviera Cruise
📍 Montreux Chateau Chillon Entrance Ticket
📍 Montreux: In the footsteps of Freddie Mercury
Zurich
Zurich is home to a number of Christmas markets that are spread out across the city, from the lake edge to the old town and even at the train station, which all transform the city into a real winter wonderland. They all run from mid-November through to the 23rd of December or Christmas Eve depending on location, but are all easily accessible from either train or tram links, making it easy to explore multiple markets during one visit to Zurich.
⛄️ Zurich Sechseläutenplatz – The largest market in Zurich held in front of the Opera House.
⛄️ Zurich Altstadt – Throughout the Old Town the streets are lined with little wooden chalets selling gifts.
⛄️ Zurich Hauptbahnhof – Switzerlands largest indoor Christmas market, (so perfect if the weather isn’t playing ball), well known for its massive Swarovski Christmas tree.
⛄️ Zurich Münsterhof – Market in the square in the beautiful Lindenhof- Quartier.
⛄️ Zurich Werdmühleplatz – this square is home to the unique Zurich Singing Christmas Tree, where choirs spread their Christmas cheer!
⛄️ Zurich Weihnachtsallee – Near to the Bahnhof this market is all about the food, and food from around the world not just in Switzerland.
Where to stay in Zurich for the Christmas Markets
There are numerous options for accommodation in Zurich, but these are our top picks for each budget:
Budget: CitizenM Zurich
Mid Range: B2 Hotel Zurich
Luxury: The Dolder Grand
Best Tours in Zurich
With numerous tours on offer across the city, these are the best ones to get a taste of Zurich:
📍 2 hour Zurich Old Town Walking Tour
📍 Zurich: City Tour, Cruise & Lindt Visit
📍 Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket
Planning your own trip to Switzerland? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!
Switzerland Christmas Market FAQs
What is the most famous Christmas market in Switzerland?
The most famous Christmas market in Switzerland is Basel, which also happens to be the oldest Christmas market in Switzerland as well.
What is the most Christmassy town in Switzerland?
To be honest, there isn’t a non-Christmassy town during December in Switzerland! We do think that some of the most Christmassy feeling places are Basel and Montreux.
What are the dates of the Swiss Christmas markets?
The dates for the Switzerland Christmas Markets vary depending on location, but these are the dates for the most popular / biggest ones:
🎄 Basel – Mid November through to 23rd December
🎄 Bern – Mid November through to New Year
🎄 Geneva – Mid November through to Christmas Eve
🎄 Lucerne – Mid-November through to Christmas Eve
🎄 Lugano – From the end of November through to early January
🎄 Montreux – Mid-November through to Christmas Eve
🎄 Zurich – Mid-November through to Christmas Eve
Where is best to go in Switzerland at Christmas?
This slightly depends on where you want to visit and what you want to see during a trip to Switzerland at Christmas, but we can highly recommend staying in Basel, Lucerne or Zurich as they have great Christmas markets themselves as well as numerous day trips to both the mountains and neighbouring cities too.
Conclusion: The Best Switzerland Christmas Markets
So, there is our guide to the best Switzerland Christmas Markets you must visit this year. From the stunning Basel with its three market areas to the magical Montreux and its flying reindeer, why wouldn’t you want to visit Switzerland this Christmas?
All Our Switzerland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 Switzerland in Winter: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget
📍 Is Switzerland Worth Visiting & When: By A Local
📍 Can You See The Northern Lights In Switzerland?
📍 The Ultimate Guide to Basel Fasnacht From A Local
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.