Where To Find the Best Christmas Markets in Switzerland (and How to Visit)

On the shores of Lake Geneva, Montreux hosts a Christmas Market each December that features more than 150 decorated and illuminated chalets. Visit Santa Claus (who arrives direct from Lapland in his reindeer-drawn sleigh), as well as an authentic Christmas Village in Caux. There, stroll through a medieval market where you can attend a story festival within the walls of the legendary Château de Chillon. Other holiday highlights include the yuletide light show projected onto the facade of the Montreux Palace and the cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye, where Santa greets young visitors at his Alpine home.

Zurich seems to have a Christmas market for everyone, from the four main markets that bustle with shoppers in the city center to the smaller neighborhood options. Visit Zurich’s oldest market in the charming Old Town; stroll through the urban Wienachtsdorf on Sechseläutenplatz; or drink your mulled wine in the shadow of a 49-foot (15-meter) Christmas tree at the Christkindlmarkt at Zurich’s Main Train Station, one of the largest of its kind in Europe. No matter which you choose, you’ll find vendors selling handcrafted trinkets, delicious pastries, gourmet chocolates, and—of course—mulled wine.

Bern’s medieval old town is a particularly picturesque backdrop for the city’s traditional Christmas markets. The ones that fill Münsterplatz and Waisenhausplatz in December are considered Bern’s finest, with cheery holiday atmospheres and dozens of stalls stocked with handmade wares from Bern and the surrounding cantons, plus Christmas goodies such as gingerbread and Öpfelchüchli (apple fritters). And don’t miss the excellent seasonal artisan market held in front of the town’s cathedral, with about 100 stalls selling one-of-a-kind art, accessories, decorations, and handmade souvenirs.

Basel is one of Switzerland’s prettiest Christmas destinations and hosts two Christmas markets. The Münsterplatz market—the oldest and largest in Switzerland—features almost 200 wooden stalls lined up in neat rows beneath the city’s cathedral, plus a Christmas village where kids can take part in seasonal cooking and crafts in the Fairytale Forest. The bustling tram hub of Barfüsserplatz hosts the city’s second main Christmas market, where there’s a more modern setting. Even so, the stands are still stocked with old-timey handicrafts, wooden toys, and holiday decorations.

Insider tip: Be sure to taste the cheesy local specialty Chäsbängel (a fondue-filled baguette).

One of Switzerland’s largest cities hosts a number of bustling Christmas markets. The pedestrian-only Rue du Mont-Blanc is lined by small wooden chalets piled high with sweet baked treats, books, and toys while the Marché de Noël à la Fusterie features artisan products and handmade crafts. Alternatively, stroll through the Noël aux Bastions, aglow with fairy lights in Parc des Bastions. In addition to stalls selling artisan crafts, the market houses a festive carousel and an ice rink, plus plenty of street food stands, including the crowd-pleasing Chalet of Fondue.

Lucerne leans into the holiday season with several Christmas markets, including the traditional Lozärner Wiehnachtsmärt set next to the historic Franziskaner Kirche (Franciscan Church). This buzzy market is popular with both tourists and residents—meet locals relaxing over a mulled wine; feast on seasonal sweets; and browse the stands for sheepskin winter accessories, holiday decorations, and handicrafts. The city’s other main market, Luzerner Handwerksmarkt, focuses on handmade goods like artisan ceramics and glassware, ideal for gifts and souvenirs.

Lausanne offers a more contemporary spin on the traditional Christmas market during the city’s Bô Noël celebration each December. In addition to stands selling crafts by local artisans, the downtown is decked in bold light installations and displays for the Lausanne Lumières festival, a striking departure from the Christmas-card atmosphere of other Swiss towns. The main markets are in Place Saint-François and Place Pépinet, while the Marché du Terroir market in Place d’Europe focuses on regional gourmet specialties and is held in a giant inflatable igloo.

Bellinzona, the capital of the Italy-bordering Ticino canton, hosts a large Christmas market in the old town center including almost 200 stalls that sell holiday crafts, artisan products, and hot snacks to warm you up during the brisk Swiss evenings. Live Christmas music and a traditional carousel add to the festive atmosphere but check the dates as this market is held for just a week each December.

The elegant lakeside city of Lugano is also known for its captivating Christmas celebrations. Expect holiday concerts and events, dazzling decorations, and a picturesque Christmas market that kicks off with the tree-lighting ceremony in Piazza della Riforma. Market stalls sell artisan crafts and classic decorations, plus there are a number of food stands between Piazza della Riforma and Piazza Manzoni to sample sweet and savory regional specialties. As an added plus, the Christmas Village offers family-friendly concerts and activities right through December.