It’s my favourite time of year people! In December, Switzerland transforms into the ultimate Hallmark Christmas movie set, I kid you not. The streets twinkle with fairy lights, the scent of mulled wine (or “Glühwein” if you want to sound like a local) and fondue wafts through the air, and markets pop up everywhere.
I have tried quite a few, but here are my Top 3 favourites:
Montreux
If you had to go to one Christmas market in Switzerland, it’s in Montreux. Montreux Noël (now through 24 December) is what happens when Christmas meets “The Sound of Music.” Set against the shimmering backdrop of Lake Geneva and the snow-capped Alps, this market is simply whimsical. Highlights include a lakeside Ferris wheel, 150 chalets selling everything from raclette to mulled cider, and Santa’s actual house up on Rochers-de-Naye (reachable by cogwheel train, naturally).
Yes, Santa lives in Switzerland, and no, he doesn’t take visitors during his cheese fondue breaks.
Pro Tip: Stay until nightfall to see the light show on the lake — it’s like Disney fireworks but
with fewer crying toddlers. And if you’ve had one too many mugs of mulled wine, don’t
worry—the view will still look stunning, even through blurry vision – tested and approved during
the Montreux Jazz Festival this summer.
Basel
Basel’s Christmas Market now through 23 December is like that one artsy friend on Instagram who always knows their angles – you know the ones. Split across two stunning locations, it’s a feast for your eyes and your camera roll. Barfüsserplatz is where you’ll find all the hustle and bustle, with vendors selling everything from hand carved wooden ornaments to gingerbread hearts as big as your head.
But the real star is Münsterplatz, where the market sprawls under Basel’s majestic cathedral.
It’s so picturesque you might forget the 12 francs you just spent on a waffle.
There’s also a candle-making station where you can channel your inner Swiss artisan – though let’s be honest, your candle will probably look like a melted potato.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying the Basel Läckerli, a spiced biscuit that’s essentially Christmas in cookie form. Bonus points if you pronounce it correctly on your first try. (Spoiler: you won’t, I still can’t, probably never will be able to.)
Zürich
Zürich’s Christkindlimarkt thru 24 December is located inside the cavernous Zürich Hauptbahnhof (what a horrendous word to say “train station”), this market is crowned by a 30-foot Swarovski Christmas tree.
Yes, Swarovski—because regular tinsel is for peasants. Welcome to Switzerland, losers.
Imagine sipping your Glühwein under a sparkling tree while debating if the ornaments are worth more than your annual rent. Vendors sell everything from artisanal chocolates to handcrafted candles that smell like “forest dreams” (whatever that is). And if you’re into people-watching, you’ll love the mix of tourists marveling at the tree, locals rolling their eyes and commuters just trying to catch their trains.
Pro Tip: The fondue stand is where the real magic happens. It’s cheese, wine, and a warm baguette – a love story better than “The Notebook.”
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See Geneva’s Christmas Market here.
See more about Switzerland here.
Read more from Charlotte here.
Charlotte Laborie grew up in England, Belgium and Switzerland. Charlotte then moved to Paris and graduated from Sciences Po Paris. She is still based in Paris, where she works in marketing.
