Let me share my thoughts on the fairytale Christmas experience I had in Switzerland after visiting its three unique cities: Lucerne, Zurich, and Basel.

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Where to enjoy Christmas in Switzerland

How cold is Switzerland at Christmas?

Switzerland in December can be quite cold, with temperatures varying depending on the region and elevation. Here’s a general overview. In the main cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Bern, daytime temperatures typically range from 0°C to 7°C (32°F to 45°F). Nighttime temperatures can drop to around -2°C to 2°C (28°F to 36°F). However, in the Swiss Alps, temperatures are colder, with resorts like Zermatt and St. Moritz experiencing daytime highs of -2°C to 3°C (28°F to 37°F) and nighttime lows often dropping to -10°C or lower (14°F and below). Snowfall is common in the Swiss Alps, so it is a popular destination for a winter-wonderland holiday.

White Christmas in Switzerland

Switzerland is one of my all-time favorite travel destinations in Europe (alongside Greece, Spain, and Iceland). This country impressed me so much during my first visit to Lucerne that I can’t wait to return to check off my travel bucket list the Swiss Glacier Express, Zermatt, and the Château de Chillon.

Below you can find a map of the most popular places to enjoy Christmas in Switzerland:

Is it snow in Switzerland in December?

It does snow in December in the Swiss Alps; however, when it comes to the Swiss cities, snow over Christmas is not guaranteed. I have visited Switzerland in December three times, and while the Christmas markets were great and the weather was chilly, in my experience, it never snowed enough to create a winter wonderland feel.

Is Switzerland worth visiting in December?

I have enjoyed visiting Switzerland in December; it is a great country where everyone looks well-off, and all the local delicacies like fondue, Christmas cookies, chestnuts, and Glühwein taste amazing in the chilly weather. While the Swiss cities are known for their Christmas markets, although snow is not guaranteed. Nevertheless, Swiss Christmas markets are truly beautiful and resemble many of the German Christmas markets. In my opinion, the country is definitely one of the best places to visit in Europe in December in search of the Christmas spirit.

Which city in Switzerland is best to visit in December?

I’d say Basel and Lucerne are my current favorites. Basel has great Christmas markets and can be combined with a visit to the Christmas market in Colmar, while Lucerne is one of the most picturesque Swiss destinations, making it really beautiful in December as well.

Fairytale Christmas in Switzerland: My Top Experiences

1. Christmas markets in Lucerne

Christmas in Lucerne truly felt like stepping into a storybook. The city is famous for its stunning lake, dotted with swans, and its mountain landscapes, with snow-capped peaks forming the perfect backdrop. Lucerne is a beautiful place to visit year-round, but for me, it was the ideal spot to start enjoying the holiday season. You can see more in my Lucerne post.

The Christmas markets in Lucerne were cozy and serene. While there were enough visitors to create a festive atmosphere, the city was never overcrowded. The decorations were magical, offering a more tranquil holiday experience, at least in early December when I visited. For those who enjoy the bustling, high-energy vibe of a big city during Christmas, Lucerne might still be a good fit as it gets closer to Christmas Day.

The main Christmas market in Lucerne is held in the historic Old Town and Franziskanerplatz, featuring charming wooden stalls that offer handmade crafts, holiday decorations, and delicious seasonal treats. The market typically opens in late November and continues until Christmas Eve, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the festive spirit against the backdrop of Lucerne’s picturesque lakeside setting and majestic mountain views.

For more information on current Christmas activities and events, check out the official website.

2. Christmas markets in Zürich

If you want to combine the Christmas atmosphere with a cool city break and sightseeing – basing your trip in the Swiss city of Zurich will be a smart thing to do. Also, from Zurich you can visit Lucerne on a day trip, as it takes less than an hour by train.

To sum up my impressions of Zurich in December: there were lots of things to do and see, and of course, more people around compared to Lucerne and Basel (still it was far less crowded than Vienna or Prague around the same dates). In one of the local markets we accidentally spotted a local children’s choir singing Christmas songs, which was extremely cute. I guess, I have even shared it on Twitter.

The decorations in the city center were extremely beautiful, even lavish at times, including a huge Swarovski Christmas tree at the Railway Station. By the way, at the market of Zurich Railway station I’ve also had the best Apfelstrudel (or Apple strudel in English) in my entire life. Top 3 Zurich Christmas markets are Zurich Main Station (Hauptbahnhof), Old Town Christmas Market (Dörfli Christmas Market), and Wienachtsdorf at Sechseläutenplatz (Christmas Village).

To explore more about Zurich’s Christmas offerings this year, visit the Zurich Tourism website.

3. Christmas Markets in Basel

If I’m completely honest, Basel felt less picturesque than the first two Swiss cities mentioned earlier (at least in my opinion). However, don’t let that dampen your wanderlust—Basel is still a fantastic place to experience Christmas in Switzerland. One major advantage Basel has over other cities is its unique location at the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany. This allows you not only to enjoy the charming Christmas markets in Basel but also to take day trips to the enchanting towns of Colmar or Eguisheim in the French province of Alsace, or visit nearby Christmas markets in Germany, such as Mulhouse, Freiburg im Breisgau, or Gengenbach.

Another thing I appreciated about Basel is that it’s more budget-friendly than Zurich or Lucerne, both for food and accommodation. Basel is also renowned for its vibrant Christmas market, one of the largest in Switzerland. Held in the heart of the city, it features over 180 stalls offering handcrafted gifts, delicious Swiss treats, and mulled wine. The market runs from late November until just before Christmas, making it an ideal spot to soak up the holiday atmosphere. Two top locations you shouldn’t miss for holiday vibes in Basel are Marktplatz and Barfüsserplatz.

For more information on this year’s Christmas events and attractions, be sure to visit the Basel Tourism website.

Visiting Switzerland during Christmas is a truly magical experience. The combination of breathtaking landscapes, festive markets, and delicious comfort foods makes it a perfect destination for a holiday getaway. Whether you’re wandering through the twinkling lights of Basel, enjoying the elegance of Zurich, or exploring the picturesque charm of Lucerne, each city offers a unique holiday experience that will create lasting memories.

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For more travel tips and ideas follow my Pinterest boards – Switzerland and Christmas Travel.

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