Where is the best place to celebrate Christmas in Switzerland?
With its picture perfect scenery, old Christmas traditions and several Christmas markets in the vicinity, Geneva becomes the best place in Switzerland for Christmas. Like many other European cities, there are many activities to do in Geneva during Christmas.
Basel Christmas market
It's official, Basel is not only the best Christmas market in Switzerland, it's also been selected as the Best Christmas market in Europe for 2021 and you can admire it too between 24 November and 23 December.
Basel is one of Switzerland's prettiest Christmas destinations and hosts two Christmas markets.
The main Christmas celebration, known as Heiliger Abend, is on December 24. Many Swiss people decorate their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, and presents are exchanged after dinner. For children, presents on Christmas Eve usually come from the Christ child.
Where is the Christmas market in Basel? The Christmas market is located on Barfüsserplatz around the historic Barfüsserkirche and on Münsterplatz right next to the cathedral, probably the city's most famous landmark. The Christmas market on Münsterplatz is only a few minutes' walk from Barfüsserplatz.
With its picture perfect scenery and centuries old traditions, Switzerland is one of the best places to spend Christmas. There's a festivity in the air in Switzerland during Christmas time that visitors of all ages will enjoy.
- Budapest, Hungary. Budapest's markets take place from mid-November. ...
- Zagreb, Croatia. Zagreb's main Christmas attraction is its Ice Park. ...
- Lille, France. Lille's main market is held in Grand Place. ...
- Berlin, Germany. Berlin boasts more than 70 markets. ...
- Vienna, Austria. ...
- Bruges, Belgium. ...
- Copenhagen, Denmark. ...
- Basel, Switzerland.
In lowland cities like Zürich, Geneva, and Lugano, the average December temperature is 39°F (4°C). Temperatures at higher elevations in the Alps are generally colder: the average December temperature in Zermatt, for example, is 25°F (-4°C).
Autumn/fall is the cheapest time to visit Switzerland! Book your flight and accommodation during the months of October and November to indulge in your own Swiss holiday. You can explore the cities and mountains which are relatively crowd free, as peak season only starts in December.
The most popular choices for Christmas dinner are Filet im Teig (pastry wrapped pork fillet with sausage meat), Fondue Chinoise (meat fondue) or Schinkli im Teig (pastry wrapped hot ham) with potato salad.
What is Santa called in Switzerland?
Nicholas (so named after Nicholas of Myra, Patron Saint of children) comes to visit the children of Switzerland. This Swiss version of Santa Claus is called Samichlaus in the German-speaking part, and Saint-Nicolas in the French.
If you decide to spend your Christmas holidays in Switzerland, the best place to start with, should be Geneva, Switzerland. For most tourists, Geneva in winter is simply an entry point to the country for ski trips. But the city has its own festive charm and fervor luring people to celebrate Christmas in Geneva.
Basel, Switzerland
This city is worth a visit at any time of year thanks to its amazing art scene and beautiful old town. However, it is also the home of Switzerland's most famous Christmas markets (voted best Christmas markets in Europe in 2021).
As a winter chill descends upon the city, Basel adorns a festive spirit. Wrap up and stroll along the Rhine River or enjoy the twinkling lights of the city at night. With close proximity to other European destinations in Switzerland, Germany and France, it's an excellent base for day trips, too!
Basel is widely regarded as Switzerland's cultural capital, and with good reason: in this city you will encounter art at every turn, whether you stroll through the beautiful Old Town or visit one of almost 40 museums.
Temperatures hang around freezing, but it's still common to enjoy crisp blue skies and bright sun reflecting off the snow. Christmas markets (mid-November through early January): Cities feature cute wooden chalets, lots of traditional food, handmade crafts and hot spiced wine.
Christmas is nearly always portrayed in white, not only in fairytales, but also in the world of retail. However, snow is rarely seen at Christmas time on the Swiss plateau.
Most things are closed on Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day.
Berlin, Germany. It's official – Berlin takes first prize as the most festive city to celebrate the holidays in Europe.
Situated north of the Arctic Circle, Lapland is considered by many as the true home of Santa Claus. Finland locals honor their hometown hero in capital city Rovaniemi with winter wonderland activities, such as exploring reindeer safaris, watching Santa's elves at work, and joining Mrs.
What cities do Christmas best?
McAdenville, North Carolina. McAdenville is known as "Christmas Town USA" — which, of course, makes it the perfect holiday season destination. Every winter, the small town transforms into a twinkling wonderland adorned with thousands of lights and Christmas decorations, drawing thousands of visitors every year.
For those who wish to see the snowy side of Switzerland can flock in the months of December to February as it is an ideal time to visit Switzerland to witness snowfall. Winter season starts from December and continues till March when the country receives a great amount of snowfall along with snowstorms.
The lowest temperatures usually occur between December and February in all parts of Switzerland. At most measurement sites, January is generally the coldest month of the year. The greatest variability in temperature is found in winter.
- Dubai, UAE.
- Nepal.
- Gran Canaria, Spain.
- Istanbul, Turkey.
- Sri Lanka.
- Mauritius.
- Beijing, China.
- Kerala, India.
| Destination | Ave. temp. | Monthly rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Maldives | 25°C | 215 mm |
| Barbados | 25°C | 112 mm |
| Mauritius | 25°C | 100 mm |
| Cuba | 24°C | 51 mm |
