The most beautiful Christmas markets out of town that you will discover this year
The Alpine nation par excellence certainly could not escape the magical and evocative tradition of the Christmas markets: Switzerland, which offers a vast choice of events throughout its territory.
There will be many, in fact, the towns across the border that will dress up, setting up unique and characteristic lights, events and markets. Stalls with handicrafts, decorations, gifts and food and wine specialties ready to welcome you from the end of November.
Because we love Christmas markets
Lights, colors, the scent of ginger and caramelized apples, handcrafted decorations and many ideas for original and often handmade gifts: how not to love Christmas markets? Not to mention the atmosphere often made even more evocative by the first snowflakes and Christmas songs in the background.
To love these annual events are not only children, but also adults, who rediscover the pleasure of simple, authentic things and who have preserved all the beauty of local traditions linked to the Christmas period.
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Christmas markets in Switzerland
So, if you too are thinking of taking a trip, know that Trenitalia and Swiss Federal Railways offer advantageous connections to the most beautiful Swiss cities. With the Promo Mercatini rate you can in fact save up to 75%! An example? For just 25 euros (instead of 102 euros) you can reach Basel in 2nd class.
How to join this promotion? By purchasing tickets for Eurocity connections from Milan to Basel, Bern, Lucerne, Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva or Zurich from 21 October and throughout November 2019, you can visit the most characteristic Christmas markets of Swiss cities, reaching the historic center in comfort and at the same time taking advantage of further discounts, for museums or ski lifts up to 30%.
The Promo Mercatini fare is valid for those traveling from 21 November to 19 December 2019 for 1st and 2nd class seats on Eurocity Italy-Switzerland trains to the destinations mentioned (16 direct connections a day from Milano Centrale).
But be careful, because the fare has limited seats, it is not refundable or changeable and Promo Mercatini tickets can only be purchased on Italian territory at the station ticket offices, on the Trenitalia website, through the Trenitalia App (by selecting the offer name "Promo Markets ") and in authorized travel agencies.
Which Swiss markets to visit
As anticipated, there are many Swiss cities where the Christmas markets will be the protagonists again this year and, weather permitting, it would be nice to be able to visit them all as each has its own peculiarities and specialties.
However, if, for example, you have a weekend available, not to be missed are the one in Basel, from 28 November to 23 December 2019, that of Bern, from 30 November to 24 December and that of Lucerne.
In Basel, the market takes place in Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, next to the Cathedral, with flamboyantly decorated wooden chalets and delicacies such as the unmissable Läckerli (typical Basel biscuits). For those who love fondue, then, an appointment in Claraplatz at the Sennenhütte, every day from 11 to 20.30.
In Bern, you will find the market in Waisenhausplatz and Münsterplatz, in the heart of the Unesco heritage capital: among the typical products, dried flowers, wooden objects, scented candles and jewels. Try the hot cider and gingerbread. And from 18 December to 16 February the square in front of the Federal Palace is transformed into a free skating rink: 600 square meters for circling and a restaurant for refreshment.
In Lucerne, on the other hand, tradition and design coexist in the colorful stalls of Franziskanerplatz and, for those looking for original gifts, within the "Design Schenken" Festival (Design to give away) at the Viscosistadt Emmenbrücke, an emerging district in the Lucerne hinterland. , where objects created by 90 Swiss designers are on sale from 6 to 8 December. During the weekends in December and on the day of the Immaculate Conception, however, the Handcraft Market takes place in Weinmarkt for those looking only for handmade items.
And if you have time left over, Montreux is also worth a visit, where an exceptional scenery between lake and mountains is the setting for this market that boasts 160 chalets, Lausanne, with a rich and diversified calendar of events including the Children's Village, Geneva, where, during the Christmas period, the Parc des Bastions is transformed into an enchanting scenery of lights and surprises, and Zurich, where there are five main markets located in the old town, in the Station, on Werdmühleplatz, at the Münsterhof and in the scenographic Sechseläutenplatz in front of the lake with the Wienachtsdorf.
Impossible to miss!
In collaboration with Switzerland Tourism
