Journeying from youth hostel to youth hostel: a magical trip to nine fantastic Christmas markets

Montreux – for a traditional and exotic vibe

Anyone who has ever been to Montreux knows that the town with its palm trees is reminiscent of the French Côte d’Azur. From the end of November to Christmas Eve, however, the city on the shores of Lake Geneva is transformed into a Christmas wonderland. The Montreux Christmas market boasts 150 tastefully decorated chalets along the lakeside promenade, offering traditional charm alongside many other festive highlights.

We all know how exhaustig Christmas shopping can be. Make the process much more fun and relaxing with a stay at our modern lakeside youth hostel.

Basel – the oldest Christmas market in Switzerland

The old town of Basel is well worth a visit at any time of the year, but especially during Advent when the city transforms into an enchanting Christmas paradise. More than 100 magnificently decorated Christmas trees, kilometres of fairy lights and festively decorated houses lend the city a fairytale atmosphere. The people of Basel know exactly how to transform their city into a place that delights all the senses. And this is no coincidence, as Basel is home to the oldest Christmas market in Switzerland.

A stay at the Basel Youth Hostel is the ideal way to not only explore the historic Old Town, but also to truly experience the magic of the Christmas season.

Laax – wellness and Christmas magic combined

During the Christmas season, the old town of Chur is transformed into a sea of lights with numerous market stalls. There you have the opportunity to shop for fine Bünder specialities and local handicrafts.

The perfect place to stay awaits you at our wellnessHostel3000 in Laax, which you can easily reach by postbus from Chur. The wellness area is the perfect place to warm up and relax after Christmas shopping.

A fun build-up to Christmas in Lausanne with its three markets and a children’s village

Christmas is celebrated in three different neighbourhoods in Lausanne – in the trendy Flon district, at the Place St-François and the Place Pépinet. These locations are where you will find a range of beautiful handicrafts as well as many tempting culinary delights from the canton of Vaud. And for the little adventurers among us, there’s a really cool children’s village where they can play to their heart’s content and be enchanted by exciting fairy tales. If you need a break after all the fun, Lausanne Youth Hostel offers the perfect retreat after your pre-Christmas stroll through the city!

Zurich at Christmas time: Splendour, glitter and a festive atmosphere in the heart of the city

In the run-up to Christmas, Zurich transforms into a true Christmas paradise with its multitude of Christmas markets. Right next to Zurich main station, you’ll find the popular Christmas market, which boasts an impressive 15-metre-high Christmas tree decorated with 7,000 Swarovski crystals. For pure romance, you should definitely visit Zurich’s oldest Christmas market in Niederdorf. Another highlight awaits you on Werdmühleplatz on Bahnhofstrasse. This is where you will find the Singing Christmas Tree, a podium in the shape of a Christmas tree where regional choirs perform heart-warming Christmas carols.

And if your Christmas cup is still not overflowing, we recommend taking a trip to Winterthur’s old town. The city is a kaleidoscope of colour during Advent. The highlight of the season is definitely the Parade der Chläuse, a festive procession featuring multiple Santa Clauses. From 16:16 hours on 3 December, Winterthur’s old town is teeming with jolly Saint Nicks.

The Stärnenmärit Christmas market in Bern – stellar Yuletide magic in the Swiss capital

Experience the magic of the traditional Sternenmärit “star market” in Bern during an unforgettable stay at Bern Youth Hostel. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Bern’s Old Town, where thousands of fairy lights ensure the market lives up to its name. Browse beautiful handicrafts and savour numerous culinary delights, while you immerse yourself in the enchanting ambience. After an exciting day, you can relax at the cosy Bern Youth Hostel and recharge your batteries for further adventures in the capital.

Enchanting Christmas market on Franziskanerplatz in Lucerne

Every year, visitors from near and far flock to Lucerne to experience the enchanting Christmas market on Franziskanerplatz. The centrepiece of this festive market is undoubtedly the Franciscan Fountain, which is transformed into a giant Advent wreath that is typical of the Central Swiss region. The concerts held at St. Maria Church are an unmissable highlight. The market is easy to navigate with its 70 or so wooden stalls. Even though it isn’t the biggest festive market, it exudes a very special enchanting atmosphere, making it one of the most charming Christmas markets in the whole of Switzerland.

If you don’t want to head straight home after a Christmas stroll, our youth hostel on the shores of beautiful Lake Rot is the perfect place to relax.

Experience festive magic among the trees

Welcome to the magic forest of Lenzerheide, a place where nature takes centre stage and the senses awaken. This enchanted forest transports you to a fairytale world of glittering lights and mysterious sounds. Discover the magic of the winter mountains and immerse yourself in a world of adventure and mystical beauty in the magic forest of Lenzerheide.

To avoid having to spend the evening driving home, we recommend an overnight stay at the Valbella Youth Hostel.

Basel is well worth a visit any time of the year.

The city is not just known for its Christmas market; it also boasts a myriad of other attractions. Nestled by the river, the city captivates visitors with its charming surroundings and modern accommodation such as the Basel Youth Hostel in the St. Alban quarter. So, a visit to Basel is worthwhile any time of the year, not just at Christmas!