This beautiful town has a wonderful Christmas market.Photo credit: Tourism Dinkelsbühl/Ingrid Wenzel
rest time
Not only in Switzerland, but also in neighboring countries, there will be countless Christmas markets in the coming weeks. We’ve rounded up some of the places worth a weekend trip for you.
We've recently rounded up over 350 Swiss Christmas markets that you can visit during Advent. These can be large events or just a one day event somewhere in the village. But countless Christmas markets abroad (and nearby) also attract visitors with mulled wine and lights.
The larger ones are in Colmar, Mulhouse, Meylan, Innsbruck or Stuttgart and Heidelberg. We’ve rounded up some for you here that may not be as well known, but will fascinate you all the same. Depending on where you live in Switzerland, some destinations are easily accessible on a day trip using public transport. For everyone else, I recommend arriving on the weekend or even Friday night.
🇩🇪 Germany
bad wimpfen
benchmark: November 29 to December 15, 2024
More information here.
One of Germany's oldest Christmas markets is held every year in Bad Wimpfen. The Old German Christmas Market in northern Stuttgart, with the historic city center as its backdrop, is also impressive.
Image: Old German Christmas Market in Bad Wimpfen
dinkelsbuhl
benchmark: November 28 to December 22, 2024
More information here.
In this medieval city, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time. In addition to the city walls with 20 towers and 4 gates, the charm of the Christmas market is also impressive. Focus magazine named this the most beautiful old town in Germany. It's only a four-hour drive from Zurich.
Photo credit: Tourism Dinkelsbühl/Ingrid Wenzel
Freudenstadt
benchmark: December 5 to 15, 2024 (Thursday to Sunday)
More information here.
Did you know that Freudenstadt has the largest market in Germany? The square, about 200 meters long and wide, is the venue for the wonderful Christmas market in December and is lined with stylish arcades. Handmade crafts and Christmas specialties await visitors here.
Welcome to Germany's largest marketplace.Photo: Jürgen Schmitt/City of Freudenstadt
hohenzollern
benchmark: November 22 to January 6, 2025
More information here.
Hohenzollern Castle is a true fairytale castle. Winter magic happens here during Advent. This is not a typical Christmas market, but “a carefully designed special exhibition inside and outside the castle. It does not have the charm of booths and crowds, but creates a Christmas atmosphere in a historical atmosphere,” organizers write. You will need a ticket for the event in Stuttgart South.
Image: Roland Beck/Hohenzollern Castle
Lindau
benchmark: November 28 to December 22, 2024
More information here.
We are very close again. You can even take a boat trip to the forest trails. Lindauhavn Christmas is one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the region. Beautifully decorated wooden stalls, Christmas music, a night watchman parade – you have to experience it once.
Photo: Lindau Bodensee/Wolfgang Schneider
Ravenna Gorge
benchmark: November 22 to December 15, 2024
More information here.
The Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge, southeast of Freiburg, impresses with its unique setting under the Höllentalbahn's 40-meter-high railway viaduct. About 40 wooden houses form a small Christmas market village in the Black Forest. You'll need to buy your tickets here , though, and tickets for 2024 are already sold out. That's why there are tips for 2025 to remember.
Photo: Baden-Württemberg Tourism
rotenburg an der tauber
benchmark: November 29 to December 23, 2024
More information here.
We headed north again to Rothenburg an der Tauber. The walls of this beautiful medieval city form the frame. And thanks to Käthe Wohlfahrt's year-round Christmas Village, you can feel the spirit of Christmas here every day. It goes without saying that the Christmas markets here during Advent are also worth a visit – the atmosphere is unparalleled.
Photo: Rothenburg Tourist Office, W. Pfitzinger
Vogtsburg-Berkheim
benchmark: November 29 to December 1, 2024
More information here.
The romantic city center of Vogtsburg-Berkheim in the Kaiserstuhl region is transformed into a Christmas market for three days with more than 100 exhibitors. Musical performances and a visit from Santa Claus create an Advent atmosphere. The medieval market in the castle and castle gardens is highly recommended.
Christmas market in Vogtsburg-Berkheim.Image: Paul Sheffield
🇫🇷France
Eguisan
benchmark: November 29 to December 12, 2024
More information here.
Eguisan is often described as one of the most beautiful villages in France. When the Christmas markets are held – with typical Alsatian customs and traditions – then it is definitely worth a visit.
A village like a fairy tale.Image: Shutterstock
Ribeauville
benchmark: December 7-8, 14-15, 2024
More information here.
Medieval Christmas Market in the City of Bards. Nothing can actually go wrong. There is also a wild boar roast and various demonstrations and events.
The narrow streets of Ribeauvillé were crowded with people.Image: Shutterstock
Sulz, Upper Rhine Province
benchmark: December 7-8, 14-15, 2024
More information here.
Another smaller Christmas market, close to famous giants such as Colmar or Mulhouse. When Christmas markets are held in the Place de la Repubblica and the Buchenek Castle Park, many local products are sold and artisans display their art. And all this is less than 45 minutes away from Basel.
Image: Noel Alsace
🇮🇹Italy
Algrund
benchmark: November 29 to January 1, 2025
More information here.
Surrounded by mountains, Ahlgrund's Christmas market always looks special. There are always some deals here from Friday to Sunday and other days like Christmas or New Year.
Image: weihnachtsmaerkte.it
Gruen
benchmark: December 6-8, 2024
More information here.
Unlike almost every other Christmas market on this list, this market only takes place on weekends. The medieval city walls add a special atmosphere to this small and quiet Christmas market.
Glunes is worth visiting at any time of year.Image: Shutterstock
cathedral of virgin mary
benchmark: December 6-8, 2024
More information here.
The final tip from Italy comes from Piedmont. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore in the Vigezzo Valley is a little nest between Domodossola and Centovalli in Switzerland. We arrived at the largest Christmas market in the region and actually one of the largest in Italy. More than 200 performers showcased their wares around Renaissance Square. The focus is on handicrafts.
Image: Google Maps
🇦🇹Austria
Feldkirch
benchmark: November 29 to December 24, 2024
More information here.
The center of Feldkirch with its protected house facades provides just the right atmosphere for the Christmas market. The musical performances on the Christmas stage are always worth seeing.
Christmas market on the streets of Feldkirch.Image: bodensee-vorarlberg.com
hornmus
benchmark: November 22 to December 26, 2024
More information here.
Another tip near the Vorarlberg border: the Hohenems Enchanted Forest. However, this is not a Christmas market, but an enchanted forest. Christmas story telling, light displays and adventure trails await. Don’t forget: the Holy Child’s wish mailbox is also there.
Marvel at the Enchanted Forest.Image: bodensee-vorarlberg.com
Kufstein
benchmark: November 22 to December 22, 2024
More information here.
Kufstein is a beautiful town in Austria. You can easily spend a weekend there. Maybe especially during the Christmas markets? What's particularly special is that you're outside the Kufstein Fortress, but the Christmas market is covered.
The Christmas market is outdoors but covered.Image: tirol.at
Pertisau
benchmark: November 29 to January 6, 2025
More information here.
Finally, there’s something special: the Christmas Lake on Lake Achensee. The same applies here: you're unlikely to take a day trip from Switzerland. But you’ll enjoy a (long) weekend here. The location next to the Pertisau landing is very unique and there are many activities for young and old.
What a location: Pertisau on Lake Achen.Image: Shutterstock
Which Christmas market abroad is your favorite?
Write to us in the comments.
🇨🇭I would rather go to Switzerland
Of course, you don’t have to travel far to experience beautiful Christmas markets. Switzerland also has a wide range of jewelry. You can find an overview in the article and on our Christmas market map:
More information about Christmas markets:
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