MySwissAlps.com includes Switzerland in Dec: where to stay for museums, scenic trips, markets?
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We want to spend 4-5 days in the alps after a cruise ending in Basel Dec 2. I have spent many summers, but no winters there. We are walkers but dont ski/snowboard. Also interested in boat & gondola rides, museums, Christmas mkts etc. Which if any, of these places would be good in Dec?
Lauterbrunnen, Engelberg, Grindelwald, Lucerne? I know I won’t see the flowery meadows I’m used to but don’t want to be fogged in with nothing open.
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Hi Traveling Gals,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
These are some of Switzerland’s best winter destinations: https://www.myswissalps.com/planning/places/winter/
If you are visiting in December, I definitely recommend the Christmas markets in Montreux and Zurich.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
Hello Traveling Gals
Which if any, of these places would be good in Dec?Lauterbrunnen, Engelberg, Grindelwald, Lucerne? I know I won’t see the flowery meadows I’m used to but don’t want to be fogged in with nothing open.
Get out a good map of Switzerland.
Of the four places you name, I would recommend Lucerne (called Luzern in German. Lucerne: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/
The other three places you mention are mountain villages which will be busy preparing for the upcoming ski season. A lot of things will be closed, although some of the mountain lines will be operating.
As you will see from the map Lucerne is bang in the centre of the country, with direct railway lines coming in from all directions. There are frequent through trains to both Basel and Zurich. There are also through trains to Geneva via Bern and Lausanne, to Interlaken, to St Gallen via Rapperswil, and the ‘Treno Gottardo’ to Locarno via the old 1882 mountain route through Airolo.
You will see from the map that Lucerne is at the west end of a big lake known in English as Lake Lucerne. The boats on this lake are an important part of local public transport, so they run 365 days a year. Some of the mountain lines WILL be operating, notably the lines from Vitznau to Rigi, Kriens to Pilatus, and Engelberg to Titlis. (Engelberg is about 45 minutes from Lucerne.)
Lucerne is a historic city, with museums open all year round. It is a commercial city with business and industry (and commuters both to and from neighbouring towns like Zug and Zurich). There is a world-class concert hall right next to the station. There will be a Christmas Market right by the lake.
If you want to use Lucerne as a base for exploring a large part of Switzerland, then consider investing in a Swiss Travel Pass valid on all forms of public transport in Switzerland except high mountain lines. If you want to just travel locally around Lucerne, invest in a Lucerne Travel Pass.
Best wishes
Roger
Greetings, Traveling Gals!
Some of the larger Christmas markets will be open and you’re right there at what many (including me) consider to be the best, the markets at Basel (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/basel/).Give yourself at least one full day in this hidden gem of a city to walk around the Altstadt, get your bearings (and shop) the markets in daylight and then return at night for the beautiful lights and sounds. My other favorite markets are smaller–Bremgarten, Einsiedeln, & Stein am Rhein but you’ll have to check websites for opening days. I found my December visit to be much different from my summer visits (obviously) with the MUCH earlier sundown time and usually experiencing grey skies & low clouds in all areas except Ticino, but I just focused on exploring some cities & towns (especially enjoying the holiday displays in the shop windows) which I usually bypass in favor of those beautiful walks in the countryside (though I was still able to fit in a few of those walks). Packing is a bit different with winter wear but I was comfortable in 30 degree temps throughout. It’s still a magical visit and I’m contemplating a return for another December trip.
Have fun planning!
Laura E
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