Why Lucerne is the Good Christmas Vacation spot in Switzerland

Table of Contents

Some posts on this website include affiliate hyperlinks. For those who ebook or purchase one thing by these hyperlinks, I earn a small fee (at no additional value to you). Check out my privateness coverage for extra data.

Romantic landscapes, enjoyable festivities and gluhwein galore… Lucerne may simply be the final word Christmas metropolis break vacation spot!

Perched on the sting of a sprawling lake, surrounded by white-capped mountain peaks and snow-dusted forests, Lucerne seems like a Christmas card scene delivered to life.

Add to {that a} historic city centre that appears like one thing out of a fairytale, a number of Christmas markets and occasions, and an outside ice rink with lakeside views – and you’ve got the right location for a December getaway.

Under, I’ve outlined all the explanations Lucerne makes such a improbable Christmas metropolis break – plus a number of suggestions that can assist you plan your journey. Get pleasure from…

My Christmas journey to Lucerne was supported by Go to Lucerne. As all the time, all phrases and opinions are my very own.

Why Lucerne is the Good Christmas Metropolis Break

1. There are a number of Christmas Markets to select from!

Is there something extra festive than a European Christmas market? Cute picket stalls, distinctive presents, and engaging treats like gluhwein and scorching chocolate… what’s to not love?

Why Lucerne is the Good Christmas Vacation spot in Switzerland — Lucerne Christmas Market

Lucerne doesn’t simply have one Christmas market – it has a number of! Let’s begin with the 2 most important ones, which run all through December:

Lucerne Christmas Market (Lozärner Wiehnachtsmärt): The town’s most important Christmas market is held in entrance of the Franziskanerkirche church within the previous city. This one was smaller and had a extra conventional, cosy vibe.

Rudolf’s Christmas Spectacle (Rudolf’s Weihnacht): Held on the riverside close to the KKL (Tradition and Congress Centre) with a dreamy backdrop of metropolis lights mirrored within the lake. This one is greater and a bit extra fashionable – you’ll discover issues like bao buns and bubble waffles alongside the usual xmas market fare.

Christmas market at night with a large tree covered in red baubles and yellow lights, and a small crowd of people standing outside a large wooden chalet with a red sign on top that says Rudolfs Weihnacht. — Rudolf’s Weihnacht

Different markets: There are additionally a number of different, extra short-term markets, together with a Craft Market on the Wine Market and a Christmas Tree Market on Schweizerhofquai. Plus, most of the cities and villages surrounding Lake Lucerne host their very own markets – very best for day journeys by boat or practice! Try the total information to what’s on right here.

2. Swiss cheese and chocolate!

close up of a gloved hand holding a baguette above a red saucepan of melted cheese, and a ladel pouring cheese into the baguette.

One factor units Switzerland’s Christmas markets aside from different European cities – Swiss delicacies! Winter’s chilly climate is the right time to get pleasure from these hearty Alpine dishes like cheese fondue, raclette, and – in fact – Swiss chocolate. Right here’s what to look out for…

Fondue – melted cheese and wine served in a giant pot with bread, potatoes, and/or meat to dip. There’s a fondue chalet at Rudolf’s Wiehnacht – and a stall at Lucerne Weihnachtsmarkt was even serving fondue sandwiches (pictured above).

Raclette – melted cheese, normally served with potatoes, pickles and cured meat.

Älplermagronen – a Swiss tackle macaroni cheese, with pasta and potatoes in a tacky sauce topped with crispy onions (and generally bacon). It’s usually served with apple compote.

Swiss Rösti – potato cake. One of the best type is made with mountain cheese and bacon and topped with an egg.

Chugelipastete – this dish is exclusive to Lucerne, a meat pie encased in puff pastry with a creamy sauce and booze-soaked raisins. Attempt it on the Resort Wilden Mann‘s cosy restaurant.

3. Ice Skating with lakeside views

Various people skating on a large outdoor ice rink at night with a christmas tree behind, the rink is lit up bright pink.

Like many cities, Lucerne has a pop-up out of doors ice rink over the festive interval. However not like many different cities’ ice rinks, Ice Magic Lucerne is free! You solely need to pay for skate rental (until you could have your personal).

It’s additionally in one of the picturesque places I’ve seen! The ice rink is situated on Europaplatz, on the sting of Lake Lucerne – with attractive views throughout the water. It’s significantly pretty after darkish, when colour-changing lights paint the ice and the lights of the town are mirrored on the lake.

The rink is surrounded by chalets promoting meals, drink and – in fact – gluhwein. And there’s a full programme of occasions all winter lengthy, with dwell music, theatre performances and sporting occasions – so examine the web site to see what’s on if you go to.

4. Christmas lights and decorations within the Outdated City

Square in Lucerne Old Town with dark grey flagstone floor. There is an old building with a grey stone facade, the top three floors are painted cream with a colourful mural depicting knights in armour and deer.

Lucerne’s Altstadt (Outdated City) is a beautiful, fairytale setting any time of 12 months – with cobbled streets, picturesque plazas, historic structure, and half-timber homes. Many buildings are embellished with vibrant frescos depicting scenes from Lucerne’s tradition and historical past.

Emily walking across a square in Lucerne Old Town towards the camera. There are several five-storey townhouses behind her painted orange, yellow and purple. Emily is wearing a dark teal dress, black leggings, brown boots, a bright orange scarf, a grey wooly bobble hat and a dark grey winter coat.

At Christmas, the Altstadt turns into much more fairly. The buildings are trimmed with pine garlands and strung with lights, and bridges throughout the Reuss River are lined with glittering lights (particularly the pedestrian Rathaussteg). Listed here are the highest sights:

Weinmarkt – one of many prettiest plazas, surrounded by vibrant buildings.

Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) – a lined picket footbridge relationship from the early 14th century.

Spreuerbrücke (Spreuer Bridge) – an excellent older lined bridge with improbable views.

Jesuitenkirche – Jesuit Church on the riverside relationship from 1667.

5. Scenic Boat Rides on Lake Lucerne

Emily standing on the stern of a boat facing away from the camera towards a view of the lake with snowcapped mountains with a small town at the bottom. She is wearing a long grey winder coat with a fur lined hood, black leggings, brown leather boots and a light grey hat. The swiss flag is flying from the back of the boat next to her.

Lucerne sits on the northwestern tip of Lake Lucerne, an enormous, oddly formed lake surrounded by mountains and charming lakeside cities. It’s lovely all 12 months spherical, however at the moment of 12 months, it’s like a Christmas card scene, with snow-capped mountains and dense forests dusted with white.

All that mountain surroundings is greatest loved on a lake cruise. Lake Lucerne Navigation Firm runs a number of cruises and spherical journeys on the lake – you’ll be able to even hop off in one of many surrounding cities to discover earlier than heading again to Lucerne!

I like to recommend the Brief Lake Cruise to Beckenried and again. It’s roughly 2.5 hours and there’s loads of heat inside house on the boat, together with an onboard restaurant. Sit with a glass of fizz or a mug of scorching chocolate and watch the mountain views glide previous.

6. Getting there and round is straightforward

Covered wooden bridge over a river at night with a circular stone water tower behind, both have red tilded roofs. The city lights on the far side of the river are reflected in the river.

Lucerne must be one of many best cities to succeed in for a winter metropolis break. The closest airport is Zurich, lower than a 2-hour flight from London, with a number of direct flights day-after-day.

From Zurich Airport to Lucerne, it’s simply over an hour by practice – and it’s an easy journey. There’s a direct practice from the airport, or you’ll be able to change in Zurich’s most important practice station (Zurich HB) for extra choices.

The town centre and the primary sights of the Altstadt (Outdated City) are all inside strolling distance of the primary practice station, so it is a very easy metropolis to discover in any climate!

Historic houses next to a river with lots of seagulls flying infront. The nearest building is a half timbered house painted white with red timbers.

Prime Ideas for Visiting Lucerne at Christmas

Guide Early

Lucerne could be a very fashionable Christmas vacation spot, particularly at weekends. Guide as far prematurely as you’ll be able to. For those who can, go to throughout the week reasonably than at weekends; it’s normally quieter and lodging could also be cheaper.

Small wooden hut painted green with a sign on the rood reading "Raclette". The hut is surrounded by small christmas trees with string ligths running overhead. It is night time and several people are standing in front of the hut at tall wooden tables.

What to pack

Let me let you know, Lucerne could be fairly darn chilly in December – so pack heat garments! Plenty of layers, plus a pleasant heat coat (ideally one thing designed for snow). Don’t overlook a hat, scarf, and gloves.

If the temperatures are trying significantly low in your journey, it might be value bringing some thermal base layers too! I wore thermal leggings with a skirt, a long-sleeved high, and a wool jumper.

You’ll additionally need heat, cozy footwear or boots (plus good thick boot socks). If it’s going to snow, make certain to pack snow boots or some respectable strolling footwear with good grip.

Emily standing in front of a small pond with a sheer grey rock face behind. There is a statue of a sleeping lion carved into the rock. Emily has her hands in her coat pockets and is wearing a burgundy jumper, an orange scarf, a grey wooly bobble hat, a leopard print skirt, and brown boots.

It’s value paying extra for flights that embrace hand baggage!

Talking of packing heat garments, it’s value paying additional for an honest carry-on baggage allowance if you fly!

At a look, flights with Swiss Air are normally dearer than with funds airways. Nonetheless, Swiss nonetheless embrace carry-on baggage with their financial system tickets – whereas funds airways like EasyJet solely embrace a 20cm “private merchandise”.

Whereas it’s completely attainable to cram two day’s value of stuff into an under-seat bag, if you happen to’re packing a number of heat garments and thick jumpers it’s a lot simpler to deliver a small hand-luggage suitcase. Bear in mind to examine the worth of added baggage when evaluating flight costs in your journey.

READ MORE: Greatest Carry-On Suitcases for Girls

Keep within the Metropolis Centre

Go for a lodge that’s near the town centre, so that you’re inside simple attain of all the primary sights. The realm between the practice station and the Outdated City, on the south aspect of the river, is a superb spot. It will put you inside strolling distance of the station if you arrive, but in addition of all of the Christmas Markets and sights.

gloved hand holding a paper cup with red wine in front of a dark blue lake at night time with city lights out of focus on the far side of the lake.

Learn Extra

Received a query about visiting Lucerne at Christmas? Scroll down to depart me a remark and I’ll attempt to assist!

I hope you discovered this information helpful – and have a tremendous time exploring Lucerne. Under, you will discover hyperlinks to some of my different posts about Switzerland, in case you could have extra time to discover…

A Great Winter Weekend Metropolis Break in Lausanne

12 of the Greatest Eating places in Lausanne

Summer time in Verbier