Visiting Basel in December: Christmas Markets & Beyond
When I was planning my Christmas-themed 30th birthday trip to Switzerland, I didn’t see Basel on any itineraries! Other popular cities like Lucerne, Zurich, and Geneva, yes, but no Basel!
Spoiler alert: I went to Basel anyway, and it was freaking magical!
If you’re looking to visit adorable Christmas markets, eat fondue, and explore a historic city without insane crowds, Basel in December is a winner. Plus, it’s very close to other popular Christmas market towns like Strasbourg and Colmar!
We spent 3 nights in Basel soaking in the Christmas vibes and absolutely loved it. In this guide, I’ll break down all Basel has to offer in December (hint: it’s more than just Christmas markets!!).
Hopefully you’ll see why it should be on your bucket list too!
Why You Should Visit Basel in December
While Basel may not be the first place people think of when planning a winter trip to Switzerland, it absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Nestled along the Rhine River and bordering both France and Germany, Basel becomes a true winter wonderland during the holiday season!
Basel is home to some of the best Christmas markets in Switzerland, with festive stalls winding through historic Old Town squares. In fact, it won the award for best Christmas market in Europe in 2021!
And unlike some of the more popular cities in Switzerland (and Europe), Basel offers a more relaxed, authentic atmosphere that still delivers big on holiday cheer.
Beyond the Christmas markets, Basel embraces the Christmas spirit with magical courtyards, Christmas shopping, special theatre performances, Christmas walking tours, winter river cruises, and so much more!
But one thing that makes Basel unique is its blend of cultures.
Sharing a border with France and Germany, Basel is a melting pot of language, food, and tradition. You’ll notice this quickly at the Christmas markets, where a simple sausage could be called 5 different things depending on the dialects.
Locals typically know French, Italian, German, English, and Romansh. But Swiss German (different than traditional German) is the most common spoken language, especially in Basel.
Basel also boasts one of Switzerland’s mildest winter climates, meaning you can comfortably explore without freezing your toes off!
If you’re a fan of festive food, sparkling lights, and fairytale-like charm without the overwhelm of bigger cities, Basel in December will definitely surprise you!
🎄 A Basel Christmas market trip sounds magical — and the planning is easier than you think with the right system! My Passport to Confidence guide is a $7 step-by-step planning roadmap covering flights, travel insurance, money abroad, and everything else you need for your Europe trip. Download it instantly!
Where to Stay in Basel in December
Before diving into hotel recommendations, it’s helpful to understand how the city of Basel is laid out, especially if it’s your first time visiting!
Basel is split by the Rhine River, which runs through the center of the city. The river divides Basel into two main areas:
- Grossbasel (Greater Basel) – This is the older, more historic part of the city on the southwest side of the river. It’s home to Münsterplatz, Barfüsserplatz, many of the city’s top museums, and several of the largest Christmas markets.
- Kleinbasel (Lesser Basel) – Located on the northeast side of the Rhine, this area includes Claraplatz and the Clara district. It’s known for its diversity and has more of a local vibe.
The two sides are connected by multiple bridges, most notably the historic Mittlere Brücke.
The entire city of Basel is extremely well-connected thanks to the tram system. And the great news: Tram rides are free with your Basel Card, which you automatically get when staying at any hotel in Basel.
When choosing where to stay, I recommend looking for accommodations within the central purple zones shown on the below map. If you can choose a hotel near a tram station, even better.
I’ve also included the main landmarks mentioned in this guide on the map for planning purposes! Red markers are Christmas-related activities, and green markers are general waypoints like our hotel, the zoo, and the train station.
We personally stayed on the northern side of the river due to hotel prices and availability, but it ended up being the perfect location! Our hotel, Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus, was located right across from Claraplatz, which had a mini Christmas market.
From our hotel, we could walk across the river to Münsterplatz in 15 minutes or hop on the tram from Claraplatz station and be there in just a few minutes!
Here are some other great hotels based on reviews and location:
- Limehome Basel Münzgasse ($$): Apartment-style hotel located near the historic Marktplatz in Basel’s Old Town. Rooms with kitchnettes. Less than 10-minute walk to the main Christmas markets.
- Hotel Märthof Basel ($$$): Located right on the historic Marktplatz in Basel’s Old Town. Prime access to the heart of the city. Less than 10-minute walk to the main Christmas markets.
- Krafft Basel ($$$$): Located right on the north side of the Rhine River, with spacious rooms and riverside views and dining. Less than 15-minute walk to the main Christmas markets.
Things to Do in Basel in December
Basel comes alive in December, with festive spirit spilling into every corner of the city! From the popular Christmas markets to more off-the-beaten-path activities, there is so much Christmas magic to be found.
Below, I’ll cover some of my favorite spots in detail, but here’s a quick list of other Christmas fun to check out that we personally didn’t have time for:
- Gospel night at Basel Cathedral
- Johann Wanner Christmas House
- Christmas magic walking tour
- Advent shows at Theatre Basel
- Cirque Noël de Bâle
- Basler Krippenweg (Nativity Scene Trail)
🎄Read more details of all the Christmas activities in Basel here! 🎄
Christmas Markets in Basel
Of course, the most festive thing to do in Basel in December is visiting its Christmas markets. They’re the whole reason we added Basel to our Switzerland itinerary!
And after visiting the extremely popular markets in France, I appreciated Basel’s Christmas markets even more. They’re smaller, but they felt much less commercialized and not nearly as crowded!
For 2026, the main markets in Basel run November 26 – December 23, typically from 11am to 8:30pm.
However, Basel has added a new market for 2026 (Wienachtsdorf) which is open later and staying open through January 3rd!
Here’s a quick look at each of the Basel Christmas markets:
- Münsterplatz: In front of the Basel Cathedral, with the best food (kebabs and crêpes!) and the Märchenwald fairy tale forest kids’ area
- Barfüsserplatz: The largest market, with the rotating Christmas Pyramid and the most unique stalls
- Claraplatz: A small Kleinbasel square known for the Chääsfüüschtel, a baguette filled with melted cheese
- Adväntsgass: A street of Christmas-themed pop-up bars and food trucks, open until 10–11pm
- Wienachtsdorf at Theaterplatz: New for 2026, with local design gifts, and open through January 3
🎄 For hours, locations, and what to eat at each market, read my full Basel Christmas Markets guide + 2-day itinerary! 🎄
Want even more markets? Colmar (30 minutes) and Strasbourg (1 hour) are an easy day trip by train. We visited both from Basel without switching hotels. Here’s how to visit Colmar and Strasbourg from Basel!
Basel Wish Book at Rathaus
Like I mentioned above, there are plenty of other Christmasy things to do in Basel in December besides the Christmas markets.
One of my favorites was signing the Basel Wish Book. Located inside the picturesque City Hall (Rathaus in German) in the middle of Old Town, you’ll find a giant book with markers where you can write your Christmas wish to Santa!
How freaking adorable is that?!
Right next to the Wish Book, inside the inner courtyard, there was also a beautiful Christmas tree and a festive light projection show that ran every few minutes.
And of course, don’t miss the gorgeous view of the Rathaus from the front, with another Christmas tree lighting up the courtyard!
Basel Winter Cruise
Another must-do activity when visiting Basel in December is going on a winter river cruise!
As mentioned, the city of Basel is intersected by the Rhine River, so a great way to see the city and its historic landmarks is by boat.
Luckily, the city of Basel has river cruises that run year round. However, in winter, these cruises transform into winter-themed excursions with fondue, glühwein, and cozy outdoor areas to take in the views.
The cruises typically run from 5:00pm to 10:00pm Tuesday through Saturday. They leave from the Basel Schifflände ferry terminal right at the foot of the Mittlere Brücke (marked on the provided map in this post).
Tickets can be purchased online in advance for 15 CHF for a specific date. When booking tickets, you’ll also have the option to reserve a table for your group if you wish to partake in table service for food!
Each ticket is for the full evening, and you can choose to board the boat at any time. It docks back at Basel Schifflände every hour, so you can stay on for as long as you like until the end of the evening!
We felt two hours (5:00pm-7:00pm) was the perfect amount of time on the boat. We had a charcuterie board and drinks at our table and then spent the rest of the evening outside admiring the views!
Don’t Miss This: This boat cruise will take you down to the Dreiländereck, the intersection point between Germany, France, and Switzerland, where you can be in 3 countries at once!
Magical Courtyards
Another fun Christmas surprise in Basel was the discovery of the Magical Courtyards!
Each Christmas season, certain courtyards throughout Basel are decorated for Christmas, including cozy seating areas, fur blankets, Christmas trees, and more!
The location of these courtyards changes every year and is kept a surprise until November.
We personally visited one at the Invino Weinbar (wine bar) just down the road from the Münsterplatz after the Christmas market closed, and it was so charming! They had an outdoor patio out back with a fireplace, and the most adorable server.
Save this post for later!
Enter your info below and I'll email you the link to this blog post so you can refer back to it later 🙂
Chocolate Tasting
Not really Christmas related, but you can’t leave Basel without doing a chocolate tasting!
We personally did this quick and affordable chocolate tasting located near the Basel Zoo because we had a jam-packed itinerary!
This was a very low-key tasting that lasted just over 30 minutes and included samples of six different types of Swiss chocolate. Our guide also gave us a brief overview of Switzerland’s chocolate history and production process!
For just $19, it’s the perfect stop for anyone looking to squeeze in a little sweetness without taking up too much of the day!
However, if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, Basel also offers hands-on chocolate-making workshops and even gourmet food tours that combine chocolate with other Swiss specialties like cheese and pastries.
These options tend to be more expensive but offer a deeper dive into Swiss culinary culture. They’re perfect for foodies or anyone wanting a more interactive (and delicious) activity!
Penguin Walk at the Basel Zoo
Another non-Christmas activity but still absolutely worth doing when visiting Basel in December is a trip to Zoo Basel.
The zoo is conveniently located just outside the center of town near the main train station and is accessible via several different tram stops. Tickets start at 22 CHF for adults, however, you can get 50% off with your Basel card!
While you can visit the Basel Zoo at anytime throughout the year, it’s extra special during the winter months, thanks to the Penguin Walk!
Every day at 11:00am from November to February (weather dependent), the penguins are taken on a walk outside of their enclosure through the zoo, led by a few zookeepers.
This experience allows you to get up close and personal with the penguins. While you are not allowed to touch them, you can get very close to them and take photos as they complete their walk through the zoo.
🐧 Note: The temperature must be below 50ºF (10ºC) for the penguin walk to occur! It also cannot be raining heavily.
Besides the penguin walk, there are plenty of other animals and exhibits to see at the Basel Zoo. We personally really enjoyed the chimpanzee, rhino, and elephant exhibits!
Places to Eat in Basel in December
Before we wrap up, I wanted to cover some of the fun and unique dining experiences there are in Basel in the winter months.
As you can probably guess, most of these center around fondue, typically in cozy settings!
Many bars and restaurants go out of their way around the holidays to serve fondue in fun and unique ways, whether that’s inside of a gondola or in a lodge-themed restaurant.
Here are some of the best fondue spots I found! 🫕
- Hafechäs: Fondue inside an actual ship in the port of Basel
- Sandoase: Beach-bar turned winter wonderland in the colder months, with fondue and raclette in a cozy chalet, gondola, or Finnish kota (make reservations in advance!)
- Baracca Zermatt: A cozy ski chalet-themed restaurant with an indoor fireplace (open Nov-March only)
- Fondue-Stübli Kunsthalle: Cozy fondue chalet operated by Restaurant Kunsthalle near the Tinguely Fountain
What to Pack for Basel in December
After spending 3 days in Zermatt where the temperature never got above freezing, we expected Basel to be a (warm) breath of fresh air.
However, even though the temperature was technically higher in Basel, it felt just as, if not colder, than Zermatt, thanks to the humidity and wind chill.
So, you’ll want to pack extremely warmly when visiting Basel in December! I wrote a whole guide on what to pack for Zermatt and what to pack for the Christmas Markets, but here are some must-have items!
- I highly recommend a long winter coat that goes past your knees. This was a life saver when blocking the wind chill!
- I also swore by these fleece-lined tights on our entire trip. I could wear them under a skirt or sweater dress and my legs were never cold!
- But my favorite purchase were these SOREL boots that kept my feet nice and toasty every day, even in the snow!
- Lastly, don’t forget a scar or net gaiter, a beanie or earmuffs, and gloves or mittens!
Final Thoughts
As you can hopefully see now, Basel has so much more than meets the eye, especially when you’re visiting in the magical month of December!
I originally chose Basel for its convenient location but ended up falling in love with this city. Between the cozy Christmas markets, river cruise views, and friendly locals, Basel is a must-visit destination for your December trip to Europe!
If you’re planning your own Christmas adventure through Switzerland, make sure to check out my full 2 Day Basel itinerary for exactly how to piece all the magic of this city together!
Check out all of my Switzerland blog posts below! 🇨🇭❄️🫕
A Magical One Week Switzerland Winter Itinerary!
Visiting Zermatt in the Winter: Everything to Know Before You Go
3 Perfect Days In Zermatt, Switzerland In The Winter!
Where to Stay in Zermatt, Switzerland in Winter (with Map!)
15 Bucket List Things to Do in Zermatt in the Winter!
A Complete Guide to Skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland
What To Wear In Zermatt In Winter: Detailed Packing Guide!
Visiting Basel In December: Christmas Markets & Beyond
Basel Christmas Itinerary: 2 Days In Basel In December
Christmas Market Trip To Colmar & Strasbourg From Basel!
What To Wear To European Christmas Markets (Packing Guide)
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
