Basel Christmas Market

Basel has its own special Christmas route – the longest in Europe - which runs from the Messeplatz via the Mittleren bridge, all the way down to the Aeschenplatz. All the businesses that line it engage in a window-dressing competition and over a hundred Christmas trees are dotted along the way to guide visitors. The Christmas market itself, though, takes place in around 130 wooden cabins arranged across the two main squares in the Old Town, selling traditional Swiss gifts and decorations, as well as artisan products from all over Europe.

There are plenty of opportunities for breaks in the shopping schedule, which come in the form of free Christmas concerts and Christmas guided tours... and, of course, simply piles of food. Try some Basler honey cookies, spiced tea and Brunsli – Christmas chocolate brownies!

If you still can't find exactly the right kind of fairy for the top of your tree, or you just can't locate a big enough stocking, don't worry: there's still the Johann Wanner Christmas House shop. If you're not feeling festive already, it's bound to put you in the right frame of mind to write your Christmas message in the town's visitor's book...