Basel is Switzerland’s cultural and Christmas capital. Basel Christmas Market takes place across two main squares in the Old Town but the rest of the city is also decorated with Christmas decorations and pretty lights. Basel is a wonderful destination for a short winter break with the highlight being the incredible Swiss specialties.
Basel Christmas Market 2021
There are two main Christmas markets in Basel old town, one in Barfüsserplatz and the other in Münsterplatz.
Barfüsserplatz is the central hub of the city, a bustling square that is surrounded by narrow laneways with shops and places to eat. This is where you’ll find most of the 180 Christmas chalets in Basel, spreading past the square into Kaufhausgasse towards Freie Strasse.
Münsterplatz is located in front of Basel Cathedral and is one of the oldest squares in Basel. It has been used for festivals, parades, royal events and markets since medieval times. Basel’s most beautiful Christmas tree stands on Münsterplatz, with ornaments by the well-known decorator Johann Wanner. The trees lining the square are decorated with Christmas lights adding to the festive atmosphere.
Basel Christmas Market dates: 25th November to 23rd December 2021.
Opening times: 11am to 8:30pm (6pm on the 23rd December).
Location: Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz in Altstadt Grossbasel (the Old Town in Basel).
Reason to visit: Basel is home to the prettiest and largest Christmas market in Switzerland.
Specialities: Traditional Basel Läckerli (a type of gingerbread), Swiss raclette, waffles and of course glühwein (at the Christmas Pyramid).
Travel tips: From the 2nd to 20th December you can climb St Martin’s Tower (CHF 5.00) for incredible views across the illuminated Old Town.
Hotels near Basel Christmas Market: Art House is a boutique hotel 3 minutes from Barfüsserplatz. Alternatively, Motel One is an excellent budget hotel located directly in front of the Christmas market.
Hotels near Basel Christmas Market
While Basel might not be the most popular city break destination in Switzerland, there are still plenty of nice hotels to choose from. We have put together a guide to hotels near Basel Christmas Market to help you select the best place to stay for your trip. Each of our recommendations are within walking distance of the Christmas markets, many of the city’s sights and places to eat out.
Things to Do in Basel in Winter
Basel is the cultural capital of Switzerland and home to 40 museums, the highest concentration of anywhere in Switzerland. Visiting museums is one of the best things to do in winter, especially when the weather is poor.
Alongside the historic Old Town is some of the most interesting modern architecture in the region, all of which can be discovered on a city tour or by exploring by tram.
If this is your first time in Basel, I suggest taking this walking tour on the day your arrive. This will give you an excellent overview of the city and help you plan the rest of your trip.
To discover the culinary highlights of Basel, we recommend this self-guided food tour where you get vouchers for 4 different gourmet stops.
Basel Old Town Map
If you have any questions or comments about visiting the Basel Xmas market in 2021 or would like to more about visiting Basel in winter, please leave a comment below. We are experienced travellers who are happy to help where we can. We will reply as soon as possible.
Reviews help people who are planning on visiting Basel Christmas Market. If you would like to leave a review after your visit, you’re welcome to do so in the comment section below.
Please be sure to follow all government travel guidelines and restrictions while in Basel and elsewhere during your Christmas break. Be aware these may change at short notice so please continue to monitor the situation. The latest information for travellers is published by Switzerland Tourism.
This post contains affiliate links to tours and hotels in Basel, Switzerland. This means we get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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