This past weekend I travelled to Basel Switzerland to experience what is considered some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and it did not disappoint. From the mulled wine to the fresh snow that coated the ground, it was a winter wonderland that gave me the holiday spirit I’ve been missing from being away from home. While it was only two days, it was a magical experience and I will definitely be back! If you’re also planning to experience the wonder of Basel’s Christmas markets, here are some of my top tips and favorite parts:
What to Know Before Visiting Basel
Getting Around
How to Get to Basel
If you’re flying, the closest airport is the EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (say that ten times fast), which has exits to Switzerland, Germany, and France. Be sure to exit on the Swiss side!
Getting Around
Switzerland is known to be expensive. A taxi from the airport to the city center cost about 60 CHF (Swiss francs). But they have superb public transportation. I bought a ticket for 6 CHF which let me ride all of the public transportation and took a bus and tram practically to the front doorstep of my airbnb.
Other Things
When visiting the Christmas markets, most places only take cash, which I was unprepared for. Be sure to take out euros or Swiss francs so that you can access all the shops and food rather than a select few.
Where to Stay
Airbnb/VRBO
My personal favorite form of staying somewhere. When looking, check out the public transportation to see if you can find a place to stay on the route of where you plan to visit. We stayed in an airbnb which overlooked the Rhine river and was a tram ride away from the city center and on the same line as the Christmas markets.
Art House Basel
Art House is a modern-style hotel with a restaurant, rooftop bar, and located directly in the city center.
Hotel Märthof
For a more traditional style hotel, it features a history of architecture, is on Basel’s Marketplatz, and your stay comes with a Baselcard, which gives you free public transport, WiFi hotspots and discounts on various cultural experiences in the city.
GAIA Hotel
An eco-friendly and family-run hotel, GAIA offers an organic breakfast buffet, sauna oasis, and the Baselcard in addition to a beautiful stay.
The Christmas Markets
Basel has three famous Christmas markets, and they’re all worth checking out!
Barfüsserplatz: the most picturesque of the markets, its right in the city center and offers a variety of food and stands selling local ornaments, clothing, jewelry, among other items.
Münsterplatz: a short walk from Barfüsserplatz, this market is in front of the historic cathedral of Basel and has strings of lights decorated throughout. In addition to the various vendor and food stands, it also has great activities for children such as a small train ride or blacksmith workshop.
Adväntsgass im Glaibasel: If you’re less interested in shopping and more in food and drink, this is the perfect market for you. Walk along the small side street and choose from a selection of mulled wine and spirits to pair with your bratwurst or fondue.
What to Eat and Drink
Because I wanted this trip to be as affordable as possible, the best places to eat are from the several stands within the Christmas markets. And trust me, you’re not missing out by exclusively eating here. How could you be upset with every variation of cheese, bread, and meat that you can think of?
My top picks:
Mulled wine: A holiday staple, it’s like drinking a hug. When you first order, they give you a mug that you can take to any of the stands for a refill, and you can either keep it or return it afterwards and get a deposit back.
Fondue Dog: Half of a baguette that’s been hollowed out and filled with fondue cheese and a sausage.
Bratwurst: Plain, with mustard, with a side of bread, etc. You name it, they’ve got it.
Crepe: From sweet to savory, you can never go wrong with this classic.
Hot chocolate: There’s hot chocolate, then there’s hot chocolate made from Swiss chocolate. They are not the same, and Swiss hot chocolate will forever be superior.
What to Wear
It is cold. I knew it was going to be cold, but OH MY GOSH IT WAS COLD. We went out the first night bundled up but only wearing one pair of socks, and I truly thought my feet were going to get frostbite on them. Don’t make the same mistake I did.
Layers…on layers…on layers
If you think you’re bundled up enough, add one more long sleeve. Here was my daily wardrobe combination:
- A hat that covers your ears
- A scarf
- A thick pair of gloves
- A thermal and a sweater
- A long wool coat
- Fleece lined leggings
- 2 or 3 pairs of socks
- Durable winter boots
travelsoftheresa.com 