Basel, the third largest city in Switzerland with its museums and culture, offers one of the most beautiful Christmas markets of the Upper Rhine region, the “Basler Weihnacht”. The official start is usually on a Thursday evening, more or less one month before Christmas.
The market is divided into two parts, only a few 100 meters away from each other. The Münsterplatz, cathedral square with a beautiful Christmas tree, and the Barfüsserplatz further down the hill.
More than 180 tradesmen and craftsmen display their objects in small, rustic wooden chalets. Anyone still looking for gift ideas can find inspiration among all the products on offer in a magical atmosphere. As for gastronomic pleasures, they are not left out: between waffles, mulled wine (Glühwein), authentic Läckerli Basel (a kind of gingerbread), tasty Swiss raclette or popular grilled sausages, there is something for everyone. We arrived early in the evening to have some time available to explore the two markets. In addition, a multitude of events are organized during Advent.
Thursday, November 22, 2018 we were at the opening of the Basel Christmas Market.
In the afternoon, the houses of the Christmas market welcome the first visitors and serve the first mulled wines in pretty little Christmas boots. The wine is CHF 5 (or EUR 5) + a deposit for the glass (CHF / EUR 3), but how nice to drink a mulled wine in a real earthenware Christmas cup instead of the usual plastic cups. You just have to return the cup to get your CHF 3 back. Personally, I always like to bring one home as a souvenir 🙂
At 6:30 pm, after a Christmas concert given by the Basel ensemble of young boys and the great choir of the Theater Basel, Elisabeth Ackermann, president of the Basel region, lit the Christmas tree, the lights of the Münsterplatz and officially launched the 2018 Christmas market in Basel.
Riquewihr is just 80km from Basel (convenient trains Colmar-Basel). Enjoy our special rates to visit the Christmas markets on weekdays. Click to visit our apartments
In the Christmas enchanted forest on the Münsterplatz near the cathedral, children can make and decorate candles, make torches, decorate gingerbreads, eat tortilla bread, drink hot chocolate, take the little children’s train, make Christmas cakes, visit the star-making workshop, make Christmas arrangements, and much more.
Good to know
From 22 November to December 23, 2018. Every day 11:00 – 20:30
The Basel Christmas market takes place on the Barfüsserplatz in the heart of the old town and in front of the cathedral. In a warm and magical atmosphere, merchants and craftsmen from the region and throughout Switzerland offer their products and demonstrate their skills throughout some 130 stalls and wooden illuminated chalets. The Christmas market in Basel is the largest in Switzerland.
Easy access by train from Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse in Alsace
Riquewihr is just 80km from Basel (convenient trains Colmar-Basel). Enjoy our special rates to visit the Christmas markets on weekdays. Click to visit our apartments
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