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Romantic landscapes, enjoyable festivities and gluhwein galore… Lucerne may simply be the last word Christmas metropolis break vacation spot!
Perched on the sting of a sprawling lake, surrounded by white-capped mountain peaks and snow-dusted forests, Lucerne appears to be like like a Christmas card scene dropped at life.
Add to {that a} historic city centre that appears like one thing out of a fairytale, a number of Christmas markets and occasions, and an outside ice rink with lakeside views – and you’ve got the right location for a December getaway.
Beneath, I’ve outlined all the explanations Lucerne makes such a implausible Christmas metropolis break – plus a number of suggestions that will help you plan your journey. Take pleasure in…
My Christmas journey to Lucerne was supported by Go to Lucerne. As at all times, all phrases and opinions are my very own.
Why Lucerne is the Excellent Christmas Metropolis Break
1. There are a number of Christmas Markets to select from!
Is there something extra festive than a European Christmas market? Cute wood stalls, distinctive items, and attractive treats like gluhwein and scorching chocolate… what’s to not love?
Lucerne doesn’t simply have one Christmas market – it has a number of! Let’s begin with the 2 most important ones, which run all through December:
Lucerne Christmas Market (Lozärner Wiehnachtsmärt): Town’s most important Christmas market is held in entrance of the Franziskanerkirche church within the outdated city. This one was smaller and had a extra conventional, cosy vibe.
Rudolf’s Christmas Spectacle (Rudolf’s Weihnacht): Held on the riverside close to the KKL (Tradition and Congress Centre) with a dreamy backdrop of metropolis lights mirrored within the lake. This one is larger and a bit extra trendy – you’ll discover issues like bao buns and bubble waffles alongside the usual xmas market fare.
Different markets: There are additionally a number of different, extra short-term markets, together with a Craft Market on the Wine Market and a Christmas Tree Market on Schweizerhofquai. Plus, most of the cities and villages surrounding Lake Lucerne host their very own markets – perfect for day journeys by boat or prepare! Try the complete information to what’s on right here.
2. Swiss cheese and chocolate!
One factor units Switzerland’s Christmas markets aside from different European cities – Swiss delicacies! Winter’s chilly climate is the right time to take pleasure in these hearty Alpine dishes like cheese fondue, raclette, and – after all – Swiss chocolate. Right here’s what to look out for…
Fondue – melted cheese and wine served in a giant pot with bread, potatoes, and/or meat to dip. There’s a fondue chalet at Rudolf’s Wiehnacht – and a stall at Lucerne Weihnachtsmarkt was even serving fondue sandwiches (pictured above).
Raclette – melted cheese, often served with potatoes, pickles and cured meat.
Älplermagronen – a Swiss tackle macaroni cheese, with pasta and potatoes in a tacky sauce topped with crispy onions (and typically bacon). It’s typically served with apple compote.
Swiss Rösti – potato cake. The most effective sort is made with mountain cheese and bacon and topped with an egg.
Chugelipastete – this dish is exclusive to Lucerne, a meat pie encased in puff pastry with a creamy sauce and booze-soaked raisins. Attempt it on the Lodge Wilden Mann‘s cosy restaurant.
3. Ice Skating with lakeside views
Like many cities, Lucerne has a pop-up outside ice rink over the festive interval. However not like many different cities’ ice rinks, Ice Magic Lucerne is free! You solely should pay for skate rental (until you’ve your individual).
It’s additionally in one of the vital picturesque places I’ve seen! The ice rink is situated on Europaplatz, on the sting of Lake Lucerne – with attractive views throughout the water. It’s notably beautiful after darkish, when colour-changing lights paint the ice and the lights of the town are mirrored on the lake.
The rink is surrounded by chalets promoting meals, drink and – after all – gluhwein. And there’s a full programme of occasions all winter lengthy, with dwell music, theatre performances and sporting occasions – so verify the web site to see what’s on while you go to.
4. Christmas lights and decorations within the Outdated City
Lucerne’s Altstadt (Outdated City) is a beautiful, fairytale setting any time of yr – with cobbled streets, picturesque plazas, historic structure, and half-timber homes. Many buildings are adorned with vibrant frescos depicting scenes from Lucerne’s tradition and historical past.
At Christmas, the Altstadt turns into much more fairly. The buildings are trimmed with pine garlands and strung with lights, and bridges throughout the Reuss River are coated with glittering lights (particularly the pedestrian Rathaussteg). Listed here are the highest sights:
Weinmarkt – one of many prettiest plazas, surrounded by vibrant buildings.
Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) – a coated wood footbridge courting from the early 14th century.
Spreuerbrücke (Spreuer Bridge) – an excellent older coated bridge with implausible views.
Jesuitenkirche – Jesuit Church on the riverside courting from 1667.
5. Scenic Boat Rides on Lake Lucerne
Lucerne sits on the northwestern tip of Lake Lucerne, an enormous, oddly formed lake surrounded by mountains and charming lakeside cities. It’s lovely all yr spherical, however right now of yr, it’s like a Christmas card scene, with snow-capped mountains and dense forests dusted with white.
All that mountain surroundings is finest loved on a lake cruise. Lake Lucerne Navigation Firm runs a number of cruises and spherical journeys on the lake – you may even hop off in one of many surrounding cities to discover earlier than heading again to Lucerne!
I like to recommend the Quick Lake Cruise to Beckenried and again. It’s roughly 2.5 hours and there’s loads of heat inside house on the boat, together with an onboard restaurant. Sit with a glass of fizz or a mug of scorching chocolate and watch the mountain views glide previous.
6. Getting there and round is simple
Lucerne needs to be one of many best cities to achieve for a winter metropolis break. The closest airport is Zurich, lower than a 2-hour flight from London, with a number of direct flights day-after-day.
From Zurich Airport to Lucerne, it’s simply over an hour by prepare – and it’s a very simple journey. There’s a direct prepare from the airport, or you may change in Zurich’s most important prepare station (Zurich HB) for extra choices.
Town centre and the primary sights of the Altstadt (Outdated City) are all inside strolling distance of the primary prepare station, so this can be a very easy metropolis to discover in any climate!
Prime Suggestions for Visiting Lucerne at Christmas
Ebook Early
Lucerne could be a highly regarded Christmas vacation spot, particularly at weekends. Ebook as far upfront as you may. In the event you can, go to through the week quite than at weekends; it’s often quieter and lodging could also be cheaper.
What to pack
Let me inform you, Lucerne will be fairly darn chilly in December – so pack heat garments! A number of layers, plus a pleasant heat coat (ideally one thing designed for snow). Don’t overlook a hat, scarf, and gloves.
If the temperatures are wanting notably low on your journey, it could be value bringing some thermal base layers too! I wore thermal leggings with a skirt, a long-sleeved high, and a wool jumper.
You’ll additionally need heat, cozy sneakers or boots (plus good thick boot socks). If it’s going to snow, ensure that to pack snow boots or some first rate strolling sneakers with good grip.
It’s value paying extra for flights that embrace hand baggage!
Talking of packing heat garments, it’s value paying additional for an honest carry-on baggage allowance while you fly!
At a look, flights with Swiss Air are often costlier than with funds airways. Nevertheless, Swiss nonetheless embrace carry-on baggage with their economic system tickets – whereas funds airways like EasyJet solely embrace a 20cm “private merchandise”.
Whereas it’s completely attainable to cram two day’s value of stuff into an under-seat bag, in the event you’re packing a lot of heat garments and thick jumpers it’s a lot simpler to convey a small hand-luggage suitcase. Keep in mind to verify the worth of added baggage when evaluating flight costs on your journey.
READ MORE: Finest Carry-On Suitcases for Girls
Keep within the Metropolis Centre
Go for a resort that’s near the town centre, so that you’re inside simple attain of all the primary points of interest. The realm between the prepare station and the Outdated City, on the south facet of the river, is a superb spot. This can put you inside strolling distance of the station while you arrive, but additionally of all of the Christmas Markets and points of interest.
Learn Extra
Bought a query about visiting Lucerne at Christmas? Scroll down to go away me a remark and I’ll attempt to assist!
I hope you discovered this information helpful – and have a tremendous time exploring Lucerne. Beneath, you’ll find hyperlinks to a couple of my different posts about Switzerland, in case you’ve extra time to discover…
A Great Winter Weekend Metropolis Break in Lausanne
12 of the Finest Eating places in Lausanne
Summer time in Verbier