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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 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 out of doors ice rink with lakeside views – and you’ve got the proper location for a December getaway.
Under, I’ve outlined all the explanations Lucerne makes such a implausible Christmas metropolis break – plus a couple of suggestions that will help you plan your journey. Get pleasure from…
My Christmas journey to Lucerne was supported by Go to Lucerne. As all the time, all phrases and opinions are my very own.
Why Lucerne is the Good 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 engaging treats like gluhwein and sizzling 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 fundamental ones, which run all through December:
Lucerne Christmas Market (Lozärner Wiehnachtsmärt): Town’s fundamental Christmas market is held in entrance of the Franziskanerkirche church within the outdated city.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 greater and a bit extra fashionable – you’ll discover issues like bao buns and bubble waffles alongside the usual xmas market fare.
Different markets: There are additionally a couple of different, extra short-term markets, together with a Craft Market on the Wine Market and a Christmas Tree Market on Schweizerhofquai. Plus, lots of the cities and villages surrounding Lake Lucerne host their very own markets – ideally suited for day journeys by boat or practice! Take a look at the complete information to what’s on right here.
2. Swiss cheese and chocolate!
One factor units Switzerland’s Christmas markets other than different European cities – Swiss delicacies! Winter’s chilly climate is the good time to get pleasure from 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 an enormous 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 usually served with apple compote.
Swiss Rösti – potato cake. The perfect type 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. Strive 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 need to pay for skate rental (until you’ve your individual).
It’s additionally in probably the most picturesque areas I’ve seen! The ice rink is situated on Europaplatz, on the sting of Lake Lucerne – with beautiful views throughout the water. It’s notably pretty after darkish, when colour-changing lights paint the ice and the lights of 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 reside music, theatre performances and sporting occasions – so examine the web site to see what’s on whenever you go to.
4. Christmas lights and decorations within the Outdated City
Lucerne’s Altstadt (Outdated City) is a stunning, 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 lined 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 lined wood footbridge relationship from the early 14th century.
- Spreuerbrücke (Spreuer Bridge) – a good older lined bridge with implausible views.
- Jesuitenkirche – Jesuit Church on the riverside relationship 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 presently 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 possibly can 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 area on the boat, together with an onboard restaurant. Sit with a glass of fizz or a mug of sizzling chocolate and watch the mountain views glide previous.
6. Getting there and round is simple
Lucerne must 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 each day.
From Zurich Airport to Lucerne, it’s simply over an hour by practice – and it’s a very simple journey. There’s a direct practice from the airport, or you possibly can change in Zurich’s fundamental practice station (Zurich HB) for extra choices.
Town centre and the principle sights of the Altstadt (Outdated City) are all inside strolling distance of the principle practice station, so this can be a very easy metropolis to discover in any climate!
High Ideas for Visiting Lucerne at Christmas
E-book Early
Lucerne generally is a very talked-about Christmas vacation spot, particularly at weekends. E-book as far prematurely as you possibly can. For those who can, go to in the course of the week moderately than at weekends; it’s often quieter and lodging could also be cheaper.
What to pack
Let me inform you, Lucerne could be fairly darn chilly in December – so pack heat garments! A lot of layers, plus a pleasant heat coat (ideally one thing designed for snow). Don’t neglect a hat, scarf, and gloves.
If the temperatures are wanting notably low on your journey, it could be price bringing some thermal base layers too! I wore thermal leggings with a skirt, a long-sleeved prime, and a wool jumper.
You’ll additionally need heat, cozy footwear or boots (plus good thick boot socks). If it’s going to snow, ensure to pack snow boots or some respectable strolling footwear with good grip.
It’s price paying extra for flights that embody hand baggage!
Talking of packing heat garments, it’s price paying further for a good carry-on baggage allowance whenever you fly!
At a look, flights with Swiss Air are often dearer than with funds airways. Nonetheless, Swiss nonetheless embody carry-on baggage with their economic system tickets – whereas funds airways like EasyJet solely embody a 20cm “private merchandise”.
Whereas it’s completely attainable to cram two day’s price of stuff into an under-seat bag, in the event you’re packing plenty of heat garments and thick jumpers it’s a lot simpler to deliver a small hand-luggage suitcase. Bear in mind to examine the value of added baggage when evaluating flight costs on your journey.
READ MORE: Finest Carry-On Suitcases for Ladies
Keep within the Metropolis Centre
Go for a resort that’s near town centre, so that you’re inside straightforward attain of all the principle points of interest. The realm between the practice 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 whenever you arrive, but in addition of all of the Christmas Markets and points of interest.
Learn Extra
Received a query about visiting Lucerne at Christmas? Scroll down to depart me a remark and I’ll attempt to assist!
I hope you discovered this information helpful – and have an incredible time exploring Lucerne. Under, you will discover 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
