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Romantic landscapes, enjoyable festivities and gluhwein galore… Lucerne would possibly 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 seems like a Christmas card scene delivered to 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 incredible Christmas metropolis break – plus a number of ideas that can assist 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 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 presents, and engaging 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 previous 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 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! Take a look at the total 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 good 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, normally 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 generally bacon). It’s usually served with apple compote.
Swiss Rösti – potato cake. The very best form 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 in contrast to many different cities’ ice rinks, Ice Magic Lucerne is free! You solely must pay for skate rental (until you could have your personal).
It’s additionally in probably the most picturesque areas I’ve seen! The ice rink is positioned 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 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 test the web site to see what’s on whenever you go to.
4. Christmas lights and decorations within the Previous City
Lucerne’s Altstadt (Previous City) is a beautiful, fairytale setting any time of yr – with cobbled streets, picturesque plazas, historic structure, and half-timber homes. Many buildings are embellished 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 below are the highest sights:
- Weinmarkt – one of many prettiest plazas, surrounded by vibrant buildings.
- Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) – a lined wood footbridge courting from the early 14th century.
- Spreuerbrücke (Spreuer Bridge) – a fair older lined bridge with incredible 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 stunning all yr spherical, however at the moment 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’ll be able to 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 straightforward
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 on daily basis.
From Zurich Airport to Lucerne, it’s simply over an hour by prepare – and it’s an easy journey. There’s a direct prepare from the airport, or you’ll be able to change in Zurich’s most important prepare station (Zurich HB) for extra choices.
Town centre and the principle sights of the Altstadt (Previous City) are all inside strolling distance of the principle prepare station, so it is a very easy metropolis to discover in any climate!
Prime Ideas for Visiting Lucerne at Christmas
Ebook Early
Lucerne is usually a very fashionable Christmas vacation spot, particularly at weekends. Ebook as far prematurely as you’ll be able to. Should you can, go to throughout the week slightly than at weekends; it’s normally quieter and lodging could also be cheaper.
What to pack
Let me inform you, Lucerne may be fairly darn chilly in December – so pack heat garments! Plenty 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 in your journey, it might 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, comfortable footwear or boots (plus good thick boot socks). If it’s going to snow, ensure that to pack snow boots or some first rate strolling footwear with good grip.
It’s value paying extra for flights that embody hand baggage!
Talking of packing heat garments, it’s value paying further for an honest carry-on baggage allowance whenever you fly!
At a look, flights with Swiss Air are normally costlier than with funds airways. Nevertheless, Swiss nonetheless embody carry-on baggage with their financial system tickets – whereas funds airways like EasyJet solely embody a 20cm “private merchandise”.
Whereas it’s completely potential to cram two day’s value of stuff into an under-seat bag, in the event you’re packing numerous heat garments and thick jumpers it’s a lot simpler to carry a small hand-luggage suitcase. Keep in mind to test the worth of added baggage when evaluating flight costs in your journey.
READ MORE: Greatest Carry-On Suitcases for Girls
Keep within the Metropolis Centre
Go for a lodge that’s near town centre, so that you’re inside simple attain of all the principle sights. The world between the prepare station and the Previous City, on the south aspect of the river, is a good spot. This may put you inside strolling distance of the station whenever you arrive, but in addition of all of the Christmas Markets and sights.
Learn Extra
Obtained 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. Under, you will discover hyperlinks to some of my different posts about Switzerland, in case you could have extra time to discover…
A Fantastic Winter Weekend Metropolis Break in Lausanne
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