Basel, located in the three countries corner of Switzerland, France and Germany, is the centre of one of Europe’s most exciting Christmas regions. In November of each year, the cosmopolitan city on the Rhine surpasses itself in the scale and attractiveness of its preparations for the coming Advent period. Basel has a deep-rooted tradition as Switzerland’s most beautiful and largest Christmas city, and is well worth a visit every year. Other centres of the European Christmas tradition are only around an hour’s drive away. The Christmas markets of Strasbourg, Colmar, Freiburg, etc. are also in easy reach. 

Not only the well-preserved Old Town is radiant in the warm Christmas light, but the shops and the facades of many buildings glitter with a golden glow. Roughly a hundred tall pine trees border the streets and stand like brightly lit sentinels pointing the way for the visitor. Seven reasons to visit Basel during Christmas time are as follows:

• Largest and most traditional Christmas market in Switzerland
• Longest illuminated Christmas street in Europe
• Great Christmas shopping possibilities
• Top and specialised Christmas shops like the Johann Wanner Christmas House
• Numerous Christmas concerts
• Guided Christmas tours
• Ideal starting point for a European Christmas adventure