Christmas markets, scenic train rides, Swiss Alps, unlimited chocolate and the magical Flying Santa.
If there’s one European destination I would happily visit again during Christmas, it’s Switzerland.
Imagine charming Christmas markets, snow-covered mountains, scenic train rides, endless Swiss chocolate and Santa literally flying over a lake. Yes, that last part is real!
We spent five days exploring Switzerland, starting in Zurich, visiting the Swiss Alps and spending a magical night in Montreux before returning to Zurich.
And the best part? We explored everything using public transportation.
If you’re planning a Christmas trip to Switzerland, here’s our itinerary, including where we stayed, the Christmas markets we visited and the experiences I wouldn’t skip.
Day 1: Arriving in Zurich
Our Christmas adventure started in Zurich.
After arriving, we checked into our hotel and settled in for the night. Zurich was our base for exploring the surrounding towns, which made traveling around Switzerland much easier.
One thing I love about Switzerland is its train system. You can visit several destinations without renting a car or constantly changing hotels.
My recommendation is to stay somewhere central, preferably near Zurich’s main train station, Zürich HB.
We had a full day of exploring planned for the following morning, so we kept our first day simple.
Day 2: A Day Trip to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken
Our first adventure was a day trip from Zurich to three beautiful destinations in the Swiss Alps.
Grindelwald: Our first stop was this picturesque mountain village surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Between the traditional Swiss chalets and breathtaking mountain scenery, it’s easy to see why people love this destination.
Lauterbrunnen: Next, we stopped in Lauterbrunnen, a beautiful valley known for its dramatic cliffs and waterfalls. It’s one of those places that looks like something straight out of a postcard.
Interlaken: We also explored Interlaken, situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It’s a convenient starting point for exploring the Jungfrau region.
After spending the day exploring, we returned to Zurich for the night.
My advice? Start early. Visiting all three destinations in one day is ambitious, especially during winter when daylight hours are shorter.
If you prefer slower travel, consider spending an extra night in the region.
Day 3: Interlaken, the GoldenPass Express and Christmas in Montreux
This was one of my favorite days of the entire trip!
We traveled from Zurich back to Interlaken, where our itinerary included Harder Kulm before continuing our journey to Montreux.
But the real highlight was taking the GoldenPass Express.
Imagine sitting inside a panoramic train, watching the Swiss countryside, mountains and charming villages pass by.
It’s an experience I would absolutely recommend adding to your Switzerland itinerary.
The GoldenPass Express connects Interlaken and Montreux. Reserve your seats ahead of time, especially if you want a particular seating experience.
A magical Christmas evening in Montreux
If you visit only one Christmas market in Switzerland, Montreux deserves a place on your list.
Located along the shores of Lake Geneva, the Montreux Christmas Market is absolutely beautiful.
We spent the evening walking around the market, trying different foods, enjoying Swiss cheese and taking in all the Christmas decorations.
And then came the moment I had been waiting for.
The Flying Santa!
Watching Santa fly over Lake Geneva with his reindeer while surrounded by Christmas lights was such a magical experience.
It’s one of those Christmas attractions that makes you feel like a child again.
We spent the night in Montreux, which I recommend because it gives you time to enjoy the Christmas market without worrying about catching a late train back to Zurich.
Day 4: Lindt Home of Chocolate and Zurich Christmas Markets
The following morning, we took the train from Montreux back to Zurich.
And our first stop? Chocolate!
Breakfast at Lindt Home of Chocolate
We visited the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg, just outside central Zurich.
We started with breakfast before exploring the interactive chocolate museum.
If you love chocolate, you absolutely need to add this experience to your itinerary.
We learned about the history of chocolate, explored the exhibitions and, of course, enjoyed the chocolate tastings.
Unlimited chocolate tasting? Say less!
The experience was worth adding to our trip, and I would happily do it again.
Travel tip: Book your museum tickets in advance because this is a popular attraction.
An evening exploring Zurich’s Christmas markets
After our chocolate adventure, we checked into our Zurich hotel and headed out for another evening of Christmas festivities.
We managed to experience several attractions in one night.
- ILLUMINARIUM at Landesmuseum
This was such a beautiful experience. The Swiss National Museum transforms into an illuminated winter wonderland with spectacular light displays, festive food and drinks. - Lindenhof and Zurich Old Town
We continued walking through central Zurich, stopping around Lindenhof and the surrounding streets for food.
It’s a lovely area to explore on foot, especially during Christmas. - The Singing Christmas Tree
Imagine a Christmas tree that actually sings!
At Werdmühleplatz, choirs perform Christmas songs on a stage shaped like a giant Christmas tree.
It’s such a fun and unique Christmas experience. - Zurich Main Station Christmas Market
Our final stop was the Christmas market inside Zurich’s main train station.
With Christmas decorations, festive stalls, food and shopping, it was the perfect way to finish our evening.
Day 5: Goodbye, Switzerland
After breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and headed to the airport for our flight home.
Five days, several beautiful destinations, countless Christmas memories and more chocolate than I probably needed!
Would I do this trip again? Absolutely.
Important Tips for Planning Christmas in Switzerland
Here are a few things I’d recommend knowing before booking this itinerary.
- Travel by train: The GoldenPass Express journey between Interlaken and Montreux takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Check the official timetable before booking.
- Book chocolate tickets early: Lindt recommends advance online reservations because tickets are in high demand.
- Check seasonal mountain access: Harder Kulm is not a guaranteed Christmas activity. Its 2026 funicular season ends November 29, so December visitors should plan another Interlaken activity instead.
- Spend the night in Montreux: This gives you time to enjoy the Christmas market and Flying Santa without rushing.
- Pack warm clothing and comfortable shoes: You’ll spend plenty of time walking outdoors and moving between train stations.
Christmas 2026: Dates to Know
If you’re recreating this trip in 2026, these are the confirmed event dates.
Montreux Christmas Market – Nov 20–Dec 24
Zurich Singing Christmas Tree – Nov 19–Dec 23
Zurich Main Station Christmas Market -Nov 19–Dec 24
ILLUMINARIUM – Nov 5–Dec 30
Montreux’s Flying Santa is scheduled for 5, 6 and 7 p.m. on weekdays, with an additional 4 p.m. performance on weekends.
Final Thoughts: Is Switzerland Worth Visiting at Christmas?
For me, absolutely!
From exploring the Swiss Alps to watching Santa fly over Lake Geneva, this trip combined so many experiences I love.
It’s also a wonderful itinerary for a girls’ trip, a romantic Christmas getaway or a solo adventure.
If you’re dreaming of visiting Switzerland during the holidays, save this itinerary and start planning!
And don’t forget to leave room for all that Swiss chocolate.