The best part of the Christmas season is the build-up – the days and weeks of anticipation, of cosiness, of mulled wine and indulgent confections heralding the wonder of the season.

Walking through the romantic main squares of Switzerland’s cities and towns, crisp, sometimes snowy air around you in the shadow of mediaeval churches, cinnamon scenting the air, you cannot help but get caught up in the excitement of the Advent period.

Best of all, in Switzerland you are never more than a short trip from the slopes: ski all morning, and then settle into an indulgent afternoon of revelry and shopping.

Win a luxury holiday to Switzerland For your chance to win a mini-break to beautiful Lucerne, Bernese Oberland or the Valais region, enter today. 

But what to buy? Popular items include nativity scenes crafted from wood; handmade toys for the younger people on your shopping list; handmade beeswax candles; and plenty of sweet treats to take home, from gingerbread to chocolates.

And, of course, there are few more pleasant shopping experiences: embrace the romance and Christmas atmosphere, sample the sausages, biscuits and all manner of melted cheese, and wash it all down with mulled wine.

Montreux: the flying Santa

Set on the edge of Lake Geneva in Switzerland’s ritzy capital of fun, Montreux is a picturesque town famed for its jazz festival and spa breaks.

Christmas cheer: renowned as Switzerland's capital of fun, Montreaux's seasonal markets don't disappoint Credit: Visit Switzerland

As the Christmas season approaches, wander the 170 chalets lining the lake, feasting on fondue and fulfilling your Christmas shopping list. Visitors can also meet Santa Claus atop the Rochers-de-Naye – a great gateway during the day. Families travel on the cog train up to 6,700ft to meet Santa, take pictures, and then children receive a certificate and an extra surprise. This year is the 20th anniversary of Santa’s  House and artist Gerry Hofstetter will be projecting  a giant Santa towards the mountain. There will also be a treasure hunt throughout the Christmas market, with prizes and a final draw.

Be sure to look out each late afternoon and evening for Father Christmas on his flying sleigh. Take to the skies yourself with ample nearby slopes.

Twinkle twinkle: see the Basel Christmas market in its full glory from the top of the gothic red sandstone cathedral Credit: Visit Switzerland

Basel: the twinkling lights

As you might expect, Switzerland’s cultural capital is all in for Christmas, with 155 rustic wooden chalets across two locations in the city, making this one of the country’s largest markets. Climb the gothic red sandstone cathedral, one of the city’s most popular sites, to take in the sea of lights illuminating the city.

Magical: find unusual jewellery and tasty treats at the Christmas village on Sechseläutenplatz Credit: Charly Derouet

Zurich: the magic trees

Winning points for variety (and ease of transport – the airport is a short train ride away), the exquisite city of Zurich features both a giant tree, at 15m (42ft), sparkling with lights at the main train station, as well as a nearby singing tree, with daily concerts.

Find further Christmas gifts, mulled wine and cinnamon-laced baked delights at Zurich’s oldest Christmas market, in the romantic Old Town, or for something a bit trendier at the Christmas village on Sechseläutenplatz, by The Opera House, where you can find unusual jewellery and endless tasty treats.

Spirit of Christmas: overlooking Lake Geneva, the city's Christmas market in the Jardin Anglais is not to be missed Credit: Geneva Tourism

Geneva: the cosy food

If there is a champion meal for the cold season, it must be fondue: head to Geneva’s Christmas market in the Jardin Anglais, overlooking Lake Geneva and its giant Jet d’Eau fountain.

Be sure to visit the Chalet à fondue, where you can feast after checking items off your shopping list, one artisan-run chalet at a time. The short train journey from Geneva airport couldn’t be easier.

Cultural heritage: St Gallen Christmas market is one of the best places to sample Glühwein Credit: Switzerland Tourism

Get a flavour of Switzerland in winter at Somerset House in central London with Skate this December Skate with Tourism Switzerland signals the start of the festive period with ice skating in the spectacular Somerset House courtyard and great music, food and drink to get you in the mood to party.

St Gallen: the mulled wine

You will find 700 stars shining in and around St Gallen, on the banks of Lake Constance, during the Advent season, permeating the small city with a romantic sparkle.

Sharing cultural heritage with neighbouring Germany and Austria, it’s no surprise that this is one of the best places to sample Glühwein, the cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and ginger-infused warm red wine popular at markets. Try the biggest mulled wine stand Maiersäss.

Delicious treats: head to Bulle for the best biscôme, or Lebkuchen – otherwise known as gingerbread Credit: Alamy

Bulle: the biscuit king

An integral part of any Christmas market is the biscuits, in particular the biscôme, or Lebkuchen – otherwise known as gingerbread. You will find plenty of these among the 90 chalets on the main street of Bulle, the town near Gruyères in the canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland.

Here you will also find ample handicrafts, ranging from traditional Christmas decorations to charming candle holders.

Fairytale at Christmas: explore medieval Chur for a magical festive market experience Credit: Getty

Chur: the local history

Capital town of the eastern canton of Grisons, Chur sits in the Rhine valley, where the river turns north. Embrace the fairytale qualities of this largely medieval city by listening to local tales in the local dialect of Romansh, Switzerland’s fourth official language after German, French and Italian.

Take in the romantically lit pastel-coloured buildings in the Old Town as you wander the 160 market stalls.

Buon Natale: marvel at three Unesco World Heritage castles as you explore Bellinzona Christmas market Credit: Getty

Bellinzona: the Christmas carousel

Give your Christmas an Italian accent with a visit to Bellinzona, in the Italian canton of Ticino, where you will find not one but three Unesco World Heritage castles and a bustling Christmas market with nearly 200 stalls. Make sure to visit Piazza Collegiata for a ride on the carousel.

Discover Switzerland

Winter in Switzerland means skiing, but so much more as well: city breaks, winter festivals and scenic train rides – it is an ideal time to stay longer and experience more. Switzerland is easily reachable via train from London or by Swiss International Air Lines. And once you land, the famously efficient public transport will take you to the regions you want to visit by train, bus or boat using the Swiss Travel Pass, available from the Switzerland Travel Centre. Discover Switzerland for yourself at myswitzerland.com

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbHLnp6rmaCde6S7ja6iaKyilsOmuI6sp5qqm2Svpr%2FTZqafZaOstrXGxKujmqaUZLCpvsisq6aZo2K6or7KnqusZw%3D%3D