Christmas strolling in Morat

As you may know it by now, I try to introduce you to a new location in Switzerland once a month. In September I explored Solothurn, in October I mused in Schaffhausen and in December…well, with the holidays around the corner, the Christmas shopping and all the run-up to the festive season I didn’t have much time to travel around. But, because Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, I wanted to share some “Christmas love” and tell you a bit about my visit to the Morat Christmas market or the “Weihnachtsmärit” as the locals call it.

Morat is a wonderful little medieval town an hour away from Lausanne and 40 minutes from Bern. It’s actually one of my favourite places in Switzerland; very romantic with a sort of Mediterranean vibe.

When you live, like I do in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, you know about the famous “Montreux Christmas Market” and it’s usually where you end up going if you want to drink some mulled wine while trying to find some little gifts for your loved ones. I, however, don’t like the Montreux market. It’s too crowded, too commercial and too crowded (did I already said this?)! I find there is no Christmas spirit “all around” when you go there. So when I heard about the Morat Christmas Market I decided I’d go pay a visit to see if it would feel more “Christmassy”…

The Weihnachtsmärit is located in Morat’s old town and is made of about 50 tiny chalets selling food delicacies, small fashion accessories, decorative objects and Christmas ornaments. Very quaint and pretty, almost like a doll’s house!

My overall impressions: still commercial, not traditional enough (e.g. like the markets in Alsace) but, when comparing to the Montreux market it’s way more “Christmassy” and way less crowded (which is a big plus!!). I think the location also helps a lot though?!

All in all, I’d recommend a visit to the Morat Christmas market if you want to dive into some genuine Christmas spirit! Plus, we tasted some delicious red and white (yes, white!) mulled wine!