The Einsiedeln Christmas market has a lovely setting on the plaza just below the famous monastery. You’ll see many of the same vendors as elsewhere, no surprise, but a few different ones that are worth searching out.
It’s a small market, so you could be done in about an hour. So I give a few other activity ideas below including the largest nativity scene in the world, a Lebkuchen museum, and a great sledding hill. I also recommend timing your visit with one of the musical concerts (see program), which really add to the experience.
Market opening times
The Einsiedeln Christmas Market is open 29 Nov to 8 Dec 2024.
The hours vary by day, but it’s generally open 11:00 to 19:30, till 21:00 on Friday and Saturdays. On the opening day, it doesn’t open until 17:00.
Visit the website www.einsiedler-weihnacht.ch for current info.
How to get there
The Christmas market is located at Klosterplatz 8840 Einsiedeln. It’s best to travel there by public transportation because the market attracts a lot of people and there is limited parking.
By public transport:
Take a train to Einsiedeln, Bahnhof, which is a 2 min walk from the Hauptstrasse where the market starts. About another 10 mins to reach the plaza in front of the monastery.
From Zürich HB, it takes about 50 mins with one train change.
By car:
It takes about 35 mins to drive from Zürich to Einsiedeln. There are two main parking areas in Einsiedeln, both near the Kloster.
- Parkhaus Brüel (underground garage) Birchlistrasse 3, 8840 Einsiedeln
- Parkplatz Friedhof (open lot behind Kloster next to ski hill) Friedhof, 8840 Einsiedeln
It’s a 10 min walk from Parking Friedhof to the main part of the market in front of the Kloster.
Photo story of the market
The main part of the market is in the big open square in front of the Kloster.
It’s also nice during the day, but not quite as charming when it’s all lit up at night. (That’s me in 2005!)
The market also continues down the main cobblestone lane that leads toward the train station.
We like that this market has different products that we see at the bigger markets that price out the smaller vendors.
You can get this overview of the market from the stairs leading up the monastery.
Most days they have musical performances. We enjoyed this “glockenspiel” by this cute couple. See the current program.
The monastery makes for a lovely pictures, particularly at night.
What to eat at the market
The Einsiedeln has lots of special things to eat that we don’t often see at other Swiss markets.
Raclette “Gummel”
Most Swiss markets have raclette, often served over bread or baby potatoes. The main dairy in town “Milch Manufaktur Einsiedlen” usually has a booth serving their raclette over over tender fondant-style potatoes – delish! They call it “Raclette Gummel.”
Baguette Fondue
If you want to eat fondue on the go, this stand hollows out a baguette and pours the hot cheese inside. Be careful! It’s molten lava hot and tends to spill over the sides.
Schafböcke
The Schafböcke are a special local treat made from a sweet honey dough, famous with those making a pilgrimage to the Einsiedeln monastery. The shape represents a sheep lying in the grass, calling back to an old tradition (first pagan, then Easter) of the first born male sheep of the year being sacrificed.
Grittibänz Berliner donuts
Our favorite treat at this market is the Berliner donuts shaped like the traditional Grittibänz bread for St Nicholas Day.
Öpfelküachli
We always enjoy these fried apple rings served with vanilla sauce. It’s a traditional treat at many Swiss festivals, but a must at Christmas time for us.
What to drink at the market
Feuerzangenbowle
This traditional German drink is rarely seen at Swiss markets, so enjoy it where. A rum-soaked sugarcube is set on a special slotted spoon over mulled wine. They set the sugarcube on fire so it drips into the wine. It’s a fun show and nice way to warm up on a cold evening. Learn more.
Eierlikor
This cute stand sells the traditional German Eierlikor, a drink very similar to egg nog. The stand is called “Wolke 7,” which technically translates to “Cloud 7” but the equivalent of the English phrase Cloud 9 or Seventh Heaven.
You can drink it straight or add it to coffee or hot chocolate. They also have other hot drinks with or without alcohol.
Ur-Rosoli Cherry Liquor
This local company makes a spiced cherry liquor, which is delicious straight and added to mulled wine. They also have a non-alcoholic punch version.
For children
They usually have a little carousel.
There is a candle dipping hut with colored wax.
In the afternoons, they usually have pony rides and “Märli Zyt,” a story-telling hour with music in a little tent on the plaza (in German).
Other activities in Einsiedeln
Diorama Bethlehem
If you are already in Einsiedeln, then you might visit the Diorama Bethlehem that is advertised as the “largest nativity scene in the world” with “over 450 wood-carved figures wearing oriental costumes in a realistic reproduction of the environs of Bethlehem.”
It’s just one room, with an enormous diorama depicting various aspects of the Christmas story with an accompanying commentary (in English). I think it’s a bit expensive for such a short visit, but my kids and I liked it. You will only spend 15 minutes or so inside.
pic from their website
Diorama Bethlehem
Benzigerstrasse 23, CH-8840 Einsiedeln, Switzerland
Open daily 13:00 to 18:00 during Christmas market (see website for other hours)
www.diorama.ch
Goldapfel Lebkuchen shop & museum
Just one block from the market street, you’ll find this small but charming Lebkuchen shop, with a small museum filled with Lebkuchen paraphernalia, like molds, machines and vintage advertising posters. It’s free to visit and the info signs are also in English. Plus a wide variety of beautiful Lebkuchen to buy.
Goldapfel
Hauptstrasse 80, 8840 Einsiedeln
Museum open daily 13.30 – 18.00, shop opens at 9:00
Free to visit
www.goldapfel.ch
Sledding at Einsiedelen Kloster
If there’s snow, we suggest taking the children to sled after walking around the market. Directly behind the Kloster next to the Friedhof parking lot, there is a great sledding hill.
To access it, start at Friedhof parkling lot, walk along the cemetery wall past the small ski school. Then you’ll see the very wide sledding hill that slopes toward the back wall of the Kloster as shown in my pic below. So pack the sleds and snow clothes in the car for after your market visit.
See Einsiedeln sledding hill on map. See my Einsiedeln Sledding post for more details.
