113 Best Shopping in Switzerland

The main train station, Zürich Hauptbahnhof, and Niederdorfstrasse each host a Christmas market starting in early December. The newer Bellevue Christmas Market on Sechseläutenplatz features original Swiss designs, ice skating, fondue houses, and food trucks.

The self-styled prince of Bernese chocolatiers, Tschirren has been making its divine assortment of artfully rough-hewn truffles since 1919.

About 100 arts-and-crafts stands fill the Münsterplatz on the first Saturday of the month between March and December. In December, the market also happens on the first Sunday and the third Saturday and Sunday.

This fine selection of more than 250 types of cheeses comes from the Swiss Alps, the neighboring Jura and Vosges mountains, and beyond.

Münstergasse, between Zytglogge and Münster, offers meats, dairy products, bread, fish, fruit, veggies, and more every Tuesday and Saturday.

This cozy store specializes in clothes, shoes, bags, and cosmetics from young and often sustainably minded designers, both local and international.

This trendsetting concept store stocks clothes for women, men, and kids from both small and more established designers, as well as shoes, bags, and jewelry.

This cozy indie bookstore with a bar and coffee counter stocks a great selection of international magazines and features a stage for regular readings and literary discussions.

AHA sells hypnotic optical-illusion gifts in styles and sizes to suit all ages.

Don't be deceived by its name: Alex Sports stocks such labels as Bogner, Escada, Ralph Lauren, and Zegna. Yes, you can buy a down jacket or rent a pair of skis. There are four smaller branches in Crans-Montana, including one that specializes in bikes and accessories and one in the Crans-Ambassador hotel.

Since it opened in 1833, the interior of Luzern’s oldest pharmacy has barely changed. The remedies on its intricate wooden shelves include homemade creams for dry hands and lips, as well as cough syrup and herbal teas.

Silky, handmade white-chocolate truffles top the selection at Arn.

At this workshop in the city’s hip Bruch quarter, Anna de Weerdt and Markus Elmiger design and produce vintage-inspired menswear. Their specialty is handmade suspenders.

Local cobblestones inspired Henri Auer's pavés glacés, creamy bite-size delicacies that have become Genevois classics.

High-end china and crystal are on offer at Aux Arts du Feu.

Bayard has sporting-goods shops scattered throughout the village, including this one on the Bahnhofstrasse. It's an ideal place to rent ski gear or shop for a new pair of downhill racing goggles.

For the young (or young at heart), Bercher & Sternlicht is one of the top stores in all of Europe for model trains and accessories.

The antiquarian bookstores in the upper streets of the Niederdorf area are rich with discoveries—and most have selections of books in English. Biblion specializes in antique books and bindings.

Bider & Tanner is Basel's largest international bookstore, with a large selection of English books. You can also book tickets to arts events here.

This boutique has floor after floor filled with designer clothing and high-end cosmetics.

This department store has clusters of designer areas on several levels.

An upscale stationer, Bookbinders Design stocks high-quality pens, pencils, rubber stamps, and brightly colored recycled-paper products.

When you're in the market for a high-end watch, keep in mind that this shop sells brands like Blancpain and Omega.

Ideal for gifts and school or office supplies, this shop sells wonderful papers, cards, pens, and exquisite notebooks.

Bucherer sells luminous pearls and diamonds of all sizes. It's also the place for prestigious, indestructible Rolex models. Look for another branch at 1 quai du Mont-Blanc in Centre Ville Rive Droite.

Rolex, Tag Heuer, and Baume & Mercier are on offer at Bucherer.

One of the city's poshest jewelry and watch stores, Bucherer sells Audemars Piguet, Piaget, and Rolex.

There's a flea market from 7 to 5 every Saturday from May to October on the lake end of Bahnofstrasse.