Seasonal Planning for Switzerland Travel
Switzerland's temperate climate is generally typical of landlocked Central Europe, but its extreme topographical variations can exhibit some dramatic regional differences. You'll need to pack your sunglasses and a waterproof coat whenever you visit, and warm winter clothes if visiting between November and April.
There are two high seasons here. Between December and March, winter is the best time for snow-related sports in the mountains, with snow coverage thickest from January through March. Winter is also an excellent season for festivities, exemplified by atmospheric Christmas markets in cities like Bern and Basel. The second high season is in summer, between June and August, and when temperatures regularly reach the 77°F-86°F (25°C-30°C) zone. In summer, cities reverberate to the tempo of the country's most vibrant festivals, and the snow has melted on the higher slopes sufficiently for hiking trails and mountain huts to open.
Spring and fall are low seasons in Switzerland, but both have their appeal. In spring, flora brightens the landscape to make hiking and biking a delight in the increasingly fair weather. Fall, meanwhile, can be just as warm, dry, and pleasant and is a great season for hiking and biking in lower elevations, while the grape harvest now taking place makes for a great time to visit the many wineries.
| Seasons | Pros | Cons | Best for | Where to Visit |
| Spring (Apr-May) | Decent weather without crowds for outdoor activities | Many outdoor facilities in the mountains remain closed | Hiking, city breaks | The Alps (especially Bernese Oberland, Valais, and Graübunden) for hiking |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Warm, sunny weather makes ideal conditions for some of Europe's most splendid mountain hiking | High season crowds | Hiking, festivals | The Alps (especially Bernese Oberland, Valais, and Graübunden) for hiking; Lake Geneva and Zürich for festivals |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Fewer crowds; grape harvest makes a great time to visit wineries; discounts may be available on accommodation and activities | Many outdoor facilities in the mountains close; drab, cooler, wetter weather arrives | Winery visits, city breaks | Cities close to the mountains like Bern, Geneva, and Lausanne |
| Winter (Dec-Mar) | Heavy snows provide the backdrop for some of Europe's best winter sports | Mountains get crowded with winter sports enthusiasts; foehn can provide unpredictable, suddenly-changing weather; drab, cool, wet weather in the lowlands | Snowsports, Christmas markets | The Alps (especially Bernese Oberland, Valais, and the St. Moritz area) for winter sports; Basel for festivals |
Switzerland in Spring (April to May)
With the winter season drawn out until March, spring is brief but beautiful when it comes in April. While snow remains year-round on the highest ground, welcomed greenery is returning even to most mountainous areas and warmer days are rolling in by the beginning of April.
Especially splendid in April are the seas of flowers that begin blooming on Alpine slopes. Late spring is the best time of year for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking too: days are frequently bright and sunny, the countryside is a blaze of colorful flora, and yet the crowds of winter and summer are absent. Another perk of traveling to Switzerland now is that you may get discounts on accommodation and activities before the high season arrives again in June.
As with fall, spring is the season to observe Switzerland's unique festivities related to the traditional cycle of the year: in this case, the leading of livestock from the valleys up to the high Alpine pasture for summer grazing is accompanied by its own special events in places like Appenzell (northeast Switzerland).
Events in Spring
Lucerne Festival, Lucerne. This prestigious line-up of world and classical music performances takes place in the lakeside city of Lucerne in April.
Cheese Market, Gruyères. Also on May 1, the town that gives its name to the famous Swiss cheese holds an annual cheese market where there are tastings, cultural events, and cheese for sale.
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Switzerland in April
Switzerland in May
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Switzerland in Summer (June to August)
Many people are pleasantly surprised by how hot mountainous Switzerland can get. In the balmy summer high season (the mountains properly start opening to summer tourism in June), temperatures can hit 95°F (35°C) and regularly rise above the 77°F (25°C) mark. Blue-skied, sunny days are the norm in both the lowlands and the mountains. This is the best season for trekking, as most ground is dry and snow-free. Indeed, accommodation and mountain trails will only open in mid-June and close again by early fall in most mountain areas.
All the big cities, meanwhile, pulse to the rhythm of lively festivals the entire summer long, from classical music in Verbier (in Valais) to jazz in Montreux (on Lake Geneva) and opera in St. Gallen (northeast Switzerland). The trade-off, of course, is the crowds of other visitors, which in all areas of the country are at their highest levels right now.
Events in Summer
St. Galler Festspiele, St. Gallen. From the end of June to the beginning of July, two weeks of opera get celebrated in the pretty mountain resort of St. Gallen.
Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux. Europe's largest (and the world's second-largest) jazz festival, with a fortnight of live music, occurs in July.
Swiss National Day, nationwide. In most Swiss towns or cities on August 1, there's a party celebrating Switzerland's founding as a nation with fireworks and the like.
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Switzerland in June
Switzerland in July
Switzerland in August
Switzerland in Fall (September to November)
The fall is a wind-down season after the summer rush, except in one important area: the grape harvest for Switzerland's surprisingly delicious and diverse wine. A winery visit is never better than at this time. Until mid-September or early October, mountain huts, trails, and campgrounds may remain open. But as fall progresses, it is a good idea to seek out day hikes at mid or low elevations. Here, the countryside is tinted not only with the gold-green of vines but also the brilliant oranges and yellows as the deciduous woodlands change color.
In October and November, many mountain towns can wind down almost to a standstill as they prepare for the forthcoming rush of winter sports tourism, and so this can be a fine time for a city break. This way, you can stick to urban sightseeing on the murky days, but in cities like Bern and Geneva, which are so close to the peaks, venture to higher elevations should fine weather make it tempting. It's worth looking out for low season discounts on accommodation and activities in all parts of the country at this time.
As with spring, fall is the season to observe Switzerland's unique festivities related to the traditional cycle of the year, like the leading of livestock from the high Alpine pasture down to the valleys for winter. Martigny (Valais), as an example, is accompanied by its own special event.
See here for more on Switzerland's wine regions.
Events in Fall
La Désalpe de Charmey, Charmey. The little Alpine village of Charmey near Gruyères is the setting in September for one of the most famous traditional festivals in the Swiss mountains, celebrating the descent of the cows from their summer grazing high in the pastures and thus the annual cycle of agricultural life. There's a lot of musical merrymaking and plenty of traditional foods, including great cheese, on offer.
Zürich Wine Festival, Zürich. A great wine extravaganza showcasing the best wines from Switzerland and from around the world.
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Switzerland in September
Switzerland in October
Switzerland in November
Switzerland in Winter (December to March)
Snow starts to fall in December in readiness for the winter season's prime snowy months of January through March. Now is when there is the highest chance of coverage of the white stuff, and the country becomes one of Europe's key winter sports destinations. Even in winter, snow usually settles from 3,280 feet (1,000 m) and can only be relied upon for winter sports from 4,920 feet (1,500 m). Although usually a few degrees below freezing, wintertime mountain weather is often clear and crisp, with sharp sunlight giving a magical sheen to the snow, while the rain, when it falls, mostly does so at lower elevations.
Winter can nevertheless be an enchanting season down in the valleys too. There are traditional Christmas markets in lowland cities like Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, and Basel, and Carnival in cities like Basel and Lucerne at the end of winter.
Events in Winter
L'Escalade, Geneva. In the second week of December, this festival celebrates the quashing of the Duchy of Savoy's attempt to take over Geneva (in 1602). The highlight is the smashing of cauldrons made out of chocolate and consuming the sweet treats inside.
World Snow Festival, Grindelwald. International artists come to the Jungfrau region to create ice sculptures for about a week in mid to late January.
Fasnacht, Basel. Carnival season comes to Basel, Lucerne, and other cities in late February or early March. The biggest shenanigans happen in Basel, with parades, bands playing piccolos and drums, and revelers dressed from head to toe in a fabulous array of costumes.
Tulip Festival, Morges. On the shores of Lake Geneva, this colorful spring festival runs from mid-March until mid-May.
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Switzerland in December
Switzerland in January
Switzerland in February
Switzerland in March