Must-knows about the best season for a Switzerland holiday

  • Many tourists prefer September: weather is often clear and sunny, and there are fewer tourists than in July and August.
  • Our personal favorites are April, May and October. There’s usually more snow on the mountaintops than in summer. And we love the fresh colors of spring and the rich palette of autumn trees.
  • January and February are recommended for a winter stay.
  • March and November are low-season months. But there’s still a lot you can see and do!

What’s the best time to visit Switzerland?

For hiking and summer holidays, July to September is perfect. For winter sports or simply enjoying the snow, January to mid-March is best.

If you are well prepared, you’ll have a wonderful trip regardless of the time of year.

What’s the best month to visit Switzerland?

The best month to visit Switzerland is September. The weather is generally pleasant and allows for all activities except winter sports. It’s just after the summer high season, so it’s less crowded.

We also appreciate April-May. Even though not all mountain transport is operational yet, the spring nature is beautiful. It creates a great contrast with the snow-capped mountains, more so than from June to September.

Should I visit Switzerland in summer or in winter?

Summer is all about outdoor activities such as hiking. Winter is suitable for snow activities and cosy city trips. Sightseeing and scenic trips can be done year-round.

In summer:

  • the entire country has a lot to offer, from the lakes in the lowlands to the Alps.
  • weather is mild to hot.
  • you can enjoy hiking, mountain visits, boat rides and train journeys in lush green landscapes.
  • popular places can get crowded. There are many tourists from abroad, especially in high season (July and August).

In winter:

  • most tourists focus on the Alps: that’s where snow can be found.
  • weather ranges from mild and rainy, to freezing and snowy.
  • the main activities are skiing, snowboarding, winter hiking and other snow activities. City trips are attractive too.
  • there are fewer intercontinental tourists. Swiss citizens and visitors from neighboring countries practice winter sports in the mountains. Popular peaks and ski resorts can get crowded.

January/February: winter high season

These are real winter months. It’s cold and days are short. There are good chances of snow from elevations of 1500 m. There can also be snow in the lower valleys and larger cities, but huge amounts are unlikely there.

This is a good time for winter sports and cosy city trips. Hiking is only possible in lower elevations or on prepared winter trails.

Enjoy the snow in the Upper Engadine, Zermatt or the Jungfrau Region. Visit historical cities such as Bern and Lucerne.

March: early spring

March is when the first signs of spring can be found in warmer regions around the lakes in the south of Switzerland. It’s pretty chilly in most regions though. In the mountains, it’s can still be winter with lots of snow.

The lifts in high ski resorts will normally be operational. Lower ones may close around this time.

Lake Geneva, Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore are warmer Swiss regions to enjoy an early spring.

April/May: spring low season

Most ski resorts will be closed by the end of April. Spring is coming, especially in the lowlands and around the lakes.

More and more hiking trails will be accessible. By late April/early May, trails up to 2000 m should mostly be clear of snow, but can still be muddy. This is not a guarantee and varies each year.

The months between winter and summer are pretty quiet: some hotels are closed, as well as cable cars. There is still plenty to do and see, but you need to prepare and check timetables beforehand.

Scenic train rides, for example, can be done year-round, and spring is actually a good time: you can watch the remains of winter as well as green valleys.

The Lake Lucerne and Lake Thun areas offer plenty of hiking and sightseeing options in this season.

June: early summer

Summer has started. There’s daylight from about 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, and the weather is mild or warm.

This is a wonderful time for hiking. The highest trails may still be inaccessible because of snow, but the majority will be open. Cable cars and cogwheel trains that were closed in low season will be operational again.

By late June, all pass roads that were closed for winter should be open. Opening dates vary per season and per pass.

Central Switzerland is wonderful in June, as well as the Ticino, for example.

July/August: summer high season

Although the weather varies by the day throughout the year, it’s usually pretty warm in July and August. Average temperatures are rising because of global warming. Some days can actually be too hot for some activities, like city trips.

This is the time for outdoor activities: hiking, biking, paragliding and other sports, enjoying the views from the peaks. It’s a perfect time for hiking in high terrain. By mid-July, these trails should be clear of snow.

Summer has traditionally been popular among tourists in Switzerland, just like winter.

The highest peaks in the Bernese Oberland, Graubünden and Valais are very attractive in summer.

September: late summer and perfect for outdoor activities

A wonderful month that is still summery, but usually not as hot as July and August. By the end of the month, you can enjoy the first signs of fall when leaves start to color.

September is considered the best month for high-altitude hiking. It’s also very suitable for other outdoor activities.

All regions recommended for the summer high season are still wonderful now, but so are the lake areas recommended for October.

October: fall low season

The weather can still be pretty mild in October, although this is fall and it might as well be chilly. The first snowfall will occur in the mountains. Days are getting shorter.

There are still lots of opportunities to hike, but higher trails may get snow-covered, especially in the second half of the month.

Cable cars and cogwheel trains may either close around this time, or not operate for a week or two because of maintenance. Pass roads start to close for winter in October.

Lake areas like Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Lugano are still lovely in October.

November: low season and chilly

Things are getting chilly in November, although anything is possible weather-wise: from mild days to snow. The first ski slopes of high winter sport resorts like Zermatt, Saas-Fee and Verbier may open, but this is definitely not guaranteed.

Many lower hiking trails will still be open, but you have to carefully check the conditions. It’s low season: cable cars and cogwheel trains may close for maintenance, so planning ahead is essential.

A base in a central larger town or city is recommended, so you’ll have plenty to do, regardless of the weather.

December: Christmas atmosphere and early winter

December marks the transition to winter. The first half of the month is similar to November. Winter should set in during the second half.

Nowadays, snowfall tends to start later in the season due to global warming. A white Christmas is not a guarantee, although still common in the high mountains. Don’t expect snow in the valleys and large cities like Zurich. It’s possible but uncommon.

It’s still low season until mid-December. When Christmas approaches, things get lively and winter sports resorts open up. The two weeks around Christmas and New Year are the most popular weeks of the year among tourists.

December is a good time to visit Christmas markets and for city trips. Days are really short, which adds to the cosy atmosphere.

Some of the best Swiss cities in December are Basel, Bern, Lucerne, Montreux, and Zurich. To increase your chances of a white Christmas, you can consider Saas-Fee, St. Moritz, and Zermatt.

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.