What is open in Switzerland, Ascension day May 30?
A traveler is planning to visit Switzerland at the end of May to have dinner with a friend but is concerned about Ascension Day affecting restaurant availability and crowded tourist spots. They want to know if many public places will be open and if local travelers will increase the weekend crowd.
- Many local people take a four-day weekend for Ascension Day, so some tourist spots may be busier, but places like museums and mountain attractions usually remain open.
- In Catholic cantons, shops like Coop and Migros may be closed, so it's wise to check their hours ahead of time.
- Restaurants and chalets in popular tourist areas generally stay open during public holidays, making them good options for dining.
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I’m traveling to Switzerland at the end of May and visiting a friend and his wife for dinner. We usually meet on a Friday then go to a travel club meeting which has weekly speakers on various topics. My friend mentioned that Ascension Day is on a Thursday and there will be no club meeting because many members will be gone on an extended four day weekend.
Will Ascension Day affect restaurants and other public places? Could some touristy places be more crowded over that weekend with local Swiss travelers? I’m not worried about train travel.
Thanks
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Hello jlovda and Welcome to MySwissAlps,
Ascention day is a public holiday in Switzerland and lots of local people do make a 4 day weekend out of it. So there might be some more people travelling, but not to an extent that will prevent you from visiting any destination.
In catholic cantons shops will be closed, but NOT other destinations such as museums or mountains.
As you don’t mention where you intend to go it’s hard giving more accurate input.
Nevertheless I hope this provides you with the information required.
Best,
Steph
My eight day trip which I take every year is completely open. I just ride the trains, walk the streets and take a couple of mountain cable cars. What are the Catholic Cantons, mostly in the French and Italian regions? Would stores such as Coop and Migros (with their cafeterias) be open?
Thanks
Hi again Jlovda,
The public holiday will restrict opening hours of places like Migros, however you can check all the opening hours on their website if you know where you’ll be: filialen.migros.ch/
I just saw that the closest Migros to us will be closed for example: Do, 30.05.2019 geschlossen (Auffahrt)
However in regards to restaurants and chalets in mountain areas these tend to be open on such public holidays, as generally locals will try to go hiking or travelling. So if you are in touristy areas you should not worry too much. However again, you can check each establishment where you are going by calling in advance when you are here.
Hope this helps and have a wonderful trip!
Maria.
Also, I think Shopville at Zürich main station will be open…as it is on Sundays for travelers.
Slowpoke
Thanks for the responses. I will just assume the Ascension Day holiday is like every other Sunday in Switzerland. Being a train photographer I wonder if freight will be sitting idle along the Gotthard corridor.
Hi Jlovda –
I assume you have seen the one-car railroad, since you have a connection with the Ostschweiz?
Slowpoke
Thanks Slowpoke:
I have not heard of that railroad. I will have to find it and take a ride.
….I just found it on Wikipedia. Bergbahn Rheineck–Walzenhausen; RhW. 1.2 miles long near St. Gallen. Looks interesting. Thanks for the tip.
John
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