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Best time to visit

Best time to visit Switzerland

Summer (June–September) is perfect for hiking and lakes. Winter (December–March) is ski season. Shoulder months offer wildflowers and fewer crowds.

Best monthsJune–September (summer), December–March (ski)
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Month-by-month overview

Switzerland at a glance

GreatGoodOkayAvoid
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Verdictgreatgreatgoodokaygoodgreatgreatgreatgreatgoodokaygreat
Temp (°C)
4°
-2°
5°
-2°
10°
1°
14°
4°
19°
8°
22°
12°
25°
14°
24°
14°
20°
10°
14°
6°
8°
2°
4°
-1°
Rain (mm)5550557010011510011080656555
Crowdshighhighmediumlowmediumhighhighhighmediumlowlowhigh
Price$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
NotesPeak ski seasonCarnival in Lucerne/BaselSki + spring transitionMud season; some lifts closedWildflowers in meadowsHiking season opensMontreux Jazz FestivalGrape harvest; fewer crowdsAutumn colours by lakesChristmas markets; ski opens
Month-by-month weather, crowds and prices in Switzerland
MonthHigh / LowRainfallCrowdsPricesVerdictNote
Jan4° / -2°C55mmHigh$$$PeakGreatPeak ski season
Feb5° / -2°C50mmHigh$$$PeakGreatCarnival in Lucerne/Basel
Mar10° / 1°C55mmMedium$$MidGoodSki + spring transition
Apr14° / 4°C70mmLow$LowOkayMud season; some lifts closed
May19° / 8°C100mmMedium$$MidGoodWildflowers in meadows
Jun22° / 12°C115mmHigh$$$PeakGreatHiking season opens
Jul25° / 14°C100mmHigh$$$PeakGreatMontreux Jazz Festival
Aug24° / 14°C110mmHigh$$$PeakGreat
Sep20° / 10°C80mmMedium$$MidGreatGrape harvest; fewer crowds
Oct14° / 6°C65mmLow$LowGoodAutumn colours by lakes
Nov8° / 2°C65mmLow$LowOkay
Dec4° / -1°C55mmHigh$$$PeakGreatChristmas markets; ski opens

Month-by-month deep dives

Switzerland in January
great
Switzerland in February
great
Switzerland in March
good
Switzerland in April
okay
Switzerland in May
good
Switzerland in June
great
Switzerland in July
great
Switzerland in August
great
Switzerland in September
great
Switzerland in October
good
Switzerland in November
okay
Switzerland in December
great

Festivals & events

Montreux Jazz Festival

Jul

World-renowned jazz and music festival on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Basel Carnival (Fasnacht)

Feb–Mar

Switzerland’s largest carnival with masked parades starting at 4 AM.

Fête de l’Escalade

Dec

Geneva celebrates its historic victory with costumed parades and chocolate cauldrons.

Book your Switzerland trip for June–September (summer), December–March (ski)

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