When to go · Switzerland
Switzerland, month by month
The best months for Switzerland: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodPrime ski month with cold, clear days; Plateau cities foggy; WEF closes Davos mid-month.Plateau cities: cool · Bernese and central Alps: best weather · Valais and Engadin: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGoodSchool holidays fill resorts; Basel Fasnacht carnival (three days from the Monday after Ash Wednesday).Plateau cities: cool · Bernese and central Alps: best weather · Valais and Engadin: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchGoodSunny spring skiing; cities quiet; lakes still cold.Plateau cities: cool · Bernese and central Alps: best weather · Valais and Engadin: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilMixedSki season ends after Easter; Zurich's Sechseläuten; Ticino in blossom.Plateau cities: fine · Bernese and central Alps: fine · Valais and Engadin: best weatherCrowds: Low
- MayMixedLakes and cities green and quiet; many mountain lifts closed for maintenance.Plateau cities: best weather · Bernese and central Alps: cool · Valais and Engadin: coolCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGreatLifts reopen; wildflowers; high trails may still have snow until July. Art Basel mid-month.Plateau cities: best weather · Bernese and central Alps: fine · Valais and Engadin: fineCrowds: Medium
- JulyGreatPeak hiking and lake swimming; Montreux Jazz Festival; book scenic trains and Zermatt early.Plateau cities: best weather · Bernese and central Alps: best weather · Valais and Engadin: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustGreatNational Day on 1 August; Locarno Film Festival; river swimming in Bern, Basel and Zurich.Plateau cities: best weather · Bernese and central Alps: best weather · Valais and Engadin: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberGreatClear, stable weather and fewer crowds; the best hiking month. Cattle come down from the pastures.Plateau cities: best weather · Bernese and central Alps: best weather · Valais and Engadin: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- OctoberMixedAutumn larches in the Engadin and Valais; lifts close from mid-month.Plateau cities: fine · Bernese and central Alps: fine · Valais and Engadin: fineCrowds: Low
- NovemberMixedGrey on the Plateau, most resorts closed; Christmas markets start late in the month.Plateau cities: cool · Bernese and central Alps: cool · Valais and Engadin: coolCrowds: Low
- DecemberGoodChristmas markets (Basel, Zurich, Montreux) and ski season from mid-month; Christmas–New Year is the most expensive week.Plateau cities: cool · Bernese and central Alps: best weather · Valais and Engadin: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plateau citiesZurich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Cool |
| Bernese and central AlpsInterlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelberg | Best | Best | Best | OK | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Best |
| Valais and EngadinZermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritz | Best | Best | Best | Best | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Best |
| Lake GenevaGeneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavaux | Cool | Cool | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Cool |
| TicinoLugano, Locarno, Bellinzona | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Best | Best | Wet | Cool |