Switzerland in September

Clear, stable weather and fewer crowds; the best hiking month. Cattle come down from the pastures.

• Plateau cities · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernebest weather

  Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.

• Bernese and central Alps · Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelbergbest weather

  Skiing late December to early April ('best' in winter means snow); hiking late June to early October. Afternoon storms in July–August.

• Valais and Engadin · Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritzbest weather

  The sunniest and driest Alpine valleys; high resorts keep snow into April. Lifts close in May and November.

• Lake Geneva · Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavauxbest weather

  Mild; the bise wind makes winter days raw. Grape harvest in Lavaux late September–October.

• Ticino · Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzonabest weather

  Warmest region with palm trees; heavy rain possible in autumn. The Gotthard base tunnel puts it 2 h from Zurich.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Federal Fast Monday

  Third Monday of Sep (some cantons)

  Holiday in Bern, Zurich and others.

• Jeûne genevois

  Thursday after the first Sunday of September · Geneva

  Local public holiday; shops closed.

Crowds · Switzerland

Medium

Prices · Switzerland

Medium

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Plateau cities

  Best weather of the year (Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne)

• Bernese and central Alps

  Best weather of the year (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelberg)

• Valais and Engadin

  Best weather of the year (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritz)

• Lake Geneva

  Best weather of the year (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavaux)

• Ticino

  Best weather of the year (Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzona)

• Geneva

  Mild; Jeûne genevois holiday.