When to go · Zurich
Zurich in December
Great month. Inside Zurich's best window: May–Sep; Dec for Christmas markets.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- High
- Switzerland overall
- Prices
- High
- Switzerland overall
Verdict
Inside Zurich's best window: May–Sep; Dec for Christmas markets.
Is another month better than December?
No other month rates higher than December for Zurich in this guide.
Weather in December
- ZurichHighs around 4 °C (39 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 39 °F (4 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 11 days
- Plateau cities, Switzerland · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernecool
Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.
Festivals and holidays
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.
Christmas big impact
24–26 Dec · Switzerland
Shops closed 25–26 Dec; resort prices peak through New Year.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Switzerland overall
- High
- Prices · Switzerland overall
- High
Switzerland overall: Christmas markets (Basel, Zurich, Montreux) and ski season from mid-month; Christmas–New Year is the most expensive week.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zurich, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Great
May: Great
Daytime high
Dec: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Dec: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
May: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 11 (better)
May: 12
Crowds
Dec: High
May: Low
Prices
Dec: High
May: Low
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
May: 0
December: Inside Zurich's best window: May–Sep; Dec for Christmas markets.
May: Inside Zurich's best window: May–Sep; Dec for Christmas markets.
Zurich: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket