Switzerland is a magical country to visit year-round. But when is the best time to visit Switzerland? From breathtaking views of the Alps to walking along the shores of the bluest lakes, you are sure to find joy and peace while traveling to this country.
Of course, some months have better weather than others, and some months attract more tourists and crowds. In order to get the most out of your visit, you need about 7 days in Switzerland to get the full experience out of the country.
A solo traveler can expect to spend about $1,650 USD for these 7 days. A couple should plan to spend $2,400 USD for a 7-day honeymoon or anniversary trip, whatever the occasion may be. The best time to visit Switzerland all depends on what you’re looking for in a visit.
From the coldest month of January to the warmest month of July, there are plenty of activities for families, friends, couples, and solo travelers to enjoy!
Is going to Switzerland Expensive?
Like any trip, going to Switzerland is as expensive as you make it. You could choose to stay in luxury hotels and enjoy fine dining or stay in two start hotels and eat moderately.
Solo travelers can expect to spend about $1,650 USD and $2,400 USD for a couple for a 7-day trip. In addition, your airfare will most likely be the singular most expensive part of your trip.
Is Switzerland Really Beautiful?
Easily one of the most beautiful places in the world, Switzerland will captivate you will the Alps and lakes and medieval castles surrounding it.
Every turn gives you another breathtaking moment. Whether you plan on skiing or relaxing in a thermal bath, you will not have a lack of photo opportunities that will make your timeline jealous.
Best time to visit in Switzerland—An All Seasons Guide
January/February
The beginning of the year is also the coldest time to go visit Switzerland. But for many, this is the best time to visit Switzerland for a beautiful winter vacation. In fact, January and February are two of the busier months to visit the country.
Historically, January is the cheapest month to fly in internationally. And if you come early enough in the year, you may be able to catch the tail end of the Christmas markets.
As the beginning of a new year, January and February are some of the best times to visit Switzerland for the snow.
Start your trip off in Davos at Bolgen Plaza. After a morning of skiing, dance to a DJ planning a set while you rest at the base of the mountain.
Or start your trip in Grindelwald at Bergrestaurant Bussalp and enjoy a nice hot meal while overlooking the mountains Wetterholm, Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.
Winter temperatures mean relaxing in hot water, and there is no better place to do this than at Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad.
And if you want a unique hotel experience, stay at Hotel Grimsel Hospiz, the oldest guesthouse in Switzerland where you can sit outside in the hot tub and see a clear starry night.
March
It starts to warm up in March, but you can still expect to see snow throughout most of Switzerland. You should visit Matterhorn, one of the most visited peaks in the Alps. Take the highest cable car in the Alps all the way to the top.
Since Spring is not as popular for tourists, take advantage and visit Chateau De Chillion on Lake Geneva, one of the country’s most popular tourist stops.
A castle with bedrooms from the 14th century and a viewpoint into the Swiss Riviera, you can walk the lake shoreline or visit the castle’s towers and take in the views. This is the best time of year to visit Switzerland for your honeymoon!
The capital city Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also best visited in March.
Meander through the botanical garden or the weekly market and visit the country’s oldest art museum. And if you’re feeling adventurous, go hang gliding over the city!
March is also a great time to visit Jungfrau, known as the Top of Europe. You can take a cable car and cogwheel train to the peak and then play all afternoon in the snow.
April/May
During the heart of springtime, you’ll get some good weather days mixed with not-so-good ones, and you’ll notice more tourists coming into this lovely country as you visit closer to June.
Located in the western Rhaetian Alps, the Swiss National Park shares a border with Italy and is the oldest official park in Switzerland. You can enjoy rotating exhibits and 170 square kilometers of gorgeous terrain.
If you can’t get enough of the outdoors, visit the Swiss Grand Canyon in the Alpine region. Created by the Rhine Glacier, you will be amazed by rugged, steep cliffs and deep blue gorges. Hop on a bike or grab your hiking boots and set out!
It may be a bit out of skiing season, but this is still a magical time to visit Zermatt in the south. You will feel like you’re in a fairytale walking around the shops and hotels in this little ski town.
And if you do come back during the winter season, you can try your hand at ice skating or curling in public outdoor venues.
June
June is when the mountain towns begin to fill up with tourists who think that this is the best time of year to visit Switzerland, as all the snow has melted and the days become longer, leading to more exploration time! If you’re looking for more fairytale moments, walk to the picturesque Saut de Brot in Boudry.
This stone bridge over the Areuse Gorge is a great photo opportunity and is on an easy hike that anyone can enjoy.
If you are in Switzerland in the summer, a trip to Lake Geneva for a boat ride is a must! You can choose from a public boat or charter a private ride and see all the sights that you can while cruising down the river.
This is the perfect summer activity, and by going in June, you’ll be avoiding the peak summer crowds. If you’re on your honeymoon, this is a great time of year to visit Switzerland.
Getting a little thirsty with all of these adventures on a boat? Visit the Lavaux region on the northern shores of Lake Geneva.
The region is known for producing Chasselas grapes, which produce crisp white wines that are perfect for Switzerland’s temperate summer days. If you’re visiting for your honeymoon, cheers to a long and happy marriage.
And if you’re looking for even more fun, Old Town Zurich is for the young and young at heart! With the highest concentration of clubs in Switzerland, and shopping and history galore, you will fall in love with the city.
Walk around Medieval houses and through narrow lanes centuries-old to get to the Grossmunster, which was allegedly built by Charlemagne for the saints Felix and Regula.
July/August
During the warmest summer months, you’ll want to be outside hiking, walking, and maybe even doing extreme activities. This is the best time to visit Switzerland weather-wise if you don’t want to be wearing a heavy jacket.
Start out at Mount Pilatus. Overlooking Lucerne in Central Switzerland, you can head to the peak by boat, cogwheel railway, gondola, or cable car.
If you want to be transported back into history, go to Stein Am Rhein in northeast Switzerland and visit the preserved medieval houses with painted facades. You can visit St. George’s Abbey or walk the hill up to Hohenklingen Castle.
Known for having a Mediterranean climate, a trip to Basel is necessary during the summer. Rent a bike and pedal through the streets as you come upon festivals, concerts, and other outdoor activities as people take advantage of the weather.
And for all you James Bond fans, take a leap of faith when you bungee jump at Contra Dam! Featured in “GoldenEye” and one of the largest dams in the world, this is not for the faint of heart.
September
September is the perfect time to visit for outdoor activities since the weather starts to cool off during the day. You and your kids will love going down a toboggan run at SolarBob Lagenbruch. Fly down over a thousand meters of the track after you’re pulled to the starting line on a lift powered by the sun.
You can even watch how solar energy is transformed into electric and thermal energy at the valley station before riding down again.
Bask in the late summer sun at Mount Rigi, a beautiful nature amusement park that gives guests breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes, and mountains in a setting that came out of a picture.
And if you want to the fanatical, go to Bruno Weber Skulpturenpark in Zurich. This sculpture park was created with so much magic and fantasy, you’ll wonder where you even are.
Filled with mythical creatures and fun architecture, this little oasis outside the bustle of Zurich will be sure to calm you down and make you feel like a little kid again.
October
Fall is a fun time to visit Switzerland since many cities and groups put on festivals to celebrate the changing season.
And it’s a slower part of the year for tourists to visit, so ultimately there are fewer crowds! One of the more popular festivals is the Lugano Autumn Festival, where the residents and visitors of Lugano welcome in the fall and say goodbye to summer. You will find a lot of wine, local cuisine, and music playing as the city comes to life.
If you’re looking for some of the best skiing and outdoor sporting in the world, visit Grindelwald. A picture-perfect mountain resort town with the North Face wall looming over you, you will find skiing and sledding in October during a low season to be extremely enjoyable.
November
November is another slow season for tourism as the weather becomes chillier. There are still many activities you can do, although you may start to be compelled to head indoors. One of the top museums you can visit is the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich. You can see showcases with artifacts from all men’s and women’s World Cup since 1930. You can see the national team jerseys on display and the historical documents that started the game. This is a must-visit for any football fan!
While in the city, you must stop by Zoo Zurich. Visit one of the best zoos in Europe and see over 300 species all in one place. The zoo is pristinely clean and easy to get around whether walking or with strollers and is known internationally for its work with endangered species.
And of course, as we approach the dark winter months, you must embrace the outdoor activities. Night sledding in Interlaken is a must-do. Go down the Swiss Alps on a one-hour-long sled run through trails, meadows, even a frozen waterfall. After, you will have the option of enjoying a traditional Swiss winter meal complete with fondue to cap off your evening adventure.
December
When you’re in a country that gets covered in snow and still has traditional architecture, you have to expect a magical Christmastime experience. Though not nearly as cold as January and February—and not nearly as popular to visit—some may say December is still a great time to come to Switzerland.
This is one of the best times to visit Switzerland for snow. There are Christmas towns and villages all over the country, but the top one is Montreux. With a festive atmosphere and a dazzling Christmas Market on the lake, you will feel the spirit in the air. Be sure to take the novelty train ride from Santa Claus’s house to the Rochers-de-Naye Mountain!
If you’re there on a cold day, it will be worth your time to go to Lindt Home of Chocolate museum, with the largest chocolate fountain in the world (it’s nearly 30 feet tall!). The largest chocolate museum in the world, you will learn not only about the history of chocolate making and Lindt, but you can take chocolate-making classes and see the Lindt production line. Of course, this is one place you will want to stop at the gift shop.
End your year by taking the highest railway across the Alps, over glaciers and snow, on the Bernina Express. Ride in panoramic cars and see the beauty of the Alps up close. Start your ride in Switzerland and end in Tirano, Italy, where you can start another whole year’s worth of adventures.
Table- Average Temperatures in the Capital City Bern (in Fahrenheit)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 31.1 | 33.8 | 41 | 46.4 | 54.5 | 61.7 | 65.3 | 64.4 | 57.2 | 49.1 | 38.3 | 33.8 |
Conclusion
The best time of year to visit Switzerland depends on what activities and sights you want to see. You should plan on 7 days in Switzerland to get the most out of your trip.
No matter when you choose, you are sure to enjoy Switzerland and its beautiful lakes, mountains, and villages. This charming country is full of history and outdoor activities and is sure to make anyone fall in love with it.
