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Best time to visit Switzerland: Complete Guide

Team AckoSept 25, 2025

Switzerland has remained a dream destination for tourists from India who want to experience the romance and thrills the country has to offer. With 4 distinct seasons, Switzerland offers you beautiful occasions to explore Heidi's village, try Swiss cheese like Emmental, and visit the Swiss Alps. Read ahead to know when is the best time to visit Switzerland and other details.

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Best time to visit Switzerland

The best time to visit Switzerland is during their summer, which is from June to August. While this is also the peak season, summer offers you pleasant weather to soak in experiences in the Swiss Alps, taste the finest chocolates, and indulge in the hospitality of the friendly locals.

Best season to visit Switzerland

The best season to visit Switzerland can be their summer (June to August). However, with 4 distinct seasons, Switzerland is breathtaking year-round. Learn more about the best travel season here.

Peak Season

Swiss summers are sunshine and joy, from June through August. The weather is perfect, making it a seasonal favourite for tourists, which also means travel and accommodation may be expensive or booked well in advance!

Shoulder Season

Shoulder season is the time of year, travel-wise, that occurs just between the peak and off-seasons. In Switzerland, shoulder season is from May to June, and an ideal time to travel if you enjoy holidaying off the beaten path, before winter hits! The weather is warm and pleasant, and you can take in the beauty of nature before peak season.

Low or Off Season

Winter in Switzerland is beautiful, yet chilly, making it the low, or off, season. This season runs from October all the way through March. If you're travelling during the low season, you can find affordable flight tickets and accommodation. However, skiing resorts and snow activities will be expensive at this time of year!

Heading out soon? Stay stress-free and protected with the right travel insurance by your side.

Best Month to Visit Switzerland

Read ahead to know month-wise travel details.

Switzerland in January

In January, Switzerland becomes a spellbinding winter wonderland! Although temperatures may vary depending on if you're up in the mountains, or at sea level, daytime averages are around 3°C (37°F). Expect snow the higher up you go, such as in the Swiss Alps, making it the perfect time for snowy winter activities. Skiing and snowboarding are popular tourist favourites in the winter.

Average Temperature

3°C (37°F)

Events

January 1, New Year's Day

World Snow Festival, Grindelwald, featuring ice sculptures

International Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Château-d'Oex.

Explore

Skiing at

St. Moritz, southeast

Zermatt, southwest

Winter hiking

Upper Engadine

Lower Engadine

Upper Rhône

Matter Valleys

Reason to visit in January

Switzerland in February

Winter is still in full swing in February, with outdoor snow activities aplenty. If you enjoy, or want to learn, skiing or snowboarding, the snow capped peaks of the Alps are perfect in February. As the weather starts warming up for spring at the end of the month, enjoy Carnival festivities in cities such as Basel and Lucerne.

Average Temperature

4°C (39°F)

Events

Art on Ice Festival

White Turf Festival

Lucerne Carnival

Explore

Victorinox - Swiss Army Knife factory in Ibach

Reasons to visit in February

White wonderland in the Alps

Plenty of outdoor activities and festivals for tourists and locals

Switzerland in March

March in Switzerland is when spring begins, lighting up the white landscape with busts of new green leaves and plants. Experience the beauty of the landscape changing from winter whites to the pastels and greens of spring. You can visit Heidi's iconic city, nestled in the Alps in March!

Temperature

5°C (41°F)

Explore

Heidi's village in Maienfeld

Winter experience at Matterhorn

Travel on the international St. Bernina Express train

Why to visit

Witness the snow give way to spring

Shoulder season, lots to do but less crowds across the country

Many activities and festivals as the weather warms up

Switzerland in April

Spring is in full bloom in April. A Swiss spring is a quick break between snowy winters and summers that border on being hot. The Swiss Alps are still snowy, but tourists to this part of the country wane in spring.

Temperature

13°C (56°F)

Events

Lucerne Festival, Lucerne

International Jazz Festival, Bern

Tulip Festival, Morges

Easter, nationwide

Festichoc

Explore

Eat Emmental cheese in Emmental, canton of Bern

Picnic by the lakes

Lucerne Lake

Thun Lake

Take a scenic train ride

Why should you visit this month

You'll find the weather warm at sea level

Breathtaking landscape across the country

Now is the travel shoulder season, when flight tickets and accommodation are cheap, and the country is less crowded

Switzerland in May

Pleasant weather in May makes it the perfect time to marvel at yodelling in Appenzell. This small canton is in Eastern Switzerland, where the historical art of yodelling still happens today! The best time to visit Switzerland is definitely in May, with the weather being around 25 to 30 degrees.

Temperature

20°C (68°F)

Events

Labor Day

Cheese Market in Gruyères

International Jazz Festival, Bern

Tulip Festival, Morges

Explore

Yodelling in Appenzell

Visit Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station

Paragliding, Interlaken

Hiking

Bernese Oberland

Valais

Graubünden

Why should you visit this month

The weather is warming up and is great during the day and at night

Expect lots of outdoor events as the weather becomes pleasant

There are many cultural Swiss festivals you can enjoy in May

Switzerland in June

June is the perfect time to visit Switzerland! It stops snowing so that you can enjoy the pleasant spring before summer. It's also the rainy season in June, so pack your umbrellas, rain boots, and raincoats. This month is shoulder season, so you can experience the warm weather and activities without much of a crowd, and better deals on flights and accommodation.

Temperature

18°C (65°F)

Events

Tellspiele, Interlaken is a William Tell performance

Street Artists Festival, Ascona

Corpus Christi Fête-Dieu

June 21, Fête de la Musique, Lausanne

Explore

Visit Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg

Take the Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm

Why should you visit this month

The low, off-season for travel means less crowds and cheaper hotel rates and flight tickets

June is a relatively cheaper month to travel to Switzerland compared to the peak season

Switzerland in July

July is smack in the middle of a Switzerland summer, and the perfect time for you to soak up Switzerland culture with outdoor entertainment, activities, and dining! Right in summer and the peak season, July in Switzerland is crowded as tourists love the weather and experiences the country has to offer. The days get longer, so expect around 7 hours of sun! It's also a rainy month, so be sure to take a raincoat or an umbrella.

Temperature

17°C (62°F)

Events

Paléo Festival De Nyon

Montreux Jazz Festival

Explore

Visit Swiss watch factories in Geneva

Why should you visit this month

It's the low travel season in southern Switzerland

And it's peak travel season in the Swiss mountains!

Switzerland in August

August is the height of summer in Switzerland. It's also peak season, making flight tickets, accommodation, and activities more expensive. Book and plan ahead if you're travelling this month! You can indulge in outdoor activities in the pleasant weather this month, from hiking to paragliding and more!

Temperature

13°C (55°F)

Events

August 1, National Day

Lucerne Summer Festival

Augustfeier Feldis Feldis / Veulden

Explore

Milkmaid factory in Vevey

Swiss watch factories in Geneva

Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg

Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm

Why should you visit this month

Great weather, this is the month that tourists prefer to travel to Switzerland in

Enjoy hiking, paragliding, cruises and more this month

Switzerland in September

It's fall y'all! September is the start of autumn/fall, when the weather starts cooling off and there aren't as many tourists in this off-season. The weather is still relatively warm, so you can explore Swiss cities and nature. The Alps are still cold, but now snowing, so pack warmer if you're visiting.

Temperature

16°C (60°F)

Events

Zom Zuri Overland Pass

Agricultural fair of Chandon

Knabenschiessen, a Tradition in Zurich

Explore

Milkmaid factory in Vevey

Swiss watch factories in Geneva

Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg

Why you should travel this month

Excellent weather for experiencing cultural events

Ideal month to explore the Alps, Swiss villages and cities

Switzerland in October

It's still autumn in Switzerland, when the weather is pleasant and you can experience the outdoors in the daytime, while relaxing at cosy cafes in the evenings. This is also the low travel season, making it a perfect time to enjoy the quieter side of Switzerland, especially if you enjoy leisurely holidays.

Temperature

13°C (56°F)

Events

Festivity of Autumn, Lugano

Olma Swiss Fair for Agriculture & Food

Chestnut Festival, Ascona

Lucerne Cheese Festival

Lausanne Marathon

Explore

Heidi's village in Maienfeld

Experience the Matterhorn

Travel on the international St. Bernina Express train

Why should you visit this month

This is the low travel season

Ideal because you'll have less tourists and crowds, and if you enjoy quiet holidays, now's your chance

Find cheap rates on tickets and accommodation across Switzerland

Switzerland in November

Autumn comes to a close in November, in the low travel season in Switzerland. This month is quieter before tourists flock to the country in winter. The weather becomes colder in preparation for the coldest and longest season of the year.

Temperature

7.5°C (46°F)

Events

Geneva International Film Festival

Christmas markets

Montreux - late November until Christmas Eve

Bern - late November to Christmas Eve

Basel - late November to 23rd December

Explore

Museum of Art and History

16th-century St. Peter's Cathedral of Geneva

United Nations headquarters

Broken Chair sculpture

Why should you visit this month

Plenty of cultural activities

Weather is still relatively pleasant before winter

It's still the low travel season

Enjoy better rates on travel and accommodation

Switzerland in December

It's the most magical time of the year in Switzerland, because it's winter! The country turns into a winter wonderland this month, as festivities and joy warm Switzerland this month. Snow appears across the countries, making the Alps a perfect yet crowded snow adventure destination. Your dream of snuggling up in a Swiss chalet can come true this holiday month!

Temperature

-1°C to 4°C

Events

Toboggan Fun Furi Zermatt

C'est l'Hiver! Morgins Festival, Morgins

Winter Opening Anzère

Explore

The Jungfrau Region

Skiing in the Alps

Iconic Swiss Chalet holiday

Snowboarding in the Alps

Why should you visit this month

Marvel as the country turns into a White Winter Wonderland!

Festive holiday spirit at events, festivals, and activities in Switzerland

Beautiful Christmas markets

Cheapest Time to Visit Switzerland

Autumn/fall is the cheapest time to visit Switzerland! Book your flight and accommodation during the months of October and November to indulge in your own Swiss holiday. You can explore the cities and mountains which are relatively crowd free, as peak season only starts in December. Enjoy free activities such as hiking, or visit beautiful historic museums and dine on some of the finest dishes in the world.

Expensive Time to Visit Switzerland

The most expensive time to visit Switzerland is during winter. This is also the time that travellers visit to go skiing. Winter is from December to March, where ski and mountain resorts are at full capacity to cater to snow loving tourists.

More About the Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Best Time for Honeymoon

The best time to visit Switzerland for a honeymoon is in winter. A Swiss winter is romantic and the perfect time to cuddle up as you enjoy fine Swiss chocolates in your Swiss chalet. You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the winter wonderland that is Switzerland, and take so many souvenirs home.

Best Season for Snowfall in Switzerland

The best time to visit Switzerland for snowfall is in winter, from November until March. Swiss Winters are spectacular and breathtaking with a coat of beautiful snow across the country.

Best Time for Sightseeing

If you want to explore Switzerland and its majestic natural and man-made destinations, we recommend going in the spring. However, this season moves by quickly, so the best time for sightseeing is in March and April. You can go hiking, visit Swiss chocolate and watch factories, and indulge in Swiss cheese and fine dining too!

Best Time for Hiking

The best time for hiking in Switzerland is in the summer. During summer, you can revel in Switzerland's natural beauty by hiking and enjoying outdoor activities. June to August is the ideal time to visit if you love hiking!

Best Time to Visit Lakes in Switzerland

The best time to visit lakes in Switzerland is in the summer. You can marvel at the majestic wonder of Swiss lakes framed by the greenery of the trees and mighty Swiss Alps if you're lucky! Enjoy lakeside activities and cruises at Lucerne.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions and answers related to the best time to visit Switzerland.

How many days do you need in Switzerland

We recommend an itinerary of around 4 to 5 days for you to be able to experience most of what Switzerland offers.

Is Switzerland expensive to travel to?

Getting around Switzerland, and dining may be expensive. But, if you plan and book accommodation and activities in advance, you'll be able to enjoy an affordable trip!

What is Switzerland famous for?

Switzerland is known for its natural landscapes, swiss watches and chocolate factories. Heidi of the children's book with the same name is also from Switzerland, as are the finest cheeses in the world, yodelling, and Ricola!

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.