By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 12th July 2024 | Updated: 29th November 2024
Switzerland is often up there in terms of countries that people want to visit, with its soaring mountain peaks, beautiful cities and villages and of course the well known cheese and chocolate dishes, but is Switzerland worth visiting, and if it is, when is the best time to visit?
We’ve lived in Switzerland for a few years now, and we can safely say that yes Switzerland is definitely worth visiting! There really is something for everyone, be it hiking in the Alps or sipping cocktails along a lakeside, visiting tiny mountain villages or sticking to the vibrant cities. So when is the best time to visit Switzerland?
As somewhat of a caveat, of course the weather can differ year on year, (June one year we had heatwaves and the next it was a total wash out!), but there are certain things that happen year on year during specific months that may sway you to visit…
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Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In January
January in Switzerland is often a little grey or white depending on where you are, rather cold and may seem like not a lot is happening post Christmas, but other than the snow sports season still being in full swing, there are also some great festivals that take place in January to help lift those New Year blues. One of which is the wonderful Chateaux d’Oex Hot Air Balloon Festival, which we really had to see to believe. Snow covered Alps and lots of hot air balloons floating through the skies is really something special!
Best places to visit in Switzerland in January
📍 Chateaux d’Oex – for the hot air balloon festival
📍 Gstaad – not only is Gstaad beautiful but there are also some great hikes you can do in the surrounding area, including hikes with a fondue backpack to giant fondue pots that you can sit in and eat your own fondue!
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In February
February in Switzerland can still be quite cold, and have rain or snow showers across the country, but it is when the spring festivals start to kick off, i.e. when the Swiss want to scare away the winter and make way for the spring, which we absolutely love. Basel Fasnacht is the most well known carnival for this and most definitely worth visiting Basel for, (we’ve been to them every year since we have lived in Switzerland and they just get better and better!). Depending on the way Easter falls Basel Fasnacht can also be held in mid-March, so check in advance of booking anything to come and visit!
Best places to visit in Switzerland in February
📍 Basel – for the UNESCO Basel Fasnacht
📍 St Moritz – for White Turf Festival, (horse racing on a frozen lake!).
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In March
March can be a bit of an in-between month in Switzerland, not that that should stop you visiting then. You might have a few warmer sunshine filled days, but you might also get snow, in some places you will still be able to ski or snowboard, whilst in others the hiking trails might be open already, but that just makes it more of an experience! March is often quite a quiet month in terms of visitors to Switzerland, but if Fasnacht or Easter falls within March then it can get a little busier.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in March
📍 Zurich – cities are always a good idea in the cooler months, and Zurich is a great option for a March trip with beautiful lakeside walks as well as lots of museums and chocolate shops to visit in the old town.
📍 Mount Rigi – we’ve visited Mount Rigi a lot over the years, and although we can’t guarantee that you will get the incredible views, (we’ve only seen the view once!), it is always a lovely hike from the peak back down.
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In April
The weather starts to warm up in April in Switzerland, although a snow shower can’t be ruled out anywhere across the country! It is also often the last month that you can take part in snow sports with only the resorts at the highest elevations still having enough snow to allow skiing, but the majority of the hiking trails are still shut due to snow remnants on the paths. As with March, depending on when Easter falls, April can be little busier for a couple of weeks, but you wouldn’t really notice the difference in comparison to other European destinations.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in April
📍 Zurich – for the Sechseläuten festival and the famous weather telling Böögg. (It is a snowman filled with explosives, that depending on the time that it takes to explode, depends on how good the summer will be in Switzerland!).
📍 Grindelwald – Early spring hikes are in plenty here with a particularly great hike in the snow out to Bachalpsee from Grindelwald First.
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In May
May is often one of the quietest times of year to visit Switzerland, with the weather getting better day by day, (even with the odd heavy downpour!), and far fewer tourists than at other months of the year. However if visiting Switzerland in May you have to bear in mind that there are a number of Bank Holidays that take place across the country, (they vary canton to canton but there are at least 3 on average), which means most things other than shops in train stations will be shut, and May is also one of the months that the majority of cable cars / funicular railways are serviced for the coming summer peak season, meaning quite a few either aren’t running or have a very reduced service.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in May
📍 Thun – the old town of Thun is wonderful to visit in May, when the first bit of the years warmth starts to appear, be it to visit the historic walls and castle or to sit along the riverside and take in the view.
📍 Zug – Zug is famous for its cherries, and May is the month that they are at their best. You can also hike along Lake Zug through cherry orchards towards Mount Rigi, which is beautiful in the spring.
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In June
June is when the weather starts to pick up, the wildflowers are in full force and the hiking trails are nearly all open, (one of the hikes we have been dying to do since we moved to Switzerland didn’t open fully until mid-June one year due to late snowfall in April!), so all in all June is a great month to visit Switzerland. It is also just out of peak summer holiday season so you can get great deals and more choice on accommodation too.
Be warned however, with the warmer weather often comes storms, (especially in the valleys of the surrounding mountains), and in Switzerland we have quite violent storms! The may only last a short while but they can be quite scary to witness, so be sure to have a weather app for Switzerland such as Meteo Swiss, so that you can get notifications of any weather warnings.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in June
📍 Murten – a beautiful little town with an incredible history, famed for its defensive walls and a rather nice cake.
📍 Neuchatel – is another town on the shores of Lake Neuchatel with a wonderful historic centre filled with eateries and stunning castle that overlooks the town.
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Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In July
July is very similar to June in terms of weather, although you will see a definite increase in temperature towards the end of the month, but is the start of the summer holidays across Europe so can get a little busy at more well known destinations. That being said, we haven’t visited anywhere in Switzerland and thought its particularly busy because of the holidays, the places that are busiest are busy pretty much year round.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in July
📍 Basel – for Basel Tattoo, the biggest Tattoo, (think incredible live music parades and a fair few bag pipes), outside of Edinburgh.
📍 Montreux and Vevey – two locations along the edge of Lac Leman which are both beautiful in the summer. Montreux also has a rather well known Jazz Festival throughout July.
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In August
August in Switzerland can be absolutely sweltering, especially in the cities, but even out hiking it can get a little too hot. We have had late 30°C / 86°F up to 40°C / 104°F weather here in Basel, and you really can’t do much in those kind of temperatures other than take a dip in the river! Getting somewhere with higher altitude in the Alps will help with the temperature, but there is often very little protection from the sun.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in August
📍 Lucerne and Mount Pilatus – Lucerne itself is a great city to visit in the summer, with numerous outdoor eateries and plenty of options for day trips on the lake, and to the nearby mountains, including to Mount Pilatus.
📍 Bürgenstock – another destination easily reached from Lucerne, Bürgenstock is a great place to visit in August as you can hike through the surrounding area, but it is all mostly in woodland or under the natural stone cliffs, perfect to counteract the heat!
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In September
September in Switzerland still tends to be quite warm, with long sun filled days and warm nights, as well as very stable weather, (no freak storms!), and as a bonus it is also one of the quieter times of the year to visit Switzerland following the end of the summer holidays. Having lived in Switzerland for a few years now, we often stay home during the peak summer months with a day trip here or there, but plan an actual break down in the Alps once September hits. The end of September is also when the cows start come home from their Alpine summer pastures, which is a festival you really have to witness at least once!
Best places to visit in Switzerland in September
📍 Interlaken – Interlaken and the surrounding area along Lake Brienz are great to visit in September, when the warmth is still in the air and the hikes, particularly along Schynige Platte and Brienzer Rothorn, are stunning with really clear views.
📍 Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen – the hike between these two is especially beautiful in September when the autumn weather and colours are beginning to show.
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In October
October is very similar to September in terms of weather and how busy the month is, but it is beginning to get cooler, especially at higher altitudes. The leaves are also starting to turn in October, and although it may not be known for it, Switzerland in autumn is spectacular! As well as the larches all changing to bright yellows around the Alps, the lake sides that are lined with forests also put on quite a show of colour.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in October
📍 Lauterbrunnen Valley: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen & Mürren – This valley is great to visit throughout the year, but October is particularly wonderful as there is a higher chance of rainfall, meaning stronger waterfalls and a wonderfully moody landscape.
📍 The UNESCO Lavaux Vineyards – both September and October are great times to visit the Lavaux Vineyards, partly because the vines all turn a wonderful shade of yellow from the lake shores right up into the surrounding hills, but also because it is prime time for the new season wine to be ready for tasting!
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In November
The first proper snowfall of the year tends to happen in November, so if you are planning to visit Switzerland for snow sports this could be a great cheaper option than over the much more expensive and busier Christmas period. November is also a great month to see the autumnal landscapes of Switzerland, be it on a hiking trail before they are closed for the season, or from one of the many boats that run. If the snow has fallen early then rather than hiking you can walk many of the same routes with snow shoes instead.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in November
📍 Spiez – with its hillside covering vineyards, old castle and views to both Niederhorn and Niesen, Spiez is great to visit in November to see the changing landscape from both the town and from on the water.
📍 Lausanne – similarly to Spiez, Lausanne is a beautiful location to while away the late autumn, early winter days along the lake side as well as with views across to the Alps and to the nearby Lavaux Vineyards.
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting In December
December in Switzerland is when the Christmas spirit is in full swing, with carol concerts, Christmas lights adorning anything and everything and of course Christmas Markets in every city. There is also a high chance that you will see some snow, especially close to the Alps. However because of the Christmas holidays and ample snow in skiing resorts, as well as people visiting the world renown Christmas Markets, December is often one of the busiest and most expensive months to visit Switzerland.
Best places to visit in Switzerland in December
📍 Bern – beautiful Christmas markets around the historic streets.
📍 Basel – some of the largest, (and we would say best), Christmas Markets in Switzerland.
📍 Montreux – the only Christmas market where Santa and his reindeer fly over the crowd and the nearby lake.
Is Switzerland Worth Visiting FAQs
Best time to visit Switzerland?
There isn’t really a best time to visit Switzerland as it will greatly depend on your interests and what is bringing you to Switzerland in the first place. If you are after hiking, then June / September is perfect, if you are after snow sports, then November to February is the best. If you are after a city hopping trip or day trips to various locations from a city then there isn’t really a bad month.
Is Switzerland really that expensive? Is Switzerland worth the cost?
Yes, Switzerland can be quite expensive, especially if you don’t book in advance, but it is definitely worth the cost. Plus you can save a lot of money buying things like train tickets in advance! We’ve written a post on how expensive Switzerland really is, so check that out for more information.
How many days in Switzerland is enough?
Honestly, you could spend a month exploring Switzerland and still not have had enough time to see everything you want. However for most people coming to Switzerland, a week or two is the ideal amount of time.
Is it a good idea to go to Switzerland?
It is always a good idea to go to Switzerland! Yes there may be some months that aren’t ideal in terms of weather or how busy it can be, but if you get the opportunity to visit Switzerland then we urge you to take it.
Reasons not to visit Switzerland?
If you are after visiting somewhere on a tight budget, or somewhere with guaranteed warmth in the summer months, then Switzerland is not the place for you.
Conclusion: Is Switzerland Worth Visiting?
So is Switzerland worth visiting? We definitely think so. With various months perfect for different things, there will always be something to do whenever you visit Switzerland, be it for summer hiking, winter snow sports, spring festivals or autumn leaf peeping.
All Our Switzerland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 How To Visit Switzerland On A Budget
📍 Switzerland in Spring: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 Switzerland in Summer: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 Switzerland in Autumn: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
📍 Switzerland in Winter: Best Things To Do & Places To Go
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.