By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 14th October 2024 | Updated: 29th November 2024
Planning a trip to Switzerland in January?
Switzerland has always been seen as a great winter destination, and January in Switzerland is no different. The Christmas Markets may be over but there is still plenty of wintery magic throughout the country. So, with that in mind below we’ll set out the best places to visit in Switzerland in January, as well as the average weather for the month, alongside any public holidays and festivals that occur.
So here is our guide to visiting Switzerland in January;
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Switzerland in January is when the country is in the midst of its peak winter season, so expect some crowds and the possibility of more expensive accommodation as well. However, whilst the mountains are often crowded with tourists hitting the slopes, the cities are often very quiet, making it the perfect time to city hop, sightseeing around the country. You can also take part in tobogganing or snowshoeing if skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing.
Weather In Switzerland In January
The average daily temperature across the country is 2°C / 36°F, with nighttime temperatures of around -2°C / 28°F, but this can vary depending on location. Whilst the cities are often quite cold, especially at night, it is the mountain resorts that get really cold, Zermatt easily drops to -13°C / 8.6°F each day. With an average of 70mm of rainfall across the month and with the cold temperatures, most of the most has snowfall rather than rainfall, so be sure to pack some layers!
Switzerland in January Public Holidays / Events
There is one public holiday in Switzerland in January, as well as a couple of regional holidays.
📍 New Year’s Day – 1st January
Celebrated across all cantons, most if not all shops will be closed.
📍 Berchtold’s Day (Berchtoldstag) – 2nd January
Commemorating Duke Berchtold V who founded the Swiss capital of Bern, this holiday is only celebrated in the following cantons, Aargau, Bern, Fribourg, Glarus, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
📍 Epiphany (Heilige Drei Konige) – 6th January
Another regional holiday is the Epiphany which is celebrated in the following cantons; Graubünden, Lucerne, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri. That being said the day itself is also celebrated in other cantons with special crown shaped baked goods.
📍 Grindelwald World Snow Festival – Mid January
For 5 days international artists from around the world arrive in Grindelwald to celebrate all things ice, with snow sculpture creations made from 3m hight blocks all based around a yearly motto.
📍 Château-d’Oex International Hot Air Balloon Festival – Last week of January
For the last week of January Switzerland’s one and only Hot Air Balloon Festival is held in Château-d’Oex. With snow covered landscapes surrounding the festival site, this is one of the most unique and beautiful festivals you can witness in January in Switzerland.
📍 Saignelégier Sled Dog Races – Last weekend of January
Thing dog sledding is just for the Nordics, think again. Over the weekend of the races over 100 mushers, (yes that is a real name for the job), and over 800 sled dogs descend on Saignelégier for not only the dog races, but sleigh rides and warming food too.
There are also numerous snow sporting events throughout the month, from skiing to curling and everything in between.
5 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in January
There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in Switzerland in January, but here are our top picks;
1. Château-d’Oex in January – Hot air balloons and wintery landscapes, what more could you want!
2. Grindelwald in January – Grindelwald is great year round, but is especially magical in January with snow-covered landscape perfect for hiking through. The snow sculpture festival is also another massive bonus.
3. Lucerne in January – Although the city is winding down from Christmas, January is reserved for the annual Lucerne Light Festival, with colourful artworks spread through the city and along the lake edge.
4. Gstaad in January – Gstaad is not only a beautiful village but also surrounded by stunning mountains and fondue hikes, (yes you read that correctly, fondue hikes!).
5. Engelberg in January – Although not so well known, Engelberg is a great place to go for skiing and tobogganing, (we did our first toboggan run in Switzerland here and it was so much fun!). There is also a really cute town centre filled with coffee shops and outdoor clothing outlets.
Switzerland in January FAQs
Is January a good time to visit to Switzerland?
January is a great time to visit Switzerland, especially for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and tobogganing! If none of that interests you then it is also a wonderful time for visiting cities and dropping by cosy cafes.
Is January a good time to visit Zurich?
Zurich is a great place to visit in January not only because it is a lovely city full of history, but it is a great destination for taking day trips from too.
What is the warmest city in Switzerland in January?
The warmest city in Switzerland in January is Lugano in Ticino. The canton of Ticino is the warmest canton in Switzerland year round, so if you ever need a bit of warmth be sure to head there!
Is Switzerland too cold in January?
Switzerland can be very cold in January, but as long as you prepare with proper winter gear its not uncomfortably cold.
Is Switzerland expensive in January?
January is one of the months in the winter peak season so it can be pricey for flights and accommodation, but be sure to book in advance and you can keep costs down.
What is the coldest city in Switzerland in January?
The coldest cities in Switzerland in January are pretty much any that are within the higher altitude Alpine regions, which includes St Moritz, Zermatt and Gstaad.
Which part of Switzerland is better in January?
This slightly depends on what you want to do on your trip, but the Jungfrau region is fantastic for winter activities and the cities of Zurich, Lucerne and Geneva are great for city breaks.
Planning your own trip to Switzerland? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!
Conclusion: Switzerland in January
So, there you have our guide to Switzerland in January. If you’re planning on visiting this wonderful country in January, be sure to plan for snow and cold weather and maybe do a fondue hike or two.
If Switzerland in January isn’t quite right for your trip…
Check out our other blog posts below about visiting Switzerland during other months of the year.
📍 Switzerland in February
📍 Switzerland in March
📍 Switzerland in April
📍 Switzerland in May
📍 Switzerland in June
📍 Switzerland in July
📍 Switzerland in August
📍 Switzerland in September
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.