By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 19th January 2025 | Updated: 19th January 2025
Planning a trip to Switzerland in September?
Switzerland is often thought of as a summer or winter destination, but the autumn and spring are just as lovely, if not lovelier! September in particular is fantastic with the leaves slowly beginning to turn, nice warm days but cooler nights and one of our favourite festivals happening, we love Switzerland in September, (it is even one of the months of the year that we recommend our family and friends visit us as its so lovely!).
With that in mind in this post we’ll set out the best places to visit in Switzerland in September, as well as the average weather for the month and any holidays and festivals that occur.
So here is our guide to visiting Switzerland in September;
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September is Switzerland is when the autumn starts to hit across the country, the higher alpine hiking trails begin to get quieter, the first traces of snow might be seen and the leaves begin to change transforming the green landscapes into yellows, oranges and reds. Seeing the leaves turning is a big deal in Switzerland, you can even track the changing leaves on the MySwitzerland website to ensure you get to see the leaves at their peak.
September is also one of the quietest months to visit Switzerland post peak summer, so there are fewer tourists and therefore fewer crowds around. There are still some locations that remain busier, like the prime tourist spots and the main cities, but nothing as busy as the summer months.
Weather In Switzerland In September
The average daily temperature across the country is 20°C / 68°F, with night-time temperatures of around 10°C / 50°F, but this can vary depending on location, mountain resorts for example are often a cooler. If you want to visit one of the warmest places in Switzerland in September then be sure to head to Lugano in Ticino. That being said, you can still get some unseasonably warm weather in September, especially in the cities, where it can reach into 30°C / 86°F.
With an average of 80mm of rainfall this month, you should plan to expect a couple of rainy days but this is often a welcome respite from the warmer weather. You can also get some very early snowfall is you are in the Alpine regions of Switzerland, (we had snow up Mount Rigi in mid September one year!). Be sure to keep an eye on MeteoSwiss or SLF White Risk to make sure you aren’t caught out in any bad weather.
Switzerland in September Public Holidays / Events
There are no official public holidays in Switzerland in September, although there are a few regional holidays and fantastic festivals too:
📍 Jeûne Genevois – first Thursday after the first Sunday in September
Only celebrated in Geneva, the rest of the country celebrates this as part of the Swiss Federal Fast day.
📍 Knabenschiessen – Second weekend in September
This traditional holiday dates back to 1899, where Zurich boys, (and more recently girls), have the chance o test and prove their shooting skills at a festival, with markets and fairground rides. Only celebrated in Zurich
📍 Swiss Federal Fast (Eidgenösser Dank, Buss, Bettag) – 21st September
Observed across most of Switzerland, but celebrations can vary depending on region this day is a government named day for all regions for fasting, thanksgiving, repentance and prayer.
📍 St Niklaus von Flüe – 25th September
Only celebrated in Obwalden
Festivals:
📍 Alpabzug / Désalpe / Züglete – various dates
These wonderful festivals celebrating the cows, sheep or goats coming home from the mountain pastures, start from mid-September through to the end of October, depending on the location in the Alps and the weather for the year. Not only do the animals get dressed up with flowery head dresses and walked through the local towns / villages, but there are farmers markets selling local goods and food too.
To find out if there is an event near you, or to plan a trip to an event, check out the My Switzerland website for more information.
📍 Sheep and cattle fairs – various dates
Alongside the Alpabzug / Désalpe / Züglete festivals, there are also sheep and cattle fairs across the country, again with local markets to sell wares from the area.
📍 Zurich Film Festival – End of September into Early Oct
The Zurich Film Festival is another highlight of the year in Zurich, with the festivals main focus on showcasing new and emerging film makers from across the world. You wont find any blockbuster hits here, but some incredible new up and coming directed films instead, some with well known actors in who often hit the green carpet to meet people before hand!
Get more information about the event here.
5 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in September
There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in Switzerland in September, but here are our top picks;
1. Zurich in September – Zurich a great place to visit in September, with great weather for exploring the city as well as the local mountains, and all with the Zurich Film Festival at the end of the month too. A walk along the Planetenweg above the city is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle for a bit, plus it practically ends at the Lindt Factory so its a win-win!
2. Schupfheim in September – If you are visiting Switzerland in September you simply have to try and see the Alpabzug also called Désalpe or Züglete depending on the canton you are in, and one place that we have visited that was the perfect blend of markets, local music and of course the cow parades was Schupfheim. The date the parades are held varies year to year depending on the weather, but if this one is on be sure to visit. Plus it is also very close to the Kambley biscuit factory making a perfect stop after seeing the cows!
3. Interlaken in September – Interlaken has near perfect weather in September, (we’ve visited nearly every September we have lived in Switzerland), making is a great place to spend a long weekend exploring both Interlaken but the surrounding Bernese Alps and lakes too. Be sure to head up to Harder Kulm in the evening and catch a local band playing traditional music including the Alphorn and cowbells, you may even get a chance to join in!
4. Schynige Platte in September – Another great place to visit in Switzerland in September is Schynige Platte. Not far from both Interlaken and Grindelwald this mountain destination has a beautiful alpine flower garden as well as incredible views in every direction. You can also hike from Schynige Platte to Grindelwald, (not for the faint hearted), which makes a great trip alongside visiting the mountain peak.
5. Bürgenstock in September – Ever fancied a trip on the tallest external lift in the world with views back to Lucerne and across the surrounding mountains? Well then a trip to Bürgenstock is for you! This is a place to visit with a great hike to do if the weather is still warm too as there is lots of shelter from the cliff side ‘rock walk’ as well as in woodland.
Switzerland in September FAQs
Is September good to visit Switzerland?
September is one of our favourite months in Switzerland, and one we regularly have family and friends visiting in, because you still get some of that summer heat yet cooler nights, perfect for hiking. After the end of the school summer holidays, which is early September, it is also one of the quieter times of the year to visit Switzerland post the summer peak and pre the winter rush.
What are the best months to visit Switzerland?
There really isn’t a bad month to visit Switzerland, and depending on your interests some months may be better suited than others to visiting, but we particularly love the spring and the autumn in Switzerland. Not only are they much quieter in comparison to the peak summer and winter months, but you have some wonderful festivals that happen throughout the spring and autumn too.
What to wear to Switzerland in September?
As with other months of the year, it is best to wear layers when visiting Switzerland in September. The days could still be warm but the evening and nights begin to get much colder. Same goes for mountain excursions, lovely and warm whilst in the sun but much chillier in the shade of the mountain.
Where is the best place to visit in Switzerland in the fall?
We love visiting the Bernese Alps region in the fall / autumn, not only because the leaves may have started slowly turning along the lakesides but also because it is often much quieter in the late summer / early autumn too.
Planning your own trip to Switzerland?
Head to Switzerland Travel Centre to book any trains or excursions, and then use our discount code AFFTEDALDI to receive a 5% discount. We’ve just bought the Swiss Coupon Pass as it saves literally thousands on trips around the country, (for visitors and residents alike)!
Conclusion: Switzerland in September
So, there is our guide to visiting Switzerland in September, from the cows coming home to the fewer tourists, and with the warm weather still hanging on September in Switzerland is always a good idea.
If Switzerland in September isn’t quite right for your trip…
Check out our other blog posts below about visiting Switzerland during other months of the year.
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
📍 Is Switzerland Worth Visiting & When: By A Local
📍 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.