The Best Time to Visit Switzerland

High Season: June • July • August • December

July and August are summer in Switzerland and represent the high travel season. As the warmest months of the year, tourists flock to the highlights and higher elevations to escape the city heat, explore the trails, and lounge on the lakeshores.

This often means the trails are crowded, boats populate the lakes, and accommodations around the country are harder to reserve unless booked early.

While very different from the summer months, December is a popular time for snow activities like skiing and snowboarding. The resorts are incredibly popular, with enthusiasts from around Europe and beyond eager to hit the slopes and festive Christmas markets around the country.

Shoulder Season: September • October

Shoulder season is limited in Switzerland, with September and October offering the best options.

Shoulder season is a great time to visit because the infrastructure to discover the highlights and hidden gems across the country is still available, while fewer crowds make it much easier to navigate.

The weather in Switzerland in fall is also cool, but manageable, as the leaves change and snow returns to the alpine ridges.

Low Season: April • November

Low travel season in Switzerland is in April and November. The hearts of spring and fall may seem limiting in terms of time, but provide great access to the country’s natural beauty, historical charms, and unique alpine heritage.

Accommodations are available in the cities and towns, but activities and resorts connected to excursions like hiking and skiing are generally closed for the season. It’s not yet warm enough for hiking and the snowmelt makes for terrible skiing conditions.

However, April and November are fantastic months for a more authentic experience in Switzerland, from the museums to the storybook towns, wineries, and vistas.

Best Months: April • May • June • September • October

Sightseeing in Switzerland takes on many forms, from walking along covered wooden bridges to visiting a captivating museum that traces the strong history of communities in the Alps, with April to May and again from September to October offering the best times to visit.

The combination of months mostly consists of the shoulder season, when you can experience cordial weather and smaller crowds across the country, perfect for indulging in a more authentic view of local life, history, and panoramic beauty.

The summer months between May and September are the best times to hike in Switzerland.

The country’s high altitudes mean cold and shifting weather is a possibility along the trails throughout the year, but summer offers the best time between snow melts and rainfall.

Hiking in Switzerland gives you ample opportunities to view the snowy mountain peaks and enjoy the quaint scenery, from lush valleys to soaring mountains, as well as quiet villages.

Best Months: January • February • March

Switzerland is a legendary destination for snow sports like skiing, especially between January and early March, with the high-altitude slopes open late into the season.

With a mixture of fresh, powdery snow and curated trails, you can easily find runs befitting your experience.

After the Christmas season, finding a slope or resort is also much easier, as many vacationing Swiss and international jet-setters have returned home, giving you the possibility of a more comfortable and intimate ski excursion.

Best Months: May • June • September • October

The weather is often the biggest factor in whether you will enjoy your wine-tasting excursion, and May to June and September to October could give you the best conditions for an indulgent experience.

Wineries open their doors to locals and foreigners, especially in May and June, resulting in a great tradition of flavorful discovery and community engagement. The weather in May and June is not as predictable as in September or October, but the mixture of ambiance and community connection creates a lasting impression.

Best Months: May • June • September • October • December

The spring and autumn months, from May to June and September to October, are the best times for horseback riding excursions in Switzerland, but December could also give you a surprising experience in a wonderland blanketed with snow.

With any horseback adventure, you have a variety of breeds from which to choose, which gives you plenty of possibilities in the types of landscapes you can explore, the vistas you can experience, and even the time of year you can discover the dramatic scenery.

Best Months: June • July • August • September

Summer is the best time to visit the Matterhorn. The weather is the most predictable and stable between June and September, and while the crowds could swell in the peak of summer, you will most likely never feel surrounded.

From hiking nearby slopes to a scenic helicopter flight, a cable-car ride to a meal with an epic panorama, there are so many different ways you can experience the Matterhorn that you can easily find a unique activity that fits your preferences.

Best Months: May • June • September • October

Traveling in Switzerland on a family trip between May to June or September to October will give you the best combination of good weather and smaller crowds.

The shoulder season has plenty of opportunities to experience the best of the country and culture, depending on your preferences, with easy access to the postcard beauty of the landscape and preserved culture of historic city centers.

Outdoor activities, endless natural wonder, delicious chocolate, artisan traditions, and the thrill of discovery make Switzerland a perfect family-friendly destination.

Best Months: May • June • September • October • December

Couples can escape to Switzerland for a romantic getaway or charming honeymoon from May to June, September to October, or in December.

The shoulder seasons in Switzerland will give you smaller crowds, while still unveiling the same grandeur, allure, and activities as the popular summer months, such as hiking, wine tasting, and breathtaking views of the massive alpine peaks.

December will give you a completely different perspective of Switzerland by immersing you in the charismatic wonderland of snow, Christmas markets, and cozy chalets.

Best Months: April • May • October • November

Summer is the busiest time to visit Switzerland, but to avoid the crowds, the best time to visit for seniors is April to May or October to November, with spring and fall great seasons across the country.

You can enjoy the temperate weather, changing colors of the landscape, and often find the Alps capped with snow. Fewer crowds also mean it is easier to visit the highlights around the country, with access to greater options for your accommodations.

Best Months: April • May • August • September

Spring and summer in Switzerland are best experienced from April to May and August to September. Museums are intriguing year-round, but activities like wine tasting, hiking, and canyoning are conditional depending on the weather. By visiting during the more temperate months, you can discover different corners of Switzerland more easily, with each excursion reinforcing your connection to the surrounding beauty, tradition, and adventure through experiences like:

Wine Tasting • Food Tours • Hiking • Kayaking • Canyoning • Rhine Tour

Best Months: October • November • December • January

The best months to visit Switzerland in fall and winter are from October to January. The changing seasons can be cold, with snow falling in the higher altitudes as early as November. While the landscape may shift from lush green to crisp orange to bleach white, you can still enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking and thermal spas, but the main excursions in winter could include delights like:

Skiing • Snowboarding • Christmas Markets • Hiking • Chocolate Factories • Museums

Switzerland is famous for its tradition, glamour, and natural wonder, with a unique position in the European Alps that supports storybook towns and snowcapped panoramas.

Understanding the best time to visit Switzerland depends on the experiences you want, from wine tasting to hiking beneath glaciers or exploring historic villages.

Find inspiration for your perfect trip with our Switzerland tours and vacations or when exploring our Switzerland travel guide.