Snow starts to fall in earnest in Switzerland in December, and with it are the tourists that flock to the mountain ski resorts. There are also charming markets held in various cities in the lead-up to Christmas. Whether you're interested in outdoor or city attractions, December's a great time to visit Switzerland. Read on to learn more.
November is the final month of fall in Switzerland, and temperatures are generally cold. Conditions are not yet ripe for skiing, but this month is still an excellent time to visit Switzerland's cities for cultural attractions and to make the most of their proximity to the mountains if the weather's fine. Find out more about where to go and what to do in Switzerland in November.
October is fall in Switzerland and the low season for travel, between the peaks of summer and winter. The weather may be pleasant and sunny or damp and dull, so it makes sense to base yourself in one of Switzerland's beautiful cities if you're visiting in October. Read on for more about traveling to Switzerland in October.
September is the start of fall in Switzerland and the beginning of the low season for tourism. But with still-summery weather in many places, great conditions for outdoor activities, the grape harvest for winemaking, and lighter tourist crowds, September is a great month to visit Switzerland. Find out where to go and what to do in Switzerland in September.
August is midsummer in Switzerland and the peak season for tourism. Visitors flock to the Alps to enjoy the cooler weather and spectacular mountain scenery that's mostly free of snow. As well as hiking, travelers can admire the landscape while paragliding, cruising on a lake, riding a cable car or train, and more. Keep reading to learn about visiting Switzerland in August.
July is midsummer in Switzerland, and temperatures can soar in lower-lying areas, making the mountains idyllic for a range of activities. Hike on trails free of snow or take in the views from above on a cable car or from a paraglider. Read on to find out where to go and what to do in Switzerland in July.
Along with winter, summer is the peak season for travel to Switzerland, and for many good reasons: the weather is mild or warm, the mountain hiking trails are open, and cities hold lively festivals . There are also, however, many other travelers around. Find out more about where to go and what to see if you visit Switzerland in June.
May is spring in Switzerland, a relatively short season but one with lovely weather and few tourists. Come to Switzerland in May to hike in the mountains or take a scenic train ride before the heavy crowds of summer. Read on to discover more about traveling to Switzerland in May.
April is spring in Switzerland and the low season between the height of winter and summer. But with pleasant weather, thinner crowds, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, April is a great time to visit. Ride a mountain railway, stroll around a lake in the shadow of mountains, and hike on newly thawed trails. Read on to discover more about traveling to Switzerland in April.
March is on the boundary between late winter and early spring in Switzerland: in higher-altitude areas, this is still peak snow sports season, while at lower altitudes, the first buds of spring are pushing through. Find out where to go and what to do in Switzerland in March.
February is mid-winter in Switzerland, and along with January, the snow conditions are at their best for winter sports in the Alps. Later in the month, Carnival provides color and good cheer at lower elevations, especially in the cities of Basel and Lucerne. Find out more about traveling to Switzerland in February.
January is mid-winter in Switzerland, so that means it's peak season as visitors flock to the ski fields in the Alps. Conditions at higher altitudes are mostly snowy, but towns and cities lower down will be cold though not necessarily frozen. Read on to discover more about traveling to Switzerland in January.
Small enough to traverse end-to-end in a few hours and with excellent public transport, Switzerland can be explored in as little as three days, specifically if you stick to one or two key regions. A five to seven-day trip will let you see a broader mix of city and countryside attractions. And with 10 or 14 days, you will be able to get properly off the beaten track if you choose. Read on for itinerary options that will show you the very best of this small country.
Switzerland has two high seasons. Winter (December to March) offers some of Europe's finest Alpine snow sports. Summer (June to August) offers the best hiking opportunities and the country's liveliest festivals, such as Europe's biggest celebration of jazz, the Montreux Jazz Festival. Meanwhile, the low seasons of spring and fall let you see popular sights like the iconic Matterhorn without the huge crowds.
From snowy peaks and alpine meadows to vineyard-carpeted valleys, Switzerland's stunning scenery makes for some of Europe's best hiking. If you have only one day to spare for a walk here, these eight day hikes are all easily accessible and take you out into the middle of the most exceptional landscapes the country can offer.
Switzerland's rail network is one of the world's best, defying steep mountain gradients, threading through dramatic valleys and around beautiful lakes to showcase the country's finest scenery. Here is all you need to know about Switzerland's best train rides.
Hike through thick pine forests, visit traditional Swiss villages, and look for wildlife (like ibex and marmots) on this 7-day trekking itinerary through the Swiss Alps. Cross the high-elevation Col de Riedmatten Pass, traverse mountainside, and hike along glacier foothills as you make your way east towards Zermatt, which sits at the base of the Matterhorn. At night, cozy up in huts and small villages that retain an authentic alpine feel.
From traditional alpine villages to high rocky passes, you'll experience the best of the Swiss Alps on this 8-day trek from the Valais Valley to Zermatt. You'll hike along glacier foothills, traverse mountainsides, and hike through alpine meadows and peaceful lakeshores. At night, fall asleep in high mountain huts and towns to the sound of wind in the mountains.
Explore the Swiss Alps on this nine-day trekking itinerary. Start in the Valais Valley—the main gateway to the surrounding mountains. From here, head east as you continue deeper into Switzerland. You'll spend the next several days navigating along the base of glaciers, hiking through thick pine forests, and exploring small alpine towns. Your destination is Zermatt, at the base of the Matterhorn—you'll reach here on day seven, leaving you enough time to hike around the area and take in the iconic views.
Visit traditional Swiss villages, explore high-elevation alpine lakes, and cross high rocky passes as you trek through the Alps on this 10-day itinerary from Chamonix to Zermatt. Head east across the mountain range as you traverse mountainsides, hike along glacier foothills and look for wildlife (like ibex and marmots). Spend your nights in lakeside mountain huts and cozy towns, falling asleep to the sound of the wind and water.
You'll explore high alpine passes, pass through thick pine forests, hike along the base of glaciated peaks, and much more on this 12-day trekking itinerary. Start your trip in Chamonix—the French 'Capital of Alpinism'—then head east into Switzerland, arriving 10 days later in Zermatt at the base of the Matterhorn. As you hike through the Alps, you'll spend your time looking for wildlife, breathing in the fresh alpine air, and taking in the views, ending each day with comfortable stays in villages and mountain huts.
Trek for two weeks across some of Europe's most dramatic landscapes with this hiking trip. From the gneiss spires of the Aiguilles Rouges and glaciated terrain of the Mont Blanc Range to pastoral meadows and peaceful lake shores, the scenery will be your constant companion as you make your way between alpine huts and towns.
Hike from hut to hut under the snowy facades of some of the most famous peaks in the Swiss Alps with this five-day itinerary. As you hike past the iconic peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, you'll make your way through Alpine pastures, glacial lakes, and rushing waterfalls, with stops on mountaintop tramways and charming villages in between.
Take a classic Swiss hut-to-hut hike through the Bernese Oberland mountains on this week-long trek. You'll go from scenic valley to scenic valley as you traverse past the bases of some of the best-known mountains in the Alps, such as Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, making your way through waterfalls, cliff faces, and dairy pastures.
Sample some of the world's best wines as you circle around Mont Blanc from Switzerland to Italy to France. Visit vineyards nestled in the idyllic countryside in the foothills of the Alps, where ancient grape varieties still produce rare and high-quality wines. Taste local wines in the terraced hills of Lavaux, Switzerland, and toast to the breathtaking views from Pointe Helbronner in France with a glass of Cuvée des Guides — moments and wines to be remembered!
