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Best time to visit

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August–September is the best time to visit Switzerland and enjoy its fabulous landscapes either on a hike, or a cruise, a train or a bike ride. You’ll be able to discover the Alps, its blacknose sheep, and glaciers. This season allows to combine the incompatible, namely beach holidays on the lakes and summer skiing. In winter, there’re generally fewer things to do but enchanting Christmas atmosphere makes for it. Moreover, wintertime is rich in extravagant events: Basel Art and L'Escalade highlight December; and February is known for Europe’s most spectacular horse races—White Turf St. Moritz, Basel Fasnacht carnival, and bizarre Eis-zwei-Geissebei or Sausage Tossing.

64 things to do in Switzerland

Montreux Jazz Festival

July 5-20, 2024 Event

Plunge into the world of music at one of the biggest and best-known annual jazz festival in Swiss "Sun Riviera"

Räbechilbi: Gourd-Lantern Parade in Richterswil

November 9, 2024 Event

Step into a real Halloween atmosphere with this sparkling procession

Martinstag: St. Martin Festival

November 8–17, 2024 Event

A colourful celebration marking the end of harvest time and the beginning of winter festivities

Jungfraujoch and the Sphinx Observatory

May–October Activity

This mountain is often called the peak of Europe

Alpine Herbs

April–October Nature

The plants growing on high altitudes have become na​t​ural remedies for many health problems

Faulhorn-Grindelwald​ Toboggan

December–March Activity

If you enjoy sledding, try the longest toboggan run in Europe

Grape Harvest and Wine Season

October–November Food

Visit the Canton of Valais or the famous region of Lavaux that boasts 830 hectares of terraced vineyards that stretch for almost 30 km along Lake Geneva

Summer Skiing

May–September Activity

If you missed the skiing season, don't worry. Try glacier skiing in Switzerland during the summer

L'Escalade​

December 13–15, 2024 Event

Don't miss this original and colourful Swiss celebration in Geneva

Summer

June, July, August Weather

Occasional rains won't spoil beach time at some of Europe's most pristine lakes

Autumn

September, October, November Weather

Beautiful and warm, this season is perfect for hiking

White Turf St. Moritz

February 4-February 18, 2024 Event

Some of the most amazing horse races in Europe

Ticino Flower Fields

March–May Nature

During spring Ticino becomes the most romantic region of Switzerland

Great Aletsch Glacier

mid-June–mid-October Activity

This enormous ice river could have provided every human being on Earth with a litre of water per day for six years

Basel Fasnacht (Carnival of Basel)

March 10-12, 2025 Event

If you think the best carnivals are only in South America, visit Basel and you might change your mind!

Skiing and Snowboarding in Switzerland

December–March Activity

World-famous ski resorts are not cheap, but they are well worth the price

Art Basel

June 13–16, 2024 (Basel) | October 18–20, 2024 (Paris) | December 6–8, 2024 (Miami Beach)| March, 2025 (Hong Kong) Event

Don't miss the chance to become a part of the art world for a week full of exciting events

Mustard Fields in Bloom

May Nature

Spring means yellow blossoms all over Switzerland

Valais Blacknose Sheep

May–October Nature

Some of the cutest residents of the Swiss Alps

Bernina Express

May–October Activity

This amazing Alpine journey guarantees spectacular views all the way

Lac Léman or Lake Geneva Cruise

mid-April–mid-October Activity

Explore one of Europe's largest lake and its picturesque surroundings

The Rhine Falls

April–September Nature

The largest waterfall in Europe is often called Switzerland's natural wonder

Winter

December, January, February Weather

Snow and frost turn the country into a wonderland

Christmas Markets in Switzerland

mid-November–early January Event

Check out some of the most atmospheric Christmas fairs in Europe to get into the mood before the holidays

Eis-zwei-Geissebei (Sausage Tossing)

February 13, 2024 Event

An old pre-Carnival tradition from Rapperswil, near Lake Zurich

Spring

March, April, May Weather

Snow and sunshine allow to get the best of the changing weather

Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)

August 26-30, 2024 Event

One of the most challenging races in Europe, which goes through the territory of three countries, astonishes with views of mountains, rivers and glaciers

Glacier Express

May 4–October 12, 2024 | December 9, 2024–May 3, 2025 Activity

Take a train from Zermatt to Davos or St. Moritz to see unique Alpine landscapes

The Trift Bridge

May–October Activity

Walk one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the Swiss Alps for exceptional views

Rendez-vous Bundesplatz

October 19–November 23, 2024 Event

See the Switzerland's parliament in an unexpected light

Les Pleureuses or the Mourners

March 29, 2024 Event

The town of Romont is home to an unusual Easter tradition

Beach Season on Lakes

June–August Activity

Only in Switzerland you can find such clean lakes in the middle of big cities!

Teufelsbrücke or Devil's Bridge

May–October Activity

One of the most stunning bridges in Switzerland

Cycling

March–November Activity

With its great lakes and wide meadows Switzerland is a paradise for cyclists

Birdwatching

April–August Nature

Hundreds species of migrating and resident birds breed in Switzerland

Gotthard Pass

June–October Activity

Enjoy the majesty of Alps from one of the most scenic routes

Open Air Gampel

August 15-18, 2024 Event

One of the largest Swiss open-air festivals held in a beautiful Alpine valley

Susten Pass

mid-June–October Activity

One of the most scenic roads in Europe with bridges and tunnels

Maloja Pass

all year round Activity

A mountain road in the scenic Alps in southeastern Switzerland

Great St Bernard Pass

June–September Activity

A scenic mountain pass that gdot famous thanks to its dogs

Grimsel Pass

June–mid-October Activity

The road that crosses the continental divide between the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea

Simplon Pass (Passo del Sempione)

all year round Activity

One of the most scenic drives in the Alps, featured in Giro d'Italia

Furka Pass

June–mid-October Activity

A scenic winding road, loved by cyclists and motorcyclists, was featured in a James Bond movie

New Year's Eve in Switzerland

December 31–January 1 Event

Switzerland is a true winter wonderland, which can guarantee you will remember this New Year's Eve celebration for good

Fall Colors

late September–late October Nature

The golden season has arrived in the Swiss Alps

Basel Christmas Market

November 28-December 23, 2024 Event

Enjoy enchanting holiday ambiance filling up the Old Town from Münsterplatz to Barfüsserplatz

Bern Christmas Markets

late November–late December Event

UNESCO-listed Old City looks stunning during Christmas holidays

Lausanne Christmas Markets (Bô Noël)

November 20–December 31, 2024 Event

Four weeks of fun during the Advent season

Stairways to Heaven

May 11, 2024 Event

Are you ready for the toughest vertical race in Europe?

The Charles Kuonen Bridge (Europaweg Skywalk)

May–October Nature

Hike the longest suspension bridge in the world

Aare Gorge

April–November Nature

An exciting 40-minute walk through the canyon

Gelmerbahn

June 1–October 15 Activity

The Gelmerbahn is one of the steepest funiculars that offers you inspiring mountainscape backdrops

Verzasca Dam Bungee Jumping

April–October Activity

Recreate the iconic James Bond jump from one of the largest dams in the world

Cattle Descent (Cow Parade)

mid-August–late September Event

Celebration of the arguculture and the art of shepherding

Ballonwoche Flims Hot-Air Balloon Festival

September 28–October 6, 2024 Event

Visit the oldest Alpine hot-air balloon event

International Hot-Air Balloon Festival in Château-d'Oex

January 25-February 2, 2025 Event

The ultimate Alpine destination for hot air ballooning

European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE)

May 28–30, 2024 Event

Don't miss this huge aerial event in Switzerland!

ZigAirMeet

August 18–19, 2023 Event

Vintage and modern planes in the middle of Swiss Alps

Axalp Swiss Air Force Live Fire Demo

October 17–19, 2023 Event

We bet you've never seen an airshow of this scale!

Jazz Ascona

late June–early July Event

New Orleans Jazz on the banks of on Lake Maggiore in beautiful southern Switzerland

Cully Jazz Festival

April 4-12, 2025 Event

One of Switzerland's greatest jazz fests welcomes you!

Zurich Film Festival

October 3–13, 2024 Event

Experience high-quality cinema by the most promising filmmakers from around the world

Krampus in Switzerland

December Event

Meet Krampus, Perchten, and Schmutzli, mystical folklore characters, originating in pagan rituals

Gurten

May–September | December–January Activity

Visit Bern’s local mountain

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