Month guide · Zurich · Switzerland
Zurich in August
What August is really like in Zurich: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: KeanoManu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is one of the best months to visit Zurich. Expect average highs of 24°C (75°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 14.2 hours of daylight. Hot spells and thunderstorms; big events fill the lakeside.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 24°C (75°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 14.2 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Zurich: days average 24°C (75°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with July (24°C (75°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:22
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:39
- Daylight
- About 14.2 hours
Summer (June–August). Swimming in the lake and Limmat, open-air bars and the Street Parade; warm with afternoon thunderstorms.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Swiss National Day — fireworks and celebrations (1 August)
- Street Parade — techno parade around the lake basin (usually the second Saturday of August)
- Zürcher Theater Spektakel — international theatre festival on the lakeshore (usually late August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Viewpoint · Niederdorf
Polybahn and Polyterrasse
The red Polybahn funicular, running since 1889, climbs from Central to the terrace of ETH Zurich's main building, designed by Gottfried Semper.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- History
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Religious site · City and Lindenhof
Fraumünster
Visit on a bright day, ideally in the morning, when the sun lights up the Chagall windows.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Gallery · Heimplatz
Kunsthaus Zürich
Switzerland's largest art museum spans the original building and David Chipperfield's extension, opened in 2021, across Heimplatz.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
- Architecture
Museum · Main station
Swiss National Museum
It is right behind the main station, so it fills an hour before or after a train.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 24°C, lows near 13°C and 11 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Zurich?
One of the best months to visit Zurich, with 3 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are May–July and September. Compare every month.
Zurich in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Zurich?
It is one of the best months to visit Zurich. Hot spells and thunderstorms; big events fill the lakeside.
+How warm is Zurich in August?
Average highs are around 24°C (75°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Zurich in August?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.