Best time to visit · Zurich · Switzerland
The best time to visit Zurich
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matt Joseph, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Zurich is June to September, when the lake and river baths are open, cruises run frequently and the city lives outdoors. May and early October are quieter and pleasant for walking. December brings Christmas markets, while January to March suits combining the city with skiing in the Alps.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- April, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 24°C (75°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–April and October–November
Seasons
Zurich has a temperate climate with cold, grey winters, mild springs and autumns, and warm summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Late spring and summer are the wettest months.
March–May
Spring
Blossom, the Sechseläuten festival in April and the opening of the lake baths in May; showery but fresh.
June–August
Summer
Swimming in the lake and Limmat, open-air bars and the Street Parade; warm with afternoon thunderstorms.
September–November
Autumn
Settled September days, the film festival and autumn colour, then fog and greyer skies into November.
December–February
Winter
Christmas markets and cosy fondue evenings in the city, with ski resorts within two hours by train.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -2°C | 9 | 8.9 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 5°C | -2°C | 8 | 10.2 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 10°C | 1°C | 10 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 14°C | 4°C | 10 | 13.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 18°C | 8°C | 12 | 15.1 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 22°C | 12°C | 12 | 15.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 24°C | 14°C | 11 | 15.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 24°C | 13°C | 11 | 14.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 19°C | 10°C | 9 | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 14°C | 6°C | 9 | 10.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 8°C | 2°C | 9 | 9.2 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 4°C | -1°C | 10 | 8.5 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| April | Sechseläuten — guild parade and burning of the Böögg snowman (usually the third Monday of April); Zurich Marathon (usually April) |
| June | Zurich Pride (usually June) |
| July | Züri Fäscht — city festival with fireworks, held every three years (early July) |
| 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) |
| September | Long Night of Zurich Museums (usually early September); Knabenschiessen — youth shooting contest and funfair (usually the second weekend of September); Zurich Film Festival (late September to early October) |
| November | Christmas markets open (usually late November) |
| December | Christkindlimarkt in the main station hall (late November to 24 December); New Year's Eve fireworks over the lake (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–April and October–November, and the sights are quietest in January–March and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Zurich?
The best time to visit Zurich is June to September, when the lake and river baths are open, cruises run frequently and the city lives outdoors. May and early October are quieter and pleasant for walking. December brings Christmas markets, while January to March suits combining the city with skiing in the Alps.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Zurich?
Usually in January–April and October–November. Cold and often grey under low cloud, with occasional snow; good for museums and day trips up into the sunny mountains.
+What is the rainiest month in Zurich?
May, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Zurich get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).