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Best time to visit Zurich: month by month
Short answer
June to September is the best time, with highs of about 21–25°C and swimming in the lake and river. Spring and autumn are mild and often cheaper for hotels, except during trade fairs and conferences. Winter is cold, around 0–5°C, and often grey with fog, but the Alps are only an hour away for snow.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4°C | -2°C | 13 | medium |
| Feb | 8°C | -1°C | 11 | medium |
| Mar | 11°C | 1°C | 10 | medium |
| Apr | 13°C | 3°C | 13 | medium |
| May | 18°C | 8°C | 19 | high |
| Jun | 25°C | 14°C | 14 | high |
| Jul | 25°C | 15°C | 16 | high |
| Aug | 24°C | 15°C | 13 | very high |
| Sep | 21°C | 12°C | 11 | high |
| Oct | 17°C | 8°C | 10 | medium |
| Nov | 8°C | 3°C | 18 | low |
| Dec | 5°C | 0°C | 16 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 11°C in March to 18°C in May, with 10–19 rainy days; Sechseläuten in April marks the end of winter.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm, with highs of 24–25°C and lows of 14–15°C, but 13–16 rainy days; lake swimming, open-air bars and Street Parade in August.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from about 21°C in September to 8°C in November; September and October are calm and pleasant.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and often grey, with highs of 4–8°C and lows around 0°C; Christmas markets in the main station and old town.
Events worth planning around
- Sechseläuten, with the burning of the Böögg — April
- Street Parade — August
- Zurich Film Festival — late September to early October
- Christmas markets — late November to December
When to avoid
November and January to February are often grey and foggy. If you want lower prices, avoid Street Parade weekend and dates of big trade fairs and banking conferences.
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Common questions
When is the best time to visit Zurich?
June to September, with highs of about 21–25°C and lake swimming.
When is Street Parade in Zurich?
In August, usually on a Saturday, attracting huge crowds.
Is Zurich worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for the Christmas markets and day trips to the Alps, but it is cold and often grey.