When to go · Basel
Basel in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (grey, damp); Art Basel week in June for hotel prices.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) / 1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- High
- Switzerland overall
- Prices
- High
- Switzerland overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (grey, damp); Art Basel week in June for hotel prices.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- BaselHighs around 6 °C (43 °F), lows around 1 °C (34 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 43 °F (6 °C), lows around 34 °F (1 °C), rain on about 11 days
- Plateau cities, Switzerland · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernecool
Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas big impact
24–26 Dec · Switzerland
Shops closed 25–26 Dec; resort prices peak through New Year.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Switzerland overall
- High
- Prices · Switzerland overall
- High
Switzerland overall: Christmas markets (Basel, Zurich, Montreux) and ski season from mid-month; Christmas–New Year is the most expensive week.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Basel, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Feb: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Night low
Dec: 1 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1 °C)
Feb: 1 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 11
Feb: 9 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Feb: High
Prices
Dec: High
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Feb: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (grey, damp); Art Basel week in June for hotel prices.
February: Inside Basel's best window: May–Sep; also late Feb for Fasnacht.
Basel: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket