When to go · Basel

Basel in January

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: 5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) / 0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C); average high / low
Rain days: 10
Crowds: Medium; Switzerland overall
Prices: High; Switzerland overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Basel

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (grey, damp); Art Basel week in June for hotel prices.

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

BaselHighs around 5 °C (41 °F), lows around 0 °C (32 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 41 °F (5 °C), lows around 32 °F (0 °C), rain on about 10 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.

Switzerland overall: Prime ski month with cold, clear days; Plateau cities foggy; WEF closes Davos mid-month.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Basel, side by side.

First month

Second month

January: 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.