Switzerland in August

National Day on 1 August; Locarno Film Festival; river swimming in Bern, Basel and Zurich.

No other month rates higher than August for Switzerland in this guide.

• Plateau cities · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernebest weather

  Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.

• Bernese and central Alps · Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelbergbest weather

  Skiing late December to early April ('best' in winter means snow); hiking late June to early October. Afternoon storms in July–August.

• Valais and Engadin · Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritzbest weather

  The sunniest and driest Alpine valleys; high resorts keep snow into April. Lifts close in May and November.

• Lake Geneva · Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavauxbest weather

  Mild; the bise wind makes winter days raw. Grape harvest in Lavaux late September–October.

• Ticino · Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzonahot

  Warmest region with palm trees; heavy rain possible in autumn. The Gotthard base tunnel puts it 2 h from Zurich.

• Bern Region: Bern / Solothurn / Biel · Mittelland plateau, 430–550 mhot

  Plateau summers reach 30 °C (86 °F)+; winter often sits near 0 °C (32 °F) with fog that clears above about 800 m. Rain falls year-round — pack a shell.Plateau summers reach 86 °F (30 °C)+; winter often sits near 32 °F (0 °C) with fog that clears above about 800 m. Rain falls year-round — pack a shell.

• Bernese Highlands: Valley floors (Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen) · 550–800 mhot

  Rain falls year-round; June–August afternoons can reach 30 °C (86 °F).Rain falls year-round; June–August afternoons can reach 86 °F (30 °C).

• Bernese Highlands: High villages and lifts (Wengen, Mürren, Jungfraujoch) · 1,000–3,500 mbest weather

  Snow above about 2,000 m from November to May; the Jungfraujoch is below freezing most of the year.

• Central Switzerland: Lucerne and the lake · Vierwaldstättersee shore, 430–500 mhot

  Lake-effect cloud and afternoon thunderstorms in July–August; Föhn winds can push spring temperatures up fast.

• Central Switzerland: Engelberg and Titlis · 1,000–3,000 mbest weather

  Snow on the glacier year-round; the village sees reliable snow December–March.

• Eastern Switzerland: Lake Constance shore (Romanshorn, Stein am Rhein) · lake level, 400 mhot

  Mild and often foggy in November–January; summer thunderstorms build in the afternoon.

• Eastern Switzerland: Appenzell and Glarus hills · 700–1,200 mbest weather

  Higher and wetter than the lake; snow can sit on the upper trails into April.

• Graubünden: Chur / Rhine valley · Canton capital and the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein valleyshot

  Lowest and mildest part of the canton; valley heat in July–August, snow rare on the floor.

• Graubünden: Engadin / St. Moritz · High valley in the south-east, 1,800 m and upbest weather

  High and dry; cold nights even in summer, reliable snow December–March, long sunny days.

• Graubünden: Davos / Prättigau · North-east valleysbest weather

  Ski season December–April; summer hiking from June; afternoon storms in July–August.

• Northwestern Switzerland: Basel and the Rhine valley · city and river plainhot

  Warmest corner of Switzerland in summer, with 30 °C (86 °F)+ days in July–August; rain spread through the year. The Jura foothills above Liestal run a few degrees cooler and can hold snow into spring.Warmest corner of Switzerland in summer, with 86 °F (30 °C)+ days in July–August; rain spread through the year. The Jura foothills above Liestal run a few degrees cooler and can hold snow into spring.

• Ticino: Lakes (Lugano, Locarno, Ascona) · Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore shoreshot

  Mildest part of Switzerland; April–June and September–October are the sweet spots. August is hot and busy, especially around the Locarno film festival.

• Ticino: Valleys and mountains (Verzasca, Maggia, Monte San Giorgio) · Inland valleys and higher groundbest weather

  Higher trails open roughly May–October; snow and closed passes in winter.

• Valais: Rhone valley (Sion) · Valley floor, about 480 mhot

  One of the driest, sunniest parts of Switzerland; summer can hit 35 °C (95 °F), and long dry spells bring forest fires every few years.One of the driest, sunniest parts of Switzerland; summer can hit 95 °F (35 °C), and long dry spells bring forest fires every few years.

• Valais: High resorts and passes · Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Great St Bernardbest weather

  Snow from November to April; the Great St Bernard Pass sits near 2,470 m and is a winter route by ski or helicopter only.

• Western Switzerland: Lake Geneva shore (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux) · Lakeside plateau, 370–400 mhot

  Mild and the driest part of the region; lake breezes temper July heat. Vineyard terraces are best walked April–October.

• Western Switzerland: Jura (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Delémont) · Jura mountains, 700–1,100 mbest weather

  About 5 °C (9 °F) cooler than the lakeshore and snowbound December–March; watch-town visits work year-round but winter days are short.About 9 °F (5 °C) cooler than the lakeshore and snowbound December–March; watch-town visits work year-round but winter days are short.

• Western Switzerland: Fribourg Alps (Gruyères, Château-d'Œx) · Pre-Alps, 750–1,500 mbest weather

  Hiking June–September; ski stations in the Vaud Alps run December–March.

• Zurich Region: Zurich city and lake · Canton of Zurich, lake basinhot

  Lake swimming peaks July–August; foehn winds can push winter days above 10 °C (50 °F), then drop back below freezing.Lake swimming peaks July–August; foehn winds can push winter days above 50 °F (10 °C), then drop back below freezing.

• Zurich Region: Aargau and Zug lowlands · Aare and Zug lake valleyshot

  Slightly warmer and less windy than the city; similar rain pattern.

• Geneva26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 9 rain days
• Aarau25 °C (77 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 7 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 7 rain days
• Albinen24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain days
• Andermatt20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Appenzell24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
• Arosa20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 12 rain days
• Ascona27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
• Avenches26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 8 rain days
• Baden25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 11 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 11 rain days
• Basel25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 11 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 11 rain days
• Bellinzona27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 10 rain days
• Bern24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 11 rain days
• Biel25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 10 rain days
• Brig24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 10 rain days
• Brugg27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 7 rain days
• Brunnen24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 11 rain days
• Château-d'Œx21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 11 rain days
• Chur24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 13 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 13 rain days
• Crans-Montana24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 8 rain days
• Davos19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 13 rain days
• Delémont25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 11 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 11 rain days
• Disentis24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 9 rain days
• Engelberg21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 6 rain days
• Falera22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 8 rain days
• Fiesch25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain days
• Flims26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 8 rain days
• Flüelen24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain days
• Fribourg24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 10 rain days
• Frutigen24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain days
• Gimmelwald19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 13 rain days
• Glarus26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 8 rain days
• Goldau24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 7 rain days
• Grindelwald20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Gruyères25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 6 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 6 rain days
• Gstaad22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 7 rain days
• Hermance27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 9 rain days
• Horgen24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain days
• Ilanz24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 5 rain days
• Interlaken24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain days
• Kandersteg21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Klosters21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 13 rain days
• Küssnacht26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 5 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 5 rain days
• La Chaux-de-Fonds25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 7 rain days
• Laax21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Lausanne25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 10 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 10 rain days
• Lauterbrunnen20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Le Locle24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 7 rain days
• Lenzerheide20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Les Diablerets26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
• Leukerbad25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain days
• Leysin19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 11 rain days
• Liestal26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 6 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 6 rain days
• Locarno27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 10 rain days
• Lucens27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
• Lucerne24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 13 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 13 rain days
• Lugano27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 10 rain days
• Martigny25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 10 rain days
• Meiringen22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 12 rain days
• Montreux25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 10 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 10 rain days
• Mürren19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Murten24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 7 rain days
• Neuchâtel24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 10 rain days
• Nyon26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
• Pfäffikon24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 13 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 13 rain days
• Pontresina22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 8 rain days
• Porrentruy27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 8 rain days
• Rapperswil24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain days
• Rheinfelden25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 7 rain days
• Riederalp-Bettmeralp22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 11 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 11 rain days
• Romanshorn25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 8 rain days
• Saas-Fee18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 11 rain days
• Safiental25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 11 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 11 rain days
• Saint Gallen23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 13 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 13 rain days
• Saint-Maurice27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 6 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 6 rain days
• Saint-Ursanne27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 12 rain days
• Samedan27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 5 rain days
• Samnaun20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Sargans27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 12 rain days
• Schaffhausen24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 11 rain days
• Schwyz24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 9 rain days
• Scuol21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 8 rain days
• Sierre27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 7 rain days
• Sion27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
• Solothurn25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 10 rain days
• Spiez24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain days
• St. Moritz18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 11 rain days
• Stans24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 5 rain days
• Stein am Rhein25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 6 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 6 rain days
• Tenero27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 4 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 4 rain days
• Thun24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 11 rain days
• Tujetsch24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 3 rain days
• Uster26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 5 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 5 rain days
• Val Lumnezia26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
• Val Mesolcina25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
• Vals22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 8 rain days
• Verbier19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 10 rain days
• Vevey26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
• Villars-sur-Ollon22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 12 rain days
• Visp24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Weggis24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 12 rain days
• Wengen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 13 rain days
• Winterthur24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain days
• Yverdon-les-Bains25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
• Zermatt20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 11 rain days
• Zug24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain days
• Zurich24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 11 rain days

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.

• Swiss National Day

  1 Aug

  Fireworks, bonfires and brunches on farms; some shops closed.

Crowds · Switzerland

High

Prices · Switzerland

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

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

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Plateau cities

  Best weather of the year (Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne)

• Bernese and central Alps

  Best weather of the year (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelberg)

• Valais and Engadin

  Best weather of the year (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritz)

• Lake Geneva

  Best weather of the year (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavaux)

• Geneva

  Aug 1 National Day; heat some years.

• Aarau

  Best months: May–Sep

• Albinen

  Best months: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb

• Andermatt

  Best months: Dec–Mar for skiing, Jun–Sep for hiking and mountain‑bike trails

• Appenzell

  Best months: Apr–Oct

• Arosa

  Best months: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking)

• Ascona

  Best months: May–Oct

• Avenches

  Best months: May–Sep