Switzerland in December

Christmas markets (Basel, Zurich, Montreux) and ski season from mid-month; Christmas–New Year is the most expensive week.

December is rated good. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatLifts reopen; wildflowers; high trails may still have snow until July. Art Basel mid-month.
• JulyGreatPeak hiking and lake swimming; Montreux Jazz Festival; book scenic trains and Zermatt early.
• AugustGreatNational Day on 1 August; Locarno Film Festival; river swimming in Bern, Basel and Zurich.
• SeptemberGreatClear, stable weather and fewer crowds; the best hiking month. Cattle come down from the pastures.

• Plateau cities · 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.

• 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, Lavauxcool

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

• Ticino · Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzonacool

  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 mcold

  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 mcold

  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 msnow

  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 mcold

  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 msnow

  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 mcold

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

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

  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 valleyscold

  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 upcold

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

• Graubünden: Davos / Prättigau · North-east valleyscold

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

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

  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 shorescool

  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 groundcold

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

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

  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 Bernardsnow

  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 mcool

  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 mcold

  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 mcold

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

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

  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 valleyscold

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

• Geneva5 °C (41 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
• Aarau3 °C (37 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Albinen-1 °C (30 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 7 rain days
• Andermatt-1 °C (30 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 5 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 5 rain days
• Appenzell3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Arosa0 °C (32 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 7 rain days
• Ascona8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 5 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 5 rain days
• Avenches4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Baden5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
• Basel6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain days
• Bellinzona7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
• Bern4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Biel4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Brig3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Brugg4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Brunnen3 °C (37 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Château-d'Œx3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 10 rain days
• Chur5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Crans-Montana-2 °C (28 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 6 rain days
• Davos1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 9 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 9 rain days
• Delémont5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Disentis3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 5 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 5 rain days
• Engelberg1 °C (34 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
• Falera0 °C (32 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 9 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 9 rain days
• Fiesch3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Flims3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Flüelen3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Fribourg4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Frutigen3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Gimmelwald2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Glarus4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Goldau3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Grindelwald2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Gruyères5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Gstaad3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
• Hermance6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 7 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 7 rain days
• Horgen4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Ilanz3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
• Interlaken4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Kandersteg2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 11 rain days
• Klosters2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Küssnacht4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• La Chaux-de-Fonds5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Laax3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 9 rain days
• Lausanne5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
• Lauterbrunnen2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Le Locle4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Lenzerheide2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 8 rain days
• Les Diablerets6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Leukerbad3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 7 rain days
• Leysin2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 10 rain days
• Liestal5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Locarno8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 7 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 7 rain days
• Lucens4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Lucerne5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Lugano8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 7 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 7 rain days
• Martigny4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Meiringen3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Montreux5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
• Mürren2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 9 rain days
• Murten4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Neuchâtel4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Nyon5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
• Pfäffikon4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Pontresina0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 8 rain days
• Porrentruy4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Rapperswil4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Rheinfelden5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
• Riederalp-Bettmeralp0 °C (32 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 6 rain days
• Romanshorn3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Saas-Fee0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 9 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 9 rain days
• Safiental2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Saint Gallen3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 11 rain days
• Saint-Maurice5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Saint-Ursanne4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Samedan3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Samnaun1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 5 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 5 rain days
• Sargans4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Schaffhausen4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Schwyz3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Scuol-1 °C (30 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 7 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 7 rain days
• Sierre6 °C (43 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Sion4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Solothurn4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Spiez3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• St. Moritz0 °C (32 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 7 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 7 rain days
• Stans3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Stein am Rhein4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Tenero7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
• Thun4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Tujetsch3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 10 rain days
• Uster6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 12 rain days
• Val Lumnezia4 °C (39 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Val Mesolcina3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Vals3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Verbier2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 9 rain days
• Vevey5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
• Villars-sur-Ollon3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Visp4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Weggis4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Wengen1 °C (34 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Winterthur4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Yverdon-les-Bains5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
• Zermatt1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 9 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 9 rain days
• Zug4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Zurich4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °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.

• Christmas big impact

  24–26 Dec

  Shops closed 25–26 Dec; resort prices peak through New Year.

• Escalade

  Around 11–12 December · Geneva

  Costumed parade and closed streets.

• Christmas markets check

  Late November to December · Geneva

  Stalls and crowds; higher hotel rates.

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.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• 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)

• Albinen

  Best months: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb

• Andermatt

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

• Arosa

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

• Baden

  Best months: May–Sep for river swimming and terrace cafés; Dec–Mar for the baths in cold weather

• Brienz

  Best months: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb

• Brig

  Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking and the Aletsch cable cars; Dec–Mar for skiing

• Chur

  Best months: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar

• Crans-Montana

  Best months: Dec–Mar for snow; Jun–Sep for hiking and golf

• Davos

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

• Disentis

  Best months: Dec–Mar for ski; Jun–Sep for hiking