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Best time to visit Zürich

The best time to visit Zürich is August, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.

Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland

°C

mm

−10°0°10°20°30°40°
0100200300400500
  • Average daily high and low
  • Precipitation
  • Good month
  • Best month
  • Made good or best by an event
Average daily high and low temperature, average precipitation and each month's verdict
MonthAverage daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitationVerdict
January4.4 °C / 40 °F-0.3 °C / 31 °F101 mm / 4 inneither best nor good
February6.3 °C / 43 °F0 °C / 32 °F75 mm / 3 inneither best nor good
March10.4 °C / 51 °F1.9 °C / 35 °F93 mm / 3.7 inneither best nor good
April15 °C / 59 °F5 °C / 41 °F100 mm / 3.9 ingood month
May18.2 °C / 65 °F8.9 °C / 48 °F147 mm / 5.8 ingood month
June22.6 °C / 73 °F13.2 °C / 56 °F138 mm / 5.4 ingood month
July24.3 °C / 76 °F15.1 °C / 59 °F147 mm / 5.8 ingood month
August23.5 °C / 74 °F14.9 °C / 59 °F153 mm / 6 inbest month, for Street Parade. The weather alone makes it good.
September19.4 °C / 67 °F11.7 °C / 53 °F117 mm / 4.6 ingood month
October14.7 °C / 58 °F8.2 °C / 47 °F100 mm / 3.9 ingood month
November8.7 °C / 48 °F3.9 °C / 39 °F100 mm / 3.9 inneither best nor good
December5.1 °C / 41 °F0.7 °C / 33 °F110 mm / 4.3 inneither best nor good
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen

Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:

  • Daytime highs
  • Night-time lows
  • How warm it feels
  • Humidity
  • How much of the day is sunny
  • Hours of daylight
  • Monthly rainfall
  • How many days it rains
  • Days of heavy rain
  • Wind
  • Snowfall and days with snow
  • Major events, such as festivals

The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.

The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.

Best months by activity

Exploring outdoors

Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.

  1. JJanuary: neither
  2. FFebruary: neither
  3. MMarch: neither
  4. AApril: good
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: good
  7. JJuly: good
  8. AAugust: best
  9. SSeptember: good
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: neither
  12. DDecember: neither
Best
August
Good
April–July, September–October

Zürich never gets truly dry, sunny stretches for exploring: April through September are good despite frequent rain, August is lifted to best by the major Street Parade, and November through March are too cold, dim or wet to recommend.

Why these months

  • April · good

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 77%, feels like (high) 13.1 °C / 56 °F, average daily high 15 °C / 59 °F, relative humidity 69%, average daily low 5 °C / 41 °F.

    Against: wet days 12.8 days, precipitation 100 mm / 3.9 in, days with heavy rain 3.6 days.

    Also on: Sechseläuten, Zürich Marathon.

    Watch out for: Sechseläuten early closing.

  • May · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 17.3 °C / 63 °F, average daily high 18.2 °C / 65 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 71%, average daily low 8.9 °C / 48 °F, relative humidity 72%.

    Against: wet days 17.1 days, precipitation 147 mm / 5.8 in, days with heavy rain 5.4 days.

    Also on: Cycle Week.

  • June · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 23.1 °C / 74 °F, average daily high 22.6 °C / 73 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 73%, average daily low 13.2 °C / 56 °F, relative humidity 72%.

    Against: wet days 15.1 days, precipitation 138 mm / 5.4 in, days with heavy rain 4.8 days.

    Also on: Free live opera broadcast at Sechseläutenplatz, Pride, ZürichArt Weekend.

  • July · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 25.2 °C / 77 °F, average daily high 24.3 °C / 76 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 79%, average daily low 15.1 °C / 59 °F, relative humidity 71%.

    Against: precipitation 147 mm / 5.8 in, wet days 15.9 days, days with heavy rain 4.8 days.

    Also on: Caliente Festival.

  • August · best

    Good weather, made best by Street Parade.

    In its favour: feels like (high) 24.5 °C / 76 °F, average daily high 23.5 °C / 74 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 76%, average daily low 14.9 °C / 59 °F, relative humidity 75%.

    Against: precipitation 153 mm / 6 in, wet days 14.6 days, days with heavy rain 5.7 days.

    Also on: Dörflifäscht, Lethargy festival, Swiss National Day fireworks, Zürcher Theater Spektakel.

  • September · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 19.3 °C / 67 °F, average daily high 19.4 °C / 67 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, average daily low 11.7 °C / 53 °F.

    Against: precipitation 117 mm / 4.6 in, days with heavy rain 4.2 days, wet days 12.1 days, relative humidity 80%.

    Also on: Autumn colours on the Uetliberg, Food Zürich, Knabenschiessen, Long Night of the Museums, Zürich Film Festival.

    Watch out for: Knabenschiessen early closing.

  • October · good

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 71%, feels like (high) 13.7 °C / 57 °F, precipitation 100 mm / 3.9 in, average daily high 14.7 °C / 58 °F, average daily low 8.2 °C / 47 °F, wet days 12.1 days.

    Against: relative humidity 83%, days with heavy rain 3.6 days, sunshine per day 7.7 h.

    Also on: Autumn colours on the Uetliberg, DA Z digital arts festival, Zürich Film Festival.

Hiking and trekking

Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.

  1. JJanuary: neither
  2. FFebruary: neither
  3. MMarch: good
  4. AApril: good
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: good
  7. JJuly: good
  8. AAugust: good
  9. SSeptember: good
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: neither
  12. DDecember: neither
Good
March–October

For hiking, March through October in Zürich are consistently good -- cool to mild with long daylight despite frequent rain -- but no month is dry enough to call best, and November through February are too cold, dark and wet to climb in.

Why these months

  • March · good

    In its favour: average daily high 10.4 °C / 51 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 73%, daylight per day 11.9 h, average daily low 1.9 °C / 35 °F, feels like (high) 7.5 °C / 46 °F, wind (daily max) 11 km/h / 7 mph.

    Against: wet days 13.8 days, days with heavy rain 2.9 days, precipitation 93 mm / 3.7 in, sunshine per day 8.7 h.

    Also on: Cherry, plum and magnolia blossom, Fasnacht / Züri Carneval.

  • April · good

    In its favour: average daily high 15 °C / 59 °F, feels like (high) 13.1 °C / 56 °F, average daily low 5 °C / 41 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 77%, daylight per day 13.6 h, wind (daily max) 10 km/h / 6 mph.

    Against: wet days 12.8 days, days with heavy rain 3.6 days, precipitation 100 mm / 3.9 in.

    Also on: Sechseläuten, Zürich Marathon.

    Watch out for: Sechseläuten early closing.

  • May · good

    In its favour: average daily high 18.2 °C / 65 °F, feels like (high) 17.3 °C / 63 °F, average daily low 8.9 °C / 48 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 71%, daylight per day 15.1 h, wind (daily max) 10 km/h / 6 mph.

    Against: wet days 17.1 days, precipitation 147 mm / 5.8 in, days with heavy rain 5.4 days.

    Also on: Cycle Week.

  • June · good

    In its favour: average daily high 22.6 °C / 73 °F, average daily low 13.2 °C / 56 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 73%, daylight per day 15.9 h, feels like (high) 23.1 °C / 74 °F, wind (daily max) 10 km/h / 6 mph.

    Against: wet days 15.1 days, precipitation 138 mm / 5.4 in, days with heavy rain 4.8 days.

    Also on: Free live opera broadcast at Sechseläutenplatz, Pride, ZürichArt Weekend.

  • July · good

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 79%, daylight per day 15.5 h, average daily low 15.1 °C / 59 °F, wind (daily max) 9 km/h / 6 mph, feels like (high) 25.2 °C / 77 °F.

    Against: wet days 15.9 days, precipitation 147 mm / 5.8 in, days with heavy rain 4.8 days, average daily high 24.3 °C / 76 °F.

    Also on: Caliente Festival.

  • August · good

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 76%, daylight per day 14.2 h, average daily low 14.9 °C / 59 °F, feels like (high) 24.5 °C / 76 °F, wind (daily max) 9 km/h / 5 mph.

    Against: precipitation 153 mm / 6 in, days with heavy rain 5.7 days, wet days 14.6 days, average daily high 23.5 °C / 74 °F.

    Also on: Street Parade, Dörflifäscht, Lethargy festival, Swiss National Day fireworks, Zürcher Theater Spektakel.

  • September · good

    In its favour: average daily high 19.4 °C / 67 °F, feels like (high) 19.3 °C / 67 °F, average daily low 11.7 °C / 53 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, daylight per day 12.6 h, wet days 12.1 days, wind (daily max) 9 km/h / 5 mph.

    Against: days with heavy rain 4.2 days, precipitation 117 mm / 4.6 in.

    Also on: Autumn colours on the Uetliberg, Food Zürich, Knabenschiessen, Long Night of the Museums, Zürich Film Festival.

    Watch out for: Knabenschiessen early closing.

  • October · good

    In its favour: average daily high 14.7 °C / 58 °F, precipitation 100 mm / 3.9 in, feels like (high) 13.7 °C / 57 °F, average daily low 8.2 °C / 47 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 71%, wet days 12.1 days, daylight per day 10.9 h, wind (daily max) 9 km/h / 5 mph.

    Against: days with heavy rain 3.6 days, sunshine per day 7.7 h.

    Also on: Autumn colours on the Uetliberg, DA Z digital arts festival, Zürich Film Festival.

An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Oberholz - Farner, 31 km away.

Weather averages

Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Feels like (high) 1.5 °C3.3 °C7.5 °C13.1 °C17.3 °C23.1 °C25.2 °C24.5 °C19.3 °C13.7 °C6.7 °C2.5 °C
Days with heavy rain 3.6 days2.2 days2.9 days3.6 days5.4 days4.8 days4.8 days5.7 days4.2 days3.6 days3.6 days3.5 days
Time rain usually falls 5 am9 am9 am9 pm6 pm9 pm11 pm9 pm9 pm9 pm12 pm7 am
Sunshine per day 5.8 h7.1 h8.7 h10.5 h10.7 h11.6 h12.2 h10.8 h9.4 h7.7 h6.1 h5.2 h
Relative humidity 83%79%73%69%72%72%71%75%80%83%85%86%

Air quality

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–202513.9 µg/m³20.1 µg/m³16.4 µg/m³13.8 µg/m³13.6 µg/m³16.8 µg/m³15.2 µg/m³13.9 µg/m³11.7 µg/m³13.6 µg/m³14.7 µg/m³18.6 µg/m³
Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–202526.3 µg/m³35 µg/m³29.1 µg/m³23.1 µg/m³21.7 µg/m³25.3 µg/m³24.6 µg/m³21.4 µg/m³19.6 µg/m³22.5 µg/m³26.1 µg/m³34 µg/m³
  • Good 15 µg/m³ or less
  • Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
  • Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
  • Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
  • Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
  • Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³

Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.

Events and seasons

What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.

Reasons to go

  • Street Parade Major

    8–14 August, dates vary from year to year

  • Fasnacht / Züri Carneval

    February and March, dates vary from year to year

  • Cherry, plum and magnolia blossom

    March

  • Sechseläuten

    15–21 April, dates vary from year to year

  • Zürich Marathon

    April

  • Cycle Week

    May

  • ZürichArt Weekend

    June

  • Free live opera broadcast at Sechseläutenplatz

    June

  • Pride

    June

  • Caliente Festival

    July

  • Dörflifäscht

    August

  • Swiss National Day fireworks

    1 August

  • Zürcher Theater Spektakel

    August

  • Lethargy festival

    8–14 August, dates vary from year to year

  • Long Night of the Museums

    September

  • Food Zürich

    September

  • Zürich Film Festival

    September and October

  • Autumn colours on the Uetliberg

    September and October

  • Knabenschiessen

    9–15 September, dates vary from year to year

  • DA Z digital arts festival

    October

  • Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market)

    December

Worth knowing before you go

  • Sechseläuten early closing

    15–21 April, dates vary from year to year

  • Knabenschiessen early closing

    9–15 September, dates vary from year to year

Other places in Switzerland

Compare places month by month on the travel calendar

Monthly averages over 2006–2025, unless stated otherwise.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC-BY 4.0), generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information (ERA5). City data from GeoNames (CC-BY 4.0). Air quality from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and sea temperature from Météo-France / Copernicus Marine, both via Open-Meteo.com. Coastline from Natural Earth. Ski areas from OpenSkiMap.org, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Skimap.org. World Heritage sites from Wikidata (CC0), from the World Heritage List © UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Readership from Wikimedia pageview data (CC0). Destination classification derived from English Wikivoyage, © Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).