Switzerland in July: Weather, What to expect, Travel Tips, Best places

As natural beauty goes, Switzerland is off-the-charts. The country is a paradise for outdoor adventures in summer. And breath-taking scenery is just the beginning. There is also local culture, art, and music festivals to immerse in during summer months in Switzerland.

The Swiss perfected train travel: you can go from glaciers to lakes and from mountains to cities with efficiency. Or you can take a road trip to soak in all the natural beauty. The Swiss Alps boast jaw-dropping vistas and provide unparallel experience, both in winter and summer. And even the cultured-filled cities have magnificent backdrops of mountains, lakes and rivers. If you are visiting Switzerland in July, this post covers the Switzerland weather in July, travel tips, best places to visit, and things to do in summer.

Weather in Switzerland in July

July is a great time to visit Switzerland. The weather is mild or warm, the mountain hiking trails are all open, and cities hold lively festivals. The summer season starts in late May and continues until September. July is the warmest month of the year. 

Temperature varies in the country as per altitude. In July, daily average temperatures of 15 – 25°C is possible at higher altitudes. But it’s not uncommon for lower-lying areas to reach highs of 95°F (35°C). Many travelers can find it quite hot in the cities. In mountain areas, peak summer season runs from June until August, when the weather is perfect, the trails are open and snow-free, long days, and everything is accessible.

What to wear in Switzerland in July

No summer trip to Switzerland would be complete without being outdoors. Rainfall is frequent in summer, and you should be prepared for it during outdoor activities. Layering is essential especially in cooler high altitude mountain areas. You have to be prepared for different outdoor activities and weather conditions, even in summer.

You can start your day with a light base-layer top and comfortable bottoms. But you must carry a warm fleece and a rain jacket in your day pack for outdoor activities. If you are the sorts who feels very cold, then a warm cap, gloves and warm socks will also be useful, in case the weather turns.

Good quality walking shoes are essential for Switzerland in July. And don’t forget sun protection in the mountains – sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. After a day of hiking or cycling or other activity, you would want to change into something casual, yet smart for dinner.

What to expect regarding crowds and cost 

Summer, along with winter, is the high season for tourism in Switzerland. Tourists and even locals escape the relative heat of the cities, so you will find mountain resorts pricey and crowded. Cities with their local cultural and music festivals also are not uncrowded. So expect high prices for hotels, train travels and tours all over the country.

Many higher-altitude hiking trails that had lingering snow in June will be clear by July. so it is always possible to get away from crowds in Switzerland by pursuing outdoor activities and off-the-beaten paths.

Best places to visit in Switzerland in July

Head to the mountains in July, where temperatures are cooler and conditions are best for spectacular views of the Alps. The Bernese Oberland region is a must on your Swiss trip. Any Bernese Oberland itinerary is mainly centred around Jungfrau region with its sky-high peaks, thundering waterfalls, and stunning glaciers. It spans two valleys that connect the town of Interlaken with the mountain villages of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.

Visit the thundering waterfalls: Rhine falls, Europe’s largest falls, is located in northern Switzerland. There is Trummelbach and Staubbach to be enjoyed in Lauterbrunnen valley.

Switzerland is home to 1500 lakes! Oeschinensee tops the list of stunning lakes. An hour away from Bern, this bright blue coloured lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. There is Lake Geneva, located in the French speaking part of Switzerland. Geneva and Laussane are 2 large towns located on its shores. There is Lake Brienz, nestled in the heart of the country, surrounded by majestic mountains. You can also head to Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore on Switzerland’s southern border and get treated to a slice of Italy.

There are gorgeous alpine resorts, famous for skiing in winter, equally charming in summer. Zermatt in the Swiss Alps tops the list. The Matterhorn here is the most visited peak in Switzerland.  Eastern Switzerland is famous for Appenzell Alps, great for hiking and beautiful landscapes. There is the Italian part of Switzerland, Ticino regions with its charming Italian villages.

Summer is the best time to visit Switzerland’s castles and chateaus, the gardens are in full bloom. Head for Lake Thun, at the foot of the Bernese Alps, for viewing Spiez Castle and Hünegg Castle. Scenically plonked on an island near Montreux is Chateaux de Chillon, Switzerland’s pin-up castle. You get stunning views of Lake Geneva and the French Alps from here. Perched on a hilltop in the Pre-Alps, Château de Gruyères Is a  13th-century castle worth visiting. There is the Palais de Rumine & Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts in Laussane to visit. 

Enjoy the local culture in cities: Bern is the capital of Switzerland and has a well-preserved old town. The jewel of the city’s medieval heart is the clock tower. You are likely to fly in and out of Zurich, the financial capital. Zurich has a mix of modern and old cultural heritage. When you’re travelling between Bern and Zürich, make sure you get to spend some time in the city of Lucerne. It is located on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The Chapel Bridge in Lucerne is also the country’s most impressive historic bridge. The elegant university city of Lausanne makes for an excellent base for travels within Switzerland.

Things to do in Switzerland in summer

Hiking

There are over 65000 km of marked trails in Switzerland. You can find hiking trails of all kinds and for all levels: high altitude trails that open up in late June, river walks, and easy trails perfect with kids.

Cycling

Switzerland is a paradise for road cycling plus mountain biking. Unspoiled scenery, great roads, signposted cycling routes, what more can you ask for? 

Adventure Sports

Switzerland offers so many different water sports. Rafting, canoeing, stand-up paddling, kayaking, and sailing: it is all on offer during summer months. There is paragliding in different spots, Grindelwald is a great place to try it out.

Swimming and cruising on the lakes

Switzerland has numerous rivers and lakes, perfect for wild swimming. Many lakes are worth a day trip, with amenities for a safer and more enjoyable adventure. You can also cruise on these beautiful lakes: Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne offer numerous boating options inn summer months. 

Enjoy scenic train journeys

Swiss train travel gives you stunning scenery and clockwork timing. We took the Kleine Scheidegg, a short train ride to the ‘Top of Europe’. Jungfraujoch is the highest train station in the world. 

There are other scenic short train rides like the one from Zermatt to Gornergrat, and from Lausanne to Montreux. There are much longer iconic train rides like the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. The Glacier Express connects the two major mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz. The Bernina Express connects Chur in Switzerland to Poschiavo in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy by crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps.

Enjoy cheese and chocolate

Summertime is perfect for dining al fresco in Switzerland. Some of the world’s best chocolate makers come from this country. If you are visiting Switzerland with your kids, take them to the Swiss Chocolate Adventure in Lucerne. This multimedia attraction shows the journey of a humble cocoa bean to one of the best chocolates in the world. Families can also hop aboard The Chocolate Train that runs between Montreux and the Cailler-Nestlé chocolate factory at Broc. And how can your Switzerland trip be complete without consuming loads of cheese?

Events and Festivals in Switzerland in July

Montreaux Jazz Festival: The town of Montreaux on the shores of Lake Geneva celebrates all things jazz for 2 weeks in early July. This is the second-biggest jazz festival in the world.

Festival de la Cité: Lausanne and its historic district swing to the rhythms of Festival de la Cité. The programme in early July combines theatre performances with music, dance, circus and installations.

Gurten Festival: Every July, nearly 80,000 music lovers make the pilgrimage to the legendary Gurtenfestival. Fans of modern pop, rock, and R&B will want to grab tickets for this open-air festival in Bern.

International Alphorn Festival: This festival in the Valais region celebrates Swiss folk music and dance. It is a fantastic opportunity to be plunged into a world of folklore and traditions. It’s held in late July.

Summary: Pros and Cons of visiting Switzerland in July

Have I convinced you to visit Switzerland in July? We had a lovely vacation here and you will too. 

Planning a trip to Switzerland?

Start with a 5-day Bernese Oberland Itinerary

Check out Family Friendly Things To Do In Switzerland, Easy Day Hikes in Jungfrau

Do read One day in Grindelwald

______________________

Pin it for later!

______________________

Have you visited Switzerland? Which season would you would recommend for a trip here? Share with us in the comments below.

Subscribe to Zest In A Tote Digest, my monthly newsletter, for travel tips and inspiration.

Join me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook as I share my travel experiences.