Spring Travel to Switzerland: where to go and what to do
Late winter and early spring are said to be one of the best times to visit Switzerland. Here's a guide to festivals and special events in Switzerland in March, April, and May that you don't want to miss in 2023. Plus, you'll find the top places to visit in Switzerland during spring.
By Kamilė
Published: Feb 13, 2023 • min read
Spring in Switzerland is a time to rejoice as the severely cold temperatures of winter give way to bright, milder weather. Without the crowds and frigid temperatures, the season is excellent for outdoor sports, including hiking over the Alps. Some of the nicest towns to visit in Switzerland still have snow in early April. Others flourish into lush foliage and flowery vistas.
Spring brings with it a plethora of memorable Swiss experiences. This offers thawed hiking paths, water activities, and stunning landscapes to explore. On bright days, you may soak up the rays by strolling through one of the numerous parks or along the picturesque pathways that snake past forests and towns.
Weather in Switzerland in Spring:
- March. Mountainous locations like the Jungfrau Region may still have occasional snowfall in March. Temperatures in the winter range from -5°C to 6°C. In mid-March, the first spring blooms emerge in lower-altitude places like Zürich and Lugano. The temperature has risen somewhat, with averages of 9°C.
- April. In April, average daily temperatures vary from 10°C to 20°C. Temperatures in the mountains may still drop below zero degrees Celsius at night. Rainfall is expected around the country in April.
- May. The weather in May is mild and pleasant, with an average daytime temperature of 20°C. However, temperatures dip to roughly 7°C at night. There will be some rain.
Spring in Bern
Bern, the charming Swiss City, is home to several cultural and historical treasures. When you combine this with beautiful panoramic views of natural surroundings, you're in for an unforgettable journey.
There are many excellent things to do in Bern all year, even in the spring. Although the weather stays cool, there are fewer tourists, and you can explore most of the City's major attractions in a single day. A stroll along the turquoise Aare River will allow you to enjoy the City's distinct medieval vibe and beautiful ambiance. Many of the City's spectacular monuments, including the iconic Bear Pit, will be visible along the trip. You'll also pass through a substantial portion of Bern's famed Old City.
The Rosengarten is one of the nicest spots to spend a spring afternoon. The magnificent Japanese cherry trees in the park bloom from late March to mid-April. This picture-perfect setting and the breathtaking perspective of Bern's Old City make it a really unforgettable experience. In addition, the famed brown bears in Bern's bear park awaken from their hibernation beginning in mid-March.
Spring in Lugano
Lugano is a city in the Ticino region in southern Switzerland. The city's lifestyle is a unique combination of Swiss, Italian, and Mediterranean influences. It is well-known for its fairytale-like little towns and villages, such as Gandria and Morcote.
Lugano's spring temps are temperate and agreeable, allowing for pleasant hikes throughout town. Piazza Della Riforma, the city's major plaza in Mediterranean style, has marketplaces, arcades, and bistros. You may spend a leisurely afternoon here while enjoying the city's colorful, unique environment.
The glacial Lake Lugano is a popular outdoor attraction during the milder spring months. The lake is ideal for hikers since it is surrounded by stunning mountains and valleys. Swimmers, paddle boarders, and canoeists may all enjoy the lake's clean, clear water.
During the spring, the area experiences isolated thunderstorms. Therefore, if you plan outdoor activities in Lugano, check the weather ahead of time.
Spring in Zürich
Zürich, Switzerland's largest city, is an ideal spring trip. It has excellent weather and a variety of entertaining activities. There's something for everyone on its picturesque streets lined with lovely terraces, unique boutiques, festivals, and stunning gardens.
The yearly traditional festival Sechseläuten, held in mid-April, is a popular springtime event in Zürich. It's a beautiful way to commemorate the start of the spring season. A procession with guild members dressed in historical costumes, traditional music, horses, colorful banners, and floral displays takes place. The festival's climax is the traditional burning of the Böögg, in which an eleven-foot-tall snowman effigy is set alight at 6 p.m. This represents the end of winter, and the event concludes with a boisterous party and a fireworks show.
Lake Zurich offers an intriguing outdoor experience, with opportunities to walk, ride, or simply rest on the lakeside. It is also a bird watcher's heaven, with observation platforms in calmer sections. The lake is a great place to spend a sunny day with the family.
Spring in Montreux
Montreux is a lovely and affluent town set between rugged mountain ranges and Lake Geneva. It mixes breathtaking natural landscapes with an attractive urban lifestyle to create a distinct and energetic ambiance. While it is undoubtedly a wonderful trip in other seasons, it is adorable to witness Montreux springing up and displaying its most beautiful hues from spring onwards.
The six-mile-long Montreux Promenade is one of the city's most prominent attractions. This lakeside boardwalk is lined with spectacular displays of spring flowers, street entertainers, vendors, and beautiful vistas. This is really lovely in the late spring. Along the way, a larger-than-life bronze statue of Freddie Mercury is a popular rest stop and photo opportunity.
The ancient Château Chillon, located on the shores of Lake Geneva, is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval castles. The castle dates back to the 13th century and is a popular tourist destination. In addition, Montreux gets some rain in the spring. Thus the castle is ideal for wet days.
Spring in Lauterbrunnen and Mürren
Lauterbrunnen is a tiny settlement in the Bernese Alps' Jungfrau Region. It is an ideal place for nature enthusiasts and those seeking peace and tranquillity. The region's natural splendor is breathtaking, with lush green valleys, snow-capped mountain peaks, and waterfalls.
The globally famous Trümmelbach Falls is one of the area's most magnificent natural attractions. It is Europe's only subterranean falls, consisting of ten waterfalls concealed in the Lauterbrunnen Valley's mountains. It is closed over the winter and reopens in the spring. While visiting in the spring is enjoyable at any time of year, May and June are ideal owing to the pleasant weather conditions.
Hinteres Lauterbrunnental, the valley's bottom section, is an excellent spot for trekking and discovering nature. Many established routes will lead you through quiet waterfalls, lush forests, floral meadows (at least in late spring), mountain streams, and moorlands.
And if you go up to the charming town of Mürren, you'll find snow until the conclusion of the winter sports season in April. It is situated at 1638 meters above sea level at the foot of the Schilthorn summit. Murren is made up of a few streets lined with lovely buildings covered in winter (which lasts until mid-April) and decorated with brilliant flowers in the late spring and summer. Mürren is a wonderful postcard of Switzerland, especially with those mountains in the backdrop! Because Mürren is automobile-free, the only way to get there is by cable car or train - but the train trip is one of the most gorgeous in Switzerland, so you won't mind.
FESTIVALS in Switzerland, 2023
- International Jazz Festival in Bern. Marians Jazzroom is a concert venue that hosts two performances every day (excluding Sunday and Monday) from September until the end of May.
Marians (Jazzfestival-level) players are top talents on the international Jazz and Blues scene who are rarely seen or heard in such an intimate environment. Jazz, Gospel, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, and other genres are included in the weekly program.
The concerts begin at 7.30 p.m., conclude at 9.30 p.m. (10:00 p.m. on weekends), and run for 75 minutes. The second concert in the evening is frequently cheaper. Because seating is limited, we strongly advise you to purchase your ticket in advance.
Marians Jazzroom originally opened its doors in December 1992 and has since established itself as one of the world's top jazz clubs. It features world-class musicians in a comfortable setting at moderate costs.
The 48th International Jazz Festival Bern takes place from March 21st through May 27, 2023.
- Lucerne Spring Festival. Classical music luminaries from all over the world attend the event. The world's most renowned orchestras, great conductors, and brilliant soloists unite to celebrate a music festival in this exquisite setting located on Lake Lucerne in the heart of Switzerland.
Lucerne Spring Festival takes place from March 31st until April 2nd, 2023.
- Sechseläuten, Zürich (springtime festival culminating with burning of a snowman on Monday). Every year since 1991 - on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the Confederation - the central committee of Zurich's guilds has invited a canton to be a guest at the Sechseläuten in Zurich. The guest canton presents itself at the Lindenhof with an exhibition, a colorful entertainment program, and culinary specialties. In addition, the guest takes part in the children's parade and the parade of the guilds to the fire with their own delegation and traditional, typical parade motifs.
In 2023, the Canton of Schwyz will be a guest area at Zurich's Sechseläuten for the second time after 2003. With a careful selection of different elements, the Canton of Schwyz wants to present itself as a diverse region with a high quality of life, a powerful business location, and an attractive tourist region on the outskirts of Zurich.
Sechseläuten will take place in Zurich from April 14th through April 17th, 2023.
- Cheese festival in Gruyères. Numerous cheesemakers will be on hand this year for a cheese market in Rue du Bourg. Cheesemakers from the French-speaking section of Switzerland and from beyond the Sarine region are glad to welcome many craftspeople who round out the market with regional know-how.
The Cheese festival will be held in Gruyères on May 7th, 2023.
Early spring in Switzerland is also perfect for a last-minute ski vacation. Some of the world's top ski and snowboarding slopes are located in Switzerland. Every ski/snowboard season, hundreds of people visit the resorts spread around the nation. Check out the best ski resorts to stay at in Switzerland.
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