9 Reasons Why You Should Go to the Swiss Alps This Summer
The Swiss summer shouldn’t be slept on. Despite the later summer months—think: July and August—figuring as peak season in this region, most people still associate the snowy Swiss Alps with its other annual peak: December and January's winter holiday period. Because sure, everyone wants to ski in Switzerland!
But you can still ski in summer—and plenty more besides, from hiking across sun-drenched slopes to sampling the best Swiss wines. Because once the warm, Mediterranean temperatures creep in from the south and cultural events kick off across the mountains, summer in the Swiss Alps is a veritable adventurer’s playground. Here’s why you shouldn’t dismiss Switzerland as a holiday destination during the summer months.
1. There’s no better place to hike and bike
You can easily get adventurous in the Alps over summer—without strapping on a pair of skis.
There’s more to a Swiss Alps vacation than skiing, thanks to moderate summer temperatures bringing the ideal conditions to explore hiking trails or go on a bike ride. Check out the First Cliff Walk, an elevated walkway high above Grindelwald, which treats intrepid explorers to unparalleled views across the Bernese Oberland.
Alternatively, for family-friendly hiking trails, go to the Üetliberg above Zurich or into the Lauterbrunnen Valley, known for its many waterfalls that glisten in the summer sunshine. And to get around even faster, try e-bike tours that let you explore Switzerland’s undulating landscape, as you zip between picturesque villages tucked beneath the Alpine peaks.
2. You can cool off in Alpine waters
Nothing's more refreshing than taking a dip in the lake during a Swiss summer.
Not every Alpine excursion needs to be land-based, and when better than the summer months to cool off in and on the region’s blue lakes and rivers? The Staubbach Falls, Trümmelbach Falls, and Seerenbach Falls make for picture-perfect picnic spots, while Interlaken serves as a gateway for water-based adventures such as stand-up paddleboarding and boat rides.
Other summer-y things to do on the water in the Swiss Alps include lake kayaking, white-water rafting, or simply savoring a quintessentially Swiss apéro on a sunset cruise.
Insider tip: Thanks to its temperate climate, the Verzasca Valley, located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, is another popular option for free swimming and sightseeing in Ticino.
3. Summer is Swiss wine time
The wine scene in Switzerland looks even better when it’s sunny, after all.
One of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets is its wine scene. Across Valais, Vaud, Grisons, and Ticino, the Alpine foothills are put to excellent use as vineyards, and beneath the summer sunshine, the produce ripens to its best.
Add a wine tour to your Swiss Alps vacation itinerary—it's a great way to discover wineries in their rural settings, as well as enjoy tastings without the worry of driving home afterward, either. Options abound from Montreux and Maienfeld, to Martigny and beyond.
4. Festivals flourish across the country
Switzerland in summer is a culture lover’s dream, with plenty of local events to attend.
From the International Alphorn Festival, which kicks off in July, to the annual Swiss Cow Parade, which closes off the summer as the cows are brought home, there’s a wealth of cultural events to experience during the summer months in Switzerland. For example, Gauklerfest, a kid-friendly weekend of street performances which occur at various times during the summer in medieval towns such as Interlaken and Lucerne.
Then there's the Swiss Federal Yodeling Festival, the world’s largest yodeling festival that takes place every three years—the next one is set for Basel in June 2026—and the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival in July in Lake Geneva. Finally, Swiss National Day is celebrated across the country every August 1.
5. You’ll get great views from Alpine railways
Summer scenery in the Swiss Alps is best seen from a train window.
Scenic railways are a great way to soak up Switzerland’s snow-capped peaks and valleys, especially in summer. The GoldenPass Panoramic Express whisks you between Montreux and Lucerne—via Interlaken and Zweisimmen—and is better known as the gateway to Gstaad.
To the south, the Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz, traversing high viaducts and mountain passes along the way. From St. Moritz, the Bernina Express cuts through the Engadin Alps, all the way to Tirano in Italy.
6. Driving Alpine passes is an option
Take on high-altitude routes that aren't accessible in winter due to the snow.
One major benefit of visiting the Swiss Alps during summer is that many Alpine passes are accessible, which is not always guaranteed in winter. In fact, many of the higher routes are only open from around June to September, depending on that year’s weather conditions. Again, this makes summer a great time to visit if you love a good view or want to take a road trip around the region.
Standout routes include the high-altitude, switchback-heavy Furka Pass—which was used as a location in the Bond film Goldfinger and extends for about 18 miles (30 kilometers)—and the Great St. Bernard Pass, the highest and oldest functioning pass of its kind in the Alps.
7. You can see the wildflowers in bloom
Early summertime in the Swiss Alps is the best time to see the region's wildflowers flourish.
As in most places around the world, summer sees seasonal blooms. In the Swiss Alps, this means that the late-spring and early-summer seasons are the best time to really see the fields, mountains, and valleys come to colorful life thanks to blossoming florals that flutter sweetly in the breeze.
Catching the wildflowers right as they’re at their peak is an art in and of itself though, so prepare for a grade of disappointment if your visit is scheduled for later in the summer months. By August, the flowers will likely be gone for the year.
8. You can try family-friendly activities aplenty
There are lots of ways to enjoy the Swiss Alps as a family when the weather warms up.
Swiss people don’t ski all the time, and most Swiss families even less so. When the snow on Mont Blanc and other mountains melts, they find alternative ways to make the most of the Alpine landscape. Toboggan runs, cable cars, and high rope courses are popular things to do in Switzerland in the summer, while those looking for a lower level of adventure can try wellness retreats or outdoor art classes.
Outdoor grills are the real staple of the Swiss summer for families, though, but if you’re only here once, don’t miss the opportunity to sample the famous fondue (and more).
Related: The Fon-Do's and Don'ts of Eating Fondue in Switzerland
9. Skiing is still possible, even in summer
You don’t have to shuck off the snow boots just yet, we promise.
However, if your heart is set on skiing in Switzerland, there are options even at the height of summer in the Swiss Alps. High-altitude slopes such as Zermatt and Saas-Fee enjoy year-round snow, so you can book lessons or show off your chops on the easy, medium, and difficult runs of the Zermatt-Matterhorn Ski Paradise resort.
And don’t miss Snowpark Zermatt, either—it’s one of the best places to visit in Switzerland in summer and is where world-leading freestylers and snowboarders get in their practice runs without the winter crowds.
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