Switzerland Weather in July 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

The low elevations in Switzerland have warm weather and about 12 days of rain. Two mountains capped with glaciers have conditions for skiing and other winter sports. At the low elevations, there is good weather for hiking, comfortable touring, and getting some sun.

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rainfall, places to go, and travel tips…

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Switzerland Weather in July: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 15–25°C (58–77°F)
• Total rain/snow: 13 cm (5 inches)
• Days with rain/snow: 12
• Humidity: 70%
• Sunshine hours/day: 8 hours

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July Climate Comparison (Averages) for Switzerland's Top Tourism Areas

Swiss weather is usually warm during the day in July at the low elevations where the biggest cities are, and sometimes it is hot. There are approximately 8 hours of sunlight and 15½ hours of daylight for enjoying outdoor activities and touring at low elevations.

Lower altitude: Below about 500 meters (1,600 feet) where the big cities such as Zürich, Lausanne, and Geneva are, you can expect a daily high averaging about 25°C (77°F), and you may feel hot in the sun. The average nightly lows are approximately 15°C (58°F).

Higher altitude: Above 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) where the ski resort towns and villages such as Zermatt are, the average daily highs are 20°C (67°F), and the lows are 8°C (47°F). The temperatures decrease the higher the elevation.

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The Best Places to Visit in Switzerland in July

Switzerland is in peak tourism season in July. Tourists enjoy the great natural beauty when it is warm or hot and enjoy the urban areas too. Some still venture up for winter sports at the highest peaks and stay in the resorts in the mountains.

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1. Zürich — See the Historic Sites and Nature in Spring

Zürich is the largest city, and it is one of the warmest areas of Switzerland in July. Zürich is in its peak tourism season and sees many visitors, especially since it has the main international airport, and it has the country's main railway hub. Hotel prices are about the highest in the year.

The average daily high temperatures, about 24°C (75°F), feel nice and warm under the 8 hours of sunshine. The UV radiation is high, so avoid getting sunburn. The average 71% humidity makes it feel like about 25°C (77°F).

When it isn't rainy, you could swim in Lake Zürich or bask along the shore and walk along it in the warm weather. Enjoy walking in the Old Town (Altstadt), which is designed for pedestrians to tour around in, and visit the monumental old buildings.

For more things to do, see visiting Switzerland in March.

2. Zernez — Hike in Swiss National Park with Warm Southern Breezes

Zernez is a tiny tourist town close to the Italian border that serves as the entrance point to Swiss National Park since there is bus service to the park area. It is the best place for accommodations for hiking excursions, and you might also use it for touring Austria.

Zernez is 2½ hours northeast of Lugano. There are a variety of accommodations including backpacker hostels. The elevation of the wilderness preserve ranges from 1,473 meters (4,833 feet) to 3,173 meters, and it covers 170 square kilometers (66 square miles).

An average of more than 6 hours of daily sunshine warms the area, and warm breezes from Italy provide extra warmth. The average daily highs in Zernez are about 62°F (17°C), and the lows are 43°F (6°C).

3. Grindelwald— See Panoramic Mountain Scenery in Grindelwald

Grindelwald is a large town at the foot of the Lütschental Valley at about the 1,050-meter (3,444-feet) level. It is convenient town to use as a base for excursions up Lütschental Valley and the adjacent Lauterbrunnen Valley. Trains or buses from Interlaken take about 35 minutes.

Grindelwald has a convenient train station and cable car lines that you can use to go high up to First and to other areas around Mürren, Gimmelwald, and Wengen. There are also parking places to park at, but other areas in the two valleys don't allow cars.

The average daily highs in July are 25°C (77°F). July is the month with the heaviest rainfall in this area, and there is a moderate 16 cm (6 inches) of rain. The public transportation and variety of accommodations make it a good place for backpackers and family tours.

For information about Interlaken and travel there, see visiting Switzerland in March.

For information about Lauterbrunnen Valley, see visiting Switzerland in June.

4. Lucerne — Rest and Recreate in a Historic and Scenic City

Lucerne is an option for staying near the center of Switzerland amid beautiful Alpine scenery. It is one of the smaller cities of Switzerland, and you can make excursions from there. It is at an elevation of 766 meters (2,513 feet), and the average daily highs are 25°C (77°F).

The high humidity of 71% makes the temperature feel slightly warmer, and there is an average of 7 hours of sunshine daily. There are about 13 days of rain. The rainfall is heavy and falls mainly in the afternoons. When it rains, you could stay in the Old Town to sightsee.

When the weather is nice, you could take a sightseeing boat for a cruise on Lake Lucerne. By the lake, you could visit Meggenhorn Castle or Rütli that is called the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation because a mutual defense pact was made there in 1291.

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Crowds and Costs for Traveling in July

The middle of summer is high tourism season in Switzerland. In the valleys around Interlaken, the crowds and prices decrease in the beginning of July and increase by August. Both the weather and the tourism is changeable and somewhat unpredictable.

It is the best season for outdoor activities. It is usually sunny and warm or hot in the low elevations. High humidity might make it feel hot, so people want to go out to the mountains. There are numerous hiking trails in the Alpes Vaudoises, the Bernese Oberland, or Graubünden.

Prices are highest for flights, touring, and hotels in June, July, and August.

Holidays: The various cantons set their own holidays and observances. There are no nationally celebrated holidays with a day off in July.

What to Wear in July

There is a big difference of daytime and nighttime temperatures, and the weather is unpredictable. Take a coat and rain gear and dress in layers to be ready for every circumstance.

Here is a packing list for a few essentials in Switzerland:

• Warm hat
• Sunhat
• Comfortable shoes with good traction
• Warm boots with good traction. You might wear them in-flight to travel lightly.
• Swimwear
• Summer clothes
• Cardigans or thermals
• Polarized glasses to reduce the glare.
• Universal adapter