Short answer
August is high summer in Switzerland: the lowlands usually reach around 24°C (75°F), the lakes are at their warmest, and every high trail, pass road and glacier viewpoint is open. The month starts with the Swiss National Day on August 1, with bonfires and fireworks across the country, and Zurich's Street Parade follows on August 14, 2027. The first half is peak season; towards the end of the month, as Swiss schools go back, the mountains slowly get quieter.
On this page 8 sections
August is the month to see Switzerland at full summer strength. The snow has gone from all but the highest trails, the glaciers are fully visible, the lakes are as warm as they get, and the whole country celebrates its birthday on the first day of the month.
It's also high season. The Swiss summer holidays run into the middle or the end of the month, depending on the canton, and travelers from Europe and further afield arrive at the same time. Plan well, though, and August rewards you: long evenings, swimmable lakes and the best hiking conditions of the year.
August at a glance
| Early August (1–15) | Late August (16–31) | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Hot in the lowlands, storms in the Alps | Still warm, cooler nights |
| High trails | All open | All open, quieter |
| Lakes | Warmest of the year | Still warm enough to swim |
| Crowds | Peak | Easing as Swiss schools go back, canton by canton |
| Big events | National Day (Aug 1), Street Parade (Aug 14) | Lucerne Festival |
The weather
Around Zurich, Bern, Lucerne and Geneva, August highs are usually around 24°C (75°F), with nights around 14°C (57°F). Ticino, south of the Alps, is a few degrees warmer. Heat waves have become more frequent in recent summers, and on those days the best places to be are on a lake or high up.
In the mountains, every 1,000 m (3,300 ft) of altitude takes off about 6°C (11°F). A village like Zermatt or Grindelwald is pleasant for hiking, while the Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 m (11,332 ft), stays close to freezing. Thunderstorms often build over the peaks around midday and break in the afternoon.
Things to do in Switzerland in August
Celebrate the National Day on August 1
Switzerland's birthday is a public holiday across the country. Every village has its speech, its lanterns and its bonfire on a nearby hill, and fireworks go up after dark. Many farms serve a big farmers' brunch in the morning. On the evening of July 31, the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen traditionally host one of the biggest fireworks shows in the country. In 2027, August 1 falls on a Sunday.
Walk next to a glacier
August is the best month to see the glaciers, with no snow left on the ice. In the Aletsch Arena, in Valais, the cable cars from Fiesch, Bettmeralp and Riederalp take you to viewpoints above the Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Zermatt, the Gornergrat railway faces the Gorner Glacier and the Matterhorn.
Hike the high trails
All the classics are open: the Five Lakes Walk in Zermatt, the Bachalpsee hike above Grindelwald, the Oeschinensee and the Gemmi Pass. Our best hikes in Switzerland guide sorts them by level and region.
Swim in a lake
The big lakes are at their warmest in August. Zurich's lake and river baths, the Bains des Pâquis in Geneva and the lidos of Lucerne, Thun and Lugano are full of locals after work. Mountain lakes stay very cold, even now.
Catch a festival
Zurich's Street Parade, one of the largest techno events in the world, fills the lakeside on August 14, 2027. The Lucerne Festival's summer season of classical music usually runs from mid-August to mid-September at the KKL. In Ticino, the Locarno Film Festival screens films on a giant outdoor screen in the Piazza Grande; Ticino Tourism lists it for August 4–14, 2027, but the festival has studied a move to July, so confirm the dates.
Soak after
After a long hike, a thermal bath is just as welcome in summer, with outdoor pools open late into the evening. Leukerbad sits at the foot of the Gemmi Pass, and on Lake Lucerne, the mineral bath at Rigi Kaltbad is right on the trail. Compare prices in our thermal baths guide.
Walliser Alpentherme & Spa
Leukerbad · Valais
Why go: Indoor/outdoor thermal pools plus a Roman-Irish bath circuit.
Rigi Kaltbad Mineral Baths & Spa
Rigi Kaltbad · Lucerne
Why go: Mario Botta's mountain mineral bath at 1,440 m, reachable only by cogwheel train or cable car.
Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort
Bürgenstock · Nidwalden
Why we picked it: Clifftop resort with a 10,000 m² Alpine Spa and an infinity pool over Lake Lucerne.
See rates nearby →A 7-day plan for August
| Day | Base | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucerne | Arrive in Zurich, train to Lucerne (about 50 min), old town, evening swim |
| 2 | Lucerne | Boat to Vitznau, Rigi Kulm, walk down to Kaltbad, mineral bath |
| 3 | Grindelwald | Train via Interlaken (about 2.5 hours), First and Bachalpsee |
| 4 | Grindelwald | Jungfraujoch on an early train; afternoon in Lauterbrunnen |
| 5 | Fiesch | Train via Spiez and Brig (about 2.5 to 3 hours), cable car up to the Aletsch Glacier viewpoints |
| 6 | Zermatt | Train to Zermatt (about 2 hours), Five Lakes Walk |
| 7 | Zermatt | Gornergrat on an early train, then train to Zurich or Geneva to fly home (about 3 to 4 hours) |
In Zurich on August 14? Spend day 1 in the city for the Street Parade, and book your hotel early. For more ideas, see our Switzerland summer itinerary. The Swiss Travel Pass covers most trains and boats on this route and gives discounts on many mountain railways.
Where to stay
The best rooms in Zermatt, Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren go first in August, so book between January and March if you can. Cities are easier, but Zurich fills up on Street Parade weekend and Lucerne during the festival's opening days. Stay within walking distance of the station: you'll catch the first train up without stress.
Our guides to where to stay in Grindelwald, where to stay in Zermatt and where to stay in Lucerne compare the areas and hotels.
Our tips
- Go late in the month: Swiss schools go back between mid- and late August depending on the canton, and the trails get calmer week by week.
- Book the big days early: Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat slots, panoramic train seats and hotels on August 1 and Street Parade weekend.
- Pack for both seasons: swimsuit and sun hat for the lakes, a warm layer and a rain jacket for the mountains.
- Watch the afternoon sky: if clouds tower over the peaks by noon, head down.
Coming a month earlier? Read Switzerland in July. For the whole season, see Switzerland in summer, and for the month-by-month picture, the best time to visit Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time to visit Switzerland?
Yes. Everything in the mountains is open, the lakes are warm enough to swim and the days are long. It's also one of the two busiest and most expensive months, with July, so book mountain hotels months ahead. The second half of August is usually a little calmer.
What is the weather like in Switzerland in August?
Warm in the lowlands, with highs usually around 24°C (75°F) in Zurich, Bern and Geneva, and warmer in Ticino. Heat waves above 30°C (86°F) are more and more frequent. In the mountains, it's cooler, and afternoon thunderstorms are common, so hike in the morning.
What happens in Switzerland on August 1?
August 1 is the Swiss National Day, a public holiday across the country. Towns and villages light bonfires on the hills, set off fireworks and hang flags everywhere, and many farms serve a big 'farmers' brunch'. In 2027, it falls on a Sunday. The Rhine Falls traditionally hold a big fireworks show on the evening of July 31.
What events are there in Switzerland in August 2027?
The Swiss National Day on August 1, the Street Parade in Zurich on August 14, 2027, the Lucerne Festival's summer season of classical music from mid-August, and the Locarno Film Festival, listed by Ticino Tourism for August 4–14, 2027 (check the final dates on locarnofestival.ch).
Is Switzerland crowded in August?
The famous spots are, especially in the first half of the month: Jungfraujoch, the Gornergrat, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen and the Oeschinensee. Take the first lift of the day, book panoramic trains early, and add a quieter region like the Aletsch Arena, the Engadine or Ticino's valleys.
