Here's Why Switzerland Is Better In The Summer

Switzerland comes to mind quickly as a great winter destination, with its world-class ski resorts and incredible mountain scenery. However, it’s not to be counted out as a summer destination, so here’s a few reasons why.

The weather is (mostly) great

Switzerland may be landlocked and missing the cool beachfronts of its Mediterranean neighbours, but the mercury can climb just as high at the peak of summer in certain places. If you go to high altitude the temperatures will plummet, but throughout most of the country there is a nice average of 18 to 29 °C (65° – 82° F) from July to August. However, it often rises beyond the 30°C mark during particularly hot summers.

Cool down in some of Europe’s most spectacular lakes

What it is missing in seafronts, Switzerland makes up for in lakefronts. It’s home to an estimated 7000 or so lakes, many of which are spectacularly beautiful. In the summer months, you can enjoy plenty of water sports or just go for a dip to cool off.

Adventure sports abound

All those fantastic mountains, rivers and gorges make for an exciting prospect to get your blood pumping. Mountain climbing, skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning; you name it and you’ll find it in Switzerland. If you’re looking for a summer vacation with a little more adrenaline included, Switzerland may well be for you. One of the best spots to indulge your adventurous side is Interlaken, which boasts an outdoor adventure playground that can cater to pretty much any desire whether that’s in the air, on the ground or in water.

It’s got great festivals

Switzerland comes alive in summer. The Montreux Jazz Festival lasts for two weeks in a picturesque setting along Lake Geneva while the week-long Paléo regularly features some of the biggest names as headliners on its five stages. Other great events include Zurich Open Air in August and the Geneva Lake Parade, a massive techno/electro party that brings in around 100,000 visitors every year at the beginning of July.

Swiss National Day

Hot on the back of all those great festivals is one gigantic fiesta in Swiss National Day on 1st of August. In all of the major cities, (Bern, Zurich, Geneva and Lugano) there are massive fireworks displays and bonfires as thousands of people celebrate. In the run up to the day, there are also events held across the country.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.