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Best Times To Visit Zurich
The best time to visit Zurich is between June and September, when average temperatures, which hover in the high 70s, make lake and river swimming possible. December, January and February (the winter offseason), see hotel rates spike due to the city's proximity to the Swiss Alps' ski slopes. Springtime is colorful and festive, and the period from March to May often surprise visitors with its temperate weather and reasonable room rates. October and November are gray due to nebelmeer season, when fog fills the valleys all over the alps.
Weather in Zurich
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center
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| September-November | This shoulder season can be foggy and cold, with average temperatures ranging from the low 50s to mid-60s in September to the mid-30s to mid-40s in November (when the first snowfall is often anticipated). But if you're willing to brave autumn's cooler temperatures, you may find a good deal on your accommodations. Plus, if you time your visit for October, you'll be able to take admire the brilliant fall foliage that blankets the city and Uetliberg. Key Events:
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| December-February | Winter is a mixed season. Because the nearby Swiss Alps beckon to skiers and snowboarders, hotel prices remain relatively high. Christmas, with the city's many convivial Christmas markets, is a miniature peak season, which helps drive room rates up. Along with a warm coat, make sure to bring your hats, scarves and mittens. Despite its proximity to the mountains, Zurich is not as frigid as people think, with garden zones on par with North Carolina, and average temperatures dipping into the 30s and 20s starting in December. Key Events:
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| March-May | Spring gets going early in Switzerland, with wildflower blooms starting as early as late February. This is another shoulder season where you might find lower hotel rates. Though the start of the season features temperatures in the mid-40s to mid-50s, by mid-March, you could catch some days with temps that rise into the 70s, and there are increasingly random spring days with temps peaking above the 80s. May can be one of Zurich's wettest months of the year, so if you time your visit during this month, remember to pack an umbrella. Key Events:
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| June-August | Average highs hover between the high 70s and mid-80s during Zurich's summer season, making this time of year a prime time to get outdoors and explore the area. Locals head outside in droves to attend summer's ample festivals and enjoy swimming and sailing in Lake Zurich. As such, room rates are at their highest in June, but there are many deals in July and August, so book your accommodations several months in advance. Also, keep in mind that summer is prone to intense alpine rain showers and hail, so you'll want to keep an umbrella handy. Key Events:
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Popular Times to Visit Zurich
Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.
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