Switzerland is a country of incredible destinations worth visiting at any time of the year.
If you plan to visit the country during the winter months, here are suggestions for things to do, weather information, hotel tips, etc.
Things to do in Switzerland in Winter
1. Practice Winter Sports
Photo Credit: Fabian Schneider
St. Moritz, Zermatt, Davos, Flumserberg, Gstaad, Jungfrau, Grindelwald are some popular winter destinations in Switzerland for skiing, snowboarding, and other activities.
2. Visit a Christmas Market
Photo Credit: Mermaid
Switzerland has beautiful Christmas markets, especially in the cities of Zurich, Lausanne, Baden, Geneva, Lucerne, Lugano, Montreux, Chur, and Biel.
3. Explore the Historic Center of Major Swiss Cities
Photo Credit: Will Roberts
Several Swiss cities have a historic center with narrow streets, beautiful buildings, little shops, and cafes that are a charm during the cold winter months.
Also read: 10 Options for Cheap Hotels in Zurich | 3-Day Tour in Zurich: Detailed Information and Map
4. Travel on a Panoramic Train
Photo Credit: Victor He
Switzerland is a country famous for its railway system, and taking a train ride in winter is also a must.
5. Taste Swiss Cuisine
Photo Credit: Crans Ambassador
Swiss cuisine has delicious dishes like fondue, raclette, rösti potatoes, Swiss cheese, and chocolates that you can’t help but try.
6. Stay in a Spectacular Hotel
Photo Credit: Hotel Villa Honegg
Switzerland is also known for its hotels and impeccable service. Enjoy staying in a hotel with a heated outdoor pool and relax.
7. Visit the Top of Europe
Photo Credit: Kuiye Chen
The Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe ) is one of Switzerland‘s top tourist attractions.
From the observatory, you will have breathtaking views of the mountains and landscape.
8. Visit one of its Excellent Museums
Lindt Home of Chocolate – Photo Credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel
Switzerland is home to world-class museums such as the Lindt Home of Chocolate, the FIFA Museum, the Swiss National Museum, the Geneva Museum of Art and History, the Bern Museum of History, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, and many others.
9. Go Shopping for Swiss Chocolates and Cheese
Photo Credit: Jessica Loaiza
On your shopping list, you can’t miss Swiss chocolates and Swiss cheeses that you can find in the country at excellent prices.
10. Enjoy the Swiss Winter Landscapes
Photo Credit: Joel & Jasmin Førestbird
Switzerland‘s landscape of lakes and mountains is breathtaking, so take a moment to enjoy the snow-white view.
What Winter is like in Switzerland
Photo Credit: Crans Ambassador
Switzerland has old winters with December, January, and February having the lowest temperatures. Check below the average temperature during the winter in some of the country’s main destinations.
It is common for it to snow mainly in January, February, and March in Switzerland. But it can also snow from October to April.
- Zurich – Average Low Temperature -2°C and Average High Temperature 6°C
- Geneva – Average Minimum Average Temperature -1°C and Average Maximum Temperature 5°C
- Lausanne – Average low temperature -3°C and average high temperature 4°C
- Interlaken – Average low temperature -3°C and average high temperature 4°C
- Lugano – Average Minimum Average Temperature -1°C and Average Maximum Temperature 10°C
- Lucerne – Average Low Temperature -2°C and Average High Temperature 6°C
- Bern – Average Low Temperature -4°C and Average High Temperature 4°C
- Gridenwald – Average low temperature -6°C and average high temperature 4°C
- Jungfrau – Average low temperature -6°C and average high temperature 4°C
Switzerland Winter Vacation Resorts and Hotels Suggestions
1. ERMITAGE Wellness- & Spa-Hotel
Photo Credit: ERMITAGE Wellness- & Spa-Hotel
The ERMITAGE Wellness- & Spa-Hotel is an elegant hotel located in the canton of Bern 80 km from the city of Bern and 45 km from Spiez.
The rooms have a TV, work desk, minibar, and balcony.
The hotel features 2 heated outdoor pools and a spa.
Schönried CH, Dorfstrasse 46, 3778 Saanen, Switzerland
2. Tschuggen Grand Hotel
Photo Credit: Tschuggen Grand Hotel
The Tschuggen Grand Hotel is a hotel with cozy facilities located in the Alps and features a private cable car to the ski and hiking areas.
The rooms are equipped with a TV, coffee machine, and minibar.
The hotel features an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and a spa.
Hotel Tschuggen, Tschuggentorweg 1, 7050 Arosa, Switzerland
3. AlpenGold Hotel Davos
Photo Credit: AlpenGold Hotel Davos
The AlpenGold Hotel Davos is a charming hotel located a 5-minute drive from the center of Davos and offers free city transfer.
Rooms feature flat-screen TV, coffeemaker, and minibar.
The hotel has an indoor pool and spa.
Baslerstrasse 9, 7260 Davos, Switzerland
4. Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski
Photo Credit: Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski
The Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski is a luxury hotel located in St. Moritz.
The rooms feature modern, elegant decor and some have a balcony or terrace.
The hotel features an indoor pool and an alpine-style spa.
Via Mezdi 27, 7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland
5. Suvretta House
Photo Credit: Suvretta House
The Suvretta House is another excellent choice for a luxury hotel in St. Moritz.
The rooms are cozy and have a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, and minibar.
The hotel has an indoor pool and spa.
Via Chasellas 1, 7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland
6. Le Grand Bellevue
Photo Credit: Le Grand Bellevue
Le Grand Bellevue is a hotel with elegant and cozy facilities in Gstaad.
All rooms have a TV, work desk, and minibar.
The hotel has an indoor swimming pool.
Untergstaadstrasse 17, 3780 Gstaad, Switzerland
7. Park Gstaad
Photo Credit: Park Gstaad
Park Gstaad is another excellent choice of hotel in Gstaad.
The rooms are cozy and have a TV and minibar.
The hotel features a heated outdoor pool and an indoor pool.
Wispilenstrasse 29, 3780 Gstaad, Switzerland
8. Kempinski Palace Engelberg
Photo Credit: Kempinski Palace Engelberg
Located in Engelberg 35 km from Lucerne, the Kempinski Palace Engelberg offers modern facilities, an indoor pool, and a spa.
The rooms have a TV, work desk, kettle, and coffee makers. Some rooms have a balcony.
Dorfstrasse 40, 6390 Engelberg, Switzerland
9. Giardino Mountain
Photo Credit: Giardino Mountain
Giardino Mountain is a hotel located in a charming building 5 km from the center of St. Moritz.
The rooms feature modern furniture made with materials from the Engadina region. The rooms have a TV, work desk, and electric kettle.
The hotel has an indoor swimming pool.
Via Maistra 3, 7512 St Moritz, Switzerland
10. Crans Ambassador
Photo Credit: Crans Ambassador
The Crans Ambassador is a modern design hotel located in Crans-Montana 96 km from Montreux. It offers direct access to the ski slopes in winter.
The rooms are equipped with a TV, coffee machine, and minibar.
The hotel features an indoor pool with panoramic views.
Rte du Petit Signal 3, 3963 Crans-Montana, Switzerland
11. Hotel Villa Honegg
Photo Credit: Hotel Villa Honegg
The Hotel Villa Honegg is a luxury hotel overlooking Lake Lucerne and boasts one of the most “Instagrammable” outdoor pools in Switzerland.
The rooms are comfortable and are equipped with a TV, coffee machine, and minibar. Some rooms offer a lake view.
Honegg, 6373 Ennetbürgen, Switzerland
Featured Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel
Book Your Trip
Book Your Accommodation and Flight
Book your hotel and flight with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.
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See also
3-Day Zurich Itinerary: Detailed Information and Map
Canton of Zurich: Largest Towns and Top Attractions
Top 20 Destinations You Must Visit in Switzerland
Where to Buy Chocolate in Zurich: 10 Suggestions for Stores and Supermarkets