Spring in Switzerland
If you are traveling in Switzerland in April and May, you’ll need to plan carefully because hiking season in the alps doesn’t start until mid June.
Below are links to all our spring guides to help you plan your trip, for both tourists and locals.
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Spring destinations
These ideas focus on big views and popular regions, places that are sure to satisfy and impress those traveling in Switzerland for a short visit.
What to do in April and May in Interlaken, Jungfrau Region and Bernese Oberland: hikes, waterfalls, viewpoints, lakes, rivers, and gorges.
- Bernese Oberland
- Bernese Oberland & Bern
Spring hikes and activities in the Lucerne region, including mountain tops, lake cruises, low elevation hikes and scenic drives.
- Lucerne Region
Hikes and other activities for spring in Zürich, Appenzell, Heidiland and Toggenburg regions.
- Eastern Switzerland
Spring hiking
Hikes you can do during the spring season.
The best hikes for spring in Switzerland (April to June), when most mountain resorts and trails are still covered in snow.
Hiking options for March, when the mountains are still covered in snow, including both winter hikes in the mountains and lowland trails that should be free from snow.
A few of our favorite family hikes in May in Switzerland, away from the tourist crowds, but just as beautiful. These hikes focus on lower elevation areas, particularly along lakes and rivers, where the wildflowers come early.
Spring flowers
Where to see the best spring flowers in Switzerland, including hikes and bike rides.
Our favorite spring flower hikes in Switzerland for April to June, to see cherry blossoms, crocus, narcissus, dandelions and wildflowers.
- Switzerland
- Easy
- 2 h
- 5.45 k
- 200m
- 200m
The easiest flower hike near Montreux to see the narcissus blooms (wild daffodils) in late May. Accessible by car or train and an easy hike with lots of places to picnic.
- Lake Geneva Region
- Montreux Riviera
See thousands of tulips and other flowers at Mainau Island, an enormous park just over the German border. Plus a great playground and nice picnic areas with lake views.
- Germany
The best places in Zürich city to enjoy the spring flowers and a calendar of when they appear so you won’t miss any of your favorites.
- Eastern Switzerland
Large park with many acres of flowers, mostly rhododendrons and azaleas, the largest collection in Switzerland. It has stroller-friendly paths to wander and a family barbecue area. Best in May.
- Zürich Region
Spring sightseeing
What to do on the various public holidays in spring.
Our guides to the most charming cities and villages in Switzerland and neighboring countries.
The best mountain viewpoints to visit in April in Switzerland in popular destinations like Grindelwald, Zermatt, Lucerne, and Zurich.
- Switzerland
Our favorite interactive museums in Switzerland that are both entertaining and educational for all ages, from history to culture to science to food to industry. Good choice for cold rainy days.
- Switzerland
Spring holidays
What to do on the various public holidays in spring.
What to do on Easter weekend in April in Switzerland, including mountain viewpoints, hikes, boat rides, and other amusements.
- Switzerland
Where you can hike on Pfingsten weekend, including mountains that are opening early for the holiday. Plus activities for non-hikers.
Pretty picnic spots, proper hikes, and children’s theme trails for the upcoming Ascension holiday weekend. All are day trips from Zürich or Lucerne.
Spring break ideas
What to do on the various public holidays in spring.
While we wait for the snow to melt in Switzerland, here are some of our favorite places to travel around Europe during spring break.
After the long winter, our family is anxious for sun and sand. So we often spend spring break on European beaches, even if the temperatures are still cool for swimming. We always have a good time and love being on the beaches off season, away from the crowds.
Since hiking season doesn’t start in Switzerland until about mid-June, we often spend our spring breaks hiking elsewhere in Europe, often along coastlines. Here are some of our favorite spring hiking trips we’ve done as a family.
Spring for Zürich locals
These spring ideas are those living in Zürich that don’t necessarily need to see the most famous stuff. Focused particularly on beautiful low key wanders along rivers and lakes and through forests.
Spring nature walks near Zürich that are possible in April while the snow is still melting on higher elevations.
- Zürich Region
- Easy
- .75 h
- 2.3 k
- 30m
- 40m
Our favorite springtime walk in Zurich, passing through two big parks with beautiful flowering trees, wild blooms, and cultivated gardens.
- Zürich City, Zürich Region
If you’re staying local during spring break, there are plenty of fun family activities to fill up your schedule. When we do a spring staycation, we like trying new activities to add some excitement to the holiday. Here are some favorites from previous spring breaks in Zurich.
- Eastern Switzerland
- Zürich Region
Feeling overwhelmed?
If you need help organizing your wish list into a practical plan, book a Travel Consult with Tanya.
