Switzerland in April: Weather, Jazz and Easter
The spring season casts its spell all over Switzerland in April, with slightly warmer conditions and its beautiful countryside in bloom. Snowfall is limited to the mountain areas and the low-lying places are awash with a kaleidoscope of colors. And what’s more, tourist crowds and accommodation costs are relatively low. From attending music and art festivals to taking a rail journey through stunning landscapes to exploring many beautiful hiking trails, a vacation to Switzerland is bound to be amazing this month.
- Aliza
Switzerland Weather in April
The average daytime temperature of Switzerland in April can reach up to 15°C, while the nights are colder with the mercury plunging as low as 3°C. The Alps region is colder still. In the ski resort town of Zermatt, for instance, the average daytime high is no more than 2°C. But if you are looking for some late-season snow in Switzerland, head towards the high-altitude region, where there are eight days of snowfall on average. This is your chance to snag one last run on the slope of Switzerland.
If you are traveling in the low-lying swiss cities, you will be blessed with temperate weather everywhere. Bern experiences an average temperature of 13°C, making it perfect for exploring its beautiful streets. Zurich, meanwhile, sees highs of 14°C. The city of Lucerne is slightly warmer than Zurich during April.
Not sure when to visit Switzerland? For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to go to Switzerland.
Weather in Switzerland in April - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 2 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 4 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | -2 | -2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 2 | -1 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 36 | 43 | 52 | 59 | 68 | 70 | 76 | 74 | 68 | 58 | 45 | 40 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 29 | 29 | 34 | 38 | 45 | 52 | 56 | 56 | 50 | 45 | 36 | 31 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 90 | 110 | 80 | 120 | 80 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Mar | Apr | May | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 11 | 15 | 20 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 52 | 59 | 68 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 34 | 38 | 45 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 70 | 70 | 90 |
Why Visit Switzerland in April
With pleasant weather conditions and plenty of festivals and fewer tourist crowds around, April is a great month to check out Switzerland. Here are some more reasons why you should visit Switzerland in April:
- Jazz it up: If you are into the spontaneity and off-kilter rhythms of jazz music, head to Bern, the capital of Switzerland, which hosts the International Jazz Festival throughout April. The event brings some of the finest jazz musicians from around the world.
- Easter: The Christian holiday of Easter is celebrated throughout Switzerland, with different services, parades and Easter egg hunts in various towns and cities. Please note that some businesses may be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
- Tulip Festival: Head to the beautiful Lake Geneva to witness rows upon rows of blooming tulips and other beautiful flowers at the annual Tulip Festival. It truly has to be seen to be believed.
- Fewer crowds: April in Switzerland lies snug between the last leg of the winter ski season in the Alps and the start of summer holiday. This means there are few tourists to contend with when visiting the country’s attractions or participating in popular tourist activities.
- Better rates: Since April sees fewer tourists visiting Switzerland, flight and accommodation rates are relatively cheaper, especially in the ski resorts where the season is coming to a close. So, you might be able to bag yourself a bargain.
Where to go and what to do
Struggling to decide where to go and what to do in Switzerland? We have got you covered. Jump aboard the Gotthard Railway to take in the picturesque Swiss landscapes and the changing of the seasons. This 206-kilometer seasonal train trip, which opens in April, starts just south of Zurich and runs all the way to the Italian border.
Prefer to do your scenic exploration on foot? Towards the end of April, you will be able to hit the hiking trails around many Swiss lakes, particularly around Lake Lucerne and Lake Thun. As these lakes are located in central Switzerland, the hiking conditions are much better here than up in the mountain areas. Here are our walking tours in Switzerland.
If you are in the capital city of Bern for the International Jazz Festival, why not also explore the cobbled streets and historical sights of this beautiful city on an e-bike. Fun fact: this is the city where Albert Einstein came up with the theory of relativity. If you want to walk in the shoes of this great man, then why not visit Einsteinhaus (Einstein’s House), which has been turned into a museum. Check out more sightseeing tours in Switzerland here.
With low levels of tourists, the final fleeting moments of the ski season, the vibrancy of the great weather all around, there’s a lot to love about Switzerland in Spring. Temperatures and weather conditions may vary depending on your choice of holiday locations (the Alps vs the Lakes vs the cities), but there is something to suit everyone’s peculiar taste.
Organizing a holiday can be stressful, so let our travel experts do the heavy lifting for you with our customizable trips to Switzerland. All you need to do is provide a couple of quick requirements and they will do the rest.
You can also check out our tours to Switzerland in April for more information.
