When Is the Best Time to Visit Montreux, Switzerland?

(Last Updated On: October 20, 2023)

Montreux is a charming town on the northeastern shores of Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Besides its spa facilities, Montreux is famous for its mild climate, awesome views, and the Montreux Jazz Festival. A stretch of eight kilometers runs from Clarens, through Chillon Castle, and up to Villeneuve. Together with Vevey-Montreux, it has an estimated population of 85,000.

In case you are already decided on visiting Switzerland and Montreux, the next relevant question comes. When is the best time to visit Montreux?

Image of Montreux by TouringSwitzerland.com

When do tourists visit Montreux?

You can go to Montreux at any time of the year with friends and family. No matter what time of year it is, Montreux won’t let you down. The climate in Montreux is moderately continental, with warm summers and cold winters.

Tourists love Montreux during summer from June to August when the lakes around it are warm enough and conducive to swimming. As one of the prettiest Christmas markets in Europe, Montreux is also magical during Christmas time.

Montreux is busy in the summer, but it doesn’t surprise me because it’s the best and hottest time of the year. If you want it less crowded, go in May or early September.

This town’s center is called Riviera (or Riviera vaudoise). This famous and highly frequented resort is the mildest on the north side of the Alps. Thanks to its mild climate, you can expect to see plants that you won’t normally find anywhere else.

This beautiful lakeside resort is a must-see for anyone visiting Switzerland. I highly recommend it.

Check out our articles about Montreux if you want to learn more:

Best Time to Visit Montreux

Image of Lake Geneva near Montreux by TouringSwitzerland.com

The best time to visit Montreux really depends on your plans and preferences. I would recommend late May, June, July, August, and early September. This time of year, the bathing season is in full swing.

There’s a caveat: it’s going to be crowded, and it might rain. You might get more comfortable avoiding the main summer school holiday of July if you go in early June or late August.

Additionally, I highly recommend visiting Montreux during the Christmas season to admire the pretty Christmas market. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed.

Montreux in Summer

Image of Chillon Castle near Montreux by TouringSwitzerland.com

Summer lasts from June until September.
You will get the most sunshine during the summer months, particularly in July and August.
Heavy rainfall is expected during this period, but rain typically comes late in the afternoon.
Peak summer temperatures reach almost 25 degrees Celsius in mid-July. The temperatures rarely fall below 15 degrees Celsius at night during summer.
Summer is a popular tourist season in Montreux, so accommodation and other living conditions can cost a little more.
For swimming, the best time of year to visit Montreux would be from July to August. Swimmers may be able to go to the Clarens, Chillon, and Villeneuve beaches during the bathing season.
Normally held in the first two weeks of July, the Montreux Jazz Festival is the second-largest jazz festival in the world after Canada’s Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Montreux in Autumn

Autumn lasts from September to November.
In Autumn, the temperature starts dropping and so does the amount of precipitation received.
Temperatures slowly go down from 20 degrees Celsius in September to 9 degrees in November. You might even see temperatures from 5 degrees at night when it’s cold.
Expect low visibility when Montreux is under a sheet of fog. This tends to happen during autumn in lower-lying areas of Switzerland. You will have to visit one of the mountains nearby to escape the fog.
Restaurants will start serving wild food choices such as venison with spaetzle and mushrooms.
Montreux Comedy Festival is the largest French-speaking comedy festival with the best French and international comedians. It takes place from late November to early December.

Montreux in Winter

Winter lasts from December to March.
The temperature averages in the single digits, and sometimes it snows. Presumably, the daytime temperature will be plus zero, and the nighttime temperature will be minus zero.
During these months, there is very little rainfall. During these months, there is an extremely low chance of significant rainfall in Montreux.
The weather at this time of year in Montreux is too cold to be pleasant for warm-weather travelers.
Despite the dreary winter in many parts of Switzerland, the Montreux Christmas market is a delight. During the festive season, Montreux Noël runs along the lakeside promenade, fully illuminated and decorated. Montreux Noël offers a traditional Christmas market that will have something for everyone. Christmas Market stalls along the lakeside promenade offer thousands of gift ideas and crafts. A special highlight of the trip is the opportunity to visit Santa Claus atop Rochers-de-Naye. A festive atmosphere will also be present at Chillon Castle.

Montreux in Spring

Spring lasts from March to June.
On a beautiful spring day, it’s a nice time to visit Montreux because of the pleasant weather. However, the bathing lakes will still be closed, and the water still is too chilly.
Flowers will start blooming. The Montreux Promenade will be especially beautiful during this time of the year. Park des Roses also features flowers. A highly recommended event is the Morges Tulip Festival, which is just around 40 minutes away by train if you are keen to travel. Every year, Morges hosts the Annual Tulip Festival from April to mid-May.
This is a maintenance period for cable cars and cog trains. To make sure these are running before heading to the mountains, it’s recommended that you check first.

Darla Uhl

+ posts

Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.

Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.