Zurich in December: a seasonal travel plan
Zurich, Switzerland. In december, the average daytime high is 4.6 °C and the night-time low is -1.0 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: December
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Zurich
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 4.6 °C
- Nighttime low
- -1.0 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 110.4 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 15.0
- Daylight
- 8.5 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 4.0 | -1.6 | 5.7 |
| Days 11–20 | 4.2 | -1.6 | 3.8 |
| From day 21 | 5.6 | 0.1 | 5.5 |
What this month is like
Zurich, Switzerland. In december, the average daytime high is 4.6 °C and the night-time low is -1.0 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 15.0 wet days on average, with about 110.4 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 8.5 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 8.5 °C, December — 4.6 °C, next month — 3.2 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 14.0, 15.0 and 16.4.
Things to do
Zurich sits at the northern end of its lake, where the Limmat splits the old town into two banks. Trams reach every district, trains leave from the main station, and the lake baths stay open all year, which makes the lake the city's beach.
Old town and churches
Start on the Limmat quay, climb the Grossmünster tower and look at the Chagall windows in the Fraumünster. Then follow the narrow lanes of Niederdorf to the Lindenhof terrace. The organ sounds at midday.
Kunsthaus and the university
The Kunsthaus holds Swiss and European painting, and the university terrace looks over the lake and the Alps. Walk down to the river, cross to Bürkliplatz and take a tram to the lake.
Uetliberg
Take the train to Uetliberg and walk up through the forest to the summit. The tower looks over the lake and the Alps; descend on foot to Triemli station and ride back.
Where to stay
Niederdorf
Niederdorf fills the old town between the river and the station. Restaurants and bars are plentiful, nights are loud, and rooms cost a great deal. Trams and the station are five minutes away.
Kreis 4
Kreis 4 around Langstrasse suits bars, clubs and cheaper restaurants. The station is ten minutes by tram, but nights stay busy, so sleep in a side street. Cafés on Langstrasse stay open late.
Seefeld
Seefeld stands by the lake, with a promenade, bathing houses and quiet streets. It works for families and slow days, and trams reach the old town in about ten minutes.
Getting to and around Zurich
Zurich airport connects to the main station by S-Bahn trains, a journey of ten to fifteen minutes. Trams are the main way around town, running through the station and the old town. S-Bahn trains continue to Uetliberg and the neighbouring towns, and one ticket covers every mode within the zones.
Three days in Zurich
Old town and the lake
Walk from the station down Bahnhofstrasse to the lake, then climb into the old town to the Grossmünster. In the afternoon follow the quays and take a steamer to Rapperswil.
Museums and Zurich West
Spend the morning at the Kunsthaus, then look through the Swiss National Museum by the station. In the evening walk Zurich West, where old workshops hold bars and galleries. Climb to the top floor.
Uetliberg
Ride the train up to Uetliberg and follow the ridge to the lookout tower. After the descent, return to the city and rest at a bath on the Limmat. Buses return from Triemli.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.2 | -2.8 | 117.8 | 16.4 | 8.9 |
| February | 6.0 | -1.2 | 81.0 | 13.2 | 10.2 |
| March | 10.0 | 1.1 | 92.2 | 13.8 | 11.9 |
| April | 13.7 | 4.1 | 97.2 | 13.1 | 13.6 |
| May | 17.4 | 8.4 | 160.2 | 19.0 | 15.1 |
| June | 22.2 | 13.2 | 157.1 | 17.7 | 15.9 |
| July | 23.7 | 14.8 | 137.5 | 17.5 | 15.5 |
| August | 23.5 | 14.7 | 147.0 | 15.6 | 14.2 |
| September | 19.5 | 10.8 | 109.8 | 13.0 | 12.6 |
| October | 15.3 | 6.9 | 100.7 | 14.1 | 10.9 |
| November | 8.5 | 1.9 | 96.8 | 14.0 | 9.4 |
| December | 4.6 | -1.0 | 110.4 | 15.0 | 8.5 |
Frequently asked questions
Zurich: what is the temperature in December?
The average daytime high is 4.6 °C and the night-time low is -1.0 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in December?
On average, there are 15.0 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 110.4 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in December?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 4.0 °C; 11–20 — 4.2 °C; 21 to month-end — 5.6 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in December?
The average is 8.5 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Zurich worth visiting in December?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 4.6 °C and nights around -1.0 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Zurich on a wet day in December?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Zurich in December?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 8.5 hours.