Each spring and summer season, Switzerland’s alpine meadows and flatlands burst into vibrant colours. There are some unmissable Swiss flower excursions for the character fans amongst you.
Eight years. That’s how lengthy I looked for Edelweiss flowers in Switzerland.
And I discovered fairly a little bit of it. I discovered it embroidered on shirts. I discovered it adorning bread baggage. And I discovered it on the market within the plant division on the native Migros grocery retailer. However by no means as soon as did I see Edelweiss the place I wished to see it: within the wild.
Later, I found there was a cause for this. Edelweiss has been picked so usually over the past 200 years that it has reached the purpose of extinction. There are nonetheless some sightings within the Swiss Nationwide Park, however in case you by no means discover a single flower in its pure habitat, that’s fully regular. Whew.
Expertise the Greatest Swiss Flower Excursions in 2025
Tulip Competition in Morges
March 28 – Might 11, 2025
The Tulip Competition in Morges is a must-see occasion showcasing over 140,000 flowers and almost 350 types of tulips. In 2025, the competition’s theme is „water,“ promising a singular visible and sensory expertise. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, this colourful spectacle is the right method to welcome spring.
Cherry and Magnolia Blossom in Aubonne
March – April
The Arboretum du Vallon de l’Aubonne affords a spectacular show of cherry and magnolia blossoms from mid-March to the top of April, rivaling Japan’s well-known sakura.
This open-air museum-like setting teams timber of the identical selection collectively, creating lovely „households“ that aren’t solely visually gorgeous but additionally handy for bees.
The magnolia timber create a very spectacular floral firework show with their spectacular, nearly unreal blooms. This distinctive inexperienced park immerses guests in a rare pure magnificence, providing a Swiss different to Japan’s famend cherry blossom expertise.
Distinctive Crocus Flower Shows
Late March – Mid April
As quickly because the snow has melted, a really distinctive floral expertise seems on the Rämisgummen meadow within the Emmental. From late March to mid-April, hundreds of purple and white crocuses create a shocking carpet of flowers at this meadow at 1200 meters above sea.
It is a distinctive Swiss flower spectacle that may’t be discovered anyplace else. However this magnificence is fleeting, so test the Eggiwil municipal web site for up-to-date blooming info. This is an ideal round-trip hike to greatest see the crocus fields.
Camellia Gardens of Locarno
Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian-speaking area, transforms right into a floral paradise in spring. The gentle local weather helps a various vary of plant species, together with uncommon and guarded varieties
For the biggest show of camellias outdoors their residence nation of Japan, go to Locarno in March and April. On the Parco delle Camelie, you possibly can marvel at nearly all of its 850 types of camellia vegetation in bloom. That is additionally a really perfect place to absorb the environment (and the daylight) because the park hugs Lake Maggiore.
Locarno likes to brag that it’s the sunniest place in Switzerland, averaging over 2’100 hours a 12 months – almost six hours a day.
Locarno’s Visconteo Fort hosts a camellia exhibition within the early spring that includes over 300 varieties expertly organized by professionals. The annual Camelie Competition is a must-see for any flower lovers in Switzerland.
Various spots for flower excursions in Ticino embrace:
- Parco Botanico del Gambarogno: 950 types of camellias, 450 sorts of magnolias
- Parco San Grato: Largest assortment of azaleas, rhododendrons, and conifers
Narcissus Fields close to Montreux
Might – June
Regardless of native claims that the narcissus is turning into as uncommon because the Edelweiss, narcissi can nonetheless be discovered within the wild – if you realize the place to look. French-speaking excursions of narcissus fields can be found in Montreux, however it’s straightforward sufficient to create your personal tour.
From April to Might, wild narcissi cowl the meadows above Montreux and Vevey, making a pure phenomenon referred to as „Might snow“.
We advocate guided walks alongside marked trails from numerous beginning factors resembling Les Avants, Les Pléiades, Glion, Caux, and Mont-Pèlerin railway stations.
An excellent guess is to take a 20 minute prepare experience from Montreux to Caux. From there, proceed mountain climbing uphill till you stumble upon a wonderful area of white. The very best time to identify narcissus blooms is often from the top of Might via the primary week of June.
Rapeseed Fields of Switzerland
Each April and Might, blankets of gold cowl the Swiss countryside. Rapeseed fields are to Switzerland what lavender is to Provence – besides with out the crowds or the clichés.
In truth, rapeseed is probably the most important home-produced oilseed. Over 8’000 farmers develop it, and you can see the yellow fields unfold throughout 15’000 hectares all through the nation.
Take a drive, bike, or stroll via a few of Switzerland’s flatter, low-lying areas. You may be certain to find a rapeseed area.
Wettingen, not removed from Zürich, is a stunning space to discover. Take Bus 3 from the Baden or Wettingen prepare station to Brunnenwiese and stroll about 5 minutes east till you enter the fields and mountain climbing trails.
Within the French-speaking a part of Switzerland, the fields round La Sarraz are additionally often blanketed by rapeseed vegetation. The medieval citadel in La Sarraz affords fantastic views over the encompassing countryside.
Iris Fields close to Morges
For a closing flower journey, head to Les Jardins du Château de Vullierens in Might or June. The citadel is in the course of nowhere, however that doesn’t cease the Swiss transportation system, which might ship you straight to the iris competition.
From Morges, you possibly can take a 16-minute PostBus experience to Vullierens Village. (Inform the motive force the place you’re going whenever you get on so you may get off on the proper place.) When you arrive on the citadel and pay your entry price, you may be free to wander the iris fields, get pleasure from pastries from the citadel café, or purchase some iris bulbs in your personal backyard.
Make sure you test the bus departure instances when you can. Depend on it to indicate up on time; the bus has extra in frequent with a lazy French schedule than a demanding Swiss one – particularly on the weekends.
Swiss Flower & Panorama Path
June – October (July/August for peak blooms)
The Schynige Platte affords some of the numerous alpine flora experiences within the Alps. The newly created path begins on the railway station and winds via alpine meadows and pastures, showcasing quite a lot of flowers in opposition to the backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau
Alpine Flowers of the Higher Engadine
July
The Higher Engadine Valley transforms right into a vibrant tapestry of alpine flora throughout the summer season months, significantly in July. This high-altitude area affords a singular alternative to witness the resilience and great thing about mountain vegetation of their pure habitat.
Head to Pontresina, your excellent base for exploring the Engadine flora. From right here, you possibly can simply entry gorgeous meadows and forests above the tree line. Take these cable vehicles for simple entry to high-altitude flower havens:
- Piz Nair Cable Automobile: For probably the most adventurous, with rocky terrain and resilient flora
- Diavolezza Cable Automobile: For panoramic views and hardy alpine species
- Muottas Muragl Funicular: Presents a gentler ascent with lush meadows
As soon as on the high, maintain your eyes peeled for:
- Vibrant blue gentians
- Delicate primulas in numerous hues
- And in case you are fortunate, the enduring edelweiss!
Ideas for Your Swiss Flower Tour
Swiss flower excursions provide a singular method to expertise the sheer pure great thing about Switzerland. After winter, there may be nothing higher than seeing spring awaken. From the colourful tulip fields of Morges to the fragile cherry blossoms in Aubonne, there’s one thing for each nature lover.
Listed below are some tricks to plan your personal Swiss flower tour:
- Test blossom calendars: Flowering instances can differ based mostly on climate circumstances.
- Use public transportation: Many flower websites are accessible through Switzerland’s public transport system.
- Respect nature: Keep on marked paths and do not decide wild flowers. Tread flippantly and go away solely footprints.
- Convey applicable gear: Climate can change shortly, so pack layers and cozy strolling footwear.
- Be part of a guided tour: For in-depth botanical data, take into account becoming a member of expert-led excursions, as an example by park rangers or nature guides.
Swiss Flower Excursions: Camellia, Rapeseed, Narcissus & Iris (2025) first appeared within the Newly Swissed On-line Journal
