Summer in Switzerland 2025 - Swim Culture Waves

In Switzerland, summer isn’t just about soaking up the sun — it’s about jumping into the water. Whether it’s rivers, lakes, or urban pools, swimming is a way of life here. And in 2025, the trend is stronger — and cooler — than ever.

Forget beach clubs and infinity pools. In Switzerland, the latest summer flex is swimming home from work, floating down rivers with friends, or taking a sunrise dip in an alpine lake. Here’s what’s making waves this summer:

Swimming Home from Work

Yes, really. In cities like Bern and Basel, or Zürich locals swap rush hour traffic for a swimsuit and a waterproof bag. The Aare River in Bern is the poster child of this trend — commuters jump in upstream, float down with the current, and hop out a few blocks from their apartment.

In 2025, even tourists are joining in — Aare floating has become a bucket list experience.

Pro tip: Use a waterproof dry bag to keep your clothes dry while you swim.

Wild Swimming & Remote Dips

More Swiss are turning their backs on busy beaches and heading into the wild. Wild swimming is booming, with people hiking to hidden lakes or glacier-fed streams for peaceful, icy dips.

Some top wild swimming spots:

• Caumasee (Grisons) – Turquoise waters surrounded by pine forests

• Seealpsee (Appenzell) – A mountain lake with epic views

• Blausee (Bernese Oberland) – Clear, mystical waters in a nature park

Early morning swims are especially popular this year — for peace, reflection, and stunning light.

Urban Swim Culture

Swiss cities embrace water like few others in Europe. Urban swimming isn’t just allowed — it’s encouraged. Locals meet at riverside spots, grab a cold drink, and jump in.

Top urban swim destinations:

• Flussbad Oberer Letten (Zurich) – River swims with beach bar energy

• Rheinbad Breite (Basel) – Floating platforms on the Rhine with historic charm

• Geneva Plage – A lakeside classic with a cosmopolitan vibe

In 2025, more pop-up swim bars, floating saunas, and yoga-on-the-water events are trending, turning cities into aquatic playgrounds.

Cold Water Culture

Inspired by Scandinavian traditions and a growing wellness movement, cold water swimming is now a year-round ritual. Even in summer, early morning dips in glacier lakes or cold rivers are celebrated for boosting mental clarity and immune health.

Some Swiss are even pairing swims with outdoor saunas, breathwork, or forest bathing sessions — turning a simple swim into a holistic experience.

In Switzerland, swimming isn’t a side activity — it’s a summer lifestyle. And in 2025, more people than ever are diving in.

So grab your towel, your dry bag, and maybe a friend — and join the current.