When to go · Interlaken
Interlaken in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec–Mar for snow). Across Switzerland: Lakes and cities green and quiet; many mountain lifts closed for maintenance.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) / 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 13
- Crowds
- Low
- Switzerland overall
- Prices
- Low
- Switzerland overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec–Mar for snow). Across Switzerland: Lakes and cities green and quiet; many mountain lifts closed for maintenance.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Interlaken's best window: Jun–Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec–Mar for snow.
- JulyGreatInside Interlaken's best window: Jun–Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec–Mar for snow.
- AugustGreatInside Interlaken's best window: Jun–Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec–Mar for snow.
- SeptemberGreatInside Interlaken's best window: Jun–Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec–Mar for snow.
Weather in May
- InterlakenHighs around 19 °C (66 °F), lows around 7 °C (45 °F), rain on about 13 daysHighs around 66 °F (19 °C), lows around 45 °F (7 °C), rain on about 13 days
- Bernese and central Alps, Switzerland · Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelbergcool
Skiing late December to early April ('best' in winter means snow); hiking late June to early October. Afternoon storms in July–August.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Switzerland overall
- Low
- Prices · Switzerland overall
- Low
Switzerland overall: Lakes and cities green and quiet; many mountain lifts closed for maintenance.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Interlaken, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Jan: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
Night low
May: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
Jan: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
Rain days
May: 13
Jan: 10 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: Medium
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec–Mar for snow). Across Switzerland: Lakes and cities green and quiet; many mountain lifts closed for maintenance.
January: Inside Interlaken's best window: Jun–Sep for hiking and lakes; Dec–Mar for snow.
Interlaken: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket