Switzerland in May

Lakes and cities green and quiet; many mountain lifts closed for maintenance.

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatLifts reopen; wildflowers; high trails may still have snow until July. Art Basel mid-month.
• JulyGreatPeak hiking and lake swimming; Montreux Jazz Festival; book scenic trains and Zermatt early.
• AugustGreatNational Day on 1 August; Locarno Film Festival; river swimming in Bern, Basel and Zurich.
• SeptemberGreatClear, stable weather and fewer crowds; the best hiking month. Cattle come down from the pastures.

• Plateau cities · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernebest weather

  Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.

• Bernese and central Alps · 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.

• Valais and Engadin · Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritzcool

  The sunniest and driest Alpine valleys; high resorts keep snow into April. Lifts close in May and November.

• Lake Geneva · Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavauxbest weather

  Mild; the bise wind makes winter days raw. Grape harvest in Lavaux late September–October.

• Ticino · Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzonabest weather

  Warmest region with palm trees; heavy rain possible in autumn. The Gotthard base tunnel puts it 2 h from Zurich.

• Bern Region: Bern / Solothurn / Biel · Mittelland plateau, 430–550 mbest weather

  Plateau summers reach 30 °C (86 °F)+; winter often sits near 0 °C (32 °F) with fog that clears above about 800 m. Rain falls year-round — pack a shell.Plateau summers reach 86 °F (30 °C)+; winter often sits near 32 °F (0 °C) with fog that clears above about 800 m. Rain falls year-round — pack a shell.

• Bernese Highlands: Valley floors (Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen) · 550–800 mbest weather

  Rain falls year-round; June–August afternoons can reach 30 °C (86 °F).Rain falls year-round; June–August afternoons can reach 86 °F (30 °C).

• Bernese Highlands: High villages and lifts (Wengen, Mürren, Jungfraujoch) · 1,000–3,500 mfine

  Snow above about 2,000 m from November to May; the Jungfraujoch is below freezing most of the year.

• Central Switzerland: Lucerne and the lake · Vierwaldstättersee shore, 430–500 mbest weather

  Lake-effect cloud and afternoon thunderstorms in July–August; Föhn winds can push spring temperatures up fast.

• Central Switzerland: Engelberg and Titlis · 1,000–3,000 mbest weather

  Snow on the glacier year-round; the village sees reliable snow December–March.

• Eastern Switzerland: Lake Constance shore (Romanshorn, Stein am Rhein) · lake level, 400 mbest weather

  Mild and often foggy in November–January; summer thunderstorms build in the afternoon.

• Eastern Switzerland: Appenzell and Glarus hills · 700–1,200 mbest weather

  Higher and wetter than the lake; snow can sit on the upper trails into April.

• Graubünden: Chur / Rhine valley · Canton capital and the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein valleysbest weather

  Lowest and mildest part of the canton; valley heat in July–August, snow rare on the floor.

• Graubünden: Engadin / St. Moritz · High valley in the south-east, 1,800 m and upbest weather

  High and dry; cold nights even in summer, reliable snow December–March, long sunny days.

• Graubünden: Davos / Prättigau · North-east valleysbest weather

  Ski season December–April; summer hiking from June; afternoon storms in July–August.

• Northwestern Switzerland: Basel and the Rhine valley · city and river plainbest weather

  Warmest corner of Switzerland in summer, with 30 °C (86 °F)+ days in July–August; rain spread through the year. The Jura foothills above Liestal run a few degrees cooler and can hold snow into spring.Warmest corner of Switzerland in summer, with 86 °F (30 °C)+ days in July–August; rain spread through the year. The Jura foothills above Liestal run a few degrees cooler and can hold snow into spring.

• Ticino: Lakes (Lugano, Locarno, Ascona) · Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore shoresbest weather

  Mildest part of Switzerland; April–June and September–October are the sweet spots. August is hot and busy, especially around the Locarno film festival.

• Ticino: Valleys and mountains (Verzasca, Maggia, Monte San Giorgio) · Inland valleys and higher groundbest weather

  Higher trails open roughly May–October; snow and closed passes in winter.

• Valais: Rhone valley (Sion) · Valley floor, about 480 mbest weather

  One of the driest, sunniest parts of Switzerland; summer can hit 35 °C (95 °F), and long dry spells bring forest fires every few years.One of the driest, sunniest parts of Switzerland; summer can hit 95 °F (35 °C), and long dry spells bring forest fires every few years.

• Valais: High resorts and passes · Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Great St Bernardfine

  Snow from November to April; the Great St Bernard Pass sits near 2,470 m and is a winter route by ski or helicopter only.

• Western Switzerland: Lake Geneva shore (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux) · Lakeside plateau, 370–400 mbest weather

  Mild and the driest part of the region; lake breezes temper July heat. Vineyard terraces are best walked April–October.

• Western Switzerland: Jura (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Delémont) · Jura mountains, 700–1,100 mfine

  About 5 °C (9 °F) cooler than the lakeshore and snowbound December–March; watch-town visits work year-round but winter days are short.About 9 °F (5 °C) cooler than the lakeshore and snowbound December–March; watch-town visits work year-round but winter days are short.

• Western Switzerland: Fribourg Alps (Gruyères, Château-d'Œx) · Pre-Alps, 750–1,500 mfine

  Hiking June–September; ski stations in the Vaud Alps run December–March.

• Zurich Region: Zurich city and lake · Canton of Zurich, lake basinbest weather

  Lake swimming peaks July–August; foehn winds can push winter days above 10 °C (50 °F), then drop back below freezing.Lake swimming peaks July–August; foehn winds can push winter days above 50 °F (10 °C), then drop back below freezing.

• Zurich Region: Aargau and Zug lowlands · Aare and Zug lake valleysbest weather

  Slightly warmer and less windy than the city; similar rain pattern.

• Geneva20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 12 rain days
• Aarau19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Albinen18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 11 rain days
• Andermatt14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
• Appenzell19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Arosa14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 10 rain days
• Ascona20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 9 rain days
• Avenches19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Baden20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
• Basel20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 12 rain days
• Bellinzona21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 11 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 11 rain days
• Bern19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 12 rain days
• Biel19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Brig19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 10 rain days
• Brugg20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 8 rain days
• Brunnen19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 11 rain days
• Château-d'Œx16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 12 rain days
• Chur19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 13 rain days
• Crans-Montana18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Davos14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 12 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 12 rain days
• Delémont20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Disentis18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 8 rain days
• Engelberg15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 8 rain days
• Falera16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
• Fiesch18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
• Flims19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 10 rain days
• Flüelen19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Fribourg19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Frutigen19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Gimmelwald14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 14 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 14 rain days
• Glarus19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Goldau19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Grindelwald15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 14 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 14 rain days
• Gruyères18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Gstaad17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
• Hermance20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Horgen19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Ilanz18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
• Interlaken19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 13 rain days
• Kandersteg16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 14 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 14 rain days
• Klosters15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 13 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 13 rain days
• Küssnacht19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 7 rain days
• La Chaux-de-Fonds20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 10 rain days
• Laax16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 12 rain days
• Lausanne19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
• Lauterbrunnen16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 14 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 14 rain days
• Le Locle18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Lenzerheide15 °C (59 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 11 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 11 rain days
• Les Diablerets20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Leukerbad18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
• Leysin13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 13 rain days
• Liestal20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Locarno22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 12 rain days
• Lucens20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Lucerne19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Lugano21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 12 rain days
• Martigny19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 11 rain days
• Meiringen18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 13 rain days
• Montreux20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 12 rain days
• Mürren13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 13 rain days
• Murten19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 9 rain days
• Neuchâtel19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Nyon20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 11 rain days
• Pfäffikon19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 13 rain days
• Pontresina16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 10 rain days
• Porrentruy20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Rapperswil19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Rheinfelden18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Riederalp-Bettmeralp16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
• Romanshorn18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Saas-Fee12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 12 rain days
• Safiental19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 10 rain days
• Saint Gallen18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 13 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 13 rain days
• Saint-Maurice20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Saint-Ursanne20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 11 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 11 rain days
• Samedan20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 7 rain days
• Samnaun15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
• Sargans20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 11 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 11 rain days
• Schaffhausen19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Schwyz18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 9 rain days
• Scuol15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 10 rain days
• Sierre20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 12 rain days
• Sion20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
• Solothurn19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Spiez19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• St. Moritz12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
• Stans18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 5 rain days
• Stein am Rhein19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Tenero21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 5 rain days
• Thun19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 12 rain days
• Tujetsch18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 4 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 4 rain days
• Uster20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 7 rain days
• Val Lumnezia19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 11 rain days
• Val Mesolcina19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 11 rain days
• Vals16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
• Verbier13 °C (55 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 11 rain days
• Vevey20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 11 rain days
• Villars-sur-Ollon17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 10 rain days
• Visp19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
• Weggis19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 13 rain days
• Wengen13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 14 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 14 rain days
• Winterthur19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Yverdon-les-Bains19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 11 rain days
• Zermatt14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 12 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 12 rain days
• Zug19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Zurich19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Spring holidays

  Ascension (6 May 2027) and Whit Monday (17 May 2027)

  Long weekends; trains and lake towns busy.

Crowds · Switzerland

Low

Prices · Switzerland

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Switzerland, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Plateau cities

  Best weather of the year (Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne)

• Lake Geneva

  Best weather of the year (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavaux)

• Ticino

  Best weather of the year (Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzona)

• Geneva

  Warm, long days.

• Aarau

  Best months: May–Sep

• Appenzell

  Best months: Apr–Oct

• Ascona

  Best months: May–Oct

• Avenches

  Best months: May–Sep

• Baden

  Best months: May–Sep for river swimming and terrace cafés; Dec–Mar for the baths in cold weather

• Basel

  Best months: May–Sep; also late Feb for Fasnacht

• Bellinzona

  Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

• Bern

  Best months: May–Sep