Weather
May is spring in Switzerland, and the climate is generally warm and pleasant, with variation between lowland and high-altitude areas. Snow will remain in the highest mountain regions, but most places below about 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) should generally be free of snow by May, and hiking trails will have thawed. Flowers bloom at lower altitudes as well as in Alpine meadows.
The average April temperature in lowland cities like Zürich, Geneva, and Lugano is about 63°F (17°C), with daytime temperatures often much warmer, especially later in the month. In higher-altitude places like Zermatt, expect very cold temperatures still: the May average is only 37°F (2.5°C).
Crowds & Costs
April and May are the spring low season in Switzerland, between the busy winter and summer peak seasons. there's still plenty to experience this season, and with fewer other tourists, you can enjoy it all the more.
However, some hotels, restaurants, and attractions may be closed in the spring. Hotels and restaurants in mountain resort towns will be shut for a break and maintenance after the ski season and before the summer season, or will remain shut until the next winter. Scenic cable cars may be closed for maintenance in spring or operate on a reduced timetable before restarting in summer.
Switzerland is always an expensive destination, but at least in spring, your first-choice hotel is more likely to be available. You may even be able to get a deal on accommodation that has just reopened in anticipation of the summer season, but that's not yet flooded with guests.
Where to Go
May is the perfect month to head into the Alps for hiking adventures, from gentle short walks to more adventurous multiday hikes. The weather is likely to be good, the views beautiful, and the trails uncrowded. Bernese Oberland, Valais, and Graübunden are among the best places for late-spring hiking. Trails pass through meadows, past glaciers, above mountain villages, and between dramatic canyon walls, almost always with soaring mountain views. You can choose a route to suit your needs.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
Like neighboring Italy and France, Switzerland produces many fine wines. The best times to sample Swiss wines are during the Caves Ouvertes, when Swiss winemakers open their cellars in spring (and fall) and offer tastings at reduced prices. As almost nothing is cheap in Switzerland, this is a great chance to try some of the country's best wine without breaking the bank. There are six wine regions in Switzerland: Geneva, German-speaking Switzerland, the Three Lakes (including Neuchâtel, Fribourg, and part of the canton of Bern), Ticino, Vaud, and Valais.
May is also a good time to take a scenic train ride, because although many regular routes operate year-round, other scenic routes are seasonal and reopen in spring after closing in winter. One great option is the Rhaetian Railway, a journey between Thusis and Tirano that is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 196 bridges and 55 tunnels, it's exciting for engineering buffs as well as nature lovers. Panoramic carriages offer wonderful views of the Morteratsch Glacier and Landwasser Viaduct.
See this article for more on scenic trains.
Events in May
Labor Day, Nationwide. May 1 is Tag der Arbeit/ Fête du Travail and a public holiday, so many businesses are closed.
Cheese Market, Gruyères. Also on May 1, the town that gives its name to the famous Swiss cheese holds an annual cheese market where there are tastings, cultural events, and cheese for sale.
International Jazz Festival, Bern. Running from late March through late May or early June, Bern's International Jazz Festival is held in the intimate setting of Marian's Jazzroom.
Tulip Festival, Morges. On the shores of Lake Geneva, this colorful spring festival runs from mid-March until mid-May.
Traveling to Switzerland in May? Check out these great itineraries
Exploring the Wine Regions of Mont Blanc - 6 Days. Taste some of the world's finest wines as you encircle Mont Blanc from Switzerland to Italy to France. Visit vineyards nestled in the idyllic countryside in the foothills of the Alps, where ancient grape varieties still produce rare and high-quality wines.
Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 7 Days. Experience the Swiss Alps on this weeklong adventure. Cross the high-elevation Col de Riedmatten Pass, traverse the mountainside, and hike along glacier foothills as you make your way east toward Zermatt, sitting at the base of the Matterhorn.
Hiking Trip in Switzerland's Bernina Alps - 7 Days. Hike around some of the most scenic locales in southeastern Switzerland, beginning in the luxury resort haven of St. Moritz, from which you'll embark on a rugged circuit hike around famous peaks. You'll also board the famous Bernina Express for an epic train ride amid the most incredible Alpine landscapes in Europe (like the Morteratsch Glacier valley, pictured above).
More Helpful Information
Switzerland in April
Switzerland in June
Best Time of Year to Visit Switzerland
How Many Days to Spend in Switzerland