Late spring · Weather & things to do
Zurich in May
Zurich warms up: highs climb to 66°F (19°C), from 59°F in April, with lows of 49°F (9°C) and about 5.6 in (141 mm) of rain.
It scores 74/100 for comfort, 2nd of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 66°F (19°C)
- Avg low
- 49°F (9°C)
- Rain
- 5.6 in (141 mm)
- Humidity
- 79%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 54 min
- Comfort score
- 74/100 · Good
What May feels like
Days are mild at around 66°F (19°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 49°F (9°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.6 in (141 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (September).
- Comfort holds steady from April (72 → 74/100).
- May sits inside the May – Oct window our Swiss Lakes by Rail route recommends.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 49°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Zurich in May
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Swiss National Museum
Castle-like museum of Swiss history next to the main station.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.6 in of rain.
Grossmünster
Twin-towered church where the Reformation began in Zurich; climb the Karl tower.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in May.
Confiserie Sprüngli
Zurich's chocolatier since 1836, famous for Luxemburgerli macarons.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.6 in of rain.
Kronenhalle
Classic restaurant and bar with Chagall and Picasso on the walls.
Why now Easy to slot in when May's rain moves in.
Zeughauskeller
Beer hall in a 1487 armory serving Zürcher Geschnetzeltes and sausages.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter May days.
Nearby in May
- Lucerne in May~25 mi · highs 66°F, 5.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Andermatt in May~53 mi · highs 50°F, 6.4 in rain · 9°C (16°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Interlaken in May~57 mi · highs 65°F, 6.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Colmar in May~74 mi · highs 69°F, 3.8 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~567 m to Zurich's ~408 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Zurich in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Zurich?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 74/100 against a best of 82 in September. Expect highs of 66°F (19°C) and 5.6 in (141 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Oct window our Swiss Lakes by Rail route recommends.
How hot is Zurich in May?
Average highs are 66°F (19°C) and average lows 49°F (9°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Zurich in May?
Yes: about 5.6 in (141 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 51.6 in (1311 mm).
What should I pack for Zurich in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 49°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in May
- Swiss Lakes by Rail May – Oct
Planning Zurich in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.