Month guide · Geneva · Switzerland
Geneva in May
What May is really like in Geneva: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Credits to Mourad Ben Abdallah / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Geneva. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 15 hours of daylight. Green and pleasant, though showery; parks and terraces fill on sunny days.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 15 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Geneva: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with April (15°C (59°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 24°C (75°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:02
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 21:01
- Daylight
- About 15 hours
Spring (March–May). Blossom along the quays and changeable weather; quieter than summer, with boats returning to full timetables.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Geneva, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · Nations
Palace of Nations
Bring photo ID and arrive early for security screening at the visitors' entrance.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Nations
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Opposite the Palace of Nations, this museum's main exhibition, The Humanitarian Adventure, covers defending human dignity, restoring family links and reducing natural risks through testimonies and interactive installations.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Plainpalais
Patek Philippe Museum
Start on the top floor with the antique collection, then work down to the company's own watches.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Museum · Old Town
Musée d'Art et d'Histoire
Geneva's largest museum covers archaeology, applied arts and fine art from antiquity to the 20th century.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- History
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 9°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Geneva?
One of the best months to visit Geneva. The other best months are June–September. Compare every month.
Geneva in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Geneva?
It is one of the best months to visit Geneva. Green and pleasant, though showery; parks and terraces fill on sunny days.
+How warm is Geneva in May?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Geneva in May?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.