Month guide · Interlaken · Switzerland
Interlaken in May
What May is really like in Interlaken: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ben W Bell, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 18°C (64°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 15 hours of daylight. Valleys are green and waterfalls are full with snowmelt, but higher trails are still snowbound and some railways open only late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 18°C (64°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 15 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Interlaken: days average 18°C (64°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with April (13°C (55°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:54
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:55
- Daylight
- About 15 hours
Spring (March–May). Spring skiing up high and green valleys below, but many summer railways, trails and attractions only reopen from May or June.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Interlaken, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Viewpoint · Jungfrau region
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Check the summit webcam before you go; on cloudy days you may see nothing, and the ticket is costly.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Interlaken Ost
Harder Kulm
A funicular from beside Interlaken Ost climbs to about 1,320 metres, where a viewing platform hangs over the slope with both lakes below and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau ahead.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Nature · Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls
Walk the flat valley path south towards Trümmelbach and Stechelberg for the best views of the falls.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Mürren
Schilthorn and Piz Gloria
Cable cars from Stechelberg via Mürren climb to the Schilthorn at about 2,970 metres, where the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant featured in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 18°C, lows near 7°C and 13 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Interlaken?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Interlaken in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Interlaken?
It is a shoulder-season month. Valleys are green and waterfalls are full with snowmelt, but higher trails are still snowbound and some railways open only late in the month.
+How warm is Interlaken in May?
Average highs are around 18°C (64°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Interlaken in May?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.