Month guide · Lucerne · Switzerland
Lucerne in May
What May is really like in Lucerne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Simon Koopmann, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Lucerne. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 15 hours of daylight. Green and fresh, with the Pilatus cogwheel railway usually running again and long, mild days on the lake.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 15 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 4th-warmest month in Lucerne: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with April (14°C (57°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:51
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:55
- Daylight
- About 15 hours
Spring (March–May). Blossom along the lake and fewer visitors, but changeable weather; some mountain railways reopen only in April or May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Rowing regattas on the Rotsee (late spring to early summer)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Hof
Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche)
It is a five-minute walk from the Lion Monument, so link the two on the way back to the lake.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Architecture · Station
KKL Luzern and Kunstmuseum Luzern
Jean Nouvel's culture and congress centre beside the station has a vast cantilevered roof reaching out over the lake and a concert hall famed for its acoustics.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
- After dark
Gallery · Neustadt
Rosengart Collection
Start with the Klee rooms downstairs, which are often quieter than the Picasso galleries.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Löwenplatz
Bourbaki Panorama
A 360-degree painting more than 100 metres long, by Edouard Castres, shows the French Army of the East under General Bourbaki crossing into Switzerland in winter 1871 to be interned.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 9°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 Lucerne?
One of the best months to visit Lucerne, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June and September. Compare every month.
Lucerne in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Lucerne?
It is one of the best months to visit Lucerne. Green and fresh, with the Pilatus cogwheel railway usually running again and long, mild days on the lake.
+How warm is Lucerne in May?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Lucerne in May?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.