Zurich in May: a seasonal travel plan

Weather at a glance

Daytime high

17.4 °C

Nighttime low

8.4 °C

Monthly precipitation

160.2 mm

Days with at least 1 mm

19.0

Daylight

15.1 h

2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.

Early, middle and late month

What this month is like

Zurich, Switzerland. In may, the average daytime high is 17.4 °C and the night-time low is 8.4 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.

There are 19.0 wet days on average, with about 160.2 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.

How to plan the day

Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.

Average daylight is 15.1 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.

What to pack

Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.

Precipitation and an alternative plan

Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.

What to pack

Pack a light jacket, a jumper, long trousers and comfortable closed shoes. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.

Compared with neighbouring months

Average daytime high: previous month — 13.7 °C, May — 17.4 °C, next month — 22.2 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 13.1, 19.0 and 17.7.

Things to do

Zurich sits at the northern end of its lake, where the Limmat splits the old town into two banks. Trams reach every district, trains leave from the main station, and the lake baths stay open all year, which makes the lake the city's beach.

Old town and churches

Start on the Limmat quay, climb the Grossmünster tower and look at the Chagall windows in the Fraumünster. Then follow the narrow lanes of Niederdorf to the Lindenhof terrace. The organ sounds at midday.

Kunsthaus and the university

The Kunsthaus holds Swiss and European painting, and the university terrace looks over the lake and the Alps. Walk down to the river, cross to Bürkliplatz and take a tram to the lake.

Uetliberg

Take the train to Uetliberg and walk up through the forest to the summit. The tower looks over the lake and the Alps; descend on foot to Triemli station and ride back.

Where to stay

Niederdorf

Niederdorf fills the old town between the river and the station. Restaurants and bars are plentiful, nights are loud, and rooms cost a great deal. Trams and the station are five minutes away.

Kreis 4

Kreis 4 around Langstrasse suits bars, clubs and cheaper restaurants. The station is ten minutes by tram, but nights stay busy, so sleep in a side street. Cafés on Langstrasse stay open late.

Seefeld

Seefeld stands by the lake, with a promenade, bathing houses and quiet streets. It works for families and slow days, and trams reach the old town in about ten minutes.

Getting to and around Zurich

Zurich airport connects to the main station by S-Bahn trains, a journey of ten to fifteen minutes. Trams are the main way around town, running through the station and the old town. S-Bahn trains continue to Uetliberg and the neighbouring towns, and one ticket covers every mode within the zones.

Three days in Zurich

Old town and the lake

Walk from the station down Bahnhofstrasse to the lake, then climb into the old town to the Grossmünster. In the afternoon follow the quays and take a steamer to Rapperswil.

Museums and Zurich West

Spend the morning at the Kunsthaus, then look through the Swiss National Museum by the station. In the evening walk Zurich West, where old workshops hold bars and galleries. Climb to the top floor.

Uetliberg

Ride the train up to Uetliberg and follow the ridge to the lookout tower. After the descent, return to the city and rest at a bath on the Limmat. Buses return from Triemli.

Weather throughout the year

More destinations

Frequently asked questions