What's the Weather Like in Geneva in May
Temperature
Average temperatures rise for additional few degrees Celsius (several degrees Fahrenheit) in the Swiss city of Geneva in May. In general, daily temperatures range from 8C (46.4F) to 18C (64.4F) this time of year. Still, minimum temperatures may drop down to 3C (37.4F) while maximum temperatures tend to rise over 20C (68F) during this period. In the course of the month, temperatures rise at a steady pace. This time of year, Geneva, Switzerland, is somewhat cooler destination than Paris, France.
While nights remain crisp, under 13C (55.4F), days are either cool or pleasant. The first half of May features daytime temperatures up to 18C (64.4F). From then on, highs rise over that value, making days comfortable. Initially, pleasant temperatures last from around 4 pm to 7 pm. By the end of the period, the interval of comfortable temperatures is approx. from 1 pm to 8:30 pm.
Sunshine Hours
The number of sunshine hours is also on the rise. On average, Geneva enjoys around 8 hours of sunlight per day this time of year, which is a bit over 50% of daylight hours. Cloud cover remains constant, with overcast or mostly cloudy conditions some 55% of the time. However, the chances of cloudy weather are somewhat higher at night than during the day.
Rainfall
The possibility of wet weather becomes higher during May in the 2nd largest city in Switzerland. Initially, the likelihood of rain is 34% (May 1), rising to 40% (annual maximum) on May 25. Still, the overall rainfall this destination receives in May is barely higher than in April around 70 mm/2.76 in. This amount of precipitation is usually distributed throughout 11 rainy days. Rainfall usually occurs as sporadic rain. Yet, thunderstorms might take place already in the 2nd part of the month.
Typically, days are rainier than nights during the month of May in the city of Geneva. The highest possibility for rain to fall is around early afternoon on a daily basis.
Wind speed
The average speed of the wind is constant in the city in this period, measuring 2.7 m/s (light breeze). However, the wind is stronger during the day, with its speed increasing up to 3.9 m/s (gentle breeze). Wind is the weakest (down to 2 m/s) during early morning hours.
Humidity
With the average relative humidity around 70%, the multi-cultural city of Geneva is a dry destination in May. The chances of comfortable conditions rise from a few percent at the beginning to 20% at the end of the month.
Sunrise and sunset
May 1 features 14:21 hours of daylight, from 6:22 am to 8:43 pm. On May 31, the sun rises at 5:48 am and sets 15:30 hours later, at 9:18 pm.
Extraordinary weather occurrences
In the last few decades, Switzerland started to experience an increasing number of floods. However, these natural disasters aren't likely to occur without massive quantities of rainfall brought by summer thunderstorms or by melting of snow.
Geneva Hotels in May
May is one of a few months when airfare fares and hotel deals in Geneva are somewhat lower than usual. Ski season is behind while the summer peak didn't take place yet. Combined with more favorable weather conditions, this time of year may be right for a city-break vacation. As a guest in a hotel, you are eligible for the free Geneva Transport Card. This useful card entitles you for a completely free use of public trains, buses and boats.
ibis Genève Petit Lancy
ibis Genève Petit Lancy is a 2-star hotel, located a few kilometers away from the city core. The soundproof rooms of the hotel feature free Wi-Fi and air-conditioners. Guests of the property also benefit of an on-site bar.
Chez Maman
3-star Chez Maman is a well-reputed accommodation provider located a few kilometers away from Lake Geneva. The hotel disposes of rooms, suites and apartments equipped with air-conditioning, free wireless internet, coffee machines and TVs with 23 French channels. A restaurant is an additional facility of Chez Maman.
Hotel Bristol
Hotel Bristol is a 4-star establishment located within a walking distance to many key attractions of the city. It features rooms and suites equipped with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, espresso machines and flat-screen TVs. Some units add connecting rooms while room service is a complimentary amenity. Guests of Hotel Bristol also benefit of a fitness center, spa, bar, restaurant and conference facilities.
Les Armures
Les Armures is a 5-star hotel located in the downtown area of Geneva, Switzerland. Many top attractions of the city, including the Saint Pierre Cathedral and Jet d'Eau, are within a 1 km/0.62 mi distance. Occupying a 17th-century structure, it disposes of air-conditioned rooms and suites equipped with free internet and satellite TVs among other amenities. The hotel also has a bar and a restaurant.
Bars and restaurants
The city of Geneva is an attractive culinary destination in terms of culinary offer. The city features eateries serving almost any type of cuisine you could think of. Hence, this multi-cultural destination is capable of satisfying any dietary requirement of yours, whichever it might be. Most bars and restaurants accept credit cards. Some local specialties you should consider trying are Cheese fondue, Rosti, Raclette and Tartiflette.
L'Amazona
L'Amazona is an affordable eatery serving Latin-American food. The restaurant doesn't have an extensive menu, but you can find chicken and beef dishes alongside beers and wines. L'Amazona is open for lunch (10 am - 2:30 pm) and dinner (5:30 pm 10 pm) from Tuesday to Friday, and up to 9 pm on Saturday.
L'Adresse
L'Adresse is a mid-range dining venue serving organic Mediterranean and Asian food. Besides delicious food, you can enjoy cocktails. A pleasant terrace, from where you can see Jet l'Eau, the famous fountain, is an additional asset of the restaurant. L'Adresse is open from Tuesday to Saturday. Opening hours are from noon to 2 pm (3 pm on Saturday), and between 7:30 pm and 10 pm.
Le Grizzly Sarl
Le Grizzly Sarl is a reputable Swiss restaurant. It serves dishes for moderate prices, and the specialty of the house is La Potence flambée au whisky. The dish comprises beef meat skewered on a mace and "enriched" with whisky. Fish dishes are also available. The address of Le Grizzly Sarl is 26 Chemin Edouard-Sarasin 26, and opening hours are from 8:30 am to midnight, Tuesday to Saturday.
Le Jardin
Le Jardin is an exclusive dining venue of the 5-star Hotel Richemond. This French-style restaurant focuses its culinary offer on the local produce, serving imaginative dishes based on meat and seafood among other alternatives. Le Jardin has a terrace that adds a great value to the dining experience.
Things to do in Geneva in May
Geneva Ethnography Museum
The Geneva Ethnography Museum is an outstanding exhibition venue that recently won the "European Museum of the Year" award. It displays an outstanding diversity of artifacts originated all over the world. The museum has around 80 000 items and stages permanent and temporary exhibitions. The permanent exhibition, named "The Archives of Human Diversity," is free of charge. The Geneva Ethnography Museum stages concerts, lectures, workshops and other types of events, and disposes of the play area, too.
The Protestant Reformation
The Reformation movement, initiated by Martin Luther in the 16th century, changed the Christian Europe forever. The Protestant Reformation addressed the corruption in the Catholic Church and demanded that services should be served in the language the congregation understands instead of Latin. The name of the movement indicates that the final goal of the Protestants was to reform the Church. The persistence of the officials of Rome, however, resulted in the division instead.
From then on, the Christian Religion consisted of three branches Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodoxy. The division of Catholic (Western) and Orthodox (Eastern) Christianity ensued in the 11th century (the Great Schism). Back then, the split occurred between the institutions in Rome and Constantinople (nowadays Istanbul, Turkey) in the Byzantine Empire.
Reformation Wall
In Ville de Genève, you can visit the Reformation Wall embedded into the old city walls. The 4 largest statues represent key reformers of the Reformation - John Calvin, John Knox, William Farell and Théodore de Bèze.
