The best months to visit Bern are June, July, August and September, when average highs sit comfortably between 19.5 °C and 24.2 °C, sunshine runs long and rain eases off — September in particular sees just 11 rain days with a mild 19.5 °C high. July and August are peak season, when school holidays fill the old town and the riverbanks along the Aare, so June and September offer the same warmth with a little more room. Winter is the quiet, low season, with January highs of only 4.2 °C and short, grey days averaging 5.3 hours of sunshine.
Best months JuneJulyAugustSeptember
Bern month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.2 °C | -2.8 °C | 14 | 5.3 h |
| February | 7.1 °C | -1.1 °C | 12 | 6.4 h |
| March | 10.2 °C | 0.6 °C | 13 | 8.1 h |
| April | 13.8 °C | 3.4 °C | 13 | 10 h |
| May | 17 °C | 7.7 °C | 17 | 10.2 h |
| June | 22.5 °C | 12.8 °C | 16 | 11.9 h |
| July | 24.2 °C | 14.3 °C | 16 | 12.4 h |
| August | 24.2 °C | 14 °C | 12 | 11 h |
| September | 19.5 °C | 10.4 °C | 11 | 9.6 h |
| October | 14.7 °C | 6.3 °C | 12 | 7.4 h |
| November | 8 °C | 1 °C | 13 | 5.5 h |
| December | 5 °C | -1.4 °C | 13 | 4.9 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Good for blossoms and fewer visitors, but pack for wet spells.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The prime window — long days, warm evenings and river swimming; June sidesteps the worst crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is one of the best months of the year; later autumn suits low-key visits.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For Christmas markets and snowy old-town charm rather than sightseeing comfort.
Notable events
- November
- Zibelemärit (Onion Market)
- December
- Bern Christmas Markets
- July
- Gurtenfestival (music festival on the Gurten hill)
- August
- Buskers Bern street-music festival
Frequently asked
Is Bern too hot in August?
No. August highs average 24.2 °C, well within a comfortable range, and it sees just 12 rain days — one of the drier summer months.
What is the rainiest month in Bern?
May is the wettest, with 17 rain days, closely followed by June and July at 16 rain days each. September is the driest of the warm months with 11 rain days.
Is winter worth visiting Bern?
Winter is atmospheric for Christmas markets, but it's cold and grey — January highs reach only 4.2 °C and December averages 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. Go for the festive mood, not sightseeing weather.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Bern area guide →
Areas of Bern
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Bern — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.