The best time to visit Lausanne is from June to September, when average highs settle into the comfortable low-to-mid 20s and sunshine hours are at their peak. June brings highs of 23.2 °C with 13 rain days, while September eases back to 20.5 °C with 11 rain days, making both ideal for the cathedral, the lakeshore and day trips. July and August are the peak season, with highs of 25.2 °C, the most sunshine and school-holiday crowds along Lake Geneva. Winter is the quiet low season, with January highs of just 5.2 °C, 14 rain days and only 5.2 hours of sunshine a day.
Best months JuneJulyAugustSeptember
Lausanne month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.2 °C | 0 °C | 14 | 5.2 h |
| February | 7.7 °C | 1 °C | 11 | 6.8 h |
| March | 10.6 °C | 2.7 °C | 13 | 8.5 h |
| April | 14.3 °C | 5.6 °C | 11 | 10.3 h |
| May | 17.7 °C | 9.8 °C | 15 | 10.8 h |
| June | 23.2 °C | 14.9 °C | 13 | 12.2 h |
| July | 25.2 °C | 16.5 °C | 12 | 12.8 h |
| August | 25.2 °C | 16.4 °C | 10 | 11.5 h |
| September | 20.5 °C | 12.9 °C | 11 | 9.8 h |
| October | 15.5 °C | 9 °C | 11 | 7.7 h |
| November | 9.4 °C | 4 °C | 13 | 5.7 h |
| December | 6.2 °C | 1.2 °C | 14 | 5 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 gardens and fewer crowds, though May is the wettest month.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The prime window for the lake, festivals and warm evenings.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is excellent; later months turn cool and grey.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For markets and museums, not lakeside strolls.
Notable events
- April
- Cully Jazz Festival (nearby on Lake Geneva)
- June
- Fête de la Musique
- October
- Lausanne Marathon
- December
- Christmas markets (Bô Noël)
Frequently asked
Is Lausanne too hot in August?
No. August highs average 25.2 °C, warm but comfortable, and with just 10 rain days it is one of the driest and sunniest months of the year.
What is the rainiest month?
May is the wettest, with 15 rain days, though it still offers 10.8 hours of sunshine a day. Winter months like January and December see 14 rain days.
Is winter worth visiting?
Only if you want quiet streets and Christmas markets. January highs reach just 5.2 °C with 14 rain days and 5.2 hours of sunshine a day, so lakeside time is limited.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Lausanne area guide →
Areas of Lausanne
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 Lausanne — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.