Lake Morat

Lake Swiss lake in Canton Fribourg, popular for recreation

Lake Morat (Murtensee) borders the medieval town of Murten; waters and bike paths attract swimmers, sailboats and cyclists. Visitors combine lake cruises with tours of the town’s preserved ramparts.

Main image
Lake Morat
Lake Morat / Murtensee, near Murten (Morat), Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland
46.9316, 7.0830
Accessible year-round
No formal admission to the lake; local attractions/boat tours may charge

How to Get to Lake Morat #

Lake Morat (Murtensee / Lac de Morat) is served from the towns of Murten/Morat and nearby villages. Take Swiss Federal Rail (SBB/regional services) to Murten/Morat station from Bern or Fribourg; the station is an easy 5-10 minute walk to the lakefront. By car use the A12 motorway and take the Murten exit - Bern is roughly 30 km to the east by road.

Tips for Visiting Lake Morat #

  • Arrive via Murten/Morat railway station for the easiest walkable access to Lake Morat's lakeside promenade and beaches; trains from Fribourg and Bern run regularly in summer.
  • To avoid peak crowds, visit outside weekend afternoons - early morning or late afternoon along the lakeshore path offers calmer water and better views back to the medieval town ramparts.
  • Most visitors stick to the main town-front; walk or cycle the lakeshore path toward Sugiez and Laupen to find quieter beaches and vantage points overlooked by tour groups.

Best Time to Visit Lake Morat #

Plan a visit between late spring and early autumn (May-September) for the warmest weather and full range of recreational activities.

Late spring to early autumn (best for recreation)
May-September · 10-25°C
Warmer weather makes swimming, boating and lakeside walks pleasant; many local events and boat services run in this period.
Autumn (scenic and quieter)
October-November · 5-15°C
Fewer visitors and attractive fall colors around the shorelines-good for peaceful walks and photography.
Winter (cold and sometimes icy)
December-February · −5-5°C
Cold conditions can bring ice on parts of the lake and much quieter surroundings; some water activities are not possible.

Weather & Climate near Lake Morat #

Climate

Lake Morat's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (897 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 94 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 24°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 24°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Lake Morat