01Weather
Copenhagen weather in May
Afternoons in May average 16.4 °C (62 °F) and nights cool to 8.7 °C (48 °F). Compared with April it is 5.0 °C warmer; June is 4.3 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 22 °C / 71 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 12 °C / 53 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 5 °C / 40 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.1 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 28.3 °C / -1.3 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:26 | 20:47 | 15.3 h |
| 15 May | 04:58 | 21:14 | 16.3 h |
| 31 May | 04:34 | 21:40 | 17.1 h |
Daylight grows by about 108 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Copenhagen).
03Crowds
How busy Copenhagen is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Copenhagen Marathon
- Distortion street party in late May or June
- Ascension and Whit weekends
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| 7 May 2027 | Bank closing day |
| 16 May 2027 | Pentecost |
| 17 May 2027 | Whit Monday |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Copenhagen in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen Marathon | a Sunday in May | sport |
07Packing
What to pack for Copenhagen in May
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is fresh, green and bright, with afternoons around 16 °C, the Marathon on a Sunday mid-month, the Ascension and Whit long weekends and light until after nine. Distortion's street parties sometimes start in the final days. The harbour baths at Islands Brygge open late in the month if the weather allows, and the first swimmers brave 14 °C water. Hotels fill at weekends.
Rain falls on about nine days. Constitution Day on 5 June follows, so late May is the run-up to the summer season at spring prices. The Carlsberg brewery district, the Meatpacking District's outdoor tables and the lakes are where the city spends its evenings. The cruise season begins, with ships at Langelinie and Nordhavn. June has the longest days of the year; see June.
09Compare
Copenhagen month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | 0 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 5 °C | 1 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 7 °C | 1 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| April | 11 °C | 4 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 16 °C | 9 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| June | 21 °C | 13 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 21 °C | 15 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 22 °C | 14 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 18 °C | 12 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| October | 13 °C | 9 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 8 °C | 5 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 6 °C | 2 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Copenhagen.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam in May | 18 °C | 9 |
| Prague in May | 19 °C | 11 |
| London in May | 17 °C | 9 |
| Budapest in May | 22 °C | 12 |
| Paris in May | 19 °C | 13 |
| Venice in May | 21 °C | 10 |
11FAQ
Copenhagen in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Copenhagen?
May is a good month to visit Copenhagen. Daytime highs average 16 °C (62 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Copenhagen in May?
Expect cool days around 16 °C (62 °F) and nights near 9 °C (48 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 22 °C, and one in ten stays below 12 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Copenhagen in May?
May in Copenhagen, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Copenhagen in May?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Copenhagen crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Copenhagen Marathon; Distortion street party in late May or June; Ascension and Whit weekends.
What time does it get dark in Copenhagen in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 21:14 and rises at 04:58, giving 16.3 hours of daylight.