Copenhagen in May: a seasonal travel plan
Copenhagen, Denmark. In may, the average daytime high is 14.9 °C and the night-time low is 8.2 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
Choose a month
Selected month: May
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Copenhagen
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 14.9 °C
- Nighttime low
- 8.2 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 34.1 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 9.9
- Daylight
- 16.2 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 12.9 | 6.2 | 2.7 |
| Days 11–20 | 14.9 | 8.1 | 2.9 |
| From day 21 | 16.7 | 10.1 | 4.3 |
What this month is like
Copenhagen, Denmark. In may, the average daytime high is 14.9 °C and the night-time low is 8.2 °C. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
There are 9.9 wet days on average, with about 34.1 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
Average daylight is 16.2 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket, a jumper, long trousers and comfortable closed shoes. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 10.0 °C, May — 14.9 °C, next month — 19.3 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 7.9, 9.9 and 9.9.
Things to do
Copenhagen spreads across Zealand and Amager, and water runs through the city: the Nyhavn canal, the harbour baths and the island of Christianshavn. The historic centre is compact enough to walk, and the bicycle is how locals reach the residential districts.
Nyhavn and the harbour
Walk along Nyhavn past the coloured gabled houses, then follow the waterfront to the Opera House and the Inderhavnsbroen bridge. In summer the harbour bath at Islands Brygge opens for swimming.
Tivoli
Tivoli, the old amusement park beside Central Station, mixes rides, gardens and small concert stages. Arrive in the evening when the lights come on and allow two or three hours.
Rosenborg and the King's Garden
Rosenborg Castle holds the Danish crown jewels, and the King's Garden around it is made for a picnic on a warm day. Nyhavn is a twenty-minute walk away through the centre.
Where to stay
Indre By
The historic centre puts Nyhavn, the Round Tower and Strøget within a short walk. It has the most tourists and hotels, and the main streets are noisy in the evening.
Vesterbro
Vesterbro suits travellers who want cafés, restaurants and a short walk to Central Station. The district is lively and sometimes loud, but the centre is ten minutes away by bike or train.
Nørrebro
Nørrebro has a local food market, street food and Jægersborggade with its small workshops. It costs less than the centre, though Nyhavn is about twenty minutes away by metro or bike.
Getting to and around Copenhagen
Kastrup Airport lies eight kilometres from the centre; metro line M2 reaches Kongens Nytorv in about fifteen minutes. The bicycle is the city's main transport: wide lanes run along streets and over bridges, while S-train services and the metro link the outer districts. The centre is compact, and most walks need no transport at all.
Three days in Copenhagen
Nyhavn and the castle
Start at Nyhavn, walk to Kongens Nytorv and on to Rosenborg Castle and the King's Garden. Return to the water in the evening and eat somewhere near the canal. The Round Tower is on the way.
Christianshavn and the harbour
Cross Knippelsbro into Christianshavn, climb the tower of Church of Our Saviour and walk on to Christiania. In summer finish with a swim at the Islands Brygge harbour bath. The tower climb is steep.
Vesterbro, Nørrebro and Tivoli
Walk through the Kødbyen meatpacking district in Vesterbro, then ride to Nørrebro for coffee on Jægersborggade. Spend the evening at Tivoli beside Central Station. Book Tivoli tickets online to skip the queue at the gate.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.4 | 0.5 | 67.6 | 14.0 | 7.7 |
| February | 4.0 | 0.6 | 62.4 | 11.3 | 9.6 |
| March | 6.2 | 1.3 | 85.0 | 11.1 | 11.8 |
| April | 10.0 | 3.6 | 45.8 | 7.9 | 14.1 |
| May | 14.9 | 8.2 | 34.1 | 9.9 | 16.2 |
| June | 19.3 | 12.8 | 55.4 | 9.9 | 17.4 |
| July | 20.6 | 14.5 | 66.9 | 13.4 | 16.9 |
| August | 21.2 | 15.0 | 68.8 | 13.2 | 15.1 |
| September | 18.2 | 12.7 | 55.4 | 10.8 | 12.8 |
| October | 13.1 | 8.9 | 71.5 | 14.3 | 10.5 |
| November | 8.1 | 5.1 | 62.3 | 14.0 | 8.4 |
| December | 5.0 | 2.3 | 63.5 | 14.3 | 7.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Copenhagen: what is the temperature in May?
The average daytime high is 14.9 °C and the night-time low is 8.2 °C. Fit the main walking route into daylight hours; bring an extra layer for the evening.
How many days with precipitation are there in May?
On average, there are 9.9 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 34.1 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in May?
Pack a light jacket, a jumper, long trousers and comfortable closed shoes. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 12.9 °C; 11–20 — 14.9 °C; 21 to month-end — 16.7 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in May?
The average is 16.2 hours. Long daylight hours make it easy to split a walk between morning and evening, with a longer break in between.
Is Copenhagen worth visiting in May?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 14.9 °C and nights around 8.2 °C work for you. Plan the main route in daylight and add an extra layer for early and late hours.
What can I do in Copenhagen on a wet day in May?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Copenhagen in May?
Pack a jacket or jumper, long trousers and closed shoes. Average daylight is 16.2 hours.