Denmark Weather in May 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Denmark's weather is cool to mild in May, with damp weather in most of Denmark. We recommend visiting Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, and Skagen. See below to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for May.

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Denmark Weather in May: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 8–16°C (46–60°F)
• Rainfall: 5 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 11
• Sunshine hours/day: 9
• Humidity: around 78% (damp throughout Denmark)

May marks the very beginning of the Danish summer, with cool to mild weather throughout the country. In May, the temperatures start to increase towards milder summer temperatures, although there can be a big difference between the beginning and the end of the month. Daylight hours increase too, with around 9 hours of sunshine per day on average.

The month of May is also damp in Denmark, with an average of 11 rainy days, and around 5 cm (or 2 inches) of rainfall during the month. The humidity hovers around 78%, which is on the damp side.

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May Climate Comparison (Averages) for Denmark's Top Tourism Areas

The Best Places to Visit in Denmark in May

With May being the first month leading into summer in Denmark, the days are longer and brighter, making for great weather to explore the country. While there is always a little chance of rain, the showers don't lead to much rainfall, and this is not a deterrent for visiting.

In May, we would suggest starting your trip in the capital city of Copenhagen, and heading over to Aalborg, Aarhus, and Skagen up in the north of the country, for a mix of Denmark's Viking history, its beautiful natural landscapes, and its vibrant cities.

Should you need a little help putting together your trip to Denmark, please reach out to us at Global Highlights. Our team of Denmark experts can take away the stress of planning, and put together your perfect, private tour of Denmark. Contact us to start planning your trip to Denmark.

1. Take a Walking Tour of Denmark's Capital, Copenhagen

Given that May's weather is warmer than previous months, with longer days, we would suggest spending your time in Copenhagen exploring by foot to catch the sights. We suggest starting with Rosenborg Castle, one of Christian IV's most beautiful architectural accomplishments. This castle was built in the 1600s, and it houses the crown jewels of Denmark too.

Afterwards, head on over to Torvehallerne, a market bringing fresh food back into the city. Here you'll find some of Denmark's freshest local produce, perfect to sample Danish cheeses, meats, and other dishes.

Spend the afternoon exploring Nyhavn, the beautiful harbor with its colorful houses, where you'll find cafés, restaurants, and shops. Nyhavn isn't far from Charlottenborg Palace, another beautiful palace, constructed in the 17th century. It very quickly became the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1754, and today also is home to an art gallery. Next to this, you will find the Kongens Nytorv, the city's beautiful cobbled central square.

With your other days we suggest visiting the Little Mermaid statue (see visiting Denmark in February), or spending more time in Copenhagen's beautiful royal palaces and castles (see visiting Denmark in March).

If you are into disco, house, or techno music, Copenhagen is also home to Distortion Festival, held there between May 29 and June 2 in 2024. 2025 dates are yet to be announced.

2. Celebrate Carnival in Aalborg, and Visit the Jørn Utzon Center

In May, Aalborg celebrates Carnival. This cultural event takes place in the last week in May, and is actually the largest carnival in all of Scandinavia. There are three main events, including parades with beautiful, colorful costumes that are fun for both adults and kids alike.

In 2024, the international parade takes place on May 17, including carnival groups from all over the world. Starting points for 2024 are still to be confirmed, but if you are interested in visiting Aalborg Carnival with Global Highlights, do reach out, and our team can help you plan your trip including all carnival arrangements. Contact us.

There are lots of other things to see and do in Aalborg, including architectural marvels built by the same Danish architect that built the Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon. The Utzon Center is worth visiting for its exhibit, but also for its own architecture. The city also has a beautiful old town square, and a nearby Viking burial ground is a must for budding archaeologists or historians. Read our piece about visiting Denmark in April for more information about Lindholm Høje.

3. Discover Viking History in Jutland's Aarhus

Aarhus, located on Denmark's Jutland peninsula, is a great place to learn more about Denmark's Viking past. Back then, Aarhus was known as Aros, and it is one of the oldest cities in the country, being a key trade hub due to its location on the North Sea to Baltic Sea passage. We suggest stopping by the Viking Museum to learn more about this.

Aarhus is also home to Aarhus Cathedral, which is the longest and tallest church in the country, standing at 96 meters (315 feet) in height, and 93 meters (305 feet) in length. Construction of this cathedral dates back to the 12th century, and some of its beautiful frescoes were renovated in the 14th and 16th centuries.

There is a beautiful organ inside too, which has undergone multiple rounds of renovation to keep it working. It is the largest church organ in Denmark.

4. Walk Skagen's Beautiful Nature Trails to Unmatched Viewpoints

Skagen is a beautiful northern city, and is worth visiting to appreciate Denmark's natural landscapes. The drive up in itself is worth the trip. We suggest visiting Grenen, where the North Sea meets the Baltic Sea. An easy trail around there is the Grenensporet Drachmanns Grav, which takes you towards the point in Grenen, past deserted Second World War bunkers.

For a longer trail, there is the Højen and Skagen Klitplantage which is rated as moderate. It is a circular route taking just over 2 hours, through fields and along the rugged coastline.

We recommend bringing supportive footwear and appropriate hiking gear as the paths can be windy and a little solitude depending on the time of day that you are walking.

Skagen itself is also home to a great museum showing some of the local artists depictions of the landscapes dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries.

Crowds and Costs for Traveling in May

May does not fall within Denmark's peak tourist season. This makes it a great time of the year to visit, with relatively fewer crowds and lower prices for accommodation and transportation when compared to its busier peak months of June, July, and August.

There are a few national holidays to bear in mind in May, including Ascension Day (May 9 in 2024, and May 29 in 2025), and Whit Sunday and Monday (May 19 and 20 in 2024, June 8 and 9 in 2025).

Ascension Day marks the 40th day after Jesus Christ's resurrection, while Whit Sunday and Monday mark the 50th and 51st days after Easter, celebrating the birth of the church and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Virgin Mary and the Apostles of Jesus Christ. They are all public holidays, so we would recommend planning ahead. Smaller restaurants and shops might be closed, as well as certain museums. If you are uncertain, we suggest asking your hotel to call ahead.

These days might also see slightly more crowds, with Danish people (as well as other Scandinavian countries, who also celebrate these holidays) having the day off work and traveling around other cities to visit or see family.

What to Wear in May

With Denmark's cool-to-mild climate in May, we would recommend bringing multiple layers to keep warm if you do encounter a cooler day, or if you are spending longer amount of time outside including the evenings or early mornings. A warm winter jacket might be appropriate, or at least a good fleece or woolen jumper in between your coat and under layer.

Bringing solid footwear is a must, particularly if you are planning on spending time walking around Skagen or any of Denmark's natural parks, and a hat is also not a bad idea to keep your ears out of the wind.