Stockholm in May

In May, Stockholm averages 16°C (61°F) during the day and 6°C (43°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (35 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

May in Stockholm is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

16°C
Avg high
6°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
35 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Stockholm

4th
warmest month of the 12
9th
wettest month of the 12
6%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
16 h 58 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Stockholm (4th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C above the annual average (10°C). May runs 7°C warmer than April (9°C) and warms a further 5°C into June (21°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Stockholm

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
4:15 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
9:12 PM
Day length
16 h 58 min

Times shown for Stockholm local time (Europe/Stockholm), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Stockholm — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Stockholm's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
3:15 AM – 3:55 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
3:55 AM – 4:55 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
8:32 PM – 9:32 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
9:32 PM – 10:12 PM

📅 When to book — Stockholm in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (Shoulder) and Stockholm's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — May in Stockholm

Shoulder

Stockholm is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Stockholm

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
9.2
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Stockholm in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 0°C / 32°F -5°C / 23°F 40 mm 9 7
February 0°C / 32°F -6°C / 21°F 30 mm 8 7
March 4°C / 39°F -3°C / 27°F 30 mm 8 5
April 9°C / 48°F 1°C / 34°F 30 mm 8 1
May 16°C / 61°F 6°C / 43°F 35 mm 9 0
June 21°C / 70°F 11°C / 52°F 50 mm 10 0
July 23°C / 73°F 13°C / 55°F 70 mm 11 0
August 21°C / 70°F 13°C / 55°F 65 mm 12 0
September 16°C / 61°F 9°C / 48°F 55 mm 12 0
October 9°C / 48°F 5°C / 41°F 50 mm 11 1
November 5°C / 41°F 0°C / 32°F 50 mm 11 4
December 1°C / 34°F -3°C / 27°F 45 mm 10 7

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Stockholm in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Stockholm in May?

In May, Stockholm averages a high of 16°C (61°F) and a low of 6°C (43°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Stockholm in May?

May sees occasional rain in Stockholm, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Stockholm?

May is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Stockholm in May?

Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full May packing list for Stockholm for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Stockholm on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.