Sweden Gothenburg Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in Gothenburg is high
Gothenburg Weather in May — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 15° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 45mm · 10 days
- Crowds
- Busy
As of 2026, Gothenburg in May averages a high of 15°C and low of 7°C with 45mm of rain over about 10 days. Late spring — light jacket over tee daytime, cardigan for evenings (still 7°C). Sneakers + sunglasses + SPF 30 (UV climbing). Pack a thin scarf for cool waterfront breeze.
May is high for Gothenburg.
May is the best-value summer-quality month for Gothenburg — 17 hours of daylight, comfortable 15°C highs, archipelago ferries on full summer schedules, Liseberg open daily, and crowds + prices below the June-August peak. The Gothenburg Marathon (last Saturday) is a city-wide spectacle. Locals say May is when Gothenburg is at its actual best — full operational without the peak-season hotel rates.
Travel score
Best-value summer-quality month + 17h daylight + Gothenburg Marathon
May Weather at a Glance
May averages 59°F / 15°C highs and 45°F / 7°C lows with 45mm rainfall over 10 wet days. Humidity 70%. Sunshine 8h daily. Daylight at 17 hours by month-end — sunrise 04:45, sunset 21:45. The city's bird population peaks; swifts and swallows fill the skies. Sea-temp climbs to 9°C — possible swimming for the brave, but cold-shock real. The Bohuslän coast is at its photogenic best with fishing villages reopening their summer cafés.
May Travel Advice
Pre-book Liseberg + Universeum online — May queues 30+ min. Gothenburg Marathon (last Saturday) closes central streets — avoid renting a car that weekend; hotels in central charge 30%+ premium for Marathon weekend. Archipelago ferry season fully operational — Västtrafik travel card covers everything (SEK 110-220 / $10-21 for 24-72 hours). Bohuslän day trips to Marstrand fully operational.
May Pricing Trends
Climbing toward summer peak: Upper House $320-540/night, mid-range 4-star $180-280. Flights from major hubs $700-1,200. Marathon Saturday + Sunday adds $50-150 hotel premium.
Gothenburg May Weather Stats
Avg High
15°C
Avg Low
7°C
Rainy Days
10
45mm total
Sunshine
8h
Daily avg
Humidity
70%
moderate
UV Index
4
Moderate
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 28
Sea Temp
9°C
swimming possible (chilly)
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
12 μg/m³
PM10
20 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
15°C
Nighttime
7°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 28 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- 15/7°C ideal walking + sightseeing temperatures
- Daylight 17 hours (sunrise 04:45, sunset 21:45)
- Archipelago ferry full summer schedule operational
- Liseberg open daily for spring season
- Gothenburg Marathon last Saturday — 12,000 runners
- Slottsskogen park summer programming starts
Cons
- Hotels climbing toward June peak
- Tourist crowds returning to Haga + Liseberg
- Marathon Saturday drives traffic chaos + 30%+ hotel premium
- Evenings still chilly (7°C)
- Sea-temp 9°C swimming only for the brave
May Events & Festivals
- Mother's Day (last Sunday in May)
- Gothenburg Marathon (last Saturday in May, 12,000 runners)
- Liseberg full season
- Slottsskogen Park summer programming begins
Gothenburg in May — Full Picture
May is the best-value summer-quality month for Gothenburg — 17 hours of daylight, comfortable 15°C highs, archipelago ferries on full summer schedules, Liseberg open daily, and crowds + prices below the June-August peak. The Gothenburg Marathon (last Saturday) is a city-wide spectacle. Locals say May is when Gothenburg is at its actual best — full operational without the peak-season hotel rates.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Late spring — light jacket over tee daytime, cardigan for evenings (still 7°C). Sneakers + sunglasses + SPF 30 (UV climbing). Pack a thin scarf for cool waterfront breeze.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current10°C
2.7°C
10.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
19.7°C
13°C
12/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
11°C
7°C
13.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
1.7°C
-2.3°C
12.7/mo
Gothenburg Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1° | -3° | 13d·60mm | 1h | 88% | 0 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 1° | -3° | 11d·40mm | 2h | 86% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -1° | 11d·50mm | 4h | 80% | 2 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 10° | 2° | 10d·45mm | 6h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 15° | 7° | 10d·45mm | 8h | 70% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 18° | 11° | 11d·60mm | 9h | 71% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 21° | 14° | 12d·70mm | 9h | 73% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 20° | 14° | 13d·80mm | 7h | 76% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| 16° | 11° | 13d·75mm | 5h | 80% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 11° | 7° | 14d·80mm | 3h | 84% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | 3° | 14d·80mm | 1h | 88% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 3° | -1° | 14d·70mm | 1h | 89% | 0 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Gothenburg May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Gothenburg?
Gothenburg in May is high. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Gothenburg in May?
Gothenburg May averages a high of 15°C and a low of 7°C.
Does it rain much in Gothenburg in May?
Gothenburg May averages 45mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in Gothenburg in May?
Late spring — light jacket over tee daytime, cardigan for evenings (still 7°C). Sneakers + sunglasses + SPF 30 (UV climbing). Pack a thin scarf for cool waterfront breeze.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Gothenburg in May?
Gothenburg May sunrise is 04:45 and sunset is 21:45, with 17h of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Gothenburg in May?
Gothenburg May air quality (AQI) averages 38, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 12μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Gothenburg in May?
In May, Gothenburg is great for Inom Vallgraven + Avenyn walking, Liseberg full season opens, Archipelago day to Vrångö + Brännö.
Is May peak season in Gothenburg?
Gothenburg May crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Gothenburg
View Other Months
Planning a May trip to Gothenburg?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.