Weather
Spring is at its height across the country in May, and everywhere, from city parks to national parks, brim with greenery. Mean temperatures in Stockholm and the south reach around 52°F (11°C), while even in the Arctic, it's a comparatively balmy 40°F (4°C ). An average of 9 hours of daily sunshine blesses visitors, and up in the far north, the sun no longer sets at all from May 28 through to early July. Water temperatures are also rising, making watersports (not to mention the obligatory plunge into a lake following a traditional wood-fired sauna) appealing this month.
Crowds & Costs
May is shoulder season, and while you'll notice many more visitors out and about compared to last month, high-season crowds are still some way off, and it's still mainly locals you'll encounter relishing the improved weather. In fact, with many businesses just opening for the summer season, May can still be a good time to grab deals on accommodation and activities.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Where to Go
Everywhere in Sweden in May is inviting, including the big cities. Stockholm's 30,000 island-strong archipelago invites watersport enthusiasts of all kinds. Then there's Kosterhavet Marine National Park on Sweden's west coast, another island-speckled hotspot for kayaking or boating. Meanwhile, hang out at a pavement café in trendy Haga in Gothenburg or visit the Botanic Gardens, a blaze of colorful blooms. Malmö's Lilla Torg square is another atmospheric spot to eat out in the sun, while the city is replete with green spaces to walk, cycle, and picnic, such as Kungsparken.
Those who want to hike might like to try the long-distance Kustsigen trail. The southern coastal path runs along the western seaboard from Tjörn, near Gothenburg, to Oslo (in Norway). Alternatively, for one of Sweden's finest hiking adventures, venture to the High Coast with its steep wooded cliffs rising out of the Gulf of Bothnia: May is the perfect month to visit, as temperatures are cool and mosquitoes are absent.
What to Do
May is a month to appreciate Sweden's diverse terrain. This might involve a tour along the city's canal network in Stockholm, a journey out by boat, or a self-guided kayak into the Stockholm Archipelago. Not to be outdone, Gothenburg also has its archipelago with boat trips running to most of the tranquil islands throughout the month.
The best kayaking is in the Kosterhavet Marine National Park on Sweden's west coast. Still, any of Sweden's many lakes make tempting excursions this month, too: Lake Örsjön is one of many bodies of water with an idyllic wood-fired sauna where you can plunge into the lake water afterward. Most lakes have ample opportunities for swimming, too.
Hiking should be on your agenda in this green and pleasant month. You might like to consider one of Sweden's beech forests, which begin to bloom in May. Söderåsen National Park near Helsingborg has enchanting beech forests. For gentle countryside rambles, Sweden's southernmost county, Skåne, is ideal this month, while more challenging hiking awaits farther north in places such as the Gulf of Bothnia's craggy High Coast.
The increased sunshine hours and lessened snow make cycling a great option, too. Bike Sweden's leading mountain bike park at Slite in Gotland, or adventure along the 400 miles (640 km) cycle path that now runs around the shore of the largest lake in Sweden (and in the European Union), Lake Vänern.
Events in May
Kristi Himmelsfärdsdag, Nationwide. This public holiday marking Ascension Day (on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter) is the invitation locals need to plan a long weekend away.
More Useful Information
Sweden in April
Sweden in June
Best Time of Year to Visit Sweden
How Many Days to Spend in Sweden