The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Helsinki. Temperatures rise (55°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 26% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
May ranks 4 out of 12 months in Helsinki. Compared to April: +11°F daytime, +2.7h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
5 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
4°
Sea
9°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
16.9h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 26
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Helsinki is June (7.7/10), 3.2 pts higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Helsinki
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Helsinki
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a subarctic stay.
Country · Finland
🗣️LanguageFinnish
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeSubarctic oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 68°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 32°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘOctober · 39%
🌌 Subarctic stay
🌌Northern lights ⓘSept → Mars
☀️Midnight sun ⓘJuin (~21h)
🌬️WindVery frequent
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Helsinki ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
FinlandSubarctic oceanic climate with a 7.7 → 0.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
60.17°N · 24.94°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Helsinki?
June is the best month with 66°F highs, 54°F lows, 9.9h of sunshine and 31.0% rainy days. The months of June & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Helsinki get in June?
Helsinki averages 9.9 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.2/10.
What is the rainiest month in Helsinki?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Helsinki in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 54°F, while afternoon highs average 66°F.
Is Helsinki good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Helsinki scores 0.7/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 7.2/10.
When should you avoid Helsinki?
January is the most difficult month to visit Helsinki, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Helsinki in May?
In May, the sea averages 49°F in Helsinki: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Helsinki in May?
The average UV index reaches 5 in May in Helsinki (moderate), with about 16.9h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.