10 Things to Do in Copenhagen in May

If you want to know the cultural side of the capital of Denmark while enjoying a pleasant and spring-like weather, then May is your month. It is considered the month of culture in Copenhagen due to the large number of events, festivals and fairs that focus on artistic creations.

In this article I tell you the best things to see and do in Copenhagen in May so that at the end of your trip you will be eager to return to finish discovering the whole country.

Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons to visit Copenhagen in May is the blooming of the tulips. With spring in full bloom, these beautiful flowers are everywhere you go, although I recommend that you head to the outskirts by joining one of the best tours from Copenhagen.

In addition to the city's parks such as The King's Garden, you can take a trip to Lolland Island or Gavnø Castle, where Denmark's oldest and largest tulip festival is held.

And of course, booking admission to the Tivoli Gardens in the city will also allow you to enjoy the tulip-covered greenery.

There is nothing better to enjoy the good weather in Copenhagen than booking a canal cruise, an activity that you can enjoy whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, as a family or traveling with children to Copenhagen.

There are as many day cruises as night cruises, being in fact one of the best things to do in Copenhagen at night.

A canal cruise is also a great option to see the city from another perspective and in a comfortable way. However, if by chance the weather that day is not good or it is colder than expected, you can always take shelter in the covered area of the boats.

International Museum Day is celebrated annually on May 18 and is an opportunity for museums around the world to celebrate their importance and promote understanding of history and culture through public access and participation.

During this event, you can visit Copenhagen's best museums for free or with discounted admission, making it a perfect day to explore the permanent and temporary collections they house. I especially recommend booking tickets to the National Museum of Denmark, one of the most important.

In addition, many museums also organize special events, such as guided tours, workshops, concerts and activities for children. This offers a unique opportunity to experience the city's culture in an exciting and educational way, and to connect with the city's history and community.

Important museums in Copenhagen

In addition to the National Museum of Denmark we find:

• The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
• The Design Museum of Denmark
• The Carlsberg Museum, which offers a fascinating look at the history of beer in Denmark.

Copenhagen Art Week is one of the highlights of the city's cultural calendar. During one week in May (usually at the end), a wide variety of activities related to contemporary art take place, from gallery and museum exhibitions to street performances and events.

Art Week is an opportunity to meet emerging and established artists from around the world, but you can also see artworks of all kinds, from painting and sculpture to video art and conceptual art, making it one of the main spring exhibitions in Copenhagen.

In addition, during this event, the city comes alive with special events, parties and exhibition openings, making it an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene of the Danish capital and get a taste of the local culture.

In May, the temperatures in Copenhagen are getting warmer and it is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors in the city. Besides touring its gardens and canals, one of the things I recommend is to book a gastronomic tour in Copenhagen.

In this type of activities you will get to know the most incredible Danish gastronomy while you walk the streets of the capital and taste some dishes outside with the rest of the group.

If you are interested in the idea, I suggest you take a look at our articles about the best gastronomic tours in Copenhagen.

And if you like more of a nightlife atmosphere, you can replace the food tour with one of the best pub tours in Copenhagen. Or well, there is also the option to do both and not miss anything.

At night, the temperature in May in the city drops, but it starts to be better than at other times. So it is a good option to start getting to know the nightlife of the capital.

By booking a bar tour in Copenhagen you will discover the most emblematic places of the city when the night falls and you will taste the best drinks of each place.

The Copenhagen Marathon is usually held annually on May 5. It is a very popular event that runs through the most important streets of the Danish capital, passing by landmarks such as Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg Castle and the Marble Church, making it a fun and energizing alternative to booking a guided tour of Copenhagen.

It has been held for many years, since 1980, and it is joined by a large number of people around 10,000 participants. Would you like to be the 10,001st?

And the funniest thing of all is that there is also a mini marathon the day before for the little ones in which the whole family can participate. If you want to join one or both, just register on the event's official website.

The Distortion festival is the biggest of its kind in the capital. It takes place at the end of May and features street parties and clubbing in style, attracting almost 300,000 people.

Best of all, a wide variety of music styles are played, from hip-hop and rock to techno and even polka.

The location varies from night to night over the different days, taking place in different parts of the capital each time. If you like this kind of music and especially the big party, you can't miss this festival.

The Copenhagen Architecture Festival is an annual event that celebrates the architecture and urban design of the city. This event takes place in May and features a series of exhibitions, talks, film screenings and live concerts at various venues, including some of Copenhagen's finest castles.

This festival seeks to encourage dialogue about architecture and urbanism, and address issues such as sustainability, accessibility and innovation, all issues in which cities in the Scandinavian region are an example in the world.

In addition to the main events, the festival also offers guided tours of the city, where participants can discover Copenhagen's architecture in a unique and exciting way, on some of the best tours of the Danish capital.

The Kunsthal Charlottenborg exhibition is an annual exhibition of contemporary and conceptual art featuring works by established emerging artists from Denmark and abroad. It covers a wide variety of art, from painting and sculpture to installations and video art.

The exhibition is an important platform for Danish and overseas artists seeking to present their work in Denmark. It also attracts a broad and diverse audience of art lovers, critics and collectors, offering the opportunity to discover new trends and styles in contemporary art.

This exhibition takes place every year in the spring months and is one of the most important art shows in the country. In addition to the main exhibition, a series of events, talks and workshops are also organized to engage and educate the public about contemporary art.

In May, the weather in Copenhagen starts to improve and average temperatures range from 10 to 17 °C. Although there can still be some cool days, spring is in full swing and the days are longer.

However, you should be aware that the weather in the capital can be unpredictable, so it is best not to be overconfident.

Copenhagen's parks and gardens are beautiful in May, with flowers and trees in full bloom. It's also a good time to take a bike ride around the city and enjoy the cool breeze and sunshine.

May is one of the most popular months to visit Copenhagen due to the pleasant temperatures and the number of festivals and events taking place in the city, so you can expect a higher tourist influx compared to the winter months, but it still does not reach the level of the summer months.

All in all, you will be able to enjoy the city without the massive summer crowds in the Danish capital although you should keep in mind that weekends and public holidays can be busier, especially if there are festivals or major events scheduled.

In any case, I recommend that you book accommodation and activities in advance to avoid disappointment and secure your place at all attractions.

May is one of the most popular months to visit Copenhagen, so prices may be higher than in low season. However, you will be able to find reasonably priced accommodation and restaurants if you search properly. Keep in mind that, in general, prices in Copenhagen tend to be higher than in other European cities...

To save money, I recommend looking for accommodations outside the city center and using public transportation to get around. In addition, many restaurants offer daily set menus at more affordable prices during the week.

As a tourist, you can also take advantage of the city's free attractions such as parks and open-air museums, as well as discounts at some of the museums and tourist attractions with the Copenhagen Card.

In May the temperatures are similar to those of summer, with warm days and few humid days. However, the weather in Copenhagen tends to be very changeable, so I recommend that you include the following in your suitcase:

• Lightweight pants
• Lightweight T-shirt
• Waterproof socks
• Waterproof shoes
• Waterproof coat
• Rain jacket
• Umbrella
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Light sweater
• Camera