10 Things to Do in Copenhagen in May

If you want to experience the cultural side of Denmark's capital while enjoying the balmy spring weather, then May is the month for you. It's considered the month of culture in Copenhagen due to the many events, festivals and fairs that put the spotlight on artistic creations.

In this article I'll tell you about the best things to see and do in Copenhagen in May so that by the end of your trip you'll be eager to come back to finish discovering the whole country.

Without a doubt, one of the main reasons to visit Copenhagen in May is the tulip blossom. With spring in full bloom, these beautiful flowers are everywhere you go, although I recommend you head to the outskirts by joining one of the best tours from Copenhagen.

As well as 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 a ticket to the Tivoli Gardens in the city means you can also enjoy the tulip-covered greenery.

There is nothing better to enjoy Copenhagen's fine weather than booking a canal cruise, an activity you can enjoy whether you are travelling alone, as a couple, with your family or travelling to Copenhagen with children.

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

A canal cruise is also a great way to see the city from a different perspective and in a comfortable way. However, if by any 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 18 May 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 museums.

In addition, many museums also organise 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 there are:

• The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
• The Danish Design Museum
• 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 towards the end), a wide range of contemporary art-related activities 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.

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, Copenhagen's temperatures are getting warmer and it's the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors in the city. In addition to touring the gardens and canals, one of the things I recommend is to book a food tour in Copenhagen.

In this type of activity you will get to know the most incredible Danish gastronomic venues 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 article about the best food tours in Copenhagen.

And if you're more of a nightlife lover, you can substitute the food tour with one of the best pub crawls in Copenhagen. Or you can do both and not miss anything.

In the evenings, the temperature in May in the city drops, but it starts to be better than at other times of the year. So it's a good way to start getting to know the nightlife side of the capital.

Booking a Copenhagen bar tour will allow you to discover the city's most iconic spots after dark and sample the best drinks from each venue.

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

It's been going on for many years - it's been running since 1980 - and a huge crowd of around 10,000 people join in. Would you like to be the 10,001st?

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

Distortion is the biggest festival 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 above all partying hard, you can't miss this festival.

The Copenhagen Architecture Festival is an annual event that celebrates the city's architecture and urban design. The 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.

The festival aims 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 set an example to 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 range of art, from painting and sculpture to installations and video art.

The exhibition is an important platform for Danish and foreign 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 organised to engage and educate the public about contemporary art.

In May, the weather in Copenhagen starts to improve and average temperatures range between 10 and 17 °C (50 and 60 °F). Although there can still be some cool days, spring is in full swing and the days are longer.

Be aware, however, that the weather in the capital can be unpredictable, so don't 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 to see more tourists compared to the winter months, but it still doesn't 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 be aware that weekends and public holidays can be busier, especially if there are major festivals or 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 can find reasonably priced accommodation and restaurants if you shop around. 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 accommodation outside the city centre and using public transport 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, temperatures are similar to those of summer, with warm days and low humidity. However, the weather in Copenhagen tends to be very changeable, so I recommend packing the following in your suitcase:

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