Best time to visit Copenhagen

Due to the oceanic climate, Copenhagen has a moderate temperature even during the coldest month of winter. It’s not too freezing and usually stays around 0°C (32°F). But it’s still rather cold and dark. Chilly northerly wind makes sightseeing rather unpleasant. The temperature can easily drop below freezing during the night. Rain and Snow can fall for 18 days this month. The snow, however, doesn’t stay on the ground for too long due to moderate temperature. Due to the northerly geographic position, Copenhagen gets an average of 4 hours of sunshine per day in January. If you still decide to visit Copenhagen during this month pack plenty of warm layers, wind and waterproof outwear, gloves and a hat.

If you don’t want to spoil your impression of Copenhagen, avoid visiting the city in February. The temperature is not much warmer than in January. But the freezing wind gets worse. It’s still rather dark and dull outside, and Christmas Lights are long gone. The temperature stays slightly above freezing during the day and falls below freezing at night. Rain and snow fall on average for 15 days this month. Fresh snow looks very pretty on Copenhagen roofs, however, it rarely stays on the ground for a long time. If you decide to visit the city during February, pack warm boots, an insulated jacket, gloves, hats, and scarves.

March still feels a lot like winter in Copenhagen. The weather is only slightly warmer than in January or February. With about 5°C (41°F) it may seem quite bearable. But the main problem is the chilly northerly wind that continues to blow making it really hard to stay outdoors for over half-hour. On the positive side, the sun shows more often. There are four hours of sunshine per day in March. From mid-March, you can see blooming flowers here and there. There is as much rain as in February for about 15 days. Rain is a more typical form of precipitation. You will still need a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat to travel to Copenhagen during this time.

April weather in Copenhagen is capricious and full of surprises. It can be perfectly warm and sunny and then freezing and windy on the next day. You can see gentle cherry blossoms and experience snow or even hail. Overall, warmer temperatures guarantee a much better experience in the city. There are about 5 hours of sunshine every day. During afternoons it can be around 10°C (50°F) or more which makes lengthy walks much more enjoyable. However at night and early mornings it’s still rather cold. In April, rain is possible for 15 days so don’t forget an umbrella and pack plenty of warm layers to prepare yourself to all of April’s nasty surprises.

May brings lots of good weather for sightseeing, walking and cycling in Copenhagen. It’s finally warm enough for t-shirts and shorts. While the beginning of the month may still be rainy or windy, the second half is sunnier and warmer. Most outdoor cafes and other businesses that close for the winter reopen in May. It might be still chilly on the beaches due to the breeze coming in off the water, but overall it’s very pleasant to stay outdoors and there are eight hours of sunshine. The seawater is still cold, at about 10°C (50°F). May is not too rainy. It’s actually one of the dryest months of the year with just 12 wet days. If you plan to visit in May pack a few sweaters or a light jacket for early mornings and evenings.

June is one of the best months to visit Copenhagen. Temperature can finally reach the perfect 20 degrees Celsius (69 Fahrenheit). These rare perfect summer days cause much enthusiasm in Copenhagen, and everybody tries to get outdoors and do some sports or activities. The beach season starts in June. With eight hours of sunshine and 15°C (59°F) of sea temperature sunbathing and swimming is possible. You can finally sit for hours in outdoor cafes and patios in Copenhagen without getting cold. However, there is one drawback in June’s weather. It’s rainfall that becomes more intensive comparing to May. There are 16 rainy days this month so you will definitely need an umbrella and a waterproof jacket.

Sunny and warm, July is one of the best months to visit Copenhagen. This month you can experience the perfect summer weather in Copenhagen which is about 21-24°C (70-75°F). If you don’t like the heat, you will feel very comfortable with moderate Copenhagen summer wether. With eight hours of daily sunshine and a sea temperature of 18°C (64°F). you can go to the beach or plan various outdoor activities like hiking and cycling. Danes usually take maximum advantage of warm summer days visiting parks, outdoor music festivals, and the countryside. An occasional downpour will not spoil your vacation since rains are quite short and are followed by clear skies. There are 15 wet days this month which is less than in June.

The last summer month in Copenhagen is warm, rainy and sunny. It is the hottest month of the year, but the temperature rarely exceeds 21°C (70°F). So if you are not a fan of the heat, you will feel perfectly comfortable in Copenhagen during this month. There is a nice breeze coming from the seaside with the water warming up to 18°C (64°F). Summer afternoons in Copenhagen are perfectly warm and sunny. Days start to get shorter, but there is plenty of daylight time to enjoy. Rain is the main problem in August, which is one of the wettest months of the year. You can experience precipitation for 16 days this month, so don’t forget to pack an umbrella and a waterproof jacket.

September is still a great time to visit Copenhagen. Despite the slightly dropping temperatures, it’s still very pleasant and nice. The weather reminds of May, only it’s wetter and not as sunny. But with about five hours of sunshine per day, you can still squeeze in plenty of activities in your day. Early September is still suitable to visit the beach, where seawater is still fairly warm. In the second half of September, temperatures tend to get lower, and you will already need a jacket to walk out in the mornings and nights. Rainfall is less intense than in August, but still quite frequent. There are 15 rainy days this month so don’t forget to pack some waterproof clothes and shoes.

October is beautiful in Copenhagen due to fall foliage that colors the town in gold tones. However, the weather could have been better. This month already feels rather cold, and heavy rains won’t make your stay better. With just three hours of sunshine per day, it already feels like winter. But the temperature is still quite moderate in October, and if you get lucky you can experience some warm, dry and sunny weather. If you are not so lucky cold wind from the Baltic Sea will bring chilly weather and cold rain. On average, there are about 19 days of rain this month. So you will likely get wet at some point. Bring warm layers, waterproof clothes and shoes to be ready for weather surprises in October.

It gets colder and rainier in November. A good weather window to visit Copenhagen has closed. There is just one hour of sunshine per day on average. Gloomy grey skies and constant chilly rain is a good time to visit bars, museums and coffee shops, but not to be outside. Be prepared to winterish weather and temperatures. It may seem OK to bear 5°C (41°F), but the cold wind that comes from the sea will make you feel much colder. November is also one of the wettest months with 19 rainy days. So make sure you pack waterproof and insulated clothes and footwear. Pack your gloves, a hat and get ready to spend a lot of time indoors enjoying great Danish cuisine and pastries.

Christmas season is absolutely magical in Copenhagen. It’s a compensation for all the bad weather that you will have to experience in December. With the shortest days throughout the year, December is very dark, gloomy and wet. It’s not freezing, but 2°C (36°F) feels much worse due to the chilly breeze coming from the sea. At night temperatures drop below freezing. There is a chance to experience some snow in Copenhagen in December which makes the city really beautiful, but unfortunately, freezing rain is more common. There are 18 wet days this month when you can experience rain, snow or both. Pack lots of warm layers, insulated outwear and prepare to spend more time indoors indulging in Danish food and beverages.