A Local’s Guide to Visiting Copenhagen in the Spring

There’s always one day in March when the sun peeks through those thick gray clouds that loom over Denmark’s capital for much of the year. We normally revert to winter within a few days, but it’s a sign that spring in Copenhagen is on its way. 

Although I love cold weather, spring is one of my favorite times to be in Copenhagen. The city’s parks start blossoming with life as the trees welcome a new season, and locals also re-emerge from their winter hibernation. Most importantly, the windy weather slowly dies down for another six months. 

March, April, and May are fantastic times to visit Copenhagen, with plenty of fun things to do. And while the city has an optimistic feel year-round, it’s particularly jovial in the months leading up to summer. 

Today, you’ll discover everything you need to know about visiting Copenhagen in springtime. I’ve written this guide based on living in the city for over 5 years and also having visited in spring before moving here. 

When Is Spring in Copenhagen?

Spring in Copenhagen typically runs from around the last week of March through May. However, it can start earlier or later, depending on the year.  

Early March is typically a mixture of everything. It’ll probably rain, and sometimes, we’ll get some snow. We may get a few warm days, but generally, the weather is still quite chilly. 

By the end of May, we’re entering what I would call summer. Temperatures are often surprisingly warm in the week’s final month, and the daylight hours—along with the crowds—have also significantly increased. 

How Is the Weather in Copenhagen During Spring? 

The weather itself is very interchangeable, and you’ll probably experience both rain and sun when visiting around this time. In early spring (i.e. late March through mid-April), the daytime temperature normally ranges from 8 – 14ºC (46 – 57ºF). Evenings are cold, though; it’s normally between 3ºC and 6ºC (37 – 43ºF). 

As we progress through April and into May, it normally gets a bit warmer. If you visit in early May, temperatures will be similar to what I stated above. But toward the end of the month, it’s normally between 15ºC and 20ºC (59ºF – 68ºF) during the day. 

Evenings, on the other hand, are normally around 10 – 12ºC (50 – 54ºF). Whether this is cold for you will obviously depend on where you’re from; it’ll probably be warm if you’re Icelandic, but not so much if you’re from near the Equator. 

Are There Any Unique Festivals or Events in Copenhagen During Spring?

Visiting Copenhagen at any time of the year is fun, but springtime has a couple of unique events worth checking out. For example, the Copenhagen Marathon takes place around this time each year. 

Below is a rundown of some of the best spring events in Copenhagen. 

1. The Copenhagen Marathon 

The Copenhagen Marathon normally takes place in May, and the city comes out in force to support those running in it. The 42.2km route is largely flat, thanks to the Danish capital’s topography. Even if you don’t want to run yourself, it’s nice to cheer on participants from the streets. 

You should also note that many of the city’s streets will be closed during the event and plan accordingly. If you’re visiting Copenhagen in May, I recommend checking to ensure that your plans don’t clash.

2. The Danish Cup Final 

The DB Pokal is Denmark’s main cup competition for football (or soccer, if you insist), and the final normally takes place in May. Most of the time, the final is held either at Parken—home of FC Copenhagen—or the Brøndby Stadion, which is just outside of Copenhagen and where Brøndby IF plays its home games. 

Each team has its own ticketing policy for the final, and you will need to wait for general sale unless you’ve got some kind of membership or season ticket. If you wish to attend, I recommend checking the participating clubs’ websites closer to the time for more details.

3. Copenhagen Sakura Festival 

Copenhagen has a couple of places where you can see the spring cherry blossoms, including at Langelinie—which is close to Kastellet. Here, you can also enjoy the Copenhagen Sakura Festival. The event takes place in April and is a celebration of Japanese culture. 

Several events and performances take place throughout the weekend. The Copenhagen Sakura Festival is free to attend. 

4. Bloom Festival 

Bloom Festival is a science and nature festival normally held each May. It takes place in Søndermarken, which is the park just behind Frederiksberg Have. The event has numerous talks and shows, with a comprehensive program spread across 3 days. 

You can attend the event entirely for free, and it’s ideal for both adults and children. Topics covered vary from emotions to time and human relationships. Besides the numerous talks, the event also has a number of music performances. 

Reasons to Visit Copenhagen During the Spring

1. Longer Daylight Hours 

Daylight hours significantly increase in Copenhagen during the spring. Those 10 hours of daylight at the beginning of March have increased to 17 hours by the end of May. I really enjoy going for evening walks around this time, especially with my camera. 

You can see a lot more during the spring since there are more daylight hours. In addition to Copenhagen itself, you can take numerous day trips from the Danish capital. For example, you might want to combine Copenhagen and Malmö in the same weekend. 

While I recommend spending a decent amount of time in Copenhagen, the longer daylight hours mean that springtime is also ideal for visiting if you’re short on annual leave. 

2. A Festive Atmosphere 

While winter in Copenhagen can sometimes feel like a ghost town, it feels like everyone is outside during the spring. Copenhageners take to the waterfronts to relax and swim, and outdoor terraces become more populated throughout the city. 

The atmosphere in Copenhagen during spring is generally positive, and it’s worth heading over to experience it for yourself. Vesterbro is particularly nice during the spring, especially along Sønder Boulevard and around Enghave Plads. 

3. Warmer Temperatures Without the Summer Crowds 

Although Copenhagen is worth visiting year-round, I understand that you may not want to endure the winter rain and wind. Spring is a better time to visit if you want more stable temperatures. 

Summer in Copenhagen is pleasant, but it can also be crowded. Spring offers a happy medium if you don’t want to be around lots of people. Since you’re still visiting in one of the shoulder seasons, you’ll also get better hotel rates. Flights to Copenhagen are also less expensive in the spring.

One thing worth noting is that some of the main summer attractions will still be closed in early spring. Be sure to check that you can do everything you want before booking your trip. And if you need more tips before doing so, I have a full guide outlining where to stay in Copenhagen.

The Best Things to Do in Copenhagen During the Spring

Below are some of my top recommendations for spring activities in the Danish capital. I’ve also written a complete guide on my favorite things to do in Copenhagen with plenty of extra suggestions; it’s free for you to read and doesn’t require a download. So, if you want more tips, you can check that one out as well.

1. Watch Copenhagen’s Parks and Gardens Come to Life 

Besides autumn, Copenhagen’s parks are at their most beautiful in spring. The trees normally grow a new set of leaves around early April, giving the city a pleasant shade of green. 

From March to September, Copenhagen’s parks are often full of people. Visiting around springtime will help you really understand why Denmark ranks so highly in quality-of-life surveys, and I suggest spending some time in:

• Kongens Have 
• Fælledparken 
• Frederiksberg Have 

All of these are a great place to have a picnic on a warm day, too. 

2. Explore Copenhagen’s Outdoor Bars and Restaurants 

Many places in Copenhagen have outdoor seating year-round, but they really up the ante from spring onward. Reffen enters its summer phase around late March or early April, for example; in my opinion, this is the best place for street food in Copenhagen. 

Refshaleøen is also one of Copenhagen’s most underrated neighborhoods, and it’s worth exploring if you visit Reffen. 

Virtually any outdoor bar or restaurant is a great place to people-watch. I recommend Broens Street Food as another option; though open year-round, this area also puts on its summer hat around March or April. 

3. Go for a Dreamy Sunset Walk 

I hardly ever see the sunset in Copenhagen during the summer because I go to bed quite early. So, I make an active effort to spend as much of my spring evenings outside; the Danish capital becomes even more picturesque during golden hour. 

Anywhere along the inner harbor makes for a fantastic sunset walk, and I also really enjoy the atmosphere around Nyhavn at this time. Nordhavn and Sydhavn are fantastic for sunset walks by the water, too. 

I can also recommend Christianshavn and Islands Brygge. Consider visiting some of these excellent photography spots in Copenhagen around sunset as well. 

4. Rent a Boat and Explore Copenhagen From the Water 

It’s impossible not to notice Copenhagen’s close relationship with the water when you’re here. Regardless of where you are in Denmark, you’re never further than 50km from the sea. Naturally, renting a boat is one of the best things you can do during spring in Copenhagen.

GoBoat is the main company that rents tour boats, and you don’t need a license to drive one. You can choose how long you want to rent your boat for, and it’s a great opportunity to explore Copenhagen from a unique angle. 

Up to 8 people can join one boat, and since it uses an electric motor, you can enjoy taking in Copenhagen’s cozy atmosphere. You don’t have to reserve in advance, but doing so will ensure that you have a boat. 

5. … Or Join a Boat Tour Instead 

You can also join a boat tour if you’d rather have someone else drive your boat. Stromma and Nettobådene are the two main operators in Copenhagen. Both depart from Nyhavn, though Stromma has another ticket office at Gammel Strand.

You’ll see many of Copenhagen’s main attractions on your boat tour, such as Nyhavn, Christiansborg Palace, and Christianshavns Kanal. Tours take place in English and Danish. 

6. Visit the Blossoming Cherry Trees 

The blossoming Sakura trees are one of my personal Copenhagen highlights each year. For a few weeks in April, small parts of the city are transformed into wonderful shades of pink. 

Bispebjerg Cemetery, close to Grundtvigs Kirke, is the best place to see the cherry blossoms. It’s quite far out of the city center; you can take the bus, but I recommend renting bicycles. 

Langelinie is another good choice, even if you don’t visit the Sakura Festival. Though significantly smaller, the area is still particularly beautiful at this time of year. It’s also closer to the city center and has the bonus of a nice waterfront view. 

What to Wear When Visiting Copenhagen in the Spring

The spring weather in Copenhagen is interchangeable at best, and you’ll need to be versatile when packing. 

Above all else, bring a good raincoat; although April is drier than most months on average, encountering rain is still possible. RAINS, Helly Hansen, and H2O Fagerholt are my top brand recommendations. 

You may still need your gloves, too, especially if you’re visiting in early spring. While you’ll be fine without them during the day, it does get quite chilly in the evening. Bringing a sweater is also a wise idea, especially if you’re prone to getting cold.

If you’re visiting toward the end of May, you *might* get away with wearing shorts. However, you’ll need trousers more often than not. The weather forecast is pretty useless here as it changes all the time, but you can use it as a guideline to determine what you need to bring. 

I’ve recommended dressing in layers for most of my seasonal guides, and I also think that’s a good idea when visiting Copenhagen in spring. You can then at least add more or take some off, depending on how you’re feeling. 

Spring Daylight Hours in Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s daylight hours increase significantly during the spring, and you’ll also need to note that the clocks go forward by one hour at the end of March. By mid-May, it’s already lighter than in most other regions’ longest days. 

Below is a quick outline of the sunrise and sunset times throughout spring in Copenhagen. 

Date	Sunrise	Sunset
March 21	06:09	18:25
April 1	06:40	19:47 (later sunset due to the clocks going forward)
April 15	06:04	20:15
May 1	05:26	20:48
May 15	04:58	21:14
June 1	04:33	21:42

(Source: timeanddate)

Other Useful Things to Know When Visiting Copenhagen in Spring

A spring visit to Copenhagen involves quirks that you might not be used to. Understanding these will help you enjoy a smoother trip, and I’ve listed some of my top tips to help you below. 

1. Lots of Public Holidays That You Might be Unaware Of

During my first full year living in Copenhagen, I remember cycling to my coworking space one day and being confused as to why the door was locked. The office was also empty. After cycling home and doing some research, I realized that it was a public holiday. 

Denmark takes its public holidays very seriously, and many of these occur between April and June. For example, Danes also get Thursday off before Easter. In the UK, where I’m from, our bank holiday runs Friday through Monday. 

Ascension Day is a public holiday taking place in May. On Whitsun and Whitsun Monday in June, grocery stores will be closed; however, restaurants and tourist attractions will often still be open. 

Store Bededag (Great Prayer Day) used to be a public holiday, but the government controversially scrapped this from 2024 onwards. 

2. Hayfever… 

Hayfever season normally starts in April, and the intensity will depend on where you are. For example, I had pretty bad hayfever when I lived by the water in Sydhavn. However, I haven’t had as many issues after moving to a different part of the city. Bring some hayfever tablets to ensure that you aren’t caught off-guard. 

You can also buy hayfever tablets from any pharmacy in Copenhagen if you need some while you’re here. 

3. Consider Still Supplementing With Vitamin D

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t automatically get vitamin D from the sun just because it’s out. It has to be a certain level above the horizon, and as Copenhagen is quite far north, the window for this is smaller. 

I normally run by the rule that I get vitamin D from the sun in Copenhagen between early May and the start of August. Outside of that time, I use vitamin D supplements. I strongly recommend that you do the same, especially if you’re visiting in March or April. 

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