Best time to visit · Gothenburg · Sweden
The best time to visit Gothenburg
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: W.carter, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Gothenburg is May to early September, when days are long, the archipelago ferries run often and the sea is warm enough to swim in July and August. June and August are excellent all-round months; July is busy with Swedish holidaymakers. Late November and December are worth it for Liseberg's Christmas market despite short days.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–August
- Shoulder season
- April, September and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 21°C (70°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 2°C (36°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~16 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and October
Seasons
Gothenburg has a mild, damp maritime climate: cool, grey and windy winters hovering around freezing, mild summers with long daylight hours, and rain spread across the year, with the wettest weather in autumn and early winter.
March–May
Spring
Lengthening days, cherry blossom and the restart of Liseberg and the Paddan boats; still cold at night and in March often wintry.
June–August
Summer
Close to 18 hours of daylight in June, swimming off the archipelago rocks, outdoor festivals and the busiest, highest-priced hotel period.
September–November
Autumn
Quieter streets, autumn colours, the book fair and oyster season, with increasing wind and rain from October.
December–February
Winter
Short, dark days around freezing, softened by Christmas markets, Lucia, the film festival and low hotel prices outside the holidays.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C | -3°C | 16 | 4°C | 7.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 2°C | -3°C | 12 | 3°C | 9.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 6°C | -1°C | 12 | 3°C | 11.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 11°C | 2°C | 10 | 6°C | 14.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 16°C | 7°C | 10 | 10°C | 16.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 19°C | 11°C | 11 | 15°C | 18 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 21°C | 13°C | 12 | 18°C | 17.4 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 21°C | 13°C | 13 | 18°C | 15.3 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 17°C | 10°C | 13 | 15°C | 12.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 11°C | 6°C | 14 | 11°C | 10.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 7°C | 3°C | 16 | 8°C | 7.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 3°C | -1°C | 16 | 5°C | 6.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Göteborg Film Festival — one of Scandinavia's largest film festivals (usually late January to early February) |
| February | Göteborg Film Festival continues (usually into early February) |
| April | Walpurgis Night — student celebrations and bonfires, including the Chalmers cortège parade (30 April); Liseberg's summer season usually begins late April |
| May | Göteborgsvarvet — one of the world's largest half marathons (usually May) |
| June | Midsummer — maypoles, herring and dancing, especially on the islands (Friday between 19 and 25 June); West Pride (usually June) |
| July | Gothia Cup — a huge international youth football tournament (usually July) |
| August | Way Out West — music festival in Slottsskogen (usually August); Göteborgs Kulturkalas — free culture festival (usually August); Crayfish parties (kräftskivor) in late summer |
| September | Gothenburg Book Fair (Bokmässan) — Scandinavia's largest book fair (usually late September) |
| October | Cinnamon Bun Day (4 October); Halloween at Liseberg (usually October) |
| November | Christmas at Liseberg — Christmas market and lights (usually mid-November to late December) |
| December | Christmas at Liseberg continues (usually until just before Christmas or later); Lucia celebrations with candlelit processions (13 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March and October, and the sights are quietest in January–March and October.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Gothenburg?
The best time to visit Gothenburg is May to early September, when days are long, the archipelago ferries run often and the sea is warm enough to swim in July and August. June and August are excellent all-round months; July is busy with Swedish holidaymakers. Late November and December are worth it for Liseberg's Christmas market despite short days.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Gothenburg?
Usually in January–March and October. Dark, cold and often wet or icy, with only about seven hours of daylight; a quiet month for museums and the film festival.
+What is the rainiest month in Gothenburg?
January, with about 16 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Gothenburg get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 21°C (70°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F).