Best time to visit · Stockholm · Sweden
The best time to visit Stockholm
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Julian Herzog ( Website ), CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Stockholm is late May to early September, when days are long and mild, outdoor cafés are open and boats run throughout the archipelago. June brings Midsummer and near-endless daylight. December is atmospheric with Lucia and the Christmas markets, while January to March is cold and dark but quiet and lower priced.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- April, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 24°C (75°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 1°C (34°F))
- Rainiest month
- November (~10 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March
Seasons
Stockholm has a mild climate for its latitude: cold, dark winters around or just below freezing with occasional snow, and pleasant summers in the low 20s with very long days. Midwinter daylight lasts only about six hours, while around Midsummer the sky barely darkens.
March–May
Spring
Wintry March gives way to blossom and longer evenings; by May the city is green and the archipelago boats start running more often.
June–August
Summer
Mild days in the low 20s, very long daylight, swimming, Midsummer and archipelago trips; the busiest season for sights.
September–November
Autumn
Crisp, colourful September and October, then dark, damp November with the first Christmas markets.
December–February
Winter
Short days, frost and occasional snow, brightened by Lucia, Christmas markets and cosy cafés; low prices after New Year.
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 | 1°C | -3°C | 9 | 3°C | 6.8 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 2°C | -3°C | 7 | 2°C | 9.1 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 5°C | -1°C | 7 | 2°C | 11.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 11°C | 3°C | 6 | 4°C | 14.4 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 17°C | 8°C | 6 | 9°C | 17 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 21°C | 12°C | 8 | 14°C | 18.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 24°C | 15°C | 8 | 18°C | 17.9 h | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 22°C | 14°C | 9 | 18°C | 15.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 17°C | 10°C | 8 | 14°C | 12.7 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 11°C | 5°C | 9 | 10°C | 10 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 6°C | 2°C | 10 | 7°C | 7.5 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 3°C | -1°C | 10 | 4°C | 6.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Semla day — Shrove Tuesday, when cream buns sell by the thousand (February or March) |
| April | Walpurgis Night — bonfires and choral singing, including at Skansen (30 April) |
| May | Stockholm Marathon (usually late May or early June) |
| June | National Day of Sweden — celebrations at Skansen (6 June); Midsummer's Eve — maypole dancing at Skansen and across the islands (the Friday between 19 and 25 June) |
| August | Stockholm Pride (usually late July or early August); Stockholm Culture Festival — free outdoor events (usually August); Crayfish party season (August) |
| October | Cinnamon Bun Day — Kanelbullens dag (4 October); Stockholm Jazz Festival (usually October) |
| November | Stockholm International Film Festival (usually November); Christmas markets open at Skansen and Stortorget (usually late November) |
| December | Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet (10 December; not open to the public); Lucia — candlelit processions and concerts in churches (13 December); Christmas markets at Skansen and Stortorget (usually until just before Christmas) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Stockholm?
The best time to visit Stockholm is late May to early September, when days are long and mild, outdoor cafés are open and boats run throughout the archipelago. June brings Midsummer and near-endless daylight. December is atmospheric with Lucia and the Christmas markets, while January to March is cold and dark but quiet and lower priced.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Stockholm?
Usually in January–March. Cold and dark with about six to seven hours of daylight; snow and ice are possible. Museums are quiet and hotel prices low.
+What is the rainiest month in Stockholm?
November, with about 10 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Stockholm get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows of 15°C (59°F).