What's the Weather like in Helsinki in May
Temperature
Spring begins to truly show itself in Helsinki in May. The average daily temperature warms to 10°C during this month. High temperatures average about 15°C while lows still drop down to 4°C. However, with most days staying above freezing, travelers may find fewer crowds and perfect temperatures when visiting during this time.
Rain
Still a low month for rainfall, May typically sees about 40mm of rain throughout the month, with an average of 14 possible rainy days. The skies begin to clear overall, and there is a 40 percent chance of a mostly sunny day throughout the month.
Sunshine Hours
The sun will also be staying up much longer now, with days increasing from 16 hours at the beginning of the month to over 18 hours of sunlight by the end of May. Sunrise will gradually change from 5:15 to 4:10, and sunset will move back from 21:15 to 22:30.
Average Sea Temperature
Sea temperatures begin to warm back up after a long and cold winter, hitting just 3°C, though the water will warm considerably more as the city heads into summer. The overall humidity is low during this month and wind speeds are fairly low for this coastal area as well. The average wind speed during May is just above 11km/hour in Helsinki. Because it's spring, May can still be unpredictable in Helsinki, and a sudden cold day or warmer day may occur. Travelers should consider planning ahead for a variety of weather when packing.
Helsinki Hotels in May
Hotel Lilla Roberts
A sleek hotel with rooms inspired by the Art-Deco movement, Hotel Lilla Roberts is a unique stay in Helsinki's Design District. The hotels are elegantly furnished and a large fireplace in the lobby provides the perfect spot to warm up on cool evenings. A bar and restaurant are located within the hotel, so hungry and thirsty travelers won't have to go far to find delicious food. Other amenities include a gym and several meeting rooms in the hotel, making this a popular option for business travelers looking for style.
Hilton Helsinki Strand
One of the top rated hotels in the city, Hilton Helsinki Strand is located on the waterfront and just a few minutes north of the city center. A top floor sauna and pool make it a great spot for relaxing, while nine meeting rooms make it practical for business travelers. The hotel has an elegant bar and an in-house restaurant offering Scandinavian staples such as reindeer sirloin and duck leg. The 190 rooms and suites are all finished to match the luxurious main areas of the hotel.
Sokos Hotel Albert
The original Sokos Hotel Albert is a laid back hotel with personal charm reflecting the Punavuori district it inhabits in central Helsinki. Part of the Sokos international chain, the hotel amenities include a sauna, meeting rooms, WiFi, a full breakfast, and an in-house bar and restaurant. The restaurant is inspired by northern Italy and the menu is full of classics like pizzas, pastas and salads. The rooms reflect the character of the neighborhood, each with a painting of life in Punavuori. Simple, classic decorations and a moderate price range make Sokos Albert an easy choice for travelers.
Hotel Hanaholmen
Guests looking to venture outside of the city center can book a room at Hotel Hanaholmen. A conference hotel located on the archipelago west of Helsinki, the hotel offers beautiful sea views and plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained without the buzz of the city center. The hotel hosts a variety of lecturers and educational courses, while also offering relaxing amenities such as a pool, sauna, terrace, and a lounge with a fireplace. A restaurant in the hotel features local favorites such as pike perch and Baltic herring. The staff are helpful in planning adventures, though many guests choose to embrace the relaxing nature of Hotel Hanaholmen.
Bars and Restaurants
Restaurant Day
Travelers visiting Helsinki in late May will want to take advantage of a unique event: Restaurant Day. The food carnival began in Helsinki in 2011 and has since expanded around the globe. On one day in May, everyone has the opportunity to become a master chef, running a restaurant wherever they chooseut of their living room, in a park, at the office, or anywhere else! This holiday offers visitors a chance to get a truly local feel for the city as they interacts with Helsinki residents and discover what foods the residents are passionate about and experts at cooking.
Pompier Espa
Tourists visiting Esplanadi Park and all of its surrounding attractions will find many options for a meal nearby. Conveniently located in the center of the park, Pompier Espa is an upscale choice, with set lunch menus and a la carte dinner selections. Pompier caters to unique tastes with items such as beef Tartar, duck leg, and forest mushroom croquets. The lunch menu always includes a salad, soup, bread and a warm meal.
Cafe Pritta
Boasting a beautiful view of the water, Café Piritta sits directly on an inlet near the railway, with gorgeous scenery of the city center. The menu offers selections for a variety of specialty diets, such as gluten free or dairy free. With a European style, options include items like the beef sirloin, pesto chicken, blue mussels, or vegetarian lasagna. Visitors are also welcome to stop in for just a drink; guests can enjoy beer and wine or nonalcoholic drinks like hot teas and coffees.
Aito
Travelers visiting Töölö, just west of the city center, can visit Aito, a small restaurant in a residential area. Serving fresh and seasonal foods since 2009, the restaurant is open from Tuesday-Saturday, and has recently added brunch on Sundays. With the menu changing regularly to suite the seasons, Aito is able to source its food from local Finnish suppliers, added herbs from Finnish woods. The restaurant is dedicated to Scandinavian traditional foods while adding a modern twist. Menus for vegetarians and vegans are also available.
Things to do in Helsinki in May
May Day
May is a celebratory month in Helsinki as the Finnish welcome spring and warmer weather. The festivities kick off with May Day, or Vappu, on the first day of the month. A combination of historical holidays and celebrations, May Day festivities also honor labor day, a student holiday, St. Walburga's day, and of course the beginning of spring. Parades, speeches, music, dancing, and picnicking are just some of the ways people celebrate this holiday. It's a lively time to visit Helsinki and see its festive culture firsthand.
World Village Festival
Travelers to Helsinki in late May can take a miniature tour around the world as many cultures come together between Kaisaniemi Park and Central Railway Station for the World Village Festival. This free event showcases dozens of performances of music, theater and dance. Art, literature, and exotic foods are some of the other attractions visitors will find at the festival. Stalls host organizations from a wide variety of interests.
Esplanadi Park
After walking through Esplanadi Park, visitors are rewarded with the Havis Amanda fountain and sculpture at the Market Square end of the park. The statue was sculpted in Paris and set in its current location in 1908. It shows a nude mermaid standing on seaweed, rising from the water with four fish near her feet and four sea lions surrounding her. Representing the rebirth of Helsinki, the statue stands at 5 meters tall with its pedestal.
Allas Sea Pool
Though the weather is still chilly, visitors don't have to wait for summer to enjoy a swim. Allas Sea Pool is open year round, with both an icy cold sea-temperature pool and a heated swimming pool. The heated pool maintains a 27°C temperature throughout the year. There is a men's sauna and a women's sauna, and sauna experiences such as herb treatments or yoga are available as well.
