Late spring · Weather & things to do
Svolvær in May
Svolvær sees its driest month, with just 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain, highs of 46°F (8°C) and lows of 41°F (5°C).
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 49/100, 5th of 12.
- Avg high
- 46°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 41°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 2.8 in (71 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~19 h 47 min
- Comfort score
- 49/100 · Fair
What May feels like
Afternoons only reach about 46°F (8°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 41°F (5°C).
Some rain is likely, about 2.8 in (71 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 80%.
With about 19 h 47 min of daylight, evenings stay light late.
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are July & August.
- Comfort improves from 38/100 in April to 49/100.
- Our Lofoten & Tromsø route recommends Late Nov – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Insulated jackethighs only 46°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.8 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Svolvær in May
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Vågan Church
The 1898 'Lofoten Cathedral' in Kabelvåg, a wooden church built for the fishermen who crowded in each winter.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 46°F.
Børsen Spiseri
Restaurant in an 1828 fish-trading house on Svinøya, serving stockfish, cod and lamb by candlelight.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 46°F.
Fiskekrogen
Long-running seafood restaurant on the Henningsvær quay, known for fish soup and the catch of the day.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Lofoten War Memorial Museum
Private collection in a 1923 post-office building covering the German occupation of Lofoten and the 1941 commando raids.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Nearby in May
- Reine in May~43 mi · highs 45°F, 2.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Tromsø in May~146 mi · highs 47°F, 3.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Svolvær in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Svolvær?
It's middling, scoring 49/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 69. Expect highs of 46°F (8°C) and 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain. Our Lofoten & Tromsø route recommends Late Nov – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Svolvær in May?
Average highs are 46°F (8°C) and average lows 41°F (5°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Svolvær in May?
Some: about 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the driest month of the year. The annual total is about 51.7 in (1314 mm).
What should I pack for Svolvær in May?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 46°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.8 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Svolvær in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.