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When to go · Estonia

Estonia in May

Great month. Green and bright; 30 April Walpurgis in Tartu; sea still cold.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
Medium
Estonia
Prices
Medium
Estonia

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Estonia

Green and bright; 30 April Walpurgis in Tartu; sea still cold.

Is another month better than May?

No other month rates higher than May for Estonia in this guide.

Weather in May

  • North coast and Tallinn · Tallinn, Lahemaa, Narvabest weather

    Mild for its latitude thanks to the sea; winter around −3 °C (27 °F) with slush and wind; summer 18–23 °C (64–73 °F) with up to 19 hours of light.

  • South and inland · Tartu, Otepää, Võru, Viljandibest weather

    More continental: colder, snowier winters (cross-country skiing around Otepää) and a few degrees warmer in summer.

  • Western islands and coast · Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Pärnu, Haapsalufine

    Sunniest part of the country in summer; the sea stays cold until late June; many guesthouses close October–April.

  • East Estonia: East Estonia · Ida-Viru county, Baltic coast and Lake Peipsibest weather

    Lake Peipsi freezes in winter and the Valaste waterfall freezes into ice; the coast is windier and cooler than inland in summer.

  • North Estonia: Tallinn and the north coast · Tallinn, Paldiski, Laulasmaa, Kaberneeme, Käsmu, Võsubest weather

    Best June–August for beaches and long days; May and September are quieter and cheaper. Winters are cold and dark, with the sea freezing in some years — Jägala Falls freezes in cold spells.

  • North Estonia: Inland (Raplamaa, Järvamaa, Rakvere) · Türi, Rakvere and the manor beltbest weather

    Slightly colder and less windy than the coast; bog walks are best late spring to early autumn.

  • South Estonia: Tartu and the south · Inland hills and lake countrybest weather

    Colder and snowier than the coast; Otepää holds snow for skiing most winters. Summer days are long, with light until late evening.

  • West Estonia and Islands: Mainland coast (Pärnu, Haapsalu) · Pärnu and Lääne countiesbest weather

    Beach season is June–August; the Baltic stays cool, around 18–20 °C (64–68 °F) at the height of summer.

  • West Estonia and Islands: Islands (Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Kihnu) · West Estonian archipelagofine

    Windier and a few degrees cooler than the mainland; ferry crossings can be cancelled in autumn gales.

  • Tallinn15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Aruküla16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Haapsalu15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Jõhvi16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kaberneeme16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kabli16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kallaste16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kärdla17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Käsmu16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kihnu14 °C (57 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 4 rain days
  • Kiviõli15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kohtla-Järve14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kuremäe16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kuressaare14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 7 rain days
  • Laulasmaa16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days
  • Maardu15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days
  • Mustvee16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Narva-Jõesuu17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Narva16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Noarootsi15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days
  • Nõva15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days
  • Otepää16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days
  • Paldiski15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Pärnu16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Põltsamaa15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days
  • Rakvere16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ruhnu15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days
  • Sillamäe15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Tapa16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tartu17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Toila15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days
  • Türi16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Valga17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Valgeranna17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Viljandi17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Vormsi18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Võru17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Võsu15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Spring Day

    1 May

    Public holiday; Walpurgis Night parties on 30 April in Tartu.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Estonia
Medium
Prices · Estonia
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Estonia, side by side.

  • Verdict

    May: Great

    Jun: Great

  • Crowds

    May: Medium

    Jun: High

  • Prices

    May: Medium

    Jun: High

  • Festivals listed

    May: 1

    Jun: 3

May: Green and bright; 30 April Walpurgis in Tartu; sea still cold.

June: White nights; Old Town Days early in the month; Midsummer 23–24 June closes a lot — plan around it.

Estonia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in May

Rated best or good this month

  • North coast and Tallinn

    Best weather of the year (Tallinn, Lahemaa, Narva)

  • South and inland

    Best weather of the year (Tartu, Otepää, Võru, Viljandi)

  • Tallinn

    Mild; long light.

  • Aruküla

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Kabli

    Best months: May, Sep–Oct (bird migration); Jun–Aug (beach)

  • Käsmu

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Kihnu

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Kuremäe

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Laulasmaa

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Maardu

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Mustvee

    Best months: May–Sep

  • Noarootsi

    Best months: May–Sep