The best time to visit Gothenburg is June, July and August, when average highs sit around 19.4 °C in June, 20.2 °C in July and 19.5 °C in August alongside the longest daylight of the year. July and August fall in peak season, busy with school holidays and packed crowds at Liseberg. The quiet, cold low season runs from November through February, when highs hover between 2.8 °C and 6.7 °C and daylight is short.
Best months JuneJulyAugust
Gothenburg month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.8 °C | -1.4 °C | 14 | 2.8 h |
| February | 3.3 °C | -1.4 °C | 13 | 4.6 h |
| March | 6.1 °C | -0.4 °C | 12 | 7 h |
| April | 10.8 °C | 2.5 °C | 10 | 10.6 h |
| May | 16 °C | 7.4 °C | 11 | 12.4 h |
| June | 19.4 °C | 12 °C | 13 | 13.4 h |
| July | 20.2 °C | 13.7 °C | 16 | 12.9 h |
| August | 19.5 °C | 13.3 °C | 17 | 10.9 h |
| September | 17 °C | 11 °C | 13 | 8.4 h |
| October | 11.6 °C | 6.9 °C | 18 | 5.3 h |
| November | 6.7 °C | 2.8 °C | 14 | 2.8 h |
| December | 4 °C | 0.1 °C | 16 | 2.1 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Good for early-season visitors who want longer days without the crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The top choice for warmth, long days and full seasonal life at Liseberg.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September still feels mild; later months turn wet and dark.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Best for Christmas-market visitors who don't mind short, chilly days.
Notable events
- Late November to December
- Liseberg Christmas Market
- August
- Gothenburg Culture Festival (Göteborgs Kulturkalas)
- June
- Midsummer celebrations
- January–February
- Gothenburg Film Festival
Frequently asked
Is August too hot in Gothenburg?
No. August averages a high of 19.5 °C, comfortably mild rather than hot, though it also sees 17 rain days, so pack for showers.
What is the rainiest month?
October has the most rain days at 18, closely followed by August with 17; July and December each see 16 rain days.
Is winter worth visiting?
Winter is cold and dark, with highs of 4 °C in December and just 2.1 hours of sunshine a day, but the Liseberg Christmas Market makes December appealing if you dress warmly.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Gothenburg area guide →
Areas of Gothenburg
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Gothenburg — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.