Faroe Islands weather in May — what to expect

May might be the best month to visit the Faroe Islands, not June. It has 18 hours of daylight, the start of the driest stretch of the year, calmer wind than any month except June and July, and a fraction of the tourists you'll find from mid-June onward. If you can be flexible on dates, May is the month locals quietly recommend over the "official" peak season.

What the weather actually feels like

Average highs of 9°C, lows of 5°C — genuinely mild by Faroese standards. Rainfall drops to about 60mm across 14 days, the beginning of the driest run of the year that continues into summer. Wind averages 20 km/h, calm by local standards and a big step down from April's 24.

Sunshine hours jump to around 115 for the month — more than double March's total. Sea temperature reaches 8°C, still cold enough that swimming is a cold-water-dip activity rather than a beach one. UV index hits 4, moderate, and worth respecting at elevation on a clear day.

Eighteen hours of daylight

May averages 18 hours of daylight, closing in fast on June's peak. The practical effect is the same generous, flexible daylight window June is known for — early starts, late finishes, no pressure to race the sunset — without the near-midnight-sun oddity that throws some visitors off in June. If you want long days without twilight confusion, May is the more natural version of it.

With that much daylight and calmer wind than any month before it, May is genuinely flexible for planning. You're not racing the clock on a hike, and you're not gambling on a single narrow weather window the way you would be in March. That combination — long days plus manageable conditions — is rarer than it sounds this far north.

Puffins, and the ferry that actually runs

Puffins are back on Mykines and, unlike April, the passenger ferry from Sørvágur actually starts running in May. This is the real first opportunity of the year to see the colony properly.

That also means May is when ferry demand starts building. Tickets sell out, and weather can cancel sailings with little notice. Book as early as you can, check current schedules before travelling, and build a backup day into your itinerary if Mykines matters to your trip. The full Mykines puffin guide covers logistics in detail.

All hikes are open

By May, the trail network is fully back. Snow is gone at all but the very highest elevations, wind is manageable, and the greenery is already dramatic.

Strong May routes:

• Mykines and the Kallur Lighthouse ridge walk on Kalsoy — both realistically open again, without June's crowds.
• Slættaratindur — the highest point in the Faroes, now clear of the winter snowpack that kept it off-limits.
• Trælanípa and Drangarnir — calm wind makes these exposed cliff walks far more comfortable than in winter or early spring.
• Múlafossur — still running strong from spring rain.

Read the hiking guide for route details and safety notes before heading out.

Lambs, wildflowers, and impossibly green grass

May is when the landscape peaks visually before summer's crowds arrive to see it. Lambs are everywhere, wildflowers start appearing across the hillsides, and the grass reaches a shade of green that looks artificial in photos but isn't. This is the same scenery people travel for in June — just quieter.

Fewer tourists, same conditions

This is the actual case for May over June: near-identical weather and scenery, with far fewer people. The famous viewpoints — Trælanípa, Múlafossur, Saksun — are noticeably quieter than they'll be a month later. Accommodation is easier to find and often cheaper. The trade-off is a slightly higher chance of a cool or wet day, but the averages are close enough that it's a good bet.

If your dates are flexible and your main goal is trails, cliffs, and colour rather than a specific festival or event, May over June is the trade most locals would make. Book the Mykines ferry and any guided hikes early regardless — availability tightens as the season goes on, even in a quieter month.

What to pack for May

Full list in our what to pack guide. May essentials:

• Waterproof jacket — still needed most days, even in the drier stretch
• A light warm layer — 9°C highs are pleasant but not warm
• Waterproof hiking boots — trails are green but still wet underfoot
• Sunscreen — UV 4 with long daylight hours adds up fast
• Binoculars — good month for birdlife on the way back to the cliffs

What people actually say about May

The recurring reaction is surprise that more people don't come in May instead of June. Visitors who time it right report the same green hillsides and long daylight, minus the crowded car parks and sold-out tours.

The Mykines ferry is the one real logistics risk. It's newly running for the season, and early sailings get cancelled by weather more readily than they will in peak summer. People who book flexible dates or build in a spare day tend to get there; people who book one tight day sometimes don't.

Temperature still catches people off guard in the other direction — 9°C and sunny looks like a warm spring day in photos, but the wind off the water means most visitors keep a jacket on even at midday.

Related guides

• Mykines puffin guide — everything about getting to Mykines
• Hiking in the Faroe Islands — trails, safety, and logistics
• What to pack — the complete gear list
• Getting around — car rental, ferries, and buses
• Best time to visit — month-by-month comparison