Italy Weather in May 2024: Places to Go & Travel Tips

Spring is in full effect in Italy by the time May rolls around. The overcast and gloomy weather conditions of the last few months are replaced by blue skies and endless hours of sunshine regardless of where you are in the country, and you can expect to be greeted by fields after fields of beautiful flowers coming into full bloom in the Italian countryside during the month.

The downside of such lovely weather in May is that Italy gets inundated with huge crowds of tourists from all over the globe. You can expect to see long lines of guests at your favorite museums and attractions, and such large crowds result in general prices getting significantly marked up as well. Traffic can be especially bad on May 1, which marks the Labor Day holiday in the Beautiful Country.

The near-perfect weather conditions during May in Italy mean the afternoons will be warm and comfortable but the early hours of the mornings and the late hours of the evenings will remain a little chilly. It'll be especially windy in Venice and Milan, so we recommend you pack a few windbreakers, sweaters, and scarves, along with your favorite summer clothes.

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Italy Weather in May Overview

• Average temperature range: 11°C -24°C (52°F-75°F)
• Season: Warm but Comfortable
• Rainfall: 46 mm (1.8 inches) in Rome, 70 mm (2.8 inches) in Venice, 43 mm (1.7 inches) in Naples
• Rainy days: 6 in Rome, 9 in Venice, 6 in Naples

May Weather by Region

Weather conditions in Italy during May can range from pleasant to perfect depending on which part of the country you're in. By studying the country's three separate climate regions described in detail below, you'll have a much better idea of what to expect as far as expected precipitation and average temperatures are concerned.

Northern Italy: 11°C-22°C (52°F-72°F)

May is a beautiful time to be traveling in northern Italy. In fact, cities like Venice are downright gorgeous during May as they experience their best weather conditions in months. The average maximum temperature – usually noted during daytime – is 22°C (72°F) whereas the average minimum temperature – usually noted during nighttime – is 12°C (54°F).

Although it is expected to rain for about a third of the month, you can expect the sun to accompany you on most days of May. About 70 mm (2.8 inches) of rainfall is forecasted for the month in these parts.

Central Italy: 12°C-23°C (54°F-73°F)

The central Italian countryside comes alive during May! Averages temperature highs of around 20°C (68°F) and average temperature lows of around 12°C (54°F) are characteristic of May in Tuscany and Lazio in central Italy.

Although evenings can be a little chilly, it remains one of the best times to visit the region. A modest 46 mm (1.8 inches) of rainfall for a mere 6 days can be expected during May, meaning endless hours of blue skies and sunshine await your arrival in central Italy.

Southern Italy: 14°C-24°C (57°F-75°F)

Extremely pleasant weather conditions can be expected during the days in southern Italy during the month of May. That being said, evenings can get a little chilly. The average temperature high in this region of the country is 22°C (72°F) and the average temperature low is 14°C (57°F).

You can also look forward to blue skies and long hours of sunshine as you make your way through the regions of Campania, Puglia, and Sicily. 43 mm (1.7 inches) of rainfall over 6 days throughout the month of May can be expected in southern Italy.

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Best Places to See in Italy in May – Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples

1. Venice

Venice is downright gorgeous during May! It'll continue to rain here and there and be slightly windy, but you'll have bright blue skies and long hours of sunshine to accompany you most of the time.

After you're done taking a signature canal ride, we recommend you spend time soaking in some culture at one of the museums, before enjoying some wine and cicetti at a canal-side bar in one of the city's famed back alleys.

2. Florence and the Tuscan Countryside

There are few places on the planet quite as pretty as the Tuscan countryside during spring. There's much to explore in Florence city proper, so once you're done visiting the Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, and the Piazza del Duomo, make your way to the countryside, so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Natural beauty of overwhelming proportions in the way of rolling green hills and colorful wildflowers wait to welcome you to the Tuscan countryside, where you can enjoy glass after glass of world-class wine as you sit and dine outside.

3. Siracusa

It's best to explore Sicily and its architectural treasures in May before hordes of tourists arrive during the peak summer months to spend time on the island's countless pristine beaches.

Siracusa serves as an amazing alternative to the more popular Sicilian city of Palermo, and you can spend your time in the city visiting Ortigia Island, the Temple of Apollo, and the Archaeological Museum, to name just a few places, before sunbathing and swimming at one of the city's many beaches.

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May Crowds and Costs

With good weather comes big crowds and this is certainly true of May in Italy. You can expect tourists – both local and foreign – to be queuing up in long lines waiting for the chance to get inside their favorite museums and attractions in most major cities in Italy. The good thing is that museums remain open for 363 days of the year in Italy, so there's plenty of time for everyone to visit them.

These bigger crowds also result in high season prices coming into full effect, so you can forget about getting good deals on accommodation, flights, or entertainment.

What to Wear in Italy in May

What's important to remember about Italy in May is that while the afternoons are incredibly pleasant and warm, the mornings and evenings can be rather chilly. As such, don't forget to bring a windbreaker, a couple of warm sweaters, and some trendy scarves along with you. It does get quite windy in Milan and Venice especially, so the windbreakers will prove useful in these two cities.

While it won't rain every single day, it's best to prepare for the odd shower here and there by remembering to pack an umbrella or a raincoat just in case.

Other packing essentials for your trip to Italy in May ought to include your favorite dresses and linen shirts, comfortable pants and walking shoes, a pair of sandals and sunglasses, a hat you're fond of, and your beachwear including bathing suits and sunscreen. The water may be a tad chilly, but it's a worth going in for a dip anyway!

May Events in Italy

Labor Day/May Day: La Festa del Lavoro, or simply put, Labor day, on May 1, is very much the same in importance and observance as it is in any other part of the world. It's a day meant to celebrate the social and economic achievements of workers worldwide.

What's important to keep in mind during Labor Day in Italy is that most museums and tourist attractions will be closed on this day, as will offices and schools. While some restaurants will also cease their business operations for the day, many won't, out of a reluctance to not miss out on trade. Either way, it's best to make a reservation beforehand and expect traffic along the way.

You'll see most Italians spending time with family and friends outside on Labor Day and if you're in Rome, you can make plans to attend the concert organized by the city. It usually hosts a range of local and foreign musicians!

Considering the fact that Labor Day follows on the heels of Liberation Day on April 25, most Italians see the two holidays as an opportunity to combine and have one big, long, holiday.

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Looking to plan your perfect May trip to Italy? Let Global Highlights plan your dream vacation for you! We specialize in creating tailor-made tours that not only consider your travel goals but also keep in mind ongoing weather conditions to make your dream trip as memorable as possible. Let us deal with the planning stress so that you can just enjoy the journey!

Monthly Weather in Italy