Italy in May: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

May is an excellent month to plan a trip to Italy for several reasons. The summer crowds have not yet arrived, allowing visitors to explore popular attractions without being overwhelmed. The weather is beautiful, with sunny skies and temperatures ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, winery tours, or simply strolling through charming villages.

Gardens and vineyards are in full bloom, painting the landscapes in lush greens and vibrant colors. From the Amalfi Coast to Tuscany, May offers pleasant conditions to experience the best of Italy's stunning scenery, cuisine, and hospitality.

Italy enjoys a warm, sunny spring in May, with daytime highs averaging 59°F to 73°F across most of the country, making it a great time to visit. Rain is infrequent, but can occur, so it's wise to pack a light jacket or umbrella. However, the conditions are ideal for sightseeing, with long days and low humidity in most areas. The mild weather makes May a fantastic time for outdoor activities.

Rome • Best Place for Sightseeing

Rome is an outstanding destination for sightseeing in Italy during May. With consistently pleasant weather and smaller crowds than in summer, it's the perfect time to explore the Eternal City's iconic attractions, such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and St. Peter's Basilica. Wander the cobblestone streets of Trastevere, relax in the lush Villa Borghese gardens, and enjoy al fresco dinners. May also brings cultural events and celebrations to Rome's historic piazzas.

Amalfi Coast • Best Place for Great Weather

The Amalfi Coast is an ideal spot to experience Italy's beautiful May weather. This stunning stretch of coastline basks in abundant sunshine and dry, comfortable temperatures. Warm enough for beach days in Positano or Amalfi, yet cool enough for enjoyable hikes along famous trails like the Path of the Gods, May also avoids the humidity and crowds of summer, making it perfect for exploring places like Ravello, with its views of seaside villages, without wilting.

Venice • Best Place for Families with Children

Venice makes an ideal family destination in May. The mild spring temperatures allow for comfortable strolling along the canal-lined streets and fewer tourists mean shorter lines at top attractions like St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, making it easier for the whole family to enjoy the experience..

Other activities that are bound to entertain kids include learning how to row a gondola, visiting glass blowers, or taking part in mask-making workshops. With its unique sights, festive events, and manageable spring weather, Venice offers an enchanting setting for family adventures in May.

Puglia • Best Place to Avoid the Crowds

Puglia, in Italy’s heel, is blissfully uncrowded in May compared to hotspots like Rome and Venice. Explore the whitewashed hill towns, miles of Mediterranean coastline, and endless olive groves and vineyards without fighting through throngs of tourists. May's pleasant temperatures make it ideal for wandering the charming Baroque cities of Lecce, where carvings and cherubs adorn the facades of historic buildings, and Gallipoli, where church bells ring out over whitewashed buildings.

The Italian Riviera • Best Place for Couples or Honeymooners

The Italian Riviera offers an incredibly romantic setting for couples and honeymooners visiting Italy in May. Glamorous seaside towns like Portofino and the villages of Cinque Terre bask in warm sunshine and mild temperatures ideal for lounging on the beach, taking scenic coastal hikes, and savoring intimate candlelit meals. May sees fewer crowds than peak summer, allowing a more relaxed atmosphere to explore the Riviera's colorful villages and upscale boutiques, the stunning Mediterranean scenery providing the perfect backdrop for a magical Italian getaway.

Stroll Through Blossoming Gardens in the Italian Riviera

Step into a floral paradise in the mild Mediterranean climate. From the vibrant roses of Hanbury Gardens to the exotic plants of Gardens of Villa Taranto, May offers peak blooming splendor along the rugged Italian Riviera. Vibrant bursts of bougainvillea drape over terracotta walls, their fuchsia bracts blazing against the azure sky. The heady perfume of citrus blossoms hangs in the warm air and groves of olive trees cast patterns of dappled shade across immaculately manicured paths. Songbirds serenade visitors through arcades of wisteria and bright splashes of geranium line stepped terraces.

Sip Wine in the Tuscan Countryside

With warm days and cool nights, May is an ideal month for winery tours and tastings. Savor world-class vintages like Chianti, Brunello, and Montepulciano while soaking in the rolling vineyards and medieval hilltop towns of Tuscany as you take in notes of ripe cherries and spices amid the fragrance of wildflowers dancing in the gentle breeze. The crunching of gravel under foot accompanies each unhurried stroll between vine-wrapped rows, where plump purple clusters begin to emerge in this idyllic landscape.

Celebrate La Festa dei Ceri in Umbria

Join Umbrians for this unique folk festival dating back to the 12th century. Celebrating Ubaldo Baldassini, Gubbio’s patron saint, it sees the medieval streets reverberate with the thunderous rhythm of pounding feet as locals carry towering wooden structures, or ceri, through the town. The air grows thick with the heady aromas of smoking wax and smoldering incense trailing the ceri as cheers and chants from the faithful intertwine with pounding drum beats that accompany this breathtaking race against gravity. Awash in the vibrant colors of banners and traditional garb, this ancient folkloric ritual celebrates Gubbio's perseverance through centuries of adversity.

Take to the streets for the Giro d’Italia

The passion and national pride surrounding the Giro infuse every town and village along the route with an electric atmosphere of celebration. The vibrant hues of the peloton's gear create a mesmerizing kaleidoscope as cyclists whir by in a blaze of color and motion. Crowds erupt in raucous cheers from roadside vantage points, cowbells clanging as legends attack the brutal inclines of the Italian Alps, the beautiful but punishing terrain unfurling with each stage. From winding coastal roads hugging craggy cliffs to cobblestone streets and endless vineyards, watch superhuman feats of endurance as riders grit their teeth while battling gravity on mercilessly steep gradients.

From enjoying blossoming landscapes and vibrant festivals to indulging in food and wine, May offers an enchanting tapestry of experiences in Italy. With comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds than peak summer, it's an ideal month to immerse yourself in la dolce vita.

For further inspiration on crafting an unforgettable Italian adventure in May, see our Italy tours or our Italy travel guide for more expert advice.