Weather in Nice in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Nice and ranks 108th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within France it is 1st of 2 (France in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Nice is 4.0°C warmer by day and 5.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Nice peaks at 20.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 24.2°C or more. Roughly 1 in 17 days top 25°C. Nights average 13.4°C; one night in ten drops to 10.3°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 28.7°C (2000-05-31) and the coldest night 3.9°C (1991-05-07).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 64 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2013 with 138 mm, the driest 2000 with 13 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 17.4°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 16.5°C to 18.5°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:06 and sets about 20:49 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 53%.

Is May a good time to visit Nice?

May is not the strongest month here: warm days and frequent rain. The best months for Nice on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Warm days, but keep a layer for evenings

The daytime warmth suits travellers who want to spend time outside without planning everything around intense heat. Days reaching 25°C account for just 6% of the month, so reliably hot afternoons are not the expectation. A T-shirt may be comfortable in the warmer part of the day, but pack a jumper or light jacket for sitting outside later. The coldest nights can fall to around 10°C or below, making a warmer layer useful if you feel the cold. For a trip focused on walking and spending time outdoors rather than lying in strong heat, that temperature balance is a reason to choose May.

Leave room for rain in your plans

Rain is a meaningful drawback in May, with about 10 rainy days across the month. That does not mean writing off outdoor plans, but it does make a rigid schedule less appealing. Pack a light waterproof and shoes you are comfortable wearing in wet weather, and keep some plans easy to move around. There is still about 6.8 hours of sunshine a day within 14.5 hours of daylight, so rain and useful time outdoors can both be part of the trip. The long daylight window gives you flexibility; it should not be mistaken for uninterrupted sunshine or a promise of dry afternoons.

Treat swimming as optional

The sea is the clearest reason to pause before booking May for a swimming holiday. At an average of 17.4°C, it is cold rather than comfortably swimmable, even when the air feels warm. The year-to-year range of 16°C to 18°C does not offer much reassurance if you prefer gentle entry into warm water. Pack swimwear if you enjoy cold dips, but do not make daily sea swimming the deciding reason to go. May works better for enjoying time beside the water in suitable weather, with a layer ready afterwards, than for travellers whose holiday depends on relaxed, lingering swims.