Weather in Rhodes in May

How May compares

May is the 6th warmest month of the year in Rhodes and ranks 84th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Greece it is 19th of 44 (Greece in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Rhodes is 5.2°C warmer by day and 9.6°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Rhodes peaks at 21.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 24.7°C or more. Roughly 1 in 12 days top 25°C and 1 in 59 pass 30°C. Nights average 17.9°C; one night in ten drops to 15.7°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 37.3°C (2020-05-17) and the coldest night 12.4°C (1997-05-02).

Rain in May

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 3 days with 1 mm or more, 16 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 1994 with 42 mm, the driest 1999 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 19.8°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 18.8°C to 20.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (27.1°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 10.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:00 and sets about 20:07 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 25%.

Is May a good time to visit Rhodes?

It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Rhodes on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Warm days, but not dependable heat

Expect comfortable warmth rather than consistently hot afternoons. Days reach 25°C only 8% of the time, while 30°C is unusual, so May is a better fit for travellers who prefer being active outdoors to those who want strong heat. Midday is the sensible time to seek out the warmth, but keep sun protection handy even when the air feels mild. Average night lows are about 18°C, with the coldest nights dropping to around 16°C or below. Pack light daytime clothes alongside a jumper or light jacket for evenings; relying on shorts and sleeveless tops throughout the trip would be optimistic.

Plenty of sunshine, with some rain to allow for

Rain is unlikely to dominate a May holiday, with about 3 rainy days across the month. That makes outdoor plans a reasonable default, though it does not guarantee a dry stay. A light waterproof is a practical backup rather than the focus of your packing. There is about 10.5 hours of sunshine within 13.9 hours of daylight, giving you a long window for time outside without needing to concentrate everything around midday. Keep plans flexible if rain arrives, and do not mistake comfortable temperatures for a reason to skip sunscreen, sunglasses or a hat during those sunny stretches.

The sea is the main compromise

At an average of 19.8°C, the sea is bracing rather than comfortably warm. The May range of 19°C to 20°C suggests that this is a fairly consistent limitation, not something to assume will disappear in a warmer year. If you enjoy a refreshing dip, swimming may still be part of the holiday; if you like lingering in warm water, May is less convincing. Plan beach time around relaxing in the sunshine as much as swimming, and have something dry to put on afterwards. Choose this month for its balance of warmth and outdoor comfort, not for warm-sea certainty.