Weather in Amalfi Coast in May

How May compares

May is the 6th warmest month of the year in Amalfi Coast and ranks 115th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Italy it is 15th of 16 (Italy in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Amalfi Coast is 3.5°C warmer by day and 6.5°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Amalfi Coast peaks at 20.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 23.6°C or more. Roughly 1 in 29 days top 25°C and 1 in 500 pass 30°C. Nights average 14.8°C; one night in ten drops to 12.2°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 32.6°C (2020-05-16) and the coldest night 8.3°C (2019-05-07).

Rain in May

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 60 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2019 with 191 mm, the driest 2006 with 7 mm. Humidity averages 77%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 18.8°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 17.5°C to 19.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.4°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:45 and sets about 20:11 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 45%.

Is May a good time to visit Amalfi Coast?

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

Warm afternoons, but keep a layer handy

The daytime warmth suits travellers who find summer heat tiring, but May is not reliably hot. Only 3% of days reach 25°C, so pack for mild conditions rather than assuming you will live in beachwear. Light clothing should work during warmer afternoons, with a jumper or light jacket for dinner outside. The colder nights can drop to around 12°C or below, making that extra layer useful rather than just precautionary. Sunshine can still feel warm at midday, so carry sun protection, but there is little reason to build the whole day around avoiding intense heat. This is a better fit for active days than heat-seeking holidays.

Plenty of daylight, with room for rain

May offers about 7.8 hours of sunshine within 14.3 hours of daylight, giving you a generous window for outdoor plans without promising clear skies throughout. Around 8 rainy days means a waterproof layer earns its place in your bag. Keep plans flexible enough to move a longer walk to a brighter spell, rather than relying on every day being dry. The monthly figures cannot tell you how rain will fall during your stay, so neither a washout nor an uninterrupted sunny week should be your working assumption. May suits travellers who can accept some unsettled weather in exchange for comfortable daytime temperatures.

The sea is the main compromise

At an average of 18.8°C, the sea is bracing rather than comfortably warm. The May range of 18°C to 20°C leaves little basis for expecting bath-like conditions, even if the air feels pleasant in the sun. Swimming is more appealing if you already enjoy cool water; otherwise, treat a dip as optional rather than the centrepiece of the holiday. Pack something dry to put on afterwards, especially if you plan to stay outside into the evening. If warmer weather is your priority, June, July and August are stronger choices overall. May makes more sense when you value mild outdoor days more than long swims.