Weather in Italy in May

May climate overview

Daytime highs across Italy in May run from 19.9°C (Positano) to 23.8°C (Sicily). Even in Sicily only 32% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 13.5°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Positano fall to 12°C or below.

Rainfall in May

Expect around 9 rainy days (1 mm or more) in May, with Sicily the driest (4 days) and Lake Como the wettest (14 days). The wettest May at Sicily between 1991 and 2020 was 2019 with 77 mm; the driest was 1999 with 0 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 18.3°C around Italy in May - warmest at Naples (18.9°C). That is bracing: fine for a dip, cool for long swims.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.4 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 14.0 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

May against the rest of the year in Italy

May is the 5th warmest month of the twelve in Italy. It is 4.2°C warmer than April and 4.3°C warmer in June. The hottest month here is August (29°C) and the coolest January (10°C).

Which part of Italy in May?

• Most sunshine: Sicily, 8.9 h a day.
• Driest: Sicily, about 4 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Naples, 19°C.
• Hottest: Sicily, 24°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Positano, 20°C.

What to pack for Italy in May

Based on the averages: light layers - warm in the sun, cooler in the shade; a light jumper for evenings (13°C at night); a rain jacket - roughly 9 wet days; swimwear if you do not mind a bracing 18°C sea.

Similar weather elsewhere in May

Within 1.5°C of Italy's May daytime average: Alicante (23°C, sea 19°C), Majorca (23°C, sea 18°C), Sal (23°C, sea 23°C), Algarve (23°C, sea 17°C), La Gomera (23°C, sea 20°C). See the full ranking for May.

Good for time outdoors, but keep plans flexible

May suits travellers who prefer walking around without relying on intense summer heat. Italy averages 7.4 hours of sunshine a day, giving you a useful amount of sun, but 9 rainy days mean a waterproof is sensible too. Rome reaches 22°C by day, making it a comfortable choice for spending time outside, though its 9 rainy days argue against a completely fixed outdoor schedule. Northern options are not necessarily much cooler: Milan and Verona also reach 22°C. The difference is rain, with 12 rainy days in Milan and 13 in Verona. Keep indoor alternatives available rather than assuming every afternoon will stay dry.

Choose Sicily for the warmest, driest option

Sicily has the clearest advantage if warmth is your priority: daytime temperatures average 24°C, with 4 rainy days. That makes it a better bet for weather-led plans than Lake Garda, which averages 21°C and 13 rainy days. Sardinia offers a useful compromise at 22°C with 6 rainy days, though its sea remains cool. Puglia and Naples both reach 22°C and have 8 rainy days, so they also suit travellers seeking mild coastal weather without expecting uninterrupted sunshine. Do not assume every southern coastal destination is equally warm: Positano is the coolest listed option at 20°C. Choose by the local conditions, not just the broad region.

Expect cool water and evenings that need a layer

For a trip centred on swimming, May comes with a qualification: the sea is cooler than the afternoon air. Naples has water averaging 19°C, compared with 18°C around Sicily, Rome and Puglia, and 17°C around Sardinia. Those temperatures may suit a refreshing dip, but they are not a strong promise of comfortable, lingering swims. Pack light clothes for daytime alongside a jumper or jacket for after sunset. Florence drops to 11°C at night, while Rome averages 12°C; Sicily and Puglia are milder at 15°C. A light waterproof is useful too, particularly if your plans include the wetter northern destinations.