Weather in Sardinia in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Sardinia and ranks 79th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Italy it is 4th of 16 (Italy in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Sardinia is 5.5°C warmer by day and 5.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Sardinia peaks at 22.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 25.9°C or more. Roughly 1 in 6 days top 25°C and 1 in 125 pass 30°C. Nights average 14.2°C; one night in ten drops to 11.7°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 32.4°C (2009-05-24) and the coldest night 7.6°C (1991-05-10).

Rain in May

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 6 days with 1 mm or more, 44 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2018 with 228 mm, the driest 2017 with 2 mm. Humidity averages 71%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 17.3°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 16.1°C to 18.1°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.2°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 8.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:04 and sets about 20:32 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 41%.

Is May a good time to visit Sardinia?

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

Warm afternoons, cooler evenings

May feels noticeably warmer than London, with average daytime highs 5.5°C higher, but summer heat is not the norm. Days reach 25°C around 17% of the time, so pack light clothes without expecting every afternoon to feel hot. The warmest days reach about 26°C or more, making shade a sensible option at midday. After sunset, a jumper or light jacket will be useful: average lows are 14°C, and the coldest nights can fall to around 12°C or below. This balance suits travellers who want comfortable outdoor days more than reliably hot weather from morning to evening.

Plenty of daylight, with some rain to plan around

There is plenty of scope for outdoor plans, with about 8.4 hours of sunshine within 14.3 hours of daylight. That leaves room to start gently or head out later rather than fit everything around midday. Rain is still part of the picture, with about 6 rainy days during the month, so a light waterproof is a sensible addition to your bag. Do not read that as a fixed pattern of brief showers or evenly spaced wet days. The practical approach is to keep outdoor plans movable and check the forecast before committing to a full day outside.

Better for time by the sea than long swims

The sea is the main reason to temper expectations. Its May average of 17.3°C is cold, and the year-to-year range of 16°C to 18°C does not suggest dependable swimming warmth. A sunny afternoon can feel pleasant on land while the water remains uncomfortable for a leisurely dip. If you enjoy cold water, swimming may still appeal, but do not make warm-sea bathing the centre of your plans. May makes more sense for spending time beside the water and enjoying the daylight. For a trip centred on summer weather, June, July and August are the stronger choices overall.