Weather in Venice in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Venice and ranks 105th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Italy it is 12th of 16 (Italy in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Venice is 4.2°C warmer by day and 5.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Venice peaks at 20.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 24.6°C or more. Roughly 1 in 14 days top 25°C. Nights average 13.5°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 29.1°C (2009-05-26) and the coldest night 6.3°C (2019-05-05).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 93 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2013 with 243 mm, the driest 1993 with 5 mm. Humidity averages 75%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 18.4°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 17.1°C to 19.6°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:40 and sets about 20:34 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 54%.

Is May a good time to visit Venice?

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

Comfortably warm, but keep an evening layer

May's warmth is generally useful rather than demanding: you can plan time outdoors without expecting strong summer heat. Only 7% of days reach 25°C, so don't choose it hoping for consistently hot afternoons. A light shirt or T-shirt may suit the warmer parts of the day, but carry a jumper or jacket for pauses outdoors and the return after dinner. The colder nights can fall to around 10°C or below, making an extra layer worthwhile even when the afternoon feels warm. If you dislike heat, this is a reasonable compromise, though warmer spells can still make a shaded midday break welcome.

Allow for rain, not just sunshine

Rain is the main reason to keep your itinerary loose. With about 10 rainy days, a waterproof jacket and shoes you are happy to wear in wet weather deserve space in your bag. That does not mean every wet day is a write-off, but it does mean fixed outdoor plans carry a risk. May averages about 6.8 hours of sunshine within 14.7 hours of daylight, leaving plenty of light for exploring without promising clear skies throughout. Move longer outdoor stretches to the brighter parts of the forecast, and keep indoor breaks available rather than treating rain as an unlikely interruption.

Better for a city break than a swimming holiday

The sea averages 18.4°C in May, which is bracing rather than comfortably warm. If swimming matters to your trip, this is the clearest drawback: pleasant air temperatures do not translate into warm water. The year-to-year sea temperature range is 17°C to 20°C, so even the warmer end remains below the 22°C benchmark for comfortable swimming. Treat a dip as an optional extra if you tolerate cool water, not the basis of your holiday. May makes more sense for travellers who want to spend their days exploring the city and are content to leave swimming out when conditions do not appeal.