Your May weather guide
WarmWeather in Valencia in May
May is a good choice for Valencia if you want warm days for spending time outdoors rather than a holiday built around swimming. Average afternoon highs reach about 24°C, while nights fall to around 15°C, so pack a light layer as well as summer clothes. The catch is the sea: at 18.4°C, it still feels bracing. Expect some rain, but the balance favours travellers who prefer warmth without relying on strong summer heat.
Long-term climate averages for Valencia, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Valencia, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Valencia.
- Average daytime high
- 23.8°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 28°C
- Average night-time low
- 14.5°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 12°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +7.2°C
- London averages 16.6°C in May
- Sea temperature
- 18.4°C
- year to year: 18°C to 19°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 7.9h
- 56% of 14.2 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 6
- 33 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 65%
- Days over 25°C
- 36%
- 5% over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 39.5°C
- 2015-05-14
- Record low 1991-2020
- 8.1°C
- 2001-05-03
- Flight from London
- ≈ 2 h 24 min
- 1298 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How May compares
May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Valencia and ranks 61st of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Spain it is 3rd of 87 (Spain in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Valencia is 7.2°C warmer by day and 6.2°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in May
The typical May day in Valencia peaks at 23.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.8°C or more. Roughly 1 in 3 days top 25°C and 1 in 21 pass 30°C. Nights average 14.5°C; one night in ten drops to 11.5°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 39.5°C (2015-05-14) and the coldest night 8.1°C (2001-05-03).
Rain in May
Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 6 days with 1 mm or more, 33 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2002 with 110 mm, the driest 1995 with 2 mm. Humidity averages 65%.
Sea temperature in May
The sea averages 18.4°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 17.5°C to 19.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.4°C).
Sunshine and daylight
Around 7.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:48 and sets about 21:08 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 44%.
Is May a good time to visit Valencia?
It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Valencia on our scoring are July, June, August; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Warm days, with a cooler finish
Valencia feels noticeably warmer than London in May, with average daytime highs 7.2°C higher. Light clothes should suit typical afternoons, though a jumper or jacket makes sense once the temperature drops in the evening. Days reach 25°C around 36% of the time, so there is a reasonable chance of weather warm enough to make shade appealing at midday. Heat is not guaranteed, however: only 5% of days reach 30°C. With about 7.9 hours of sunshine within 14.2 hours of daylight, there is plenty of scope to spend time outside without cramming everything into the warmest part of the day. Pack sun protection alongside that evening layer.
Allow for rain, and keep swimming optional
Rain is a possibility rather than a reason to rule May out. About 6 rainy days means a light waterproof is sensible, and it helps to keep outdoor plans flexible rather than assuming every day will be dry. That does not tell you how long any wet spell will last, so avoid treating a rainy day as a lost day. The sea is the bigger compromise for a beach-focused trip: its average temperature is 18.4°C, firmly in bracing territory. Sitting by the water may appeal on a warm afternoon, but comfortable, lingering swims are not something to count on. May suits travellers who see swimming as an optional extra rather than the main purpose of going.
A little perspective
Valencia through the year
May is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.0°C | 6.9°C | 14.0°C | 5.4 | 33 | 5 | 0% |
| February | 15.9°C | 7.1°C | 13.2°C | 6.2 | 27 | 5 | 0% |
| March | 18.5°C | 8.9°C | 13.8°C | 6.6 | 37 | 5 | 5% |
| April | 20.6°C | 11.2°C | 15.4°C | 7.1 | 42 | 6 | 10% |
| MaySelected | 23.8°C | 14.5°C | 18.4°C | 7.9 | 33 | 6 | 36% |
| Junebest | 27.9°C | 18.5°C | 22.2°C | 10.0 | 19 | 4 | 84% |
| Julybest | 30.4°C | 21.3°C | 25.3°C | 11.5 | 8 | 2 | 99% |
| Augustbest | 30.5°C | 21.8°C | 26.4°C | 9.5 | 22 | 4 | 97% |
| September | 27.1°C | 19.0°C | 24.9°C | 7.0 | 60 | 7 | 76% |
| October | 23.3°C | 15.3°C | 22.0°C | 5.8 | 53 | 7 | 30% |
| November | 18.5°C | 10.9°C | 18.6°C | 5.4 | 46 | 6 | 3% |
| December | 15.5°C | 7.9°C | 15.6°C | 5.0 | 35 | 5 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in May
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Valencia in May FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Valencia hot in May?
Valencia is warm in May: the average daytime high is 23.8°C and nights average 14.5°C. Roughly 1 in 3 May days reach 25°C.
Can you swim in the sea in Valencia in May?
The sea around Valencia averages 18.4°C in May, which is bracing - fine for a quick dip, cool for long swims. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 18°C to 19°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Valencia in May?
Valencia sees about 6 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 33 mm of rain in a typical May. The wettest May between 1991 and 2020 was 2002 (110 mm) and the driest was 1995 (2 mm).
How sunny is Valencia in May?
Valencia gets around 7.9 hours of sunshine a day in May out of 14.2 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Valencia compare with the UK in May?
Valencia is on average 7.2°C warmer than London by day in May (23.8°C against 16.6°C).
What is the hottest May on record in Valencia?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day in Valencia reached 39.5°C on 2015-05-14, and the coldest night dropped to 8.1°C on 2001-05-03.
Will I need warm clothes in the evening?
Bring a light jacket or jumper rather than packing only for summer. The average night low is 14.5°C, and the coldest 10% of nights fall to 11.5°C or below. A removable layer gives you flexibility after a warm afternoon.
Is the sea warm enough for swimming in May?
At 18.4°C on average, the sea is bracing rather than comfortably warm. Its year-to-year range of 18°C to 19°C means you should not bank on a much warmer swim. It may suit you if you enjoy cooler water.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Valencia. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 4.7 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C