01Weather
Rome weather in May
Afternoons in May average 23.6 °C (74 °F) and nights cool to 13.3 °C (56 °F). The month brings about 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain spread over roughly 5 days. Compared with April it is 3.8 °C warmer; June is 6.0 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 28 °C / 83 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 19 °C / 67 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 10 °C / 50 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 1.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 17 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 34.1 °C / 4.9 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 06:06 | 20:08 | 14.0 h |
| 15 May | 05:49 | 20:23 | 14.6 h |
| 31 May | 05:37 | 20:37 | 15.0 h |
Daylight grows by about 60 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Rome).
03Crowds
How busy Rome is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Labour Day on 1 May
- Italian Open tennis
- ideal weather
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 May 2027 | International Workers Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Rome in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Internazionali BNL d'Italia | May, Foro Italico | sport |
07Packing
What to pack for Rome in May
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is warm, bright and busy, with afternoons around 23 °C, the Italian Open tennis at the Foro Italico in the second week and the first outdoor evenings on the Tiber. Labour Day on 1 May closes the Colosseum, Forum and Vatican Museums and brings a free concert at Piazza San Giovanni. Temperatures are ideal for the Forum and Palatine before summer heat arrives, and the roses at the Roseto Comunale on the Aventine bloom through the month.
Rain falls on about seven days. The Vatican Museums' queues peak between nine and eleven; afternoon slots after two are calmer. Hotel rates sit just below the Easter peak. The Republic Day parade on 2 June closes the Fori Imperiali, so avoid the first days of June for the Colosseum. For the same weather in a quieter week, the days between 2 May and the Italian Open are the window. June brings real heat; see June.
09Compare
Rome month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13 °C | 4 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 15 °C | 6 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 7 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 20 °C | 9 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 24 °C | 13 °C | 5 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 30 °C | 18 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 33 °C | 21 °C | 2 | – | busy | Good |
| August | 32 °C | 21 °C | 2 | – | moderate | Good |
| September | 28 °C | 17 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 23 °C | 13 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 9 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Excellent |
| December | 14 °C | 6 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Rome.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Venice in May | 21 °C | 10 |
| Budapest in May | 22 °C | 12 |
| Barcelona in May | 22 °C | 4 |
| Prague in May | 19 °C | 11 |
| Paris in May | 19 °C | 13 |
| Amsterdam in May | 18 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
Rome in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Rome?
May is one of the best months to visit Rome. Daytime highs average 24 °C (74 °F), rain falls on about 5 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Rome in May?
Expect mild days around 24 °C (74 °F) and nights near 13 °C (56 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 28 °C, and one in ten stays below 19 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Rome in May?
May brings about 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain over roughly 5 days, which is fairly dry by Rome standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 17 percent.
What should I wear in Rome in May?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Rome crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Labour Day on 1 May; Italian Open tennis; ideal weather.
What time does it get dark in Rome in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 20:23 and rises at 05:49, giving 14.6 hours of daylight.