Month guide · Lake Como · Italy
Lake Como in May
What May is really like in Lake Como: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Lake Como. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 14.9 hours of daylight. Gardens at their peak and long days, though May is one of the wetter months; book weekends ahead.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Lake Como: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 12°C (54°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (17°C (63°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:51
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:48
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
Spring (March–May). Gardens reopen and flower, with camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons at Villa Carlotta; showers are frequent and Easter and May weekends get busy.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este — classic car show at Cernobbio (usually May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Garden · Tremezzina (Tremezzo and Lenno)
Villa Carlotta
Visit in April or early May for the azalea and rhododendron displays, and allow at least an hour for the garden alone.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Couples
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Neighbourhood · Bellagio
Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento
Bellagio's lanes climb in steps from the lakefront arcades, lined with silk and leather shops, to the Romanesque Basilica of San Giacomo.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Varenna
Varenna and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati
Walk the passageway at sunset, when the light falls on Bellagio across the water.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Experience · Central lake
Central-lake ferry triangle
Navigazione Laghi ferries shuttle between Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio and Cadenabbia in about 10–15 minutes per hop, making the crossings themselves one of the best ways to see the lake.
- Time needed
- Half a day or more
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 12°C and 12 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Lake Como?
One of the best months to visit Lake Como, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are April, June and September. Compare every month.
Lake Como in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Lake Como?
It is one of the best months to visit Lake Como. Gardens at their peak and long days, though May is one of the wetter months; book weekends ahead.
+How warm is Lake Como in May?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Lake Como in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.