Month guide · Nice · France
Nice in May
What May is really like in Nice: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tubantia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Nice. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 14.7 hours of daylight. One of the best months for walking and day trips; Riviera hotels fill and prices jump during Cannes and Monaco event weeks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 14.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 18°C (64°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Nice: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with April (17°C (63°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 24°C (75°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:05
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:49
- Daylight
- About 14.7 hours
- Sea
- 18°C (64°F)
Spring (March–May). Blossom, mild sunshine and quiet museums; too early to swim for most people, but perfect for walking and day trips along the coast.
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 July). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Cannes Film Festival (usually mid-May)
- Monaco Grand Prix (usually late May or early June)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Garden · Cimiez
Monastère de Cimiez and gardens
Visit the garden in May when the roses are in flower and the views are clear.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- History
- Couples
Waterfront · Le Port
Port Lympia
Nice's 18th-century harbour is framed by tall façades in Genoese reds and yellows and the neoclassical Notre-Dame-du-Port church.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Food
- Views
Garden · Arénas
Parc Phoenix
Reach it on tram line 2 towards the airport and combine it with a walk back along the Promenade.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Rainy day
Nature · Le Port
Mont Boron and Fort du Mont Alban
The wooded hill east of the port is a forest park of pine and holm oak with walking paths and the 16th-century Fort du Mont Alban at its summit.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
- Off the beaten path
- Free
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 14°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Nice?
One of the best months to visit Nice, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are June and September–October. Compare every month.
Nice in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Nice?
It is one of the best months to visit Nice. One of the best months for walking and day trips; Riviera hotels fill and prices jump during Cannes and Monaco event weeks.
+How warm is Nice in May?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Nice in May?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.