Month guide · Rome · Italy
Rome in May
What May is really like in Rome: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LuisaV72, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Rome. Expect average highs of 24°C (75°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 14.5 hours of daylight. Warm and sunny with long evenings; the municipal rose garden on the Aventine is in bloom and major sights are very busy.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 24°C (75°F) / 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 14.5 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Rome: days average 24°C (75°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 12°C (54°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with April (19°C (66°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:49
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:23
- Daylight
- About 14.5 hours
Spring (March–May). Warm days, wisteria and outdoor tables, with Easter and Italian holidays creating some of the busiest weeks of the year at the Vatican.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 5 for crowds (the peak is May at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Italian Open tennis at the Foro Italico (usually May)
- Municipal Rose Garden open to visitors (usually late April to 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.
Historic site · Colosseo
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Climb to the Farnese Gardens on the Palatine for the best overview of the Forum, and carry water — shade is scarce.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Iconic
- Views
- Outdoors
Religious site · Vatican City
St Peter's Basilica
One of the largest churches in the world, rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries with Michelangelo's dome and Bernini's colonnaded square, St Peter's holds Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's bronze canopy over the papal altar.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours with the dome
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Views
- History
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Landmark · Tridente
Spanish Steps
Walk up the steps and continue along to the Pincio terrace above Piazza del Popolo for a sunset view over the domes.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Shopping
Neighbourhood · Trastevere
Trastevere and Santa Maria in Trastevere
Trastevere is best explored on foot from Piazza di Santa Maria, where the basilica's medieval gold mosaics glow in the apse.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
What to pack
For highs near 24°C, lows near 12°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 Rome?
One of the best months to visit Rome, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are April and September–October. Compare every month.
Rome in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Rome?
It is one of the best months to visit Rome. Warm and sunny with long evenings; the municipal rose garden on the Aventine is in bloom and major sights are very busy.
+How warm is Rome in May?
Average highs are around 24°C (75°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Rome in May?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.