Air conditioning in Rome in May?

Becky going beginning of May or end? The average highs first two weeks seem to hover between 21-23 , but by last two weeks they seem to be between 23-26,, but I note the average lows even by end of month are no higher then 15 or so, so to me i wouldn't bother with a/c as you will be out most of day anyways and by evening it cools down enough that an open window will likely be enough to make apartment comfortable.

Becky, You might want to ask some questions about noise in the apartment if it's in a busy area with traffic or street noise, you might want the air conditioning for the quiet. Also, with kids, we found that we tended to head out in the mornings, return mid-afternoon for a late lunch and a little down time, and then go out in the evenings again. We were there in June and found that having the air conditioning for those afternoon periods was really good.

Unless there is a heat wave (rare in May, but occasionally possible toward the end of the month), you will not need air conditioning. Open the windows at night. That will be your air conditioning.

Noise would be the only issue. Do you know what the windows face out onto? If it's onto a popular piazza, you might have some problems with noise. If on an inner courtyard or small side street, you should be fine. Take earplugs either way, just in case.

All windows in Italy have window roller shutters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_shutter Close it during the day especially if the window faces the sun. In the evening open it and open the window as well to let cool air in. Let the window open until you go to sleep. If it's noisy, close the windows, otherwise keep it open all night. But check the exact location of the place you found. If it's in the city center in a small street there will be no buses passing through, it should be very quiet. People in the street may be noisy until midnight, but not beyond that. Or post the address here or in a private message and I'll let you know how noisy the street is.

About those shutters Roberto described: if you adjust them just right, you can get some airflow while blocking out the light (there are small holes between the metal panels). This way, you can get ventilation without sun, which will keep the room cool.

Thank you, everyone! I really appreciate the information. We took the advice and decided to take the place. I asked the owner, and the sun doesn't shine directly into the apartment, which is good. And, the pictures show the roller shutters, so thanks for that information as well. The apartment is a little north east of the Vatican. It's off of Via Cola di Rienzo, which I did googlemap. It looks like a busier street, and I'm sure there will be city noise, but we used to live in downtown Boston and are ok with that. We are going in the middle of May and will hope for great weather. Either way, it's going to be fabulous! Many thanks,
Becky

Don't worry. The highest temperature ever recorded in Rome on May 15 was 82 F (in 1997). The average max temp. for mid May is 78 F. The average temperature at night for May 15 is 54 degrees F. You have nothing to worry about. You are more likely to need a blanket at night.

We stayed in Rome for seven nights, in June of 2010. Thank goodness we had A/C at the River Palace Hotel. It was beyond miserable outside though. We almost died of heat prostration, doing our touring. We spent afternoon time in our lovely hotel lobby, as everybody was sweaty and complaining outside. The problem with the lack of A?C, is the humidity. The humidity is there weather you are inside in the shade or not. We were surprised that so many restaurants didn't offer A/C either. Plus, Italy's idea of A/C, isn't up to what people consider comfortable in the U.S. You couldn't pay us to go back to Italy anytime after April, even with A/C.

Elaine: May and June are two different months. In Mid May, when Becky is going, the average night temperature is 55 degrees. But the record low is in the mid 40's.
During the day the average is in the Mid 70's, and the reoord high ever recorded has been 84 degrees, not exactly unbearable. Go forward one month, to the 15th of June, the average low is already in the 60's and the average high is already in the 80's. But record temperatures in mid June can reach the high 90's. For June 15th the record ever recorded in Rome is 102 degrees. One month makes a big difference.

It is the humidity that is so uncomfortable in Italy, not just the temperature. There isn't any air circulation when there is humidity. The buildings are stiffling without a/c.

We found out a couple of years ago that even if the Hotel has AC that does not mean that it will be on. Most wait until a certain date to turn them on. I disagree with Roberto about needing AC in May. We have been a few times and May including last time 2 years ago and it is very HOT... After sight seeing and walking all day that AC feels pretty good to get refreshed and head out for the evening. 2 years ago we would be out eating dinner, sweating and drinking lots of water. Not a pretty picture but we live with it and keep going back Going again this May. Bottom line we are all different. It depends on where you live and what you are accustomed to. I need it, you may not. Roberto grew up without it, doesn't need it.

Speaking as a fellow Seattleite, I think you'll be fine, esp. if you're okay when we have our five hot days a year (meaning above 90). When I first moved here from Texas in 1985, I couldn't believe how rare air-conditioning was in homes. After my first "summer" here, I realized why. :-) Like Janet, we were in Rome in mid-May two years ago and don't remember it being particularly hot at all, unless you were sitting out in direct sun in the middle of the day. As Roberto points out, the highest temp on May 15 was 82. I don't know how someone can disagree with cold hard facts (pardon the pun). But you might ask if there are fans that you can use, just in case.