I’m rescheduling our October 2021 trip yet again, but thinking this time to May. I just don’t want to wait another full year. I’ve only been once, the end of September and it was a lovely time of year. I’ve read the beginning of May can be cool and rainy and the end of May lovely.
For those of you who travel at that time, what has been your experience. I’m thinking leaving the middle of May and returning the end of May.
Hi Lulu - We spent 3 weeks in Italy some years ago starting on May 17 onward. That trip was Rome, Florence, CT, Bergamo and Milan. We only had rain one day, in Rome, and it wasn't an ALL day event. The weather was pretty much glorious: almost never needed a jacket nor do I remember either of us being overly hot.
Your experience for the same period could vary, of course. :O)
So going precisely this time next year? For the next 2 weeks, maybe check out daily weather reports for the parts of Italy you’re planning on seeing next May. That might give some idea of potential results 12 months from now.
A friend and I were in Italy for 3 weeks in May 2015 (from Amalfi Coast to Vienna). It was gorgeous and temperatures were quite comfortable. Crowds were not bad (except Sistine Chapel!). Similar to Kathy, we had one day of mild rain. My experience suggests that May is a great time to travel to Italy.
For years, I spent much of May in Italy. (The Pandemic put a stop to that.)
Weatherwise, it depends on where you are. Northern Italy is comfortable but the south and Sicily can get warm. (Note--while a hotel may have air conditioning, it may not be allowed to turn it on in May in some areas. Local laws.)
Crowds--This varies depending on where you are. Usually not as bad as summer but in many places I found Italian school groups visiting musuems and tourist sights.
On my last trip I covered parts of southern Italy and Sicily. That year, I started the last week in April and finished near the middle of May. It wasn't bad at all temperature wise. So when to start could really depend on where you plan to go.
My next trip will have to make up for two years of missed "May" opportunities hopefully this fall.
We were in Italy May of 2000 on a two week bus tour. Rome, Sorrento, Assisi, Venice, Florence, back to Rome. The weather was warm and pleasant, with an occasional passing shower. They would tell us on the bus the weather ahead was cloudy with rain, but upon arrival the skys would clear. Rome was downright hot upon our return to it late May for the Jubilee. So its a matter of timing and luck which one cannot control. I would go back in May especially the mid to second half and spilling over into the first week of June.
I always travel to Italy in Late April or early to mid May. I have found late May to be too hot for me (its really the humidity that gets to me) south of Rome. I think it really depends where you are traveling to in Italy.
Sometimes you just have freakish weather. I took the South of Italy tour in 2019. The tour stated in very late April and the weather was downright COLD and it rained the whole time we were visiting the Amalfi coast (my favorite area in Italy). The locals told us it was the coldest April/beginning May since 1959. Go figure.
You go with the averages and hope for the best. But prepare for the worst. We did back to back RS tours in June of 2019, Rome and Sicily. Rome was a week of nearly constant rain, and I’m talking days of deluge. Sicily we hoped would be better and it was by about half-still days of heavy rain. Unusual for that time of year but there you go.
To see the range of what weather conditions you may experience, go to the website timeanddate.com and check the actual, historical, day-by-day weather statistics for the cities you plan to visit. I normally check the most recent 5 years, because weather varies so much. The link will take you to Rome's data for May 2020.
I would caution you about looking at monthly average temperatures. They hide extremes, and it's the extremes that are unpleasant. In addition, I've noticed that the monthly statistics are sometimes based on a range of years that cuts off about 2010 or even earlier. Things have gotten wackier since then. I do use the monthly precipitation data in cities' Wikipedia entries as a general guideline.
My most recent personal experience in Italy was that Rome was pleasant, temperature-wise, with a couple of rainy periods between May 25 and May 29, 2015. Those weren't light sprinkles; they drove me indoors. I was told that it had been unseasonably chilly and wet earlier in the month.
We spent last 2 weeks May 2019 in Rome, Amalfi and Venice
It was lovely other than 2 days of pouring rain in Sorrento
Unfortunately those were our Pompeii and Capri days but we carried on
We have helped finance more than a few umbrella sellers in Italy during May, but it never kept us from seeing what we wanted. In every case the temperature was mild, but the rain was pretty significant, so prepare to your comfort level. One of the reasons we bought so many umbrellas was because it was always just a couple of hours and then it would be days before we needed one again. We’ve always enjoyed May in Italy.
Thank you everyone! So it sounds like typically it’s a decent time of year, but like anywhere else can’t be guaranteed. I like the idea of following the weather right now over there, as this will be the timeframe we would be going in 2022. The big 3, Venice, Florence, Rome.
Interesting info about how the averages exclude the extremes and are often before 2010.
Not so much an issue in May, I wouldn't think, but there's also the fact that it's human nature (or at least my nature) to look at the average high temperature and think "that's not so cold", when all it represents is the average temperature at about 2 PM. The typical tourist is out and about starting at 8 or 10 AM and probably doesn't return to the hotel until 7 to 9 PM. At neither of those times will the temperature be what it was at 2 PM! I like that timeanddate.com usually provides the temperature at multiple times of the day (sometimes it seems to be hourly), so you can see whether how cold it gets after the sun goes down. For summer travels, it's nice to know whether the temperature spiked for just a couple of hours in the middle of the day (as it sometimes does in the mountains) vs. staying really unpleasant for most of the day.
It's the best time of the year weather wise, as far as I'm concerned. It was my preferred period for going to visit Florence every year prior to 2010 (then new job requirements made it difficult for me to go at that time). Between living in Italy and visiting from the US I can say that I have spent almost fifty 'Mays' in Italy in my lifetime.
Temps are 70s/low 80s F during the day, and 60s in the early mornings and evenings. Obviously generally warmer at the end of the month than at the beginning. There are some odd years when it is rainier (and/or cooler) than usual, and some other odd years when it's as hot as July (generally toward the very end of the month when it happens), but statistically the weather is likely to be great at the time you plan to go. The big bonus is the longer days compared to the fall, as the sun sets late at this time.
In terms of crowds, art cities (Florence, Venice, Rome, etc.) are crowded with tourists. Resort areas on the coast, mountains, or lakes are not (except for weekends, if the weather is very warm).
Hi Lulu
We have lived here for over 10 years -we own an art school in the centre of Florence- and we always find spring to be lovely.
It will likely be a nice time for you to come. We've had nice weather so far this May and even if it should rain on a morning when you are visiting there are so many wonderful galleries, museums and cafés and the rain never lasts very long.
To follow Florence's weather you can Google 'Meteo Firenze' to get an idea.
Our windows are all wide open and it is a beautiful sunny, clear day today. Ciao, ciao.
I loved Italy in May- but experienced all kinds of weather- rain- sun- humid-cloudy- cool- so pack accordingly and bring a umbrella. More sunny days than the rest tho, and really enjoyed it as it was less crowded than in the summer.
I have photos of us in Venice one May clutching hot water bottles and wearing bed quilts to keep warm while in our apartment in the evening.
Next day: brilliant sunshine and heat.
Next day: torrential downpour lasting four coffee lengths in one café to stay dry for two hours till it stopped.
So...pack for all weathers!
Mid to late May is indeed a great time weather-wise. Of course you can get a fluke rainy week or heat wave. If I were visiting Venice, Florence, and Rome, then I would not worry too much about it, since there are so many indoor attractions. I spend more time outdoors and I choose late May for the weather.
Generally speaking May and September are ideal months to visit Italy. I've been numerous times and in May, fields are starting to come alive, rape seed plants are out in full yellow bloom; the temperature is great - neither too hot nor too cold; fewer tourists; kids still in school; everything is open. Gorgeous red poppies everywhere. September the fields of Sunflowers our out and the grape vines are in full swing; the weather is neither too warm or too cold; kids are back in school; everything is opening up again after 'August' Italian holidays when restaurants, shops, museums, etc. may be closed or have limited hours. During both months, a sweater or light jacket. Might get some rain, might not. One can never predict what the weather is going to be like at any time during the year; just be prepared for good and bad. Next year I'll be there May 7 - 21st. Can hardly wait!
May is clearly the best option except for the Alps, but you better reserve soon. We just bought tickets for next spring and some flights were already getting full. Just imagine all the folks like yourself with credits and all the folks with postponed dream trips.
