May Weather and Holidays in Italy
| Title: | May Weather and Holidays in Italy | |||||||
| Category: | Weather and Holidays | |||||||
| Author: | Daniele Pintaudi | Updated: | Jan 30, 2019 | Views: | 6,551 | |||
| Tags: | May weather in Italy what to dress on may in italy what to do may in Italy May in Italy | |||||||
Spring is here!. This is a time of countless spring festivals throughout the country. There are many flower festivals, food and wine celebrations, spring rituals, and much more. The trees are blossoming, you find seas of red poppy fields, the sun poking through skies filled with scattered puffy clouds, and beautiful green sprouting everywhere. May is breathtaking.
Weather in the North (Venice, Milan, Turin, Cinque Terre, etc.)
May is a beautiful month in Italy, but but one should still be prepared for cold and wet days. The temperature range is roughly between the low 50's to low 70's (9 to 21 C). Be prepared for chilly nights, but don't discount the possibility of warm days.
Weather in Central (Soriano nel Cimino, Tuscany, Umbria, Florence, Rome, etc.)
The Central part of Italy is a bit warmer than the north, of course. Rome is often quite pleasant, with temperatures ranging between the mid 50's to low 70's (12 to 22 C). Tuscany and Umbria will be a little colder. There is about a one in four chance of rain on any given day. Be prepared for chilly nights, but don't discount the possibility of warm days.
At our home-base of Soriano nel Cimino, expect the temperatures to be about 5 degrees cooler than Rome, and we do get more rain this time of year than can be expected in Rome. We are not as cold as Tuscan cities like Florence.
Weather in the South (Naples, Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, etc.)
You should expect temperatures ranging between the low 60's to low 70's (16 to 21 C). You will experience more sunshine as you travel south, and you may get good enough weather for the beaches, but it is still somewhat unlikely.
How to Dress
We have seen unusually cold periods of May, during which a heavy sweater and rain jacket are needed, but we have also seen heat-waves, during which you will want to dress in shorts. Come prepared for everything. Be sure to bring an umbrella, as some light rain is likely, especially further north.
Best Places to visit
Northern Lazio, Tuscany and Umbria are truly spectacular this time of year. For these areas, this is one of the best times to visit. Sicily is getting absolutely amazing!
What's Special About This Time of Year
Nature: In Northern Lazio, Tuscany and Umbria, you will see countless fields of poppies that are breathtaking beyond words. The rolling hills of these areas are sprouting green, and the air is crisp and clean.
Holidays/Festivals:
Labor Day: Italian Labor Day is on May 1st. It is celebrated much like we do with picnics and family gatherings.
Venice Marriage to the Sea: On the first Sunday after Ascension, the city reaffirms the 'marriage' of Venice and the Adriatic sea. The mayor arrives at the Lido by boat and drops a gold ring into the water. He then proceeds to the San Nicolo church to attend a service. Anybody who dives into the sea and retrieves the ring may keep it, and be exempt from all state taxes for a year.
St Eutizio: At our Home-Base of Soriano nel Cimino, there is a festival on May 14th and 15th for Saint Eustice. You will experience music, a religious procession, and an amazing fireworks display on the evening of the 15th.
Other Festivals: There are just too many to count in May. From Flower Festivals to Spring rituals, you will find them everywhere.
Crowds:
Tourism is very much on the rise in May. While many people believe summer to be the busiest time of year, May is actually considered to be very high season in Italy. Be prepared for crowds in the more popular tourist areas such as Rome, Florence and Venice. Since school is still in session for most, you will find more of an adult crowd throughout Italy.
Food: The winter menus are begging to give way to more summer recipes. The heavier sauces, rich creams and soups are beginning to be replaced with more fresh veggies and lighter cooking.