Rome in May is unusually good - wonderful spring weather offers pleasant walks along the streets and squares, visits to flowering parks and gardens, trips for excursions. May in Rome is already considered the high season, and therefore the city, literally, is simply awash with tourists; this is especially felt at the beginning of the month - those wishing to combine the May holidays with a trip to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum are a dime a dozen.
The weather in Rome in May resembles summer, the temperature reaches + 23C, and sometimes + 25C.
Weather in Rome in May
Hats that protect from the sun in May will certainly be needed. But you shouldn’t completely give up warm clothes, because at nights it is quite cool + 12 + 14C.
May in the capital of Italy - the beginning of the high season
The number of rainy days is small, however, an umbrella, a windbreaker and suitable shoes will probably come in handy - May rains come on suddenly and are often accompanied by thunderstorms. The good news is that the spring rains are short, literally a couple of hours later the sky brightens and a bright sun appears, dispersing the gloomy rain clouds.
- The average daily temperature in Rome in May is about + 23C
- The average night temperature in Rome in May is about + 13C
- Number of rainy days - 5-6
Things to do
On May 1, Italians are happy to celebrate Labor Day, however, if you do not focus on this, today the history of the holiday is little reminiscent of it: most people just enjoy the good weather, the warm sun and the abundance of greenery and flowers.
Activists celebrate May Day with rallies and demonstrations, and young people in love - with serenades under the windows of their lovers. According to the existing tradition, on the night before May 1, a young man who wants to make a marriage proposal to his chosen one must bring a green branch to the door of her house. If the girl agrees to get married, she takes the branch, if the proposal is not accepted, the branch is thrown onto the road.
Rome in May is unusually good
On the streets of Rome in May you can see admirers of another May Day tradition - they dress up May Day tree the role of which can be performed by both a living tree and a pillar decorated with flowers, garlands and ribbons. Around the May Day tree, round dances, sing, dance, arrange fun games and competitions, light fireworks.
Often there is another “May Day tree” - the Cornucopia tree, reminiscent of a Russian fair pole with a wheel at the top, to which some gizmos are tied. The strongest and most courageous young people are trying to climb the pole to pluck the prize from the top.
May 11 in Rome celebrate a holiday highly revered by Italians - Mothers Day. On this day, mothers receive flowers and small gifts from their children, as well as kisses, hugs and declarations of love. This warm spring holiday is celebrated in the family circle, with the closest and dearest.
May in Rome is the time of flowering, so this month you can’t do without “flower” holidays. In the Auditorium concert hall, the second name of which is the Music Park, a traditional flower exhibition is held in May.
In May, it is especially crowded in Roman squares
Here you can admire all kinds of plants to decorate gardens, terraces and balconies, as well as purchase your favorite copies, take part in master classes, try homemade berry jams, syrups and liquors. The exhibition also sells various accessories for the home and garden - tools, landscape sculptures, home fountains, as well as related literature.
Another wonderful flower festival in May is the magnificent rose show, which is organized in the Orange Garden on Aventine Hill. The show includes a flower exhibition, as well as a charity concert. It is worth noting that the Orange Garden is not only a great place for walking, but also an excellent observation deck with magnificent views of the city.
In May, most tourists flock to the Orange Garden
May weather promotes not only visits to attractions, but also walks in numerous Roman gardens and parks. It is extremely pleasant to walk along the paths of Villa Borghese, the Botanical Garden, the Farnese Gardens, Pincho Park. Hot days can be devoted to exploring man-made reservoirs - the famous Trevi and Triton fountains, the Lodochka fountain and the Turtle fountain.
Fans of shopping, despite the fact that May in Rome is not a sales season, it is worth devoting a day or two to your favorite pastime - in the city and its environs there are many excellent shops and outlets where discounts are available regardless of the season.
Hot May days are best spent exploring the fountains
If you are a mega-active traveler, and time allows you a short trip, then it is quite possible to make a one-day trip to Florence. Fortunately, trains to the cradle of the Renaissance depart several times per hour, and the trip itself takes a little more than an hour and a half.
May weather is good for walking through the numerous Roman gardens
The only "But", especially relating to the period of the May holidays - it is better to book tickets in advance. Although there are many trains to Florence, the lines at the box office of Rome's main station Termini are quite capable of spoiling the impression of the trip. You can buy a ticket without queues through the Internet link.
Tickets for the most popular travel sites can also be purchased online - this will also save more than one hour of your trip from the well-known Roman lines. You can do this using the online service below.
Another way to diversify your May visit to the capital of Italy is to go on an excursion or hire a guide. Moreover, this is true both for those who are in Rome for the first time, and for travelers who have previously visited the Eternal City. The excursion program is extremely diverse and covers not only the capital, but also quite remote neighborhoods.
For example, in recent years, excursions from Rome to Naples and Pompeii have become increasingly popular, but there are many other busy routes. You can find out the details of the excursion program for Russian-speaking tourists, including Lela, a guide through Rome, about whom BlogoItaliano wrote in detail in this article.
Rome in May. Summary
May is a great time to travel to Rome. Warm spring weather in Rome in may favorable for visiting historical and architectural sights, as well as for ordinary walks along city streets, parks and gardens.
The main thing is to take care of suitable clothes and shoes: the daytime temperature in Rome in May reaches + 25С, therefore, for walks you will need a hat for protection from the sun and comfortable sandals, at night it’s pretty cool - a light jacket and shoes or sneakers will not interfere.
Rome in May, a walk to the Coliseum
Prices in hotels in Rome in May can already be compared with summer - the high season begins, so the number of tourists increases significantly. The cost of tours at the beginning of the month is especially high, but after the May holidays prices are slightly reduced. When planning your trip, do not forget that on May 1, many shops, museums and exhibition halls will be closed.
Other useful articles
- Italy in May
- How to get to Rome from Fiumicino Airport
- Attractions in Rome where you can buy tickets online
- 3 Star Hotels in the Center of Rome
- Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums: Things to Know
