May is an excellent month to visit Rome. The weather is almost summery and the city is less crowded. Take this chance for a pleasant and relaxing holiday.
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May in Rome
May in Rome is a busy time with considerable crowds. However, Rome being a expansive city, there are numerous hidden gems to uncover just beyond the typical tourist routes.
To secure accommodations in the prime city center location, a substantial budget is necessary. For detailed insights on our preferred options, tips on finding affordable rooms, and recommendations for favorable areas, please refer to our comprehensive guide on Hotels in Rome.
May temperatures in Rome
What is the weather like in Rome during May?
The weather in Rome during May is perfect, with warm daytime temperatures and cool nights. Rainfall is rare.
The highest temperature ever recorded in May was 34°C/93.2°F, the lowest was 2°C/35.6°F.
Climate data May
Tmax Ø | 23°C/73.8°F |
Tmin Ø | 13°C/55.4°F |
Sunshine hours Ø | 7.3 |
Days with rain Ø | 7 |
Source: www.wetter.com
What to wear in Rome in May
You will be out and about a lot in Rome. Don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun. For outdoor activities in the evenings it is advisable to have a light jacket and for unexpected rain showers a foldable cape. Comfortable shoes are important due to extensive walking and uneven sidewalks in Rome.
Keep in mind the dress code when visiting sacred sites, such as churches and catacombs. Shoulders and knees should be covered, so if you’re wearing off-the-shoulder shirts or dresses, a shawl or pareo will be needed.
What’s on?
Apart from May 1st, there are no public holidays in May. Most shops in the city center remain open throughout the week, including weekends, allowing for convenient shopping. Rome offers a plethora of sights and experiences, especially with the arrival of summer temperatures.
To capture a May sunrise in Rome, an early wake-up call is necessary. At the beginning of May, the sunrise occurs at 6:08 am, while at the end of May, it is as early as 5:39 am. Before 6 am, the streets are peaceful with minimal traffic, and some joggers can be seen enjoying their morning runs. The deserted Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain can be captured in photographs. St. Peter’s Basilica can be visited from 7 am, allowing you to experience the magnificence of this basilica almost in solitude.
Rome May Opening hours
St. Peter’s Basilica
Basilica 7-19.10 – Dome 7.30-18 – Cathedral Treasury 7.30-18.30
More information about St. Peter’s Basilica>
St. Peter’s Basilica is closed during the Pope’s celebrations for which you need invitation cards. In May, these are the masses of Pope Francis on Pentecost Sunday and the audiences on Wednesday mornings.
Colosseum
8:30 am – 18:15 Closing 19:15
Admission is free on the first Sunday of the month
Details about the Colosseum>
Vatican Museums
Monday – Thursday 8 – 17 Closed 19, Friday – Saturday 8 – 18 Closed 20. Closed on Sundays and May 1.
Free admission on Sunday 26, 9 – 12:30 closing 14:00.
Details on the Vatican Museums>
City museums and national museums
In Rome, some of the museums belong to the municipality and some to the state.
The city’s museums include the Capitoline Museums, Trajan’s Markets, Imperial Forums and numerous other museums. National museums include the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, Borghese Gallery and many more. For the full list of museums, opening times and tickets, see our Rome Museums page.
Free entry
Admission to all national museums and the museums of the municipality of Rome is free on May 5.
Night of the museums
On May 18 is the European Night Museums. Many museums participate and offer a cultural program with animations and spectacles. City museums 8 pm – 2 am, National Museums 7 pm – 10 pm.
Exhibitions
The rose garden of the Municipality of Rome is open daily 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. The Rose Garden is located on the slope of the Aventine above the Circus Maximus. Admission is free of charge.
Until May 18 only the Collections section is open, from May 19 the Competitions section is also open.
may
Events in Rome in May
Papal audience every Wednesday at 9:00 am
Every Sunday at 12:00 Angelus prayer of the Pope at St. Peter’s Square
Ascension Day is celebrated on Sunday May 12, Pentecost on May 19
Porta Portese Market
every Sunday 7:00 – 14:00 Flea market & antiques
1.5. 9:00 Lavoro in corsa
10.3 km run and 5.35 km free run over Caelius Hill and Oppius Hill
Start: Via Carlo Felice web
9-12 May Race for the Cure
Event for the fight against breast cancer. With 5km run and free run.
Circo Massimo https://www.raceforthecure.it/
May 18 Night of the Museums
City musems: With cultural program with animations and presentations. 8 pm – 2 am Ticket 1 €
Musei Capitolini, Centrale Montemartini, Mercati di Traiano – Museo dei Fori Imperiali, Museo dell’Ara Pacis, Museo di Roma, Museo Napoleonico, Museo di Roma in Trastevere, Museo Pietro Canonica a Villa Borghese, Musei di Villa Torlonia, Museo delle Mura, Museo Carlo Bilotti – Aranciera di Villa Borghese, Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco, Museo Civico di Zoologia, Museo della Repubblica Romana e della memoria garibaldina, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Museo di Casal de’ Pazzi.
National Museums: 7 pm – 10 pm Ticket 1 €
Colosseo, Pantheon, Galleria Borghese, Istituto autonomo Vittoriano e Palazzo Venezia, Museo Nazionale Romano – Palazzo Massimo – Palazzo Altemps – Terme di Diocleziano, Castel Sant’Angelo e Passetto di Borgo, Terme di Caracalla, Museo Nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali, Museo nazionale etrusco di Villa Giulia, area archeologica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Mitreo Barberini, Mercato di Testaccio, Museo nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo e Passetto di Borgo, Galleria Spada
Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Viale delle Belle Arti, 131
Extraordinary opening of the Palazzo Palazzo Patrizi, seat of the Soprintendence, Via Cavalletti, 2
Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica (Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella, Villa dei Quintili, Capo di Bove), Museo della Civiltà – Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, 14 (EUR)
Villa D’Este, Villa Adriana
Concerts
Rome has a lively music scene. Many pubs and music venues offer live music, especially on weekends. Classical music can be found in many churches and palaces.
Rome’s Music Park
The Parco della Musica Rome is a breathtaking architectural masterpiece by star architect Renzo Piano. The cultural complex on the Via Flaminia, with its unique concert halls and open-air stage, is a paradise for art and music lovers. Check out the calendar of events here. Tram 2
Casa del Jazz Rome is a hidden gem located in a park just south of the Caracalla Baths, outside the city walls. This unique venue is all about Jazz and offers a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere for music lovers to enjoy.
Surrounded by lush greenery, Casa del Jazz provides a picturesque setting for musical events and concerts. The combination of nature and music creates a magical experience that you won’t find anywhere else in Rome. Check out the calendar of events here. Bus 160, 671, 714, 792
Amusement parks
In Rome and the surrounding area there are a few parks that offer a welcome change.
Luneur
The Luneur Park offers many rides. It is located in the south of the city in the EUR district on Via Cristoforo Colombo. The opening times in winter are irregular, mostly Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in summer daily until midnight. On the Luneur website you can see the calendar with the opening days. Bus connections are lines 30, 170, 714 and 791, Colombo / Agricoltura stop. From there it is 750m to the entrance on Via delle Tre Fontane 100.
Cinecittà World
Cinecittà World is a theme park about cinema and television. It is located next to the Castel Romano outlet center on Via Pontina between Rome and Pomezia. A shuttle bus runs from the Termini main station. Tickets
FAQ
Is May a good time to visit Rome
May is generally considered a great time to visit Rome. It’s a fantastic time to explore outdoor attractions such as the Colosseum and its archaeological park, the famous Via Appia Antica, the excavations of Ostia Antica, and the magnificent parks without having to deal with excessive crowds. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience some of Rome’s most famous events, such as the Rome Open tennis tournament.
What to pack for Rome in May
Pack light clothing for the warm days, a jacket for the cool evenings and a raincoat just in case. Comfortable shoes and sunscreen are also important, as is appropriate clothing for visiting churches. Carry only a small amount of cash and a credit card, and use a bum bag for protection against pickpockets.
Things to do in Rome in May
In May, explore iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City, stroll through historic neighborhoods like Trastevere, visit ancient ruins along the Via Appia Antica and Ostia Antica, enjoy a day by the sea at Ostia Lido, and take enriching day tours to Orvieto, Assisi, and Pompeii.