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.
5 reasons to visit Rome in May
With its pleasant climate, May in Rome offers a wealth of attractions for visitors who want to experience the Eternal City in one of its most beautiful seasons.
Rome is a very green city and nature is in full bloom. In addition to numerous parks and villas, the Rose Garden on the Aventine Hill enchants with a multitude of roses in all colors and scents. Rome offers countless opportunities to enjoy nature in May.
A special cultural highlight is the Night of the Museums in the second half of May, when visitors can explore the city’s cultural treasures outside regular opening hours until late at night.
For sports enthusiasts, May in Rome offers exciting sporting events. The Tennis Internazionali BNL D’Italia brings the world’s best tennis players to the city for exciting matches on the famous red clay court at the Foro Italico. The preliminary rounds can be watched free of charge on a specially constructed court in Piazza del Popolo. Rome also hosts the final stage of the famous Giro d’Italia cycling race.
With its long, balmy spring nights, May is the best time to enjoy the Dolce Vita in Rome. Sit in a piazza or immerse yourself in Roman life with an aperitif or a delicious dinner.
A must-see for first-time visitors: Welcome to Rome Multimedia Show Tickets
Show about the history of Rome and exhibition with interactive models
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 203 
Bus 46, 62, 64, 916 Bus stop C.so Vittorio Emanuele / Navona
May temperatures in Rome
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.
To find suitable accommodation, check out our information on Hotels in Rome.
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.
Rome May Opening hours
St. Peter’s Basilica
Basilica 7-19.10 – Dome 7.30-18 – Cathedral Treasury 7.30-18.30
St. Peter’s Basilica is closed during the Pope’s celebrations, for which invitation cards are required. In May, these are Pope Francis’ Mass on Ascension Day on the afternoon of May 29 and the Wednesday morning audiences.
Colosseum
8:30 am – 18:15 Closing 19:15
Admission is free on the first Sunday of the month
Vatican Museums
Monday – Thursday 8 – 17 Closed 19, Admission Monday – Saturday 8 am – 6 pm, closing time 8 pm. Closed on Sundays and May 1.
Free admission on Sunday 25, 9 – 12:30 closing 14:00.
Free admission to national museums and municipal museums
Free admission to all national museums and the museums of the Municipality of Rome on May 4. You can find the complete list of museums on our page about museums in Rome.
Night of the museums
On May 17 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.
Events in Rome in May
Papal audience every Wednesday at 9 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
between Porta Portese and Via Ippolito Nievo
Ponte Milvio Market
Antiques market every Sunday
Between Ponte Milvio and Ponte Duca D’Aosta
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
8-11 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 17 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 (Casina delle Civette, Casino Nobile, Serra Moresca), 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, Planetario di Roma, Parco Archeologico del Celio
National Museums: Admission €1 Hours start between 7 and 8 pm and continue until 10 or 11 pm Details on the ministry’s website -> Lazio
Casa Andersen, Castel Sant’Angelo, Galleria Spada, Galleria Nazionale di Arte Moderna, Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi, Museo Mario Praz, Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia, Museo Nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali, Palazzo Altemps, Palazzo Barberini, Palazzo Venezia, Pantheon, Parco Archeologico del Colosseo – Tempio di Venere e Roma e Museo del Foro Romano, Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica, Parco archeologica di Ostia antica – Castello di Giulio II, Pantheon, Terme di Caracalla, Villa Adriana, Villa D’Este, Santuario di Ercole Vincitore
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
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.