What to Do in Rome in May: Weather, Tennis, Rose Garden and Events

May is one of the best months to discover Rome: the days are long, café terraces are full, the gardens are in bloom and the real heat has not arrived yet. It is also a busy month, with the tennis tournament at the Foro Italico, spring long weekends and school groups. This guide covers the weather, the events of May and what is worth booking ahead. Information checked in October 2026 for May 2027, using 2026 dates where the 2027 ones are not yet published. On 1 May, the Concerto del Primo Maggio draws huge free crowds.

Rome's weather in May

The 1991-2020 normals for the Ciampino station give about 13 °C at night and 23 °C by day in May, with 57 mm of rain over roughly 6 days. Days are mild and often sunny, with a few showers; the first 30 °C days can arrive at the end of the month. To compare with other months, see our guide to the best time to visit Rome.

Rome's rose garden in bloom

Bring a light jacket for the evening, a hat for midday and a small umbrella. Sites with little shade, such as the Roman Forum and the Palatine, are best visited in the morning.

What happens in May

1 May, Labour Day: a public holiday in Italy. The big free concert is held in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano: in 2026 it started at 3 pm with about forty acts. Expect dense crowds around San Giovanni and traffic disruption; many shops close that day.
The Italian Open tennis: the 2027 edition is announced for 27 April to 16 May 2027 at the Foro Italico, according to Turismo Roma. Tickets and access are in our page on the Italian Open tennis; hotels in the north of the city fill up quickly.
The Aventine rose garden: open in spring only (in 2026, from 11 April to 14 June, free entry), with peak bloom in mid-May. See the Rome rose garden, and combine it with the Orange Garden.
Open-air evenings: concert and festival programmes are published by the city during the month; check Turismo Roma before you leave.

For the whole year's calendar, see Rome's major events. The previous month, with Easter and Rome's birthday, is covered in Rome in April.

What to visit in May

Centre Court at the Foro Italico

Mornings, the big open-air sites: Colosseum, Forum, Palatine. Book your time slot (see tickets to book in Rome).
Gardens: Villa Borghese, Villa Ada, and our selection of Rome's parks and gardens.
Museums in the hot hours: Vatican Museums, Borghese Gallery (by reservation).
Day trips: May suits the Appian Way and the day trips from Rome.

Crowds and bookings

May is high season: longer queues at the Vatican Museums and the Borghese Gallery, pricier hotels at weekends, especially during the tournament and the long weekends. Book accommodation and tickets for the main sites several weeks ahead. The Vatican Museums close on Sundays (except the last one of the month) and on some public holidays: check the official calendar before booking, especially around 1 May.

Practical tips

Choosing your dates: the first half of the month is best for the rose garden; avoid tournament days if you want quiet.
Where to stay: see where to stay in Rome and where to stay in Rome on a budget.
Season: for what comes next, see Rome in June and Rome in spring.