Florence in May: What to Do
May is consistently one of the most pleasant months to visit Florence. The temperatures are warm without being oppressive, the city is in full spring colour, and the main tourist season has started but not yet reached its July-August peak.
The trade-off is that May is not a quiet month. Crowds at the Uffizi, Accademia, and Duomo are significant, particularly on weekends and around public holidays. The difference from peak summer is one of degree, not kind.
This guide covers what makes May worth it, what specific events happen this month, what the weather is actually like, and where you can find some breathing room.
Why May is one of the best months
Average temperatures in Florence in May range from 12 degrees Celsius at night to 24 degrees during the day. This is comfortable for walking, sightseeing, and sitting outside.
Rain is still possible in May. The month sees around 8-10 rainy days on average, usually brief afternoon showers rather than sustained downpours. Carry a light waterproof layer.
The Boboli Gardens (Piazza de’ Pitti 1, entry 10 euros) are at their best in May. The wisteria blooms along the pergolas in late April and early May. The roses in the rose garden below Piazzale Michelangelo also peak in May, typically around the second and third weeks of the month.
Daylight hours are long. Sunrise in Florence in May is around 6:10, sunset around 20:45. You have more usable hours per day than in autumn or winter.
Events in May 2026
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is Florence’s major classical music and opera festival. It runs from late April through late June and takes place at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Piazzale Vittorio Gui 1). Programme and ticket prices vary by performance; check the official website (maggiofiorentino.com). Seats range from around 15 euros (upper gallery) to 120 euros (front stalls) depending on the production.
Calcio Storico Fiorentino sometimes has a warm-up tournament in May before the main June matches. This is a brutal historical form of football played in Piazza Santa Croce in 16th-century costume. If you can get a ticket, it is worth it. Ticket information through the Comune di Firenze.
Iris Garden (Giardino dell’Iris): This free garden on the hillside between Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte opens for approximately two weeks in May when the irises bloom. The iris (giglio) is the symbol of Florence and the garden exists specifically to cultivate new varieties. Open 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-19:00 during the bloom period. Entry is free.
Estate Fiorentina, the city’s summer cultural programme, begins in May with open-air cinema and concert events at various venues. Check the programme on the Comune di Firenze website.
What opens and what blooms
The Boboli Gardens extend their opening hours in May: 8:15-19:30 (last entry 18:30). The Forte di Belvedere, just above the gardens, sometimes opens for temporary exhibitions in spring. Check before you visit.
The Villa Bardini (Costa San Giorgio 2) is a smaller garden near Palazzo Pitti that sees far fewer visitors than the Boboli. The wisteria pergola here is exceptional in early May. Entry costs 10 euros and includes the attached museum.
The markets become more active in May. The Mercato delle Cascine (Piazzale delle Cascine), Florence’s largest open-air market, runs every Tuesday morning from 8:00 to 14:00 and is at its liveliest in spring.
Temperatures and what to pack
Layers are the right approach in May. Mornings below 15 degrees require a jacket. By midday the same jacket will be too warm. A lightweight packable layer works better than a heavy coat.
Shoes remain the priority. May means full days of walking, and the stone streets in Florence are hard on feet. Bring shoes you have already broken in.
Sunscreen is worth packing from May onwards. The Tuscan sun at midday is strong enough to burn, even when the temperature does not feel extreme.
If you plan to visit churches, carry a scarf or a light layer to cover shoulders and knees. This applies throughout the year but is more relevant in May when the weather makes it tempting to dress more lightly.
A light umbrella or a small packable rain cape is useful but not essential. Most May showers are brief and the streets dry quickly.
The least crowded places this time of year
The main sites are busy in May but there are consistent gaps in the crowds.
San Miniato al Monte (Via delle Porte Sante 34, open 9:30-13:00 and 15:00-19:00) draws far fewer visitors than the Duomo and has equally impressive architecture. The Romanesque interior is largely 12th-century. The adjacent cemetery is one of the most atmospheric in Italy.
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (Piazza del Duomo 9, open 9:00-19:00 daily) holds some of the most important sculptures in Florence, including the original Ghiberti bronze doors and Michelangelo’s Pieta Bandini. It is covered by the Duomo complex pass (30 euros) but can also be visited separately. Crowds here are consistently lighter than at the Uffizi.
Orsanmichele (Via dell’Arte della Lana 1, open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-17:00, free) is one of the most undervisited important buildings in Florence. The sculptural program on the exterior is a masterclass in early Renaissance carving.
Giardino Torrigiani (Via del Campuccio 53) is a private garden you can visit by appointment. It is the largest private garden within a historic European city centre. Contact them directly for booking.
The Oltrarno neighbourhood south of the Arno is always less crowded than the north bank, even in May. The area around Via Maggio, Via di Santo Spirito, and Piazza della Passera is worth spending a morning in.
Where to stay
May fills up fast. If you are planning to visit during the Maggio Musicale or around the public holidays, book well ahead. The Key is at Via Cittadella 22, a 5-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station, centrally placed for everything this month has to offer.
