Yes, May suits travelers who want warm afternoons for sightseeing and trails, with a sea that is still cool for swimming. Afternoons reach 75°F (24°C) in both Cagliari and Olbia.
The nights are the catch, with lows between 53°F (11°C) and 56°F (13°C), so evenings outdoors call for a layer. Su Nuraxi di Barumini, the nuragic complex listed as UNESCO World Heritage, can only be visited on a guided tour.
The island rewards a trip built around ruins, parks and walking. May has the daylight and the mild air for that.
At a glance
- Afternoon high in Cagliari: 75°F (24°C)
- Night low in Cagliari: 56°F (13°C)
- Afternoon high and night low in Olbia: 75°F (24°C) and 53°F (11°C)
- Rainy days in Cagliari: 4
- Sea near Cagliari: 64°F (18°C)
- Barumini heritage site: open every day of the year
What is the weather like in Sardinia in May?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 50°F (10°C) | 1.8 in (46 mm) | 7 | 59°F (15°C) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.0 in (26 mm) | 4 | 64°F (18°C) |
| June | 84°F (29°C) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.5 in (13 mm) | 2 | 70°F (21°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
May is warm and mostly settled. Cagliari reaches 75°F (24°C) in the afternoon and cools to 56°F (13°C) at night. Olbia is almost identical by day at 75°F (24°C) and a little cooler after dark at 53°F (11°C).
Both cities see about four rainy days in the month, meaning days with at least 1 mm of rain. That leaves most days open for outdoor sights such as the archaeological areas and the Asinara trails. A light rain jacket covers the rest. The sea near Cagliari sits at 64°F (18°C), cool enough that swimming is for short dips.
April is cooler, with afternoons of 68°F (20°C) in Cagliari and six or seven rainy days. June is clearly hotter, at 84°F (29°C) in the afternoon and 63°F (17°C) at night, with only two rainy days. May sits between the two, with a comfortable walking temperature and a little more rain than June.
Where to go in Sardinia in May
Asinara National Park
Asinara lies on the northwestern tip of Sardinia and has been a national park since 1997. Its trails cover five thousand hectares. Admission is free, and boats go from Porto Nuovo at Stintino and from Porto Torres.
Su Nuraxi di Barumini
This is the most important nuragic complex in Sardinia, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. The site covers 20,000 square meters of archaeological area.
Tharros
The ancient city of Tharros lies in the Sinis landscape, between the sea and the ponds. Phoenician colonists founded it at the end of the 8th century BC, and it was abandoned in 1070. The archaeological area offers guided tours and a bookshop.
Cagliari
Cagliari has an afternoon high of 75°F (24°C) in May, so it works well for walking between sights. The botanical garden covers five hectares and was founded in 1866 by Patrizio Gennari. The Castle of San Michele and Monte Urpinu Park are also in the city.
Laconi
Laconi has the Aymerich park, which covers 22 hectares (about 54 acres). It makes an easy stop on a day inland.
Sadali
Sadali has the waterfall Su Stampu de su Turrunu, which drops 52 feet (16 meters). The village can be visited with the Trenino Verde.
What to do in Sardinia in May
Su Nuraxi, Casa Zapata and the Lilliu Centre at Barumini
One ticket covers all three sites, and the guided tour is included. Su Nuraxi can only be visited with a guide. Tours leave every 30 minutes and last about an hour.
Casa Zapata and the Centro Giovanni Lilliu are also guided only, about 30 minutes each, leaving every 30 minutes. Guided tours of Su Nuraxi last about 1 hour, and the Casa Zapata and Centro Giovanni Lilliu tours about 30 minutes each. Tours run in Italian, English and French, and the advice for the ground is comfortable clothing and non-slip shoes.
Asinara by bike, horse or tourist train
The park’s trails can be explored by mountain bike, on horseback, in an off-road vehicle or by tourist train. The Asinara donkey is the park’s symbol. The marine protected area was established in 2002.
Since the boats leave from Porto Nuovo at Stintino or from Porto Torres, choose your port first and check the crossing before you plan the day.
Isili and Sadali inland
At Isili you can rent a pedal boat on Lake San Sebastiano, an artificial lake made by the Barrocus dam on the Mannu river. The Is Janas cave is visited with a guide. The Is Paras nuraghe rises 12 meters, about 39 feet.
Nuragica and the parks of Cagliari
Nuragica is a multimedia and sensory museum experience on the Nuragic people, at via Roma 191.
Monte Urpinu Park suits families, picnics and strolls. Monte Claro Park has paths for walking and jogging. The Castle of San Michele now holds exhibitions and lectures.
Is Sardinia busy in May?
Su Nuraxi di Barumini is open every day, so a May visit does not depend on one weekday.
A tourist tax applies in some municipalities. It can reach 5 euros per night. Capoterra has applied it since February 1, 2026.
In Loiri Porto San Paolo, hotels of one or two stars pay €1.50 per person per night, three stars €2.50, four stars €3.00 and five stars €4.00. Campsites and tourist villages pay €1.50. B&Bs, guest houses, agriturismi and holiday homes pay €2.00. The rate applies for a maximum of 10 consecutive days.
Can you swim in Sardinia in May?
It suits a quick dip after a day of walking, and few people will want a long swim.
April is cooler at 59°F (15°C), and June warms to 70°F (21°C). Asinara has a marine protected area, established in 2002, and its national park is free to enter.
What to pack for Sardinia in May
May asks for light clothes by day and a warm layer after dark. Much of the sightseeing is on foot and outdoors.
- A sweater or light jacket for nights between 53°F (11°C) and 56°F (13°C)
- A compact rain jacket for about four rainy days in the month
- Non-slip shoes for the guided tours at Barumini
- Comfortable walking shoes and water for the Asinara trails across five thousand hectares
- A swimsuit for short dips in a 64°F (18°C) sea
What to know before visiting Sardinia in May
Su Nuraxi, Casa Zapata and the Lilliu Centre take guided visitors only, and animals are not admitted except guide dogs, by reservation.
The Barumini heritage site is open every day of the year without interruption, so there is no closed day to plan around.
Is May a good time to visit Sardinia?
Yes, especially for travelers who want archaeology, parks and long walks in warm but not hot weather. Afternoons reach 75°F (24°C) and rain falls on about four days.
Compared with April, May is warmer by about seven degrees and has fewer rainy days, four against six or seven. Shifting four weeks later gains swimming and loses walking comfort.
If you want swimming, June is the better pick. If you want to climb and walk the sites, May’s 75°F (24°C) afternoons are easier than June’s.
With children, Asinara is free to enter and has a tourist train, and Monte Urpinu Park is made for picnics and strolls.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/fr/sardaigne/que-faire/la-sardaigne-au-dela-des-plages-laconi–sadali-et-isili), checked 2026-10-30
- fondazionebarumini.it (https://www.fondazionebarumini.it/biglietti-e-orari/), checked 2026-10-30
- fondazionebarumini.it (https://www.fondazionebarumini.it/fr/home-2/), checked 2026-10-30
- comune.loiriportosanpaolo.ss.it (https://www.comune.loiriportosanpaolo.ss.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Delibera-n.-121-del-09-12-2025-tariffe-imposta-di-soggiorno-2026.pdf), checked 2026-10-30
- sardegnaturismo.it (https://www.sardegnaturismo.it/en/explore/asinara-national-park), checked 2026-10-30
- cultura.gov.it (https://cultura.gov.it/luogo/area-archeologica-di-tharros), checked 2026-10-30
- informacitta.comune.olbia.ot.it (https://informacitta.comune.olbia.ot.it/eventi/benvenuto-vermentino), checked 2026-10-30