Venice in May brings 72°F afternoons, 8 rainy days and a sea still cool enough that swimming is better left for June. The Doge’s Palace, Murano and Burano fill the days.
The catch is that May falls inside the city’s high tourist-tax season, which runs from February 1 to December 31. Day visitors to the historic city also face an access fee, and the Doge’s Palace’s special tours are by reservation only, with limited places.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 72°F (22°C)
- Night low: 56°F (14°C)
- Rainy days: 8, with 3 inches (80 mm) of precipitation
- Sunshine: 7.4 hours per day
- Sea surface: 65°F on average
- Daylight on May 15: 14 hours 52 minutes
What is the weather like in Venice in May?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.8 in (71 mm) | 8 | 5.8 h | 57°F (14°C) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 56°F (14°C) | 3.2 in (80 mm) | 8 | 7.4 h | 65°F (18°C) |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.5 in (64 mm) | 9 | 8.1 h | 73°F (23°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
May is mild and fairly bright. Afternoons reach 72°F (22°C), warm enough for a walk across the city in a light shirt, and nights drop to 56°F (14°C).
Rain falls on eight days in the month, and the sun shines 7.4 hours a day on average. Carry a compact umbrella and plan the outdoor sights, such as the Campanile and the walk to the Rialto Bridge, for the dry stretches. Daylight lasts almost 15 hours in mid-May, so there’s room for a late visit after the museums.
April is cooler, with afternoons at 63°F (17°C), nights at 48°F (9°C) and six hours of sun. June is warmer, with afternoons at 79°F (26°C), nights at 63°F (17°C) and eight hours of sun. May sits between the two, with rain on about as many days as in either.
What to do in Venice in May
Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark’s Square Museums
The Doge’s Palace is at San Marco 1, and the public entrance is at Porta del Frumento, on Piazzetta San Marco. It belongs to the St. Mark’s Square Museums ticket, which also covers Museum Correr, the National Archaeological Museum and the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana National Library. The MUVE APP audioguide is included in the ticket price.
Two special visits run by reservation only, for a limited number of visitors. The Secret Itinerary goes through the rooms where the Venetian administration worked. The Doge’s Hidden Treasures tour leads through the Doge’s private rooms next to the Basilica. Book them as soon as your dates are fixed.
St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile
The Basilica visit includes the Pala d’Oro and the museum and loggia for the Horses of Saint Mark. From the Campanile you can look over the square from above, and the elevator gives wide, quiet views.
Pair it with the Basilica mosaics, which are indoors if a shower passes.
Murano glass, Burano lace and Torcello
On Murano, some of the island’s glassworks let you watch glass-blowing. Burano and Torcello make a second outing, with the Church of San Martino, the Lace Museum, the Torcello Museum, the Church of Santa Fosca and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
At the Museo del Merletto, visitors can watch lace-makers at work by reservation. A long ramp connects Burano to Mazzorbo, where you can walk in the park. Mild May afternoons suit this kind of slow island day.
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge visit is free and takes 20 minutes on average. It fits easily between a museum and lunch, or at the end of a day when the other tickets are used up.
Gallerie dell’Accademia
The Gallerie dell’Accademia holds the most important collection of Venetian painting from the 14th to the 18th century, spread over 24 rooms.
Is Venice busy in May?
Only January counts as low season.
The Doge’s Palace’s special tours are by reservation only and for a limited number of visitors. Book them and your rooms early. The Lace Museum demonstrations are also by reservation.
Guests in hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and apartments pay a tourist tax, collected by the manager of the accommodation. It’s calculated per person and per night, for a maximum of 5 consecutive nights for non-residents. Rates vary by area, from the historic centre and Giudecca to the islands and the mainland, with reductions in Mestre and on the lagoon islands.
Day visitors also face an access fee, meant to discourage unplanned day visits. It applies only to the historic city, not to the minor islands. Check the dates it applies before choosing a day trip.
Can you swim in Venice in May?
The sea near Venice averages 65°F (18°C) in May. That’s a monthly average, and it’s cool for getting in, so expect a short dip at most. April averages 57°F and June 73°F, so June is the warmer choice for swimming.
What to pack for Venice in May
May asks for layers, a rain plan and sun cover. Afternoons are warm and nights are cool.
- A light jacket or sweater for evenings, when the low is 56°F (14°C)
- A compact umbrella, since it rains on eight days of the month
- Comfortable shoes for the long ramp from Burano to Mazzorbo and for long walks between museums
- A charged phone for the MUVE APP audioguide, which is included in the Doge’s Palace ticket
- Swimwear only if you plan a dip in 65°F (18°C) water
What to know before visiting Venice in May
A single ticket for the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo, Ca’ Rezzonico and Carlo Goldoni’s House is valid 3 months, for one entry per museum. Palazzo Mocenigo is at Santa Croce 1992 and is the Study Centre for the History of Textile, Costume and Perfume.
Is May a good time to visit Venice?
Yes, May is a good time for travelers who want museums, island days and long walks in mild weather. The afternoons are warm, daylight runs close to 15 hours and the rain is spread over eight days.
Compared with April, May is warmer by 8°F in the afternoon and sunnier, at 7.4 hours a day against 5.8. Compared with June, it’s cooler and the sea is 8°F colder, but the rain is about the same.
For swimming, June is the better month, with the sea at 73°F against 65°F in May. For a sightseeing trip with the Doge’s Palace, Burano and Murano, May works well.
Sources
- palazzoducale.visitmuve.it (https://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/visitor-information/), checked 2026-10-30
- comune.venezia.it (https://www.comune.venezia.it/it/content/tourist-tax-information-guests?gsid=fba7e79e-4a73-4cc7-b858-2954de6cc4fc), checked 2026-10-30
- scultura.veneto.eu (https://scultura.veneto.eu/stampa-dettaglio?uuid=c5d75d69-553a-4bfa-901f-ba47d4e100a1&template=%2Fregioneveneto%2Fpresentation%2Flocalita-detail), checked 2026-10-25
- scultura.veneto.eu (https://scultura.veneto.eu/stampa-dettaglio?uuid=6671daeb-dc8a-4f07-8b35-3d0fa9eeaff9&template=%2Fregioneveneto%2Fpresentation%2Fitinerario-detail), checked 2026-10-30
- open-meteo.com (https://open-meteo.com/en/docs/historical-weather-api), checked 2026-10-30
- sanmarco-venezia.it (https://www.sanmarco-venezia.it/it/tickets), checked 2026-10-30
- mocenigo.visitmuve.it (https://mocenigo.visitmuve.it/fr/informations-pratiques/), checked 2026-10-30
- comune.venezia.it (https://www.comune.venezia.it/sites/comune.venezia.it/files/documenti/Tributi/ids/FAQ%20IDS%20aggiornamento%2013.03.2025.pdf), checked 2026-10-30