Yes, for anyone who wants villas, gardens and lakeside walks in mild weather. May brings afternoons of 69°F (21°C), long daylight and a lake served by ferries to dozens of landing stops.
The month is wetter than the ones around it, with 12 rainy days. Nights stay cool at 54°F (12°C), so plan the outdoor sights for the dry hours and keep a layer in the bag.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 69°F (21°C)
- Night low: 54°F (12°C)
- Rainy days: 12
- Sunshine: 6 hours a day
- Daylight on May 15: 14 hours 52 minutes
What is the weather like on Lake Como in May?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Daylight (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 47°F (9°C) | 5.4 in (138 mm) | 10 | 6.1 h | 13 h 28 |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 54°F (12°C) | 7.0 in (178 mm) | 12 | 6.4 h | 14 h 52 |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 61°F (16°C) | 6.8 in (172 mm) | 10 | 7.6 h | 15 h 40 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
May is mild and green. Afternoons reach 69°F (21°C) in Bellagio, comfortable for walking and for standing on a ferry deck, and nights drop to 54°F (12°C).
Rain falls on about 12 days, and the sun shines for around 6 hours a day on average. A rainy afternoon is a good time for the Como museums or a covered ferry ride.
April is cooler, with afternoons near 62°F (17°C) and 10 rainy days. June warms up to 77°F (25°C) with a similar 10 rainy days and more sun, 7.6 hours a day. May sits between the two, with the most rain of the three months.
Where to go on Lake Como in May
Bellagio
Bellagio is known as “La Perla del Lago”. The gardens of Villa Melzi d’Eril stretch along the water for 800 meters, and the Villa Serbelloni park is open for guided tours.
Varenna
Varenna sits on the Lecco branch of the lake and is a stop on the Sentiero del Viandante trekking route. Villa Monastero is here, and the botanical garden of Villa Cipressi is right next to it.
Tremezzina
Villa Carlotta stands in Tremezzo, in the Tremezzina area, and has an original Italian garden. The garden is the reason to go.
Lenno
Lenno is home to Villa del Balbianello, run by the FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano). The weekly market is held here on Tuesdays on the lakeside.
Como
Como has the Duomo, the Broletto and the city tower, the Basilica of Sant’Abbondio and the museums of the Como system: the Pinacoteca civica, the Tempio Voltiano and the Cattedrale. It also has the funicular up to Brunate.
What to do on Lake Como in May
Villa del Balbianello and its terraces
Villa del Balbianello cannot be reached by car. The closest free parking is Mercato Parking in Via Comoedia, in Lenno, and paid parking is on the same street.
The ticket includes a guided tour of the interiors and a self-guided visit of the garden, terraces and Loggia Durini. Visit on a Tuesday and the Lenno lakeside market is on the way.
Greenway del Lago di Como on foot
The Greenway runs from Colonno to Cadenabbia di Griante, about 6 miles (10 km). The C110 bus or the boat service can bring you back, so you don’t need to walk both ways.
With almost 15 hours of daylight in mid-May, there is time for the whole route with stops.
Villa Serbelloni park in Bellagio
The park can be visited on a 2-hour guided tour, in the morning or the afternoon, from Tuesday to Sunday.
The funicular up to Brunate
The funicular links Como with Brunate. The Como station is in Piazza Alcide De Gasperi, a stone’s throw from the lake, and there is an intermediate station at Carescione.
Brunate sits at 2,300 feet (700 meters) of altitude, and it will be cooler up there than on the lakeshore. Bring a sweater.
Is Lake Como busy in May?
The area around Villa del Balbianello can see heavy traffic and parking difficulties, especially on weekends and in summer. The ferry ticket offices can have queues in summer and during holidays. A weekday visit in May is the easier choice, and an early start helps on weekends.
Book ahead for anything with limited places, such as the cellar tour of Révolt da Stazuna. Access to the Isola Comacina is subject to a fee.
What to pack for Lake Como in May
May asks for layers and something for rain. Afternoons are mild, but mornings and evenings on the water are cooler.
- A light sweater or jacket for nights near 54°F (12°C) and for ferry decks
- A compact umbrella or rain jacket for 12 rainy days
- Comfortable walking shoes for the 6-mile (10 km) Greenway and the paths at Varenna
- Sunglasses and a hat for 6 hours of sun a day
What to know before visiting Lake Como in May
Villa del Balbianello has no car access, and traffic and parking are tight on weekends. The Villa Serbelloni tours run Tuesday to Sunday, so plan Bellagio around that. Travelers with a dog should know that Hotel Villa Aurora in Lezzeno allows pets for a supplement of €10 per night.
Is May a good time to visit Lake Como?
Yes, especially for travelers who want villas, gardens and walks in comfortable temperatures. May suits slow days of ferry hops and garden visits better than beach plans.
Moving to June brings 77°F (25°C) and more sun.
If you want fewer crowds, plan weekdays and early starts, since weekends are the busy stretch around the villas. If you want long outdoor days, May’s nearly 15 hours of daylight works well. With children, the funicular to Brunate and the boat trips are easy picks.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- in-lombardia.it (https://www.in-lombardia.it/index%2Ephp/de/wohin-gehen-lombardei/comer-see), checked 2026-10-30
- in-lombardia.it (https://www.in-lombardia.it/attivita/le-bellezze-del-lago-di-como), checked 2026-10-30
- fondoambiente.it (https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/villa-del-balbianello/visita), checked 2026-10-30
- hotelauroralezzeno.com (https://www.hotelauroralezzeno.com/), checked 2026-10-30
- in-lombardia.it (https://www.in-lombardia.it/turismo-in-lombardia/lecco-turismo/varenna), checked 2026-10-30
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/en/lombardy/lake-como), checked 2026-10-25
- in-lombardia.it (https://www.in-lombardia.it/visitare-la-lombardia/vacanza-al-lago/lago-di-como-5-ville), checked 2026-10-30