Yes, May suits travelers who want to walk archaeological sites and reserves in warm, mostly dry weather, with afternoons of 73°F (23°C) in Palermo and a sea that is still cool for swimming.
At a glance
- Palermo afternoon high: 73°F (23°C)
- Palermo night low: 61°F (16°C)
- Catania afternoon high: 79°F (26°C)
- Catania night low: 54°F (12°C)
- Rainy days in Catania: 3
- Sea near Palermo: 66°F (19°C)
What is the weather like in Sicily in May?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 55°F (13°C) | 1.2 in (30 mm) | 5 | 60°F (16°C) |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.7 in (18 mm) | 3 | 66°F (19°C) |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 in (11 mm) | 1 | 72°F (22°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
May is warm without being hot. Palermo reaches 73°F (23°C) in the afternoon. At night it drops to 61°F (16°C). Catania runs warmer by day, at 79°F (26°C), and cooler after dark, at 54°F (12°C).
Rain is rare. Catania sees 3 rainy days in the month and less than an inch of rain in total, so outdoor sights can be planned freely. Pack a light layer for evenings, since the night low in Catania is 54°F (12°C). The sea near Palermo averages 66°F (19°C), which is fine for a quick dip and cool for a long swim.
April is cooler, with a Palermo high of 66°F (19°C) and Catania sees 5 rainy days. June is clearly summer: Palermo reaches 81°F (27°C) and the sea warms to 72°F (22°C). May sits between the two, with the milder days of spring and the dry spell of early summer.
Where to go in Sicily in May
Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the park covers almost 1300 hectares of temples, necropolises, fortifications and an underground aqueduct network. That is a lot of ground to walk, and May’s mild afternoons make it comfortable to cover.
Syracuse and Ortigia
The historic center of Syracuse holds the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysius and the Grotticelle Necropolis. On the island of Ortigia stand the temple of Apollo and the remains of the Temple of Athena. Everything is open-air or close to it, which suits a dry month.
Plemmirio Marine Park
It is a place for snorkeling, walking and mountain biking, though the 66°F sea calls for a thin wetsuit if you plan to stay in the water.
Zingaro reserve
The reserve lies between San Vito lo Capo and Scopello and can only be explored on foot. May’s moderate heat keeps a full day on the trails comfortable.
Madonie Regional Natural Park
The park covers 39,941 hectares in the province of Palermo and was recognized as a geopark in 2001. Hospitality is spread widely across the area, so you can base yourself in the park itself.
Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù
All three are UNESCO sites. They are a good choice when Catania’s rain days or a cool morning make you want a day of churches and streets rather than trails.
What to do in Sicily in May
Walking the Valley of the Temples in May
The park’s address is Via Panoramica dei Templi Snc, Agrigento. Its sanctuaries, agoras and fortifications are spread over almost 1300 hectares, so plan a long visit.
The ticket costs Euro 1,20 at the kiosks in Piazzale Rosselli and Euro 1,70 on board. Buying ahead is cheaper, and the ticket must be stamped when you get on.
Greek Theatre and Ortigia in Syracuse
Ortigia, the island, adds the temple of Apollo and what remains of the Temple of Athena.
Snorkeling at Plemmirio
Entrance 27 is a strategic point for snorkeling and diving. Swimming, diving and sport fishing are allowed in most of the reserve.
The sea is 65°F (18°C) near Catania in May, so a wetsuit makes the session longer.
A day on foot in Zingaro
You enter on foot from the north gate at San Vito or the south gate at Scopello. Five marked trekking routes cross the reserve.
The reserve also has five museums on traditional activities such as bluefin tuna fishing and giummara weaving. You can rent an inflatable boat or book a boat excursion, which gives a way to see the coast after a walk.
Taormina’s Greek theater and castle
The Teatro Greco Romano is at Via del Teatro Greco 40, Taormina. The Castle of Taormina offers a free digital audioguide for smartphones.
Bring headphones and a charged phone so you can use the audioguide. The castle also has a bookshop.
Is Sicily busy in May?
The festivals in the regional calendar cluster in July and August: Stragusto in Trapani, Gioiosa Gustosa, San Calogero in Agrigento and the Sere FAI evenings. May comes before that calendar.
Rooms are still worth reserving ahead if you have fixed dates. Taormina alone has hotels, B&Bs, serviced apartments and holiday rentals affiliated with its hotel association, so the choice there is wide. Parks and reserves are quieter outside the high season, and visiting them then also reduces the impact on the local area.
Palermo charges a tourist tax for a maximum of four consecutive nights, paid by those staying in accommodation or short-term rentals who are not registered in the city. Caltanissetta’s tourist tax enters into force on 1 January 2027, and it applies to non-resident visitors staying in accommodation there.
Can you swim in Sicily in May?
These are monthly averages, so a calm sunny day can feel a little warmer. That is cool enough that most people will want a short dip, or a wetsuit for longer swims.
Plemmirio is a marine park where swimming is allowed in most of the reserve.
What to pack for Sicily in May
May asks for light clothes for the day and a layer for the evening, plus shoes for long walks.
- A light jacket or sweater for evenings, since Catania drops to 54°F (12°C) at night.
- A thin rain shell, because Catania has 3 rainy days in the month.
- Walking shoes for the five marked routes in Zingaro, which can only be explored on foot.
- A hat, sunscreen and a water bottle for the open ground of the Valley of the Temples.
- A thin wetsuit or rash guard for snorkeling at Plemmirio in a 65°F (18°C) sea.
- Headphones for the free audioguide at the Castle of Taormina.
What to know before visiting Sicily in May
Stamp the ticket in the validation machine when you get on.
Is May a good time to visit Sicily?
Yes, especially for travelers who want temples, ruins and reserves in warm weather without the July and August festival calendar.
June brings a Palermo high of 81°F (27°C) and a 72°F sea. Shifting four weeks later gains you swimming and costs you the milder days. Shifting four weeks earlier gives you more rain and a colder sea.
For swimming, June is the better choice. For fewer festival crowds, May falls before the July and August events listed for the region. For walking sites and trails, May’s afternoons of 73°F (23°C) in Palermo are comfortable.
Sources
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/it/sicilia/cosa-fare/riserva-naturale-del-plemmirio-in-sicilia), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- www2.regione.sicilia.it (https://www2.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/sitepda/musei_pda.asp?page=6), checked 2026-10-30
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/en/sicily/things-to-do/sustainable-sicily-green-itineraries), checked 2026-10-30
- italia.it (https://www.italia.it/fr/sicile/trapani/reserve-du-zingaro), checked 2026-10-30
- www2.regione.sicilia.it (https://www2.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/dirbenicult/database/dipartimento_2/Siti_list.asp?action=Search&masterkey=&SearchField=Categoria&SearchOption=Equals&SearchFor=Aree+archeologiche+e+Antiquarium), checked 2026-10-30
- orbs.regione.sicilia.it (https://orbs.regione.sicilia.it/542-mappa-aree-naturali-protette.html), checked 2026-10-30
- coopculture.it (https://www.coopculture.it/it/poi/archaeological-and-landscape-park-of-the-valley-of-the-temples/), checked 2026-10-30