Things to Do in Sicily in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Sicily
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season weather - daytime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) are ideal for hiking Mount Etna or exploring archaeological sites without the brutal summer heat. You can actually walk through the Valley of the Temples at noon without melting, which is genuinely impossible in July or August.
- Tourist crowds haven't arrived yet - major sites like Taormina's Greek Theatre and Palermo's Cappella Palatina have maybe 30-40% of peak summer visitors. You'll get decent photos without fighting through tour groups, and restaurant reservations are still available with just 3-4 days notice rather than the 2-week minimum in summer.
- Spring produce is phenomenal right now - markets overflow with blood oranges in their final weeks, fresh fava beans, wild asparagus, and the first cherries from the slopes of Etna. This is when Sicilian grandmothers are making maccu di fave and frittedda, dishes you simply won't find in summer when different vegetables are in season.
- Beach season starts without the crowds - water temperature reaches 19-20°C (66-68°F) by late May, which is swimmable if you're not too precious about it. Beaches like San Vito Lo Capo and Cefalù are practically empty compared to the sardine-tin situation in August, and beach clubs offer 30-40% lower rates than peak season.
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly throughout the month, and you might get a surprise downpour that cancels your boat trip to the Aeolian Islands. The temperature swing from 12°C (54°F) at night to 25°C (77°F) during the day means you're constantly adjusting layers, which is annoying for packing light.
- Some coastal infrastructure isn't fully operational - beach clubs and seaside restaurants in smaller towns often don't open until late May or early June, particularly on the south coast. Ferry schedules to smaller islands like Ustica or Pantelleria run at reduced frequency, sometimes just 2-3 times weekly instead of daily summer service.
- Mountain areas can still be surprisingly cool and wet - if you're planning to explore the Madonie or Nebrodi mountains, temperatures at 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation can drop to 5-8°C (41-46°F) with persistent fog. The famous Gole dell'Alcantara canyon is often too cold for swimming, despite what optimistic tour operators might suggest.
Best Activities in May
Mount Etna Volcano Hiking
May is genuinely the best month for hiking Europe's most active volcano. Snow has melted from lower trails but summit areas around 2,900 m (9,514 ft) still have dramatic white caps for photos. Morning temperatures start around 15°C (59°F) at Piano Provenzana, warming to comfortable hiking weather by 10am. The variable spring weather actually creates spectacular cloud formations around the craters. Visibility tends to be better than summer when heat haze obscures views. Book guided treks to the summit craters or explore lower trails independently - the contrast between black lava fields and spring wildflowers is remarkable right now.
Archaeological Site Tours in Valley of the Temples
This is the sweet spot for exploring Greek temples before summer heat makes it genuinely miserable. At 25°C (77°F) you can spend 3-4 hours wandering Agrigento's temple complex without heat exhaustion, which is impossible in July when ground temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F). Early morning light around 8-9am creates golden tones on the honey-colored stone. Spring wildflowers - poppies, fennel, wild artichokes - grow between the ruins in a way that feels almost theatrical. The site opens at 8:30am and you'll want those first two hours before tour buses arrive around 11am.
Aeolian Islands Boat Excursions
May weather is variable but that's actually when you get the most dramatic seascapes - storm clouds over Stromboli's smoking crater, sudden shafts of sunlight illuminating Lipari's pumice cliffs. Ferry services increase frequency in May and day-trip boat tours start running regularly to Panarea and Stromboli. Water is 19-20°C (66-68°F), borderline for swimming but fine for quick dips in volcanic hot springs near Vulcano. The real advantage is accommodation prices - hotels on Lipari and Salina cost 40-50% less than July rates, and you can actually find rooms with 1-week notice instead of booking 6 months ahead.
Palermo Street Food Market Walking
May temperatures are perfect for spending 3-4 hours walking through Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo markets without melting into a puddle. The 70% humidity is noticeable but not the oppressive wall you get in August. This is peak season for spring vegetables - you'll see mountains of fava beans, artichokes, wild fennel. Street food vendors serve pani ca meusa, arancine, panelle, and sfincione at their freshest because turnover is high with locals still shopping before summer exodus. Late afternoon around 5-6pm is ideal timing - markets are lively, cooking smells intensify, and you'll catch golden hour light filtering through market awnings.
Taormina and Isola Bella Coastal Exploration
The famous clifftop town is genuinely more pleasant in May before cruise ship crowds descend in summer. You can photograph the Greek Theatre with Etna backdrop without 200 people in your shot. The cable car down to Isola Bella beach runs on reduced schedule but the beach itself is largely empty - you'll find good swimming spots on the north side of the nature reserve. Water temperature around 20°C (68°F) is refreshing rather than bathwater-warm. The coastal path from Isola Bella toward Mazzarò offers spectacular views and spring wildflowers without summer's scorching heat.
Syracuse and Ortigia Island Historical Walking
May weather makes this UNESCO site genuinely enjoyable for the 4-5 hours you need to properly explore. The Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre, and Ear of Dionysius cave in the Archaeological Park are all outdoors with minimal shade - at 25°C (77°F) this is comfortable, unlike July when it's brutal. Ortigia island's narrow baroque streets provide natural shade and sea breezes keep things fresh. The daily fish market near Fonte Aretusa operates at full intensity with spring catches. Temple of Apollo and Duomo are must-sees, and you can actually linger without heat exhaustion forcing you into cafes every 30 minutes.
May Events & Festivals
Infiorata Flower Festivals
Several Sicilian towns create elaborate street carpets made entirely from flower petals during late May, typically around Corpus Domini religious celebrations. Noto's Infiorata is the most famous - Via Nicolaci gets covered in intricate designs using thousands of flower petals. Smaller versions happen in San Pier Niceto and other towns. It's genuinely impressive craftsmanship and draws local crowds rather than international tourists. The carpets last just one day before being swept away, which adds to the ephemeral appeal. Free to view but accommodation in Noto gets tight.
Sagra del Carciofo - Artichoke Festivals
Multiple towns celebrate spring artichoke harvest with food festivals throughout May. Cerda and Ramacca host the largest with street stalls serving artichokes prepared dozens of ways - grilled, fried, stuffed, in pasta. This is peak season for Sicilian artichokes and you'll taste varieties you've never seen elsewhere. Very much local affairs rather than tourist events, which means authentic food at reasonable prices, typically 3-6 euros per dish. Worth timing your visit if you're a food-focused traveler.