{"id":2005,"date":"2012-03-21T16:00:54","date_gmt":"2012-03-21T15:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=2005"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:38:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:38:30","slug":"italy-in-may-and-april","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons We Love Italy in May: Fewer Crowds, Blooming Flowers, &#038; More"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#6_Reasons_to_Visit_Italy_in_May\" >6 Reasons to Visit Italy in May<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#Spring_is_the_season_of_Roman_artichokes_and_other_delicious_foods\" >Spring is the season of Roman artichokes, and other delicious foods<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#The_%E2%80%9Cpasseggelato%E2%80%9D_comes_back_in_style\" >The &#8220;passeggelato&#8221; comes back in style<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#Fewer_crowds_and_lower_prices\" >Fewer crowds and lower prices<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#At_Italian_museums_new_exhibitions_are_in_full_swing\" >At Italian museums, new exhibitions are in full swing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#Italys_spring_weather_is_beautiful\" >Italy&#8217;s spring weather is beautiful<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#Flowers_flowers_and_more_flowers\" >Flowers, flowers, and more flowers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#FAQs_Visiting_Italy_in_May\" >FAQs: Visiting Italy in May<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#Is_May_an_expensive_time_to_visit_Italy\" >Is May an expensive time to visit Italy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#How_much_should_I_budget_for_food_in_Italy_in_May\" >How much should I budget for food in Italy in May?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#Whats_the_best_way_to_get_around_Italy_in_May\" >What\u2019s the best way to get around Italy in May?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#Are_there_any_public_holidays_or_special_events_in_May_to_plan_around\" >Are there any public holidays or special events in May to plan around?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italy-in-may-and-april\/#Do_I_need_to_book_attractions_or_tours_in_advance_in_May\" >Do I need to book attractions or tours in advance in May?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Reasons_to_Visit_Italy_in_May\"><\/span>6 Reasons to Visit Italy in May<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spring_is_the_season_of_Roman_artichokes_and_other_delicious_foods\"><\/span>Spring is the season of Roman artichokes, and other delicious foods<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Italian food is (and should be!) seasonal: Certain types of produce grow at only certain times of year, and restaurants that respect the seasons, and the local food culture, will only serve those ingredients then.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22342\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22342\" class=\"wp-image-22342 size-full\" title=\"Roman artichoke, only available in the spring\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/artichokes-rome-market-1.jpg\" alt=\"artichokes on display in market\" width=\"1200\" height=\"802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/artichokes-rome-market-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/artichokes-rome-market-1-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22342\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Braised artichokes are one of the best things about visiting Italy in May.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>So if you&#8217;re looking for, say, <em>carciofi romaneschi <\/em>in August, you&#8217;re out of luck: Even if a Roman restaurant has artichokes on the menu, they&#8217;ll be imported from out of the country and <em>not <\/em>the same as the artichokes you&#8217;ve heard about. The good news? The season for Roman artichokes is&#8230; February through May!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22299\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22299\" class=\"wp-image-22299 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/market.jpg\" alt=\"woman in front of vegetable stand in food market\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/market.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/market-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22299\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Most Italian cities have at least one, if not many, markets that sell seasonal fruits and veggies.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>What else is in season in Italy in May? Lots of yummy produce: apricots, bananas, cherries, lemons, strawberries, tomatoes (starting in the late spring), asparagus, beans, chard, chickpeas, fava beans, fresh garlic, green beans, mushrooms, new potatoes, puntarelle, spinach, truffles, watercress, zucchini&#8230; and the list goes on! Hungry yet?<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget to check out our post on <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/best-season-travel-italy-food-produce-eating\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">what foods are in season when in Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_%E2%80%9Cpasseggelato%E2%80%9D_comes_back_in_style\"><\/span>The <em>&#8220;passeggelato&#8221;<\/em> comes back in style<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_22283\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22283\" class=\"wp-image-22283 size-full\" title=\"Gelato, a tradition with the passeggiata, is popular again in spring\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gelato.jpg\" alt=\"lady enjoying a gelato\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gelato.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/gelato-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22283\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Look at the joy on her face!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A combination of the Italian words <em>passeggiata <\/em>(a stroll) and <em>gelato (ice-cream) =\u00a0<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/whichwaytorome.com\/2012\/03\/20\/word-of-the-day-passeggelato\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Passeggelato!<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n<p>To be honest if you don&#8217;t know <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/what-is-gelato-italian-ice-cream\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">what gelato is<\/a>, you need to get to Italy right away! Sure, you can take a <em>passeggiata <\/em>or have a gelato anytime of year, but the best time is in Italy in May. This is when locals are so excited about the lovely weather, and everyone takes to the streets. The sun is soft and the vibe is happy. And the gelato shops are in full swing with flavors galore!<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t miss our post on <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/best-gelato-in-italy-florence-rome-milan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">where to find the best gelato in Italy<\/a>!<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fewer_crowds_and_lower_prices\"><\/span>Fewer crowds and lower prices<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Particularly in the early spring, but definitely until May, you&#8217;ll find <em>way <\/em>fewer people in Italy&#8217;s top sights and cities than you will in, say, the height of summer.<\/p>\n<p>That means you can spend less on hotels and airfare, that you can hear yourself speak in front of Florence&#8217;s &#8220;David&#8221; or the Vatican&#8217;s &#8220;Laocoon,&#8221; and that when you sit at a neighborhood cafe to people-watch, you&#8217;re actually watching Italians.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, it means that you spend less time waiting for tickets&#8230; and more time enjoying Italy. From February to May, even the line into the Colosseum is short (a very rare sight!).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22293\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22293\" class=\"wp-image-22293 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Florence_VIP-David-Duomo_0032.jpg\" alt=\"people staring at large statue of man\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Florence_VIP-David-Duomo_0032.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Florence_VIP-David-Duomo_0032-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22293\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David is a very popular guy year-round, but if you time it just right, you may be able to avoid some of the crowds.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Of course, high season <em>does <\/em>have its moments in the springtime, due to Easter. But Italy in May is always more tranquil than coming in June or July.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"At_Italian_museums_new_exhibitions_are_in_full_swing\"><\/span>At Italian museums, new exhibitions are in full swing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_2007\" style=\"width: 1427px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/dali.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2007\" class=\" wp-image-2007 size-full\" title=\"Salvador Dali, one exhibit on in Rome in springtime\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/dali.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1417\" height=\"1645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/dali.jpg 1417w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/dali-768x892.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/dali-1323x1536.jpg 1323w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1417px) 100vw, 1417px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2007\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Dali exhibit in Rome was a hit!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Museums in Italy tend to have two major temporary exhibitions per year: one opening in the fall, generally running from September or October until December or January, and one in the spring, running from February or March until May or June. You can therefore take advantage of seeing the\u00a0 seasonal exhibits and as it is nearing the end of the season in May there are often special prices, or more availability for tickets at the times and dates to suit your plans.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Italys_spring_weather_is_beautiful\"><\/span>Italy&#8217;s spring weather is beautiful<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Of course, Italy gets its share of springtime rain, particularly in March and April. But sunny days, and there are plenty, come with wonderfully balmy temperatures: In Rome and Florence, temperatures through April tend to be in the 50s and 60s F. It heats up more in Italy in May, with highs of about 70-75 F in the major cities and very little rain. In other words, warm enough to break out those sandals and dresses&#8230; and cool enough to be comfortable when you&#8217;re sightseeing all day outside (or in museums without air-conditioning).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22302\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22302\" class=\"wp-image-22302 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0013.jpg\" alt=\"Florence's cityscape with the Arno river running through it.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0013.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0013-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22302\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Florence is a great choice for a springtime visit, when the weather is most beautiful in Italy.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flowers_flowers_and_more_flowers\"><\/span>Flowers, flowers, and more flowers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Who doesn&#8217;t love flowers? And, in the spring, you will see the lovely <em>fiori <\/em>of Italy blooming across the countryside, AND in the cities. Across Milan and Florence, Rome and Naples, the trees lining the streets are budding and parks are blooming.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3988\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3988\" class=\"wp-image-3988 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Northern-Italy-Lake-Maggiore.-A-masterpiece-of-landscape-art.-Beautiful-park-on-the-island-of-Isola-Bella..jpg\" alt=\"Italy in May is full of flowers, and beautiful green gardens with pink and yellow blooms and an ocean view with mountains in the background\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Northern-Italy-Lake-Maggiore.-A-masterpiece-of-landscape-art.-Beautiful-park-on-the-island-of-Isola-Bella..jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Northern-Italy-Lake-Maggiore.-A-masterpiece-of-landscape-art.-Beautiful-park-on-the-island-of-Isola-Bella.-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3988\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Right on the border of Switzerland and Italy, Lake Maggiore shines in springtime.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In fact, some gardens in Italy&#8217;s major cities only open in the spring.<\/p>\n<p>Like Florence\u2019s famous <a href=\"https:\/\/societaitalianairis.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Iris Garden<\/a>, located just off Piazzale Michelangelo, which is open only from April 25th to May 20th. Here&#8217;s also where the best gardeners in the world compete in Florence\u2019s annual International Iris Competition.<\/p>\n<p>Or if your closer to Rome, then there us also Rome&#8217;s rose garden. Nearby Circus Maximus, the rose\u00a0 garden is built on top of an ancient Jewish cemetery and open only in May and June.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"194\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_Visiting_Italy_in_May\"><\/span>FAQs: Visiting Italy in May<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"196\" data-end=\"599\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_May_an_expensive_time_to_visit_Italy\"><\/span>Is May an expensive time to visit Italy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"196\" data-end=\"599\">May is considered shoulder season, so prices are generally more affordable than in June\u2013August. Expect mid-range hotels to average around \u20ac120 to \u20ac200 per night in major cities like Rome or Florence, with lower prices in smaller towns. Budget hotels and B&amp;Bs often start around \u20ac70 to \u20ac100, while luxury hotels are still cheaper than peak summer rates.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"606\" data-end=\"948\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_should_I_budget_for_food_in_Italy_in_May\"><\/span>How much should I budget for food in Italy in May?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"606\" data-end=\"948\">Food costs remain consistent year-round. A casual lunch (pizza, panini, or pasta) typically costs \u20ac10 to \u20ac15, while a sit-down dinner at a good trattoria averages \u20ac20 to \u20ac30 per person, excluding wine. Aperitivo, very popular in spring, usually costs \u20ac8 to \u20ac12 and often includes snacks.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"606\" data-end=\"948\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/romantic-vegetarian-dinner-NW6JFE3-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/romantic-vegetarian-dinner-NW6JFE3-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/romantic-vegetarian-dinner-NW6JFE3-2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"955\" data-end=\"1375\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_best_way_to_get_around_Italy_in_May\"><\/span>What\u2019s the best way to get around Italy in May?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"955\" data-end=\"1375\">Trains are the easiest and most efficient way to travel between cities, with high-speed routes linking Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, and Naples. Booking Frecciarossa or Italo trains in advance can save money. In smaller towns or the countryside, renting a car is often the most practical option, and May is a great time to drive before summer traffic increases.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"955\" data-end=\"1375\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_there_any_public_holidays_or_special_events_in_May_to_plan_around\"><\/span>Are there any public holidays or special events in May to plan around?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"955\" data-end=\"1375\">Yes. <strong data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1487\">May 1st (Labor Day) is a national public holiday<\/strong>, many shops and some museums may close, while cities often host concerts and events. Religious festivals and local saints\u2019 days also take place throughout May and can be wonderful to experience, but they may affect opening hours or accommodation availability in smaller towns.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"2160\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_need_to_book_attractions_or_tours_in_advance_in_May\"><\/span>Do I need to book attractions or tours in advance in May?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"2160\">While crowds are lighter than summer, popular sights like the Vatican Museums, Colosseum, Uffizi Gallery, and Accademia can still sell out, especially around weekends and holidays. Booking tickets or guided tours in advance is strongly recommended to save time and secure preferred entry slots.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"2160\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-16550\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Rome-60-1024x683-1.jpg\" alt=\"Kate Storm: &quot;Where to next?&quot; blog series\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"92\"><strong data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"90\">Experience Italy in May!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"94\" data-end=\"438\">Spring is the perfect time to explore Italy, fewer crowds, beautiful weather, and seasonal delights await! Whether you want to wander the art-filled streets of Florence, uncover the ancient ruins of Rome, stroll the canals of Venice, or savor authentic food and wine across the regions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/\"><strong data-start=\"380\" data-end=\"398\">Walks of Italy<\/strong><\/a> has a guided tour for every interest.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"440\" data-end=\"847\">Choose from <strong data-start=\"452\" data-end=\"477\">history-focused tours<\/strong> that bring the stories of the Colosseum, Vatican, and Renaissance masterpieces to life, <strong data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"595\">food and wine experiences<\/strong> that let you taste your way through local markets and trattorias, or <strong data-start=\"665\" data-end=\"695\">city-to-city walking tours<\/strong> that blend sightseeing with hidden gems.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"440\" data-end=\"847\">Join a small group, or opt for a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/category\/private-tours\/\">private tour<\/a><\/strong> for a personalised tour to explore the places that matter to you most. Our expert local guides make every step memorable, sharing insights and anecdotes you won\u2019t find in a guidebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>6 Reasons to Visit Italy in May Spring is the season of Roman artichokes, and other delicious foods Italian food is (and should be!) seasonal: Certain types of produce grow at only certain times of year, and restaurants that respect the seasons, and the local food culture, will only serve those ingredients then. So if [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":22084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[120],"ppma_author":[296],"class_list":["post-2005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-spring"],"authors":[{"term_id":296,"user_id":102,"is_guest":0,"slug":"maikac","display_name":"Maika Cotton","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/maika.jpeg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/maika.jpeg"},"user_url":"","last_name":"Cotton","first_name":"Maika","job_title":"","description":"Maika is a writer, traveler, and planner at heart, with a love for meaningful experiences and a good story. Whether she\u2019s discovering new places or reflecting on everyday moments, she brings a thoughtful, down-to-earth perspective to her writing. Originally from Guatemala and now often on the move, Maika shares insights shaped by cultural curiosity, lived adventures, and a genuine appreciation for people and places."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/102"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2005"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25157,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2005\/revisions\/25157"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22084"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2005"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}