5 Best Places to Visit in Italy in May (2025)

1. Amalfi Coast

While I love talking about places that aren't super well-known outside of Italy, the Amalfi Coast is an obvious exception.

Right alongside Rome, Florence, and Venice, I'd take a guess that this rugged coastline is one of the most dreamed about places in the entire country.

And for good reason. The region really is stunning. Winding roads traverse steep cliffs that showcase the vibrant blues of the Tyrrhenian Sea while vibrant towns somehow perch themselves among the rocks.

Whoever got the idea to build the towns of the Amalfi Coast was either brilliant or crazy but either way, I'm glad it happened. The views truly are just as good as the photos suggest.

Now, that said. This region is on everyone's Italian bucket list it seems. But, unlike big cities like Rome where tourists have more room to spread out, the towns here are small. Their alleyways are thin and their roads are never more than 1 lane. Expect human and car traffic and having to climb a lot of stairs to get those iconic vistas.

Best Places to Visit on the Amalfi Coast

There are a lot of towns along the coast. Here are some to keep in mind for your trip:

• Positano: I'm starting this off with the most famous of all the towns on this coastline. Positano really is spectacular but remember when I said you can expect hordes? The only time I've ever been stopped in shoe to shoe traffic was in the alleyways of Positano. I recommend stopping here for a bit to enjoy the views but I wouldn't recommend staying here.
• Amalfi: Amalfi is the town that gives the coastline its name. It's the 2nd most popular town and while the "traffic" wasn't quite what it was in Positano, it's not as dramatic either. It's a cute town with a small beach but again, I'd suggest just a quick visit rather than a stay.
• Sorrento: While technically not on the Amalfi Coast, it's usually lumped in so I'm going to do the same. I really liked Sorrento when we visited. It's a small, charming town and a nice spot to swim (just don't expect big sandy beaches anywhere over here) but it does lack the dramatic cliffs you might be hoping for.
• Praiano: This is a clifftop town that is right between Positano and Amalfi. It definitely has the drama and while it still has plenty of tourists, there likely won't be as many as you get in its famous neighbors.
• Ravello: This town is slightly off the coast so not as talked about as others. It's just above Amalfi and offers fantastic views of the coast. It's really, really beautiful and a bit more tranquil than the others.

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2. Naples

Since the Amalfi Coast is so close to Naples, I figure it's a good time to go ahead and recommend a visit to this chaotic city.

Naples gets hot - like really, really hot. We've been in August and while it worked out for us to visit then since Raf was off work, it's not something I would recommend for people that have options. May or even later months like October or November should offer a lot more enjoyable weather.

Naples is a fun city. It's loud, vibrant, and hectic. There were a lot of corners that reminded us a lot of Latin America, with Raf getting the sense he was transported back to his hometown of Bogota.

It's also a really great place to eat. Throughout Italy, a lot of the food is pretty healthy. Even a big bowl of pasta won't leave you uncomfortably full like a similar plate would in the US. The ingredients are usually lighter. But, Naples is the exception.

Naples thrives on street food and a lot of those options are fried. They're greasy and delectable. I still dream about the frittatina di pasta (fried macaroni) and how I wish they were easier to find in Trieste (I've tried and the ones here just don't compete). Fried pizza is also a thing - a thing you really need to try.

But, of course, the shining jewel is a classic pizza. People say that the pizza in Naples really is different, even compared to the rest of the country, and I have to agree. The simplicity of the ingredients combine in a magical experience everyone needs to have at least once. Or maybe every day of your trip.

A big thing to keep in mind when visiting Naples though is that the city is big and a lot grungier than other parts of Italy. If you go in with the expectations of postcard charm, you might leave defeated. If you go into it ready for a gritty city with fantastic food, I have a feeling you'll love it like I did.

Where to Stay in Naples

I'd be smart about where you decide to stay. Compared to other cities in Italy, it did feel less safe. I'm not sure it actually was but it was the vibe it gave off. Maybe it was the fact we were comparing it to Bogota or maybe it was the graffiti on every corner. Absolutely nothing happened during our week here, it's just a heads up!

If you want to enjoy the views of Mount Vesuvius, I recommend staying in one of the hill towns.

We chose to stay at a vacation rental near the C. V. Emanuele funicular stop and enjoy dreamy views and a quieter neighborhood. The walk up and down to the city was steep but doable, straight into the vibrant Via Toledo (ideal for street food fans) but on lazy days, the funicular was an easy alternative.

Here are some suggestions of where to stay in this area of Naples:

• I Gioielli di Giosi
• LHP Suite Napoli Parco Margherita
• Cameo B&B

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3. Lucca

Lucca is a town in Central Italy, just west of Florence, nearing the coast and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Tuscany is full of impressive and well-preserved towns and Lucca is just another example of that. While you'll likely spend the most time within the walls, a key feature to Lucca are the 16th century walls that still surround the town. It's one of the few city walls that have stayed completely intact over time.

The walls are wide enough that you can walk or cycle them under the trees. I definitely recommend you do this during your stay here.

The main piazza in Lucca is also quite unique. Most are squared but here it's oval, like a large egg. It's impressive to see the old buildings built rounded to fit this design. Depending on the day or time you choose to visit, the piazza might be relatively empty in the middle or the host of one event or another.

If you've never been to Tuscany before, you have no idea just how hot this part of Italy can get in the summer. While people flock here year-round, I highly recommend you visit in spring or fall when the weather is more enjoyable to spend time outside, walking the walls or enjoying the piazza.

For those that want to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site during your trip, Pisa is only a 27 minute train ride away. There's not too much to do in this town besides see the tower and try to take your best picture holding it up.

Where to Stay in Lucca

Although you can certainly stay in the Tuscan countryside, if you're relying on public transportation, the easiest option would be to stay within the city center. This way you don't have to deal with parking or added commute.

Trust me, another month I'll share the best way to enjoy the rolling hills of Tuscany! But for now, let's stick within Lucca:

• Budget Stay: La Terrazza Del Fotografo: This is a cute and cozy hotel to stay the night. They offer a variety of rooms to choose from, all with a boho vibe.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Lucca in Villa Lucrezia: This one is just outside the walled city but a quick walk to the center. If you're driving to Lucca, this is a more convenient area to stay.
• Luxury Stay: Palazzo Dipinto: Enjoy picturesque mornings overlooking the red Terracotta roofs of the city from the suites at this upscale hotel.

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4. Murano & Burano

Murano and Burano are two of the islands of Venice. Although there are others you can visit, these 2 would be the top of my list. While you'll need to choose between the 2, I'm combining them together because I do believe if you stay the night on Burano, you need to visit Murano and vice versa.

Just off the main island of Venice, that everyone knows and most loves, are 100s of scattered islands. Some are big enough for small towns to thrive and others hardly count as land.

Murano is the closest island and easiest to get to from Venice. It's world famous for its Murano glass. Most people who visit here only do so as a day trip from Venice but personally, I think it's a great place to stay the night.

In the evenings after most day trippers go home, it'll feel as though the island is your own. My mom and I stayed here a few nights and loved the tranquility of the bars and restaurants and getting the sensation of Venice long ago. You still have canals and the same architecture, just at a much smaller level. As a heads up, most shops here just sell Murano glass. It's fun to look at but can get repetitive.

Burano is farther away but also accessible by vaporetti (the public boats of Venice). Burano also has canals to traverse but the homes are painted every color of the rainbow, making it vibrant and a lot of fun to explore.

I had the impression before visiting that just one lane would be brightly painted but no, the entire island is bursting with color.

Like Murano it's popular as a day trip so if you choose to stay the night you'll get to enjoy the town without photographers at every corner.

Where to Stay on the Islands of Venice

Depending on which island you choose to stay the night on, I recommend:

• Murano: NH Collection Murano: This is where I stayed with my mom and we both loved it.
• Burano: Night Galleria Home: Want the chance to stay in one of the brightly colored houses? This hot pink house is ideal.‍

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5. Trento

Trento is a really cute mountain town in Northern Italy. The city is easily accessible by a picturesque train ride from either Verona in the south or Bolzano in the north. It sits about equidistant from both, making it either a good day trip or destination on its own.

Trento's old town is really stunning. It's full of frescoes that have somehow withstood the test of time. Walking around the streets is like being in an open-air art gallery. While I've seen a lot of frescoes since moving to Italy, Trento held the highest concentration of them that I have seen thus far.

While May is off season for most mountain towns since it's too warm to ski but not warm enough for all the snow to melt, it's usually an area I wouldn't recommend. Trento however is low enough in elevation that the hiking trails should be open and welcoming visitors.

Trento is a great suggestion for those that are craving small town charm but on a bigger level than somewhere that just has one road. You'll find a plethora of restaurants, bars, and streets to traverse. When you're craving nature, you have hills and mountains all around you. The northern half of Lake Garda is also a short drive away (and that's the best part of Lake Garda!).

For those that don't want to put in too much effort but still want to get outside and enjoy the views, take the cable car to Sardagna, which is a small hilltop town that overlooks Trento.

Where to Stay in Trento

Want to spend more time in Trento? Stay the night. I suggest you check out:

• Budget Option: Scrigno del Duomo: Enjoy incredible views of the Piazza Duomo from the apartment so you can soak up the sights day and night.
• Mid-Tier Option: Be Place Adult Friendly Hotel: This adults-only hotel is ideal for those that want a scenic escape. If you stay here, I recommend booking the room with the private spa.
• Luxury Option: Cinquanta4 Charme Apartment: Traveling with a bigger group? This modern apartment is suitable for up to 4 adults.

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Where Will You Visit in Italy in May?

With mild temperatures, slightly less crowds than tourist season brings, and a lot of options when it comes to things to do, May is a really fantastic time to visit Italy. Enjoy beach time in the south and perfect weather to spend time outdoors in the north.

May really is a great time to visit Italy...although June just around the corner is another of my favorites!