Cover photo: Jebulon / Wikimedia Commons (cropped), CC0
May is one of the best months to visit Rhodes. Days are warm and sunny, with average highs around 24°C and lows near 18°C, rain is rare, and the sea is around 20°C: refreshing but swimmable. Sites run on summer hours, crowds are far smaller than in July and August, and in 2027 Greek Easter falls on 2 May.
May is the month when Rhodes wakes up properly for the season. The hills are still green, the days are long and warm, and you can walk up to the Acropolis of Lindos without the heat and the crowds of high summer. It is one of our favourite months in the village, and in 2027 it comes with a bonus: Greek Easter falls on 2 May.
Here is what to expect from the weather, the sea and the island in May, from a family that has run a small hotel in Lindos since 1989.
Is May a good time to visit Rhodes?
For most travellers, yes. May offers summer-like days without summer’s intensity. It suits sightseeing, walking and long lunches outdoors, and the beaches are pleasant even if the water is still fresh.
The main trade-off is the sea. If you want warm water for hours of swimming, June to October is better. If you want comfortable sightseeing, quieter lanes and lower stress, May is hard to beat. In our village, May sits alongside late September and October as the months locals prefer.
What is the weather like in Rhodes in May?
Warm, bright and mostly dry. These are the official figures worth knowing:
| Measure | May figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | 23.8°C | HNMS, Rhodes station, 1991 to 2020 |
| Average night-time low | 17.8°C | HNMS, Rhodes station, 1991 to 2020 |
| Sunshine | About 10.6 hours a day | HNMS, Rhodes station |
| Average rainfall | About 11 mm for the month | meteo.gr Lindos station, 2014 to 2024 |
| Sea temperature | Around 20°C | Long-term average for Lindos |
The temperature and sunshine figures are the Hellenic National Meteorological Service climate normals for its Rhodes station, on the north-west coast near the airport. The rainfall figure comes from the National Observatory of Athens weather station in Lindos. In short: expect warm days in the low to mid-20s, mild nights, and very little rain.
Early May can still bring the odd cool evening or a passing shower. By the end of the month, it feels like summer.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in May?
Yes, for most people. Sea temperatures around Lindos average roughly 20°C in May. That is fresh: the first few seconds take your breath away, but the water is clear and calm in the sheltered bays, and it warms through the month.
Lindos has an advantage here: the main beach and Saint Paul’s Bay are both sheltered coves, so they are calm on most May days. Note that the official bathing season, when lifeguards cover the busy beaches, starts on 1 June.
When is Greek Easter in 2027, and how is it celebrated?
In 2027, Orthodox Easter Sunday falls on 2 May. Good Friday is 30 April and Easter Monday is 3 May. Easter is the most important festival of the Greek year, and spending it on Rhodes is a real privilege.
On Good Friday evening, flower-decked epitaphs, representing the bier of Christ, are carried through the streets in candlelit processions. Late on Holy Saturday, people gather at church for the midnight service, when candles are lit from the priest’s flame and the night fills with bells and fireworks. Easter Sunday is a day of family feasting, traditionally with lamb roasted on the spit.
On Rhodes, the Municipality also records a local tradition: the icon of the Virgin of Skiadeni is carried on foot from village to village in the south of the island during Holy Week and the week after Easter.
A practical note: 1 May, Labour Day, falls on Holy Saturday in 2027. When that happened in 2021, the government moved the Labour Day holiday to a later date, so check the official announcement closer to the time.
What is open in Rhodes in May?
Most things. Lindos largely hibernates from November to mid-April, and by May its restaurants and shops are open again for the season.
Both of the island’s headline sites switch to summer hours on 1 April. As of October 2026, the Ministry of Culture listed the following summer schedule for 2026, and the 2027 timetable had not yet been published:
- Acropolis of Lindos: daily 08:00 to 20:00, tickets 20 euros. Closed on Easter Sunday and on 1 May; shorter hours (08:00 to 19:00) on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Monday. Entry is free on 18 May, International Museum Day. Check the official Acropolis of Lindos page before you go.
- Palace of the Grand Master, Rhodes Old Town: daily 08:00 to 20:00, tickets 20 euros, closed on Easter Sunday and 1 May (official page).
Boats to Symi run in May too. The operator Dodekanisos Seaways says a day trip gives you about six hours on the island, with timetables that vary by season.
If you plan to visit the Acropolis, go early. Our guide to visiting the Acropolis of Lindos has more tips.
Is May too early for Butterfly Valley?
Probably. The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) is famous for the Jersey tiger moths that gather there in summer. Greece’s official tourism site says they can be seen “mainly during the summer months, from May to September”, but the Municipality of Rhodes gives early June to mid-September. In May you may see only a few, or none. The shady valley is still a pleasant walk, but do not go just for the moths.
May is a much better month for other outings: a drive to the green interior, a morning at Kallithea Springs, or a day in Rhodes Old Town before the crowds of high summer.
What should you pack for Rhodes in May?
- Light summer clothes, plus a jumper or light jacket for the evenings.
- Swimwear, and a rash vest if you feel the cold in the water.
- Comfortable shoes with grip for the cobbled lanes and the Acropolis path.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat: the May sun is strong, even when the air feels mild.
- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees if you plan to visit churches, especially over Easter.
Early May or late May?
Both are lovely, for different reasons. Early May is greener and cooler, ideal for walking and sightseeing, and in 2027 it includes Easter. Late May is warmer, the sea is more inviting, and it feels like the start of summer, still without the crowds of July and August.
If May does not work for you, our guides to the best time to visit Lindos and Rhodes in October cover the rest of the year.
May in Lindos, from our terrace
May mornings in Lindos are something special. Breakfast comes with the Acropolis in clear spring light, the village is calm, and you can be on the Acropolis path before the day-trip coaches arrive.
Lindos Comfy Suites has 21 suites with COCO-MAT beds, a Greek breakfast made from local ingredients every morning, and the main square a quiet five minutes’ walk downhill. See the suites or check your May dates and book direct at comfysuitesrhodes.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Rhodes?
Yes. May brings warm, sunny days, very little rain, sea temperatures around 20°C and far fewer visitors than high summer. Archaeological sites are on summer opening hours, and most restaurants and shops are open.
How hot is Rhodes in May?
Pleasantly warm rather than hot. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service's 1991 to 2020 averages for Rhodes give May daytime highs of about 24°C and night-time lows of about 18°C, with over ten hours of sunshine a day.
Can you swim in the sea in Rhodes in May?
Yes, if you do not mind fresh water. The sea averages around 20°C in May, so the first plunge is bracing, but most people swim happily by the afternoon, especially later in the month.
When is Greek Easter in 2027?
Orthodox Easter Sunday falls on 2 May 2027, with Good Friday on 30 April and Easter Monday on 3 May. Expect church processions, midnight services and family feasts, and check opening hours, as some sites close on Easter Sunday.
Is Butterfly Valley worth visiting in May?
It is early. Greece's official tourism site says the moths can be seen from May to September, but the Municipality of Rhodes gives early June to mid-September, so in May you may see few or none.
Do I need a jacket for Rhodes in May?
Bring a light jacket or jumper. Days are warm, but evenings can feel cool, especially early in the month or on a breezy terrace.
