Best things to do in Rhodes in May
Best things to do in Rhodes in May
What’s Rhodes like in May?
Just like the temperature, Rhodes’ tourist season begins to warm up in May. In May 2023 (the most recent published figures) we welcomed over 325,000 visitors, over twice as many as in April, but this is still only around two-thirds as busy as the peak season months of July and August.
May is becoming an increasingly popular time to visit: visitor numbers grew by 9% between May 2022 and May 2023 - an extra 27,000 people.
What’s the weather like in Rhodes in May?
The average temperature in Rhodes is 21 degrees celsius in May. That’s a 3 degree rise from April and humidity also increases from 65% in April to 69% in May.
While the sea isn’t as warm as in peak season, visitors agree that it’s warm enough to swim in May, and more pleasant than in April.
However, we do tend to see more rainfall in May than April, with 17mm average rainfall over the month, compared to only 4mm in April. The summer dry season starts in June so there is more chance of getting caught in a downpour in May.
Why visit Rhodes in May over other times of year?
May is a great time to visit our island if you’re seeking some sun but want to avoid the highest temperatures later in the season - the average temperature in Rhodes hits 28 degrees in August.
As we’ve mentioned, the island is only around two-thirds as busy in May as in peak season, so queues for the main tourist attractions like Lindos Acropolis and the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights will be smaller. Rhodes Old Town will also be less crowded than in July-August and you’ll find it easier to find tables at restaurants.
Oh - and if you’re hiring a car, it’ll be easier to find a parking space near hotspots like the Old Town and Lindos!
May also sees Rhodes burst into colour, with the island’s wildflowers, jasmine shrubs, olive and pomegranate trees in full bloom. The start of May is a joyous time to visit Rhodes as it’s soon after Greek Orthodox Easter and you may hear locals greet each other with the Easter message of “Kristos Anesti!” (Christ is Risen!”).
What to do in Rhodes in May 2026
Ceremonies and Traditions
On 1st May Greeks celebrate Protomagia, and Rhodes is no different. Described by Rhodes local Mariann Lipcsei as “the most wonderful flower ritual I know”, Protomagia here sees locals collect wildflowers from the meadows which are made into wreaths called “Stefania”, which are hung on doors for good luck, fertility and protection. It’s a tradition which dates back to Ancient Greece.
Activities
As mentioned, May is a great time to visit Rhodes’ main tourist attractions when crowds are smaller than in July and August.
There’s an added bonus on 18th May, when several of the island’s brilliant museums like the Palace of the Grand Master and the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes usually offer free admission for International Museums Day. Even if you’re not here for the free admission day, we recommend visiting these museums at other times anyway to learn about Rhodes’ fascinating history.
More of an outdoors person? Great - May’s warm but milder weather is perfect for hiking, which means Seven Springs (Epta Piges) is a great option for nature lovers at this time of year. The climate also makes it a good time to visit Kallithea Springs and enjoy Rhodes’ beaches when they’re less crowded. Whichever part of the island you’re staying in, our guide to Rhodes’ best beaches with easy parking has you covered.
The waters will usually be calm enough in May to take advantage of the great boat trips on offer from Rhodes, including to Marmaris in Turkey or the Greek island of Symi, although ferries won’t be as frequent as in peak season. There’ll also be trips available to explore other parts of this island, such as Faliraki and Kolymbia, from smaller boats.
And of course, if this is your first trip to Rhodes you have to see the Old Town and Lindos, two of the island’s most popular and historic settlements which are both packed with charm - the Old Town for its cobbled streets and abundance of shops and restaurants, and Lindos for its winding alleys of stunning white villas and tavernas.
And if you get stuck in the rain…
- Rhodes Aquarium - found at the very northern tip of the island, the aquarium has something for all ages
- Thrones of Helios 9D cinema - interactive films about Rhodes’ history which are great fun for kids and adults alike
- Rhodes museums - as mentioned above, well worth a visit even outside of the free admission days
The best way to get around
So, that’s your itinerary for a May visit to Rhodes sorted - now it’s time to sort your car hire! A rental car lets you explore the whole island and make the most of your holiday, rather than relying on public transport or racking up taxi fares.
Rated 4.8/5 by our customers on Google, at AutoRhodes we provide affordable car and scooter hire from a wide range of pickup points across the island. Book your rental today and see why we’re rated 4.8/5 by our customers on Google.
Image credit: Oktoober, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. No changes made.
