Bologna or Florence in May?
On climate data, Bologna comes out ahead overall in May. See the per-criterion details below.
BolognaPhoto: Emc2 · CC BY-SA 2.5
FlorencePhoto: Benutzer:AlterVista · CC BY-SA 3.0Key figures in May
| Criterion | Bologna | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 23 °C | 20 °C |
| Average daily low | 12 °C | 9 °C |
| Rainy days | 11 rainy days (est.) | 11 rainy days (est.) |
| Sun | 7 h/day | 7 h/day |
| Humidity | 66 % | 74 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Bologna is about 3 °C warmer by day.
Bologna or Florence in May: the short answer
In May, Bologna comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Bologna 83/100 vs Florence 74/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on May as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Bologna averages a climate score of 62/100, Florence 60/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in May, side by side
The average daily high is about 23 °C in Bologna and 20 °C in Florence — warmer in Bologna. Average daily lows are around 12 °C versus 9 °C.
On rain, Bologna sees about 11 rainy days in May and Florence about 11. Sunshine is comparable (7 vs 7 hours a day).
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Bologna records roughly 111 rainy days and Florence about 118 — the drier of the two overall is Bologna. At their sunniest, Bologna reaches about 9 hours of sun a day (July) and Florence about 9 (July). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Bologna is at its best in May, June, September and October, while Florence peaks in June, July, August and September. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the May scores for each travel style:
City breaks: Bologna scores higher in May (Bologna 88 vs Florence 86).
Active & hiking: Florence scores higher in May (Bologna 79 vs Florence 82).
Family: Bologna scores higher in May (Bologna 81 vs Florence 59).
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For May specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Bologna carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Bologna if its strong months and profile match your plan, Florence if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.