Best time to visit · May
Cyprus in May
The sweet spot opens. Real summer warmth, a sea that crosses into swimmable, everything open, and prices still below peak. If you can pick any month, May and September are the shortlist.
Day
27°C
Night
16°C
Sea
21°C
Rain days
2
Sunshine
10.5h/day
Crowds
Moderate
Long-term coastal averages; the mountains run roughly 8-12°C cooler.
What May is good for
- First proper swimming month: the sea passes 20-21°C
- Long golden evenings on the west coast
- Everything is open but nothing is full yet
- Hiking is still possible early in the day
Worth knowing
- West-coast water (Paphos) warms slower than the east (Protaras); pick east for warmer May swims.
- Kataklysmos (Pentecost) brings seaside festivals, especially in Larnaca.
- Last comfortable month for the Akamas gorges before the heat.
Good to know
Is Cyprus hot in May?
Pleasantly: coastal highs around 27°C, low humidity, cool-ish nights. Heatwaves crossing 30°C happen but pass quickly.
Is the sea warm enough in May?
Yes for most people: 20-22°C, warmest on the east coast in the afternoon. It gets warmer every week from here to August.