Paphos in May

In May, Paphos averages 25°C (76°F) during the day and 17°C (62°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (17 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

May is a great month to visit Paphos: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

Popular now
25°C
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
5
Rain days
17 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Paphos

6th
warmest month of the 12
6th
wettest month of the 12
4%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
13 h 58 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Paphos (6th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (6th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (23°C). May runs 4°C warmer than April (21°C) and warms a further 3°C into June (27°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Paphos

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:47 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:45 PM
☀
Day length
13 h 58 min

Times shown for Paphos local time (Asia/Nicosia), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Paphos — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Paphos's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:47 AM – 5:27 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:27 AM – 6:27 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:05 PM – 8:05 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:05 PM – 8:45 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Paphos in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (High season) and Paphos's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
2-3 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-3 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.

Crowds & pricing — May in Paphos

High season

This is a busy month in Paphos — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Paphos

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.4
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Paphos — May

21.3°C (70°F)
pleasant
warm enough for most swimmers without a wetsuit

Across the year Paphos's sea swings from 18°C (February) to 28.3°C (August) — May sits at 21.3°C.

Paphos in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 16°C / 60°F 10°C / 49°F 121 mm 12 —
February 16°C / 62°F 10°C / 49°F 56 mm 8 —
March 18°C / 64°F 11°C / 52°F 60 mm 9 —
April 21°C / 70°F 13°C / 56°F 21 mm 5 —
May 25°C / 76°F 17°C / 62°F 17 mm 5 —
June 27°C / 81°F 20°C / 69°F 8 mm 2 —
July 31°C / 87°F 23°C / 74°F 1 mm 0 —
August 31°C / 87°F 24°C / 75°F 2 mm 1 —
September 29°C / 84°F 22°C / 72°F 4 mm 1 —
October 26°C / 79°F 19°C / 66°F 24 mm 5 —
November 22°C / 72°F 15°C / 59°F 43 mm 5 —
December 18°C / 64°F 12°C / 53°F 100 mm 10 —

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Paphos in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Paphos in May?

In May, Paphos averages a high of 25°C (76°F) and a low of 17°C (62°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Paphos in May?

May sees occasional rain in Paphos, with about 5 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Paphos?

May is warm and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Paphos in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full May packing list for Paphos for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Paphos on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.