Are you wondering what to wear to Tuscany in May? Spring can be a challenging time to pack for Tuscany as May is a transition month in the region. However in this guide we will tell you everything that needs to be on your Tuscan Spring packing list and considers things such as weather, differences between cities and countryside and special events and places that may influence your Tuscany outfit selection.
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Where is Tuscany?
For those that don’t know, Tuscany is a region in central Italy famed for its beautiful countryside, historic cities and amazing vineyards.
Some of the more famous places in Tuscany include:
- Florence
- Siena
- Pisa
- San Gimignano
- Livorno – the famous Med cruise port for FLorence
- Lucca and
- Volterra to name just a few.
Therefore you can consider that this Tuscany in May packing list is suitable to use in any of these places.
It is also worth noting that although Cinque Terre is not in Tuscany it is an easy day trip from many of these cities. However being on the coast and due to the hiking you will likely be doing it is worth consulting out Cinque Terre Packing list if you plan to visit this amazing region too!
Weather in Tuscany in May

The difficulty in packing for Tuscany in May is that the temperatures fluctuate throughout the month.
However you can usually expect the temperatures to be between 54°F to 73°F (12-23°C). Obviously the later in the month you travel the warmer it is likely to be, and you only often find the cities feel warmer than the countryside.
If I were to generalise the weather in Tuscany in May I would say that the weather can be hot however there are still some chilly days and you will still want a wrap in the evenings.
Is Tuscany rainy in May?
Summer is quickly approaching in Tuscany in May and as such you can expect Italy in May to be drier than Tuscany in April.
On average there is only 13mm of rain across the whole month so I wouldn’t be too concerned about having lots of long rainy days.
If you plan to visit more regions than just Florence too get a more accurate weather overview, be sure to check out our monthly city what to wear guides:
- What to Wear to Rome in May
- What to wear to Italy in May
- What to Wear in Venice in May
- What to wear in Florence in May
- What to wear to Pompeii
- What to wear to Cinque Terre
And if you trip spans two months be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
- What to Wear to Tuscany in April
- What to Wear to Tuscany in June
What to Wear to Tuscany in May for Women

When putting together you wardrobe for Tuscany in May I recommend trying to pack a capsule wardrobe to reduce space and potentially even travel with carry on alone.
Some of the key pieces in your what to wear to Tuscany in May wardrobe should include
Jeans / Trousers
Although Italians are renowned for their style, jeans are still perfectly acceptable to wear in May, especially earlier in the month. However later in the month you may want to change these out for some lighter weight trousers.
It is worth noting hot-wire that you won’t find many pairs of loose baggy jeans being worn by Italians so a form fitting pair is definitely the way to go. For this reason I would select the pair carefully though if you don’t want to look like a tourist in Italy. Therefore I recommend packing a pair of jeans that are more fitted and are in a darker colour.
Trousers
I would also add to your packing list a pair of smart casual trousers such as Chinos for evenings. These are good for going out for dinner in Italy and dining al fresco in Tuscant.
Or you could add some lighter linen or cotton trousers to your packing list instead of jeans if you are traveling towards the end of May.
Longer length skirts
I would put short skirts on the what not to wear in Italy list. However I recommend taking at least one longer length skirt with you as the perfect day to night transition item.
However if you want to wear them in a church be sure there isn’t a slit that reveals a knee as this would be inappropriate in churches in Italy. If you are visiting Tuscany the chances are you will be visiting many beautiful churches such as the Duomo in Florence and Duomo in Siena, which have amazing views of the city, so you need to make sure at least one of two outfits is church compliant.
Blouse

A blouse works for the cooler days and nights. Italians are a smart bunch so a nice blouse is the perfect Tuscan Spring Packing List addition.
T Shirt
T Shirts are a great base or top layer no matter which region you are traveling to. In May shorter sleeves are going to be more useful than long.
I also recommend sticking to plain and dark colours instead of t shirts that have a graphic or text and that are in loud colors as this will make you look like a tourist in Tuscany.
Cardigan or Jumper
Although the weather in Tuscany in May on the whole tends to be pleasant, iI would still pack one jumper or cardigan with you for cooler days or evenings especially for in the countryside where it can feel much cooler.
Jacket
While May has relatively good weather in Tuscany a light blazer or a denim jacket is the perfect addition to your packing list.
I personally think a blazer is actually the perfect item for Italy in May. Click here to shop jackets.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling, a pashmina is always on my packing list especially for Italy. And Tuscany is no exception.
A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory but can double up as an added extra layer or help provide some added modesty for churches in required. Click here to shop pashminas
PJs
Underwear and Socks
What to Wear in Tuscany in May for Men
For men visiting Tuscany in May, I actually recommend actually keeping things similar to the ladies packing list. But for me any Italian Spring Packing list for guys should include
Chinos/Jeans
Having a couple of Pairs of smarter jeans and chinos with you are essential. If you have a smarter tailored pair of jeans or chinos this will be the perfect day to night transition item.
Again as with the packing list for women in Italy we recommend sticking to jeans that are of a smarter more fitted variety to help you look less like a tourist in Italy.
Also it is worth noting that Italian men do tend to stick to a smart casual dress code for dinner.
T Shirts and Shirts
During the day t shirts are great. For men short sleeve tees are probably going to be the most useful for you.
Again I would recommend avoiding anything with a graphic or slogan or in overly loud colors if you want to fit in with the locals.
You should also pack at least one button down shirt with you for Tuscany in May for going out to dinner.
However if shirts aren’t your thing then be sure to pack a smart polo on top of
Blazer
A blazer is a perfect to a men’s Spring Packing List for Italy as it is perfect attire for restaurants and will double up as an extra layer for those cooler spring days.
Best Shoes for Tuscany in May
Sneakers
As the weather starts to warm in Tuscany in May, it is time to ditch the boots in favour of more lightweight shoes. For me my go to is a sneaker.
They can cope with the warmer weather while also being good for your feet on cobbled and uneven streets.
I know that many people worry about wearing sneakers in Italy but they are actually fine to wear. I would personally pick more of a fashion pair as opposed to sports ones to fit in more with the locals but any pair is better than no pair.
Personally, I recommend sneakers that I am most comfortable walking in which include brands such as Hoka , Sketchers Go Walks or All Birds for walking in Rome. But go with whatever you feel most comfortable in.
Just remember to wear your sneakers in BEFORE your trip if you decide to buy new ones.
Sandals
As I said above, May for me in Tuscany means ditching the boots.
Now while you might not be able to wear sandals every day in Italy in May I would always have at least one pair with me for those warmer days. I also think they are more appropriate for wearing to dinner in Italy than sneakers.
Hiking Boots
For if you are planning on going hiking in Tuscany only.
What Else to Pack for Tuscany in May
- Umbrella
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun
- Crossbody bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Italy is no different. Protect your belongings by having a crossbody bag with lots of zips.
- Travel Adaptor
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
How to dress in Tuscany in May for Special Events
There are no special events in Tuscany in May that will affect your Italy Packing List for May
FAQS About Tuscany in May
Do I need swimwear for Tuscany in May?
If you are staying outside in the countryside you may have access to a pool. However I personally think unless it is heated it is too cold to swim.
Therefore I would leave the swimwear at home for Tuscany in May.
Have you been to Tuscany in May? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments.