May is widely considered one of Europe's best travel months, with mild weather and blooming gardens well before the summer rush arrives.
Southern Europe warms up nicely without yet reaching peak summer heat, making it a comfortable month for cities that get uncomfortably hot later in the year. Northern Europe sees its gardens and countryside come fully into bloom, with long daylight hours stretching well into the evening. Alpine regions sit in a quieter shoulder season by May, too warm for skiing but often still too early for the best hiking at higher elevations. Crowds and prices across most of the continent stay noticeably lower than they will be just a month or two later. Outdoor markets and cafe terraces also start to feel like the true center of daily life again.
The destinations on our list for Europe reflect that same sweet spot between winter and the summer rush.
