Best destinations to visit in May
Best destinations to visit in May
Late spring shoulder-season routes and sunny sub-tropical paths in May
May often gets called one of the best months to travel, sitting in that comfortable window before summer crowds and heat take over in the north.
Europe and much of North America enjoy mild, pleasant weather this month, without the peak season prices or queues that come later in summer. Southern Africa's dry season begins around this time too, making it a strong month for wildlife travel even as other parts of the world start cooling down. The Southern Hemisphere overall is heading into winter, so travellers chasing warmth need to look closer to the equator. Hill stations and mountain towns in parts of Asia also become popular escapes from the season's rising heat. School holidays have not yet started in most countries, which keeps popular sights noticeably calmer.
The destinations on our list cover that same range, from Northern Hemisphere shoulder season favourites to places just beginning their own best months.
Lists by region
Country
Greece
Ancient history meets island paradise
May brings warm, sunny weather to the islands before the peak summer crowds and prices arrive. Santorini's whitewashed villages stay quieter with wildflowers still blooming on the hillsides. The Acropolis in Athens is comfortable to visit before the hottest months set in. Ferries link the islands more frequently as the season ramps up.
City in Netherlands
Amsterdam
Canals, culture and a vibrant spirit
Tulip season winds down through May while gardens around the city stay colourful. King's Day festivities in late April give way to milder, quieter weeks. Canal boat tours glide past gabled houses along the 17th century canal ring. Long daylight hours in May suit evening bike rides through Vondelpark.
City in China
Chengdu
Pandas, Hotpot and Laid-back Vibes
Giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base are most active in the cooler hours of the morning. Mild May weather with highs near 24 degrees Celsius suits visits before summer humidity arrives. Teahouses around People's Park serve tea alongside mahjong games. Sichuan cuisine here is known for its bold chilli and numbing peppercorn.
Country
Morocco
Where desert meets Mediterranean magic
Warm May weather in Marrakech brings highs around 30 degrees Celsius before summer's peak heat. Jardin Majorelle's cobalt blue walls and cactus garden stay busy with spring visitors. Rose harvest takes place in the Dades Valley each May. The blue painted lanes of Chefchaouen sit a few hours north in the Rif Mountains.
City in South Korea
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
Royal azaleas and cherry blossoms give way to fresh greenery across Seoul's parks by May. Gyeongbokgung Palace stays mild and comfortable for a stroll in traditional hanbok dress. Bukchon Hanok Village preserves rows of traditional courtyard houses on a hillside. Street food stalls in Myeongdong stay busy into the warm evenings.
City in United States
Asheville
Blue Ridge arts, brews and views
Mild May weather with highs near 23 degrees Celsius suits the Blue Ridge Parkway's overlooks. Biltmore House, opened in 1895, sits amid gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Rhododendrons and mountain laurel bloom along area hiking trails in May. Downtown Asheville's art deco buildings hold galleries, breweries and cafes.
Region in Italy
Tuscany
Rolling Hills, Wine and Renaissance Charm
Poppies bloom red across Tuscany's rolling wheat fields through May. Mild spring weather with highs near 24 degrees Celsius suits driving between hill towns such as Pienza and Montepulciano. Cypress lined roads wind past vineyards near San Quirico d'Orcia. Wildflower meadows surround medieval towers in the Val d'Orcia.
Region in United Kingdom
Scotland
Mystic Highlands and Historic Castles
Bluebells carpet woodland floors across Scotland through May before the trees fully leaf out. Long daylight hours give extra time for exploring Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. The Highlands stay comfortable for hiking with fewer midges than in high summer. Whisky distilleries across Speyside offer tastings and tours.
City in Canada
Vancouver
Where mountains, ocean and city life meet
Cherry blossoms have faded by May, giving way to fresh green leaves across Vancouver's parks. Stanley Park's seawall stays a popular route for walking and cycling in mild spring weather. Granville Island Public Market draws crowds for fresh produce and seafood. Mountains across Burrard Inlet still hold snow on their upper slopes.
Landmark in Beijing
Great Wall of China
Ancient Marvel Spanning Centuries
Mutianyu's restored section winds along forested ridges northeast of Beijing. May brings mild temperatures before the summer heat and crowds peak. A cable car and a toboggan slide offer two ways down from the wall. Jinshanling, a less crowded stretch, keeps some original Ming dynasty towers intact.
City in Spain
Madrid
A vibrant mix of culture and nightlife
Madrid's Retiro Park fills with rowers and picnickers as May weather warms towards summer. The Prado Museum holds work by Velázquez, Goya and other Spanish masters. San Isidro festival in mid May brings traditional dress, music and food to the streets. Mild evenings suit outdoor terraces around Plaza Mayor.
City in China
Xi'an
Where history whispers through time
Farmers digging a well in 1974 near Xian discovered the Terracotta Army. Thousands of life sized clay soldiers stand in excavated pits near the burial mound of China's first emperor. Mild May weather with highs near 26 degrees Celsius suits walking the ancient city walls. Xian's Muslim Quarter serves noodles and skewers late into the evening.
City in Czech Republic
Prague
A fairy-tale city with rich history
Prague Spring International Music Festival fills concert halls across the city each May. Mild spring weather with highs near 19 degrees Celsius suits walking across Charles Bridge. The Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square has kept time since 1410. Petřín Hill's gardens fill with blooming lilacs through the month.
Region in Indonesia
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
Dry season settles over Bali by May with sunny days and lower humidity. Rice terraces near Ubud stay a vivid green after the earlier wet months. Warm water and calm seas suit beach days on the Bukit Peninsula. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary sits a short walk from central Ubud.
City in Hungary
Budapest
A stunning mix of history and nightlife
Danube river cruises pass under the Chain Bridge with views of the lit Parliament building at night. Mild May weather with highs near 21 degrees Celsius suits walking across Buda Castle Hill. Thermal baths such as Széchenyi date to the early 1900s. Margaret Island's paths run along a car free stretch of the river.
National Park in United States
Grand Canyon National Park
Epic Vistas, Timeless Adventure
Mild May weather at the South Rim suits hiking part of the Bright Angel Trail before summer heat sets in. Temperatures inside the canyon run far hotter than at the rim, so hikers should carry water. Sunset views from Mather Point draw crowds most evenings. The Colorado River carved the canyon over millions of years.
City in Portugal
Lisbon
Sun-soaked streets and rich history
Mild May weather with highs near 22 degrees Celsius suits riding Tram 28 through the hills of Alfama. Jacaranda trees bloom purple along several city avenues in May. The Belém Tower, a stone fortress from the early 1500s, stands a short ride from the centre. Pastéis de nata are best eaten warm from the oven.
National Park in United States
Yellowstone National Park
Geysers, wildlife and untamed wilderness
Old Faithful erupts roughly every 60 to 110 minutes, drawing crowds to its boardwalk viewing area. May brings newborn bison calves to the park's grassy valleys. Snow can still linger at higher elevations while lower roads reopen for the season. Grand Prismatic Spring's colourful rings come from heat loving bacteria in the water.
Region in Portugal
Algarve
Golden cliffs and azure waters
May brings warm sunshine to the Algarve before the busiest summer crowds arrive. Benagil Cave, reached by boat or kayak, has a round opening in its roof. Sea temperatures are still cool but comfortable enough for swimming. Cliffside trails link quiet beaches near Lagos with dramatic rock formations.
Town in Canada
Banff
Rocky Mountain Majesty, Endless Adventure
Snow melts from lower trails around Banff through May, opening hikes near turquoise lakes. Peyto Lake glows a bright turquoise from a viewpoint just off the Icefields Parkway. Wildlife such as elk and bighorn sheep become more active as the valley greens up. Higher passes may still hold snow into early summer.
Region in Turkey
Cappadocia
A surreal land of fairy chimneys
Hot air balloons lift over Cappadocia's fairy chimney rock formations at sunrise most mornings. Underground cities such as Derinkuyu were carved by early Christian communities seeking shelter. Mild May temperatures suit hiking through valleys near Göreme. Cave hotels built into the soft volcanic rock offer a night close to the landscape.
Country
Jordan
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
Mild May weather with highs near 28 degrees Celsius still suits the walk into Petra through the narrow Siq. The Treasury facade was carved into rose coloured sandstone by the Nabataeans. Wadi Rum's red desert stays warm for jeep tours and overnight camps. Floating in the Dead Sea suits the calmer months before summer heat.
National Park in United States
Yosemite National Park
Nature's Grand Cathedral
Waterfalls in Yosemite Valley run at their fullest in May as snowmelt peaks in the high country. Yosemite Falls drops about 739 metres in three connected tiers. Half Dome rises about 1,440 metres above the valley floor. Wildflowers bloom in meadows below El Capitan's granite face.
City in Spain
Seville
Andalusia's Heartbeat of History
Bitter orange trees still hold fruit along Seville's streets into May. Mild spring weather with highs near 29 degrees Celsius suits early morning walks before the afternoon heat. The Real Alcázar palace has gardens with fountains and orange trees. Flamenco shows fill small tablaos across the Triana and Santa Cruz neighbourhoods.
State/Prefecture in Japan
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
Lavender fields near Furano begin their early bloom by late May into June. Snow lingers on higher peaks while lowland gardens turn green through spring. Sapporo's parks fill with fresh greenery after a long winter. Cool, mild temperatures make May a comfortable time to explore before summer humidity arrives.
National Park in United States
Bryce Canyon National Park
Hoodoo Wonderland and Starry Nights
Bryce Amphitheater holds thousands of orange and pink hoodoo spires carved by frost and rain. Mild May days near 18 degrees Celsius suit hiking the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trails. The park sits above 2,400 metres, so nights can still be cool. Clear skies make Bryce a popular spot for stargazing in spring.
Island in Portugal
Madeira
Dramatic Cliffs and Eternal Spring
Jacaranda and agapanthus bloom across Funchal's gardens through May. Levada trails beside old irrigation channels stay largely flat and shaded. Mild year round weather keeps flowers blooming across the island most months. A cable car climbs from Funchal's old town to the hilltop gardens of Monte.
Country
Kenya
Safari paradise meets coastal charm
The Great Migration has not yet reached the Masai Mara by May, but resident wildlife stays plentiful. Long rains taper off through the month, greening the plains before the dry season. Amboseli National Park frames herds of elephants against Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days. Fewer visitors in May often mean better rates at safari camps.
Archaeological Site in Peru
Machu Picchu
Lost Inca city among clouds
Dry season settles over the Andes by May, clearing skies over the ancient citadel. Mornings can still be misty before the sun burns through by midday. The classic Inca Trail reopens each year at the start of April and stays open through May. Terraced stone walls climb the mountainside beneath Huayna Picchu.
Garden in Japan
Ashikaga Flower Park
Giant wisteria trellis and winter light show
A wisteria tree planted in 1870 spreads across a huge trellis at Ashikaga Flower Park. Its blossoms hang in long lavender clusters through late April into May. Tunnels of white and pink wisteria nearby draw crowds for photos. Evening illuminations light the blossoms after dark during peak bloom.
Island in United States
Kauai
Lush Landscapes and Secluded Beaches
Waimea Canyon, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, cuts about 900 metres deep. The Napali Coast's cliffs rise steeply above the sea and are often seen by boat or helicopter. May weather stays warm and typically drier before the wetter winter months return. Hanalei Bay's calm water suits swimming and paddling.
Archipelago in Portugal
Azores
Volcanic Isles of Atlantic Wonders
Hydrangeas begin blooming blue and pink along roadsides across São Miguel by late May. Twin crater lakes at Sete Cidades sit inside a single volcanic caldera. The thermal pools at Terra Nostra Park hold warm orange brown water in a shaded garden. Mild spring weather suits hiking between villages along the coast.
City in Croatia
Dubrovnik
The Pearl of the Adriatic
Dubrovnik's medieval walls stretch about two kilometres around the old town and can be walked in full. May brings warm weather before the busiest summer cruise ship crowds. Cable cars climb Mount Srđ for views over the terracotta rooftops below. Kayak tours paddle along the base of the walls out to nearby islands.
Country
Namibia
Desert wilderness meets wildlife wonders
Dunes at Sossusvlei tower more than 300 metres above the desert floor. May marks the start of the dry winter season with clear skies and cooler nights. Etosha National Park's waterholes draw gathering wildlife as the bush dries out further. Coastal Swakopmund stays mild thanks to the cold Benguela current offshore.
City in Spain
Córdoba
A timeless blend of cultures
The Mezquita's forest of striped double arches was built starting in the late 700s. May brings the Patios Festival, when homeowners open flower filled courtyards to visitors. Mild spring weather with highs near 26 degrees Celsius suits walking the old Jewish quarter. The Roman bridge across the Guadalquivir river dates to the 1st century.
Town in Canada
Tofino
Wild Pacific, Rainforest, Endless Waves
Grey whales migrate past Tofino's coastline each spring, often spotted on short boat tours. Surfers paddle out at Long Beach even in the cooler Pacific water. Old growth rainforest trails wind through Pacific Rim National Park nearby. Mild May weather suits walking the boardwalks through coastal bog and forest.
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