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The Best Places to Travel in May: Your Ultimate Guide to Sunshine & Spring Adventures

May is a sweet spot for budget travel. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s springtime. The July–August rush hasn’t started yet, so old towns, ferries, and beaches are far more relaxed. With longer daylight hours, it’s perfect for sightseeing, island hopping, and outdoor cafés.

While in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s autumn. Shoulder seasons often mean fewer crowds, pleasant weather, and better deals. It’s like hitting the jackpot for a savvy traveler!

In general, May is a good time to travel for a wallet-friendly adventure. Accommodation and activities are cheaper than in peak season. 

May Travel Guide: The Most Beautiful Places to Visit This Month

Albania

Albania‘s May weather is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 17-24°C (63-75°F). This allows you to enjoy the stunning beaches and historical attractions with fewer tourists compared to the peak summer season.

Bermuda

Bermuda‘s weather is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 18-24°C (64-75°F), and it’s just before the hurricane season, offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy the pink-sand beaches and clear waters.

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Bermuda
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Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia & Herzegovina‘s weather is mild, with temperatures around 12-21°C (54-70°F), making it ideal for exploring its historical sites and picturesque landscapes.

Brazil

May is one of the most comfortable and rewarding months to explore Brazil. With warm temperatures across much of the country, lower humidity in many regions, and fewer crowds than peak season, it’s an ideal time for beaches, city breaks, and nature adventures. From Rio’s golden coastlines to the Amazon’s lush landscapes and the cultural charm of the south, Brazil offers a beautiful mix of experiences at this time of year.

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Leblon beach, Rio de Janeiro
Top Comores Multi day Tours, book with Viator, travel and home
Comore

Comore

Comoros’ weather is warm, with temperatures around 23-29°C (73-84°F), and it’s just before the rainy season, allowing you to enjoy the country’s tropical beauty and culture.

Croatia

May is genuinely one of the best months to visit Croatia, and the data strongly supports it. It’s warm, sunny, less crowded, and far more affordable than peak summer. Coastal cities like Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Korčula typically reach 15–25°C (59–77°F) with plenty of sunshine and only occasional rain.

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Cavtat, Croatia

💡Travel Tip – Pack Layers: May can be unpredictable, so pack layers for varying temperatures. A light jacket and a mix of clothes will keep you ready for anything.

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Cave church in Cyprus

Cyprus

Cyprus’s weather is pleasantly warm, with temperatures ranging from 18-26°C (64-79°F), making it an ideal time to enjoy the beaches, historic sites, and Mediterranean cuisine.

Eritrea

Eritrea‘s weather is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 24-30°C (75-86°F), allowing you to explore the country’s history, architecture, and scenic coastline.

Top Eritrea Multi day Tours, book with Viator, travel and home
Eritrea
Georgia's first upside down house is known as the White Restaurant, in Batumi.
Georgia's first upside down house is known as the White Restaurant, in Batumi.

Georgia

Georgia has temperatures ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F), making it an ideal time to discover the country’s stunning landscapes, historic cities, and vibrant culture.

Italy's Lake Regions

May is one of the most magical months to experience Italy’s lake regions. Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Lake Maggiore typically range from 20–25°C (up to 77°F), warm enough for outdoor cafés, ferry rides, and long walks — but not yet the intense summer heat. Everything is open, but nothing is crowded. Prices are friendlier, the light is incredible (soft, golden mornings and long evenings — perfect for photography and lakeside dinners), and it is nature at its absolute best.

Lake Como
Lake Como

🕮  Suggested Read: If Italy is on your bucket list but you don’t know where to go or when, this is for you. Our complete guide to Italy month-by-month will get you going! 

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Lebanon

Lebanon

Lebanon‘s May weather is mild, with temperatures around 18-27°C (64-81°F), making it a great time to explore the country’s historic sites, vibrant cities, and Mediterranean cuisine.

Madeira

With gentle temperatures between 15–23°C (59–73°F), Madeira is perfect for discovering its emerald mountains, coastal paths, and the unique charm of Portugal’s island life.

Madeira Holiday Ideas Pretty views
Madeira
Underwater Waterfall Le Morne Mauritius
Mauritius

Mauritius

With gentle May temperatures between 19–26°C (66–79°F), Mauritius invites you to unwind on soft beaches, drift through turquoise lagoons, and soak up the island’s vibrant, laid‑back culture.

Cancún, Mexico

With hot, sun‑soaked days averaging 30–33°C (86–91°F), May brings a softer, more relaxed side of Cancún — warm seas, lighter crowds, and that irresistible turquoise glow along the Caribbean coast.

Cancun
Cancun
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Monaco

Monaco

With mild 16–21°C (61–70°F) days, May brings Monaco to life with sunlit terraces, sparkling marina views, and a relaxed Mediterranean elegance before the summer rush arrives.

North Macedonia

With warm 18–25°C (64–77°F) days and spring in full bloom, May wraps North Macedonia in soft light and fresh mountain air — perfect for wandering lakeside promenades in Ohrid or exploring the lively streets of Skopje at a gentle, unhurried pace.

Lake Ohrid Boardwalk, Things to do in Ohrid, North Macedonia
Lake Ohrid Boardwalk
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Machu Picchu in Peru

Peru

May brings Peru into its golden season, with clear Andean skies, lush green valleys, and comfortable 15–25°C (59–77°F) days that make Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley feel crisp, vibrant, and utterly unforgettable.

Romania

Romania glows in May, with mild 18–24°C (64–75°F) afternoons, blooming countryside, and long, sunlit hours that invite slow wanders through Transylvanian towns, forested hills, and the charming streets of Bucharest.

Bucuresti Bucharest Romania
Bucharest in Romania
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Serbia

Serbia

Warm 20–25°C (68–77°F) days and a lively spring atmosphere make May one of Serbia’s most inviting months — perfect for riverside strolls in Belgrade, café terraces buzzing with life, and countryside escapes wrapped in fresh greenery.

South Korea

With warm 18–24°C (64–75°F) days and spring blossoms lingering in the air, May brings South Korea into a gentle, colourful glow — perfect for exploring palaces, mountain trails, and lively neighbourhoods under soft blue skies.

The garden of morning calm in South Korea
South Korea
Plaza de España in Seville Spain things to do and places to see the best
Plaza de España in Seville, Spain

Seville, Spain

May wraps Seville, Spain, in golden light and warm 25–30°C (77–86°F) afternoons, filling its plazas with music, jasmine, and the slow, sun‑drenched rhythm of Andalusian life before the true summer heat arrives.

Spain (in general)

Across Spain, May unfolds with mild 20–26°C (68–79°F) days, long evenings, and a vibrant spring energy — from coastal strolls along the Mediterranean to café terraces buzzing in Madrid and Barcelona.

Visit Barcelona's Casa Vicens at your own pace with this skip the line entry ticket
Casa Vicens, Barcelona
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Timor-Leste

Timore-Leste

Warm 27–31°C (81–88°F) days and the start of the dry season make May a wonderful time to discover Timor‑Leste’s quiet beaches, clear waters, and untouched island landscapes bathed in bright tropical light.

Tunisia

With warm 24–27°C (75–81°F) days and long stretches of sunshine, May brings Tunisia into its most inviting season — perfect for wandering ancient medinas, relaxing on golden beaches, and soaking up the soft, early‑summer glow along the Mediterranean.

Tunisia tour, book with Viator, travel and home
Tunisia

May is one of those rare months when the world opens up in every direction — spring blossoms in the Northern Hemisphere, golden autumn colours in the south, and warm, gentle days across many tropical shores. Whether you’re dreaming of culture‑rich cities, quiet island escapes, or warm‑weather adventures, these truly are some of the best places to visit in May. From soft Mediterranean light to crisp Andean mornings and turquoise tropical coastlines, May offers a beautiful balance of comfortable temperatures, lighter crowds, and unforgettable travel moments. Let this guide inspire your next journey and help you choose the perfect May travel destination that matches your mood, your style, and your sense of discovery.

We’d love to hear from you — which May destinations are calling to you? Have you explored any of these top places to visit in May, or do you have your own favourite May getaway you think other travellers should know about? Share your stories, tips, or questions in the comments. Your experiences help fellow travellers find their perfect May holiday destination too.