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Where to go in May?

The 247 destinations where May is one of the best times to travel, according to real weather records.

PierrickOur take on May

May may be the best value of the year: the whole Mediterranean is beautiful before the rush, the days keep getting longer, and the dry season begins in Bolivia, Peru and the parks of southern Africa. Only South Asia enters the monsoon. A month for those in the know.

Sun and sea in May

🇬🇷 GreeceMay to June and September to October🇲🇦 MoroccoMarch to May and September to November🇹🇳 TunisiaApril to June and September to October🇸🇳 SenegalNovember to May🇲🇺 MauritiusMay to November🇸🇨 The SeychellesApril to June and September to November

With children in May

🇫🇷 FranceMay to September🇪🇸 SpainApril to June and September to October🇮🇹 ItalyApril to June and September to October🇵🇹 PortugalApril to June and September to October🇬🇷 GreeceMay to June and September to October🇭🇷 CroatiaMay to June and September to October

Nature and adventure in May

🇫🇷 FranceMay to September🇵🇹 PortugalApril to June and September to October🇬🇷 GreeceMay to June and September to October🇭🇷 CroatiaMay to June and September to October🇬🇧 United KingdomMay to September🇮🇪 IrelandMay to September

Best avoided in May

Nothing is ever off limits, but the season does not favour these destinations in May. If your dates are flexible, keep them for their best time:

🇪🇬 Egyptbetter: October to March🇿🇦 South Africabetter: August to March🇰🇪 Kenyabetter: July to October and January to February🇹🇭 Thailandbetter: November to March🇰🇭 Cambodiabetter: November to February🇮🇳 Indiabetter: October to March🇱🇰 Sri Lankabetter: December to March (east coast: May to September)🇺🇾 Uruguaybetter: November to March (southern summer)

All 247 destinations at their best in May, continent by continent

Europe

🇫🇷 FranceMay to September🇫🇷 BrittanyMay to September🇫🇷 NormandyMay to September🇫🇷 ProvenceMay to September🇫🇷 The French RivieraMay to October🇫🇷 CorsicaMay to October🇫🇷 AlsaceMay to September (Christmas markets: December)🇫🇷 The French Basque CountryMay to October (June and September ideal)🇫🇷 AuvergneMay to September🇫🇷 Dordogne and the PérigordMay to October🇫🇷 The Loire ValleyApril to September🇫🇷 ParisApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 Bordeaux and AroundMay to July and September to October🇫🇷 LyonApril to June, September to October and December🇪🇸 SpainApril to June and September to October🇪🇸 BarcelonaMay to June and September to October🇪🇸 MadridApril to June and September to October🇪🇸 SevilleMarch to May and October🇪🇸 MallorcaMay to June and September to October🇮🇹 ItalyApril to June and September to October🇮🇹 RomeApril to June and September to October🇮🇹 VeniceApril to June and September to October🇮🇹 Florence and TuscanyMay to June and September to October🇮🇹 The Amalfi CoastMay to June and September🇮🇹 PositanoMay to June and September to October🇮🇹 Amalfi and RavelloMay to June and September to October🇮🇹 CapriMay to June and September to October🇮🇹 Pompeii and VesuviusApril to June and September to October🇮🇹 NaplesApril to June and September to October🇮🇹 Sorrento and the Path of the GodsMay to June and September to October🇮🇹 SicilyMay to June and September to October🇮🇹 SardiniaMay to June and September🇵🇹 PortugalApril to June and September to October🇵🇹 LisbonApril to June and September to October🇵🇹 PortoMay to June and September to October🇵🇹 The AlgarveMay to June and September to October🇵🇹 MadeiraAll year round (April to October preferably)🇬🇷 GreeceMay to June and September to October🇬🇷 AthensApril to June and September to October🇬🇷 SantoriniMay to June and September to October🇬🇷 CreteMay to June and September to October🇭🇷 CroatiaMay to June and September to October🇭🇷 DubrovnikMay to June and September🇬🇧 United KingdomMay to September🇬🇧 LondonMay to September🏴 ScotlandMay to September🇮🇪 IrelandMay to September🇮🇪 DonegalMay to September🇮🇪 The Ring of KerryMay to September🇬🇧 Northern IrelandMay to September🇮🇪 West CorkMay to September🇮🇪 DublinMay to September🇮🇪 Galway and ConnemaraMay to September🇮🇪 CorkMay to September🇬🇧 BelfastMay to September🇳🇱 The NetherlandsApril to June and September🇳🇱 AmsterdamApril to June and September🇩🇪 GermanyMay to September and December (markets)🇩🇪 BerlinMay to September🇦🇹 AustriaMay to September (skiing: December to March)🇨🇿 Czech RepublicMay to September and December (markets)🇭🇺 HungaryApril to June and September to October🇵🇱 PolandMay to September🇲🇹 MaltaApril to June and September to October🇨🇿 PragueApril to June and September to October (Christmas markets: December)🇭🇺 BudapestApril to June and September to October (Christmas markets: December)🇵🇱 KrakówApril to June and September to October (Christmas markets: December)🇩🇰 CopenhagenMay to September🇬🇧 EdinburghMay to September🇧🇪 BrusselsApril to September🇮🇹 MilanApril to June and September to October🇩🇪 MunichMay to July and September to October🇮🇹 Cinque TerreApril to June and September to October🇮🇹 PugliaMay to June and September to October🇮🇹 The Italian LakesApril to June and September to October🇪🇸 AndalusiaMarch to June and September to October🇵🇹 The AzoresMay to September🇦🇹 ViennaApril to June, September to October and December🇦🇹 SalzburgMay to September and December🇦🇹 Hallstatt and the SalzkammergutMay to September🇦🇹 The Wachau ValleyApril to June and September to October🏰 Prague, Vienna and BudapestMay to September and December (Christmas markets)🇷🇴 RomaniaMay to September🇸🇮 SloveniaMay to September🇦🇱 AlbaniaMay to September🇮🇹 Lago di BraiesMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 MarseilleMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 ToulouseApril to June and September🇫🇷 MontpellierMay to June and early September🇫🇷 LilleMay to July and September🇫🇷 NantesMay to September🇫🇷 RennesMay to July and September🇫🇷 AnnecyMay to June and September (swimming: July to August)🇫🇷 StrasbourgMay to June and September (Christmas market: December)🇫🇷 ColmarMay to June and September (Christmas markets: late November to December)🇫🇷 NiceMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 Aix-en-ProvenceApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 AvignonApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 BiarritzMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 CarcassonneApril to June and September to October🇨🇭 GenevaMay to September🇮🇹 TurinApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 Albi and the Tarn ValleyMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 Rochefort and the Charente EstuaryMay to June and September🇫🇷 MouginsMay to June and September🇳🇴 BergenMay to September🇧🇪 BrugesApril to June, September to October and December🇷🇴 BucharestMay to June and September to October🇬🇷 CorfuMay to June and September to October🇬🇧 CornwallMay to July and September🇬🇷 The CycladesMay to June and September to October🇫🇮 HelsinkiMay to September (long days) and December (Christmas markets)🇳🇴 OsloMay to August (snow: December to March)🇬🇷 RhodesMay to June and September to October🇭🇷 SplitMay to June and September to October🇸🇪 StockholmMay to September, and December for Christmas🇷🇴 TransylvaniaMay to October🇸🇮 Lake BledMay to June and September to October🇧🇪 GhentMay to September🇲🇹 GozoApril to June and September to October🇭🇷 HvarMay to June and September to October🇭🇷 IstriaMay to June and September to October🇲🇹 VallettaApril to June and September to October🇸🇮 LjubljanaMay to June and September to October🇨🇭 LucerneMay to September🇭🇷 Plitvice LakesMay to June and September to October🇦🇱 TiranaApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 The French ArdennesMay to October🇫🇷 AveyronMay to June and September🇫🇷 Arcachon BayMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The Opal CoastMay to September🇫🇷 The Lot and QuercyMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The ArdècheMay to June and September🇫🇷 The CamargueApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 The CévennesMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The Côte Vermeille and CollioureMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The Tarn GorgesMay to September🇫🇷 The Verdon GorgeMay to June and September🇫🇷 The LuberonApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 Drôme ProvençaleMay to July and September to October🇫🇷 The Bay of SommeApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 BéarnJune to September🇫🇷 BurgundyMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 ChampagneMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 Charente-Maritime and the Île de RéMay to September🇫🇷 The JuraMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The LandesJune and September🇫🇷 The VendéeMay to September🇫🇷 The Alpilles and Les Baux-de-ProvenceApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 AngoulêmeMay to June and September🇫🇷 Évian and the ChablaisMay to September🇫🇷 Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël and the EsterelMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 GaillacMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The Gers and ArmagnacMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 Haut-BugeyMay to September🇫🇷 Hossegor and CapbretonMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 LimogesMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 Lorient and South BrittanyMay to September🇫🇷 The MédocMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The Monts du LyonnaisMay to September🇫🇷 Roanne and the RoannaisMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-VieMay to September🇫🇷 Saint-Malo and the Emerald CoastMay to September🇫🇷 Saintes and the SaintongeMay to July and September🇫🇷 Sarlat and the Périgord NoirMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The SundgauMay to September🇫🇷 Tarn-et-GaronneApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 ToursApril to June and September🇫🇷 The TrièvesMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 Uzès and the Pont du GardMay to June and September to October🇫🇷 The Vézère ValleyApril to June and September to October🇫🇷 VersaillesApril to June and September to October

Africa

🇲🇦 MoroccoMarch to May and September to November🇲🇦 MarrakechMarch to May and October to November🇲🇦 EssaouiraMay to October🇲🇦 FezMarch to May and September to November🇹🇳 TunisiaApril to June and September to October🇸🇳 SenegalNovember to May🇲🇺 MauritiusMay to November🇸🇨 The SeychellesApril to June and September to November🇲🇬 MadagascarApril to November🇳🇦 NamibiaMay to October🇷🇪 RéunionMay to November (southern winter)🇧🇼 BotswanaMay to October🇪🇬 The Egyptian Red SeaMarch to May and October to November🇲🇬 Nosy BeMay to November🇧🇼 The Okavango DeltaMay to October (flood season and dry season)🇳🇦 Etosha National ParkMay to October🇳🇦 SossusvleiMay to September

Asia

🇯🇴 JordanMarch to May and September to November🇯🇴 PetraMarch to May and October to November🇮🇩 IndonesiaMay to September🇮🇩 BaliApril to October🇯🇵 JapanMarch to May and October to November🇯🇵 TokyoMarch to May and October to November🇯🇵 KyotoMarch to May and October to November🇨🇳 ChinaApril to May and September to October🇵🇭 The PhilippinesDecember to May🇹🇷 TurkeyApril to June and September to October🇬🇪 GeorgiaMay to October🇺🇿 UzbekistanApril to May and September to October🇲🇾 MalaysiaApril to September (varies by coast)🇰🇷 South KoreaApril to May (cherry blossom) and September to October (maples)🇯🇵 MiyajimaApril to May and October to November🇹🇷 AntalyaApril to June and September to October🇹🇷 BodrumMay to June and September to October🇹🇷 CappadociaApril to June and September to October🇹🇷 IstanbulApril to June and September to October🇮🇩 JavaMay to September🇮🇩 KomodoApril to September🇲🇾 Kuala LumpurMay to September (least rainy)🇮🇩 LombokMay to September🇨🇳 ShanghaiMarch to May and September to November🇨🇳 YunnanMarch to May and September to November🇲🇾 BorneoMarch to August🇰🇷 BusanApril to June and September to October🇵🇭 CebuJanuary to May (dry season)🇨🇳 Guilin and YangshuoApril to May and September to October🇰🇷 JejuApril to May and October to November🇨🇳 BeijingApril to May and September to October🇺🇿 SamarkandApril to May and September to October🇰🇷 SeoulApril to May (cherry blossom) and September to October (maples)🇬🇪 TbilisiMay to June and September to October🇨🇳 Xi'anApril to May and September to October

Americas

🇺🇸 The American WestApril to June and September to October🇺🇸 New YorkApril to June and September to November🇺🇸 CaliforniaApril to June and September to October🇺🇸 FloridaMarch to May and November🇧🇷 BrazilApril to May and September to November🇧🇷 Rio de JaneiroApril to May and September to December🇧🇴 Salar de Uyuni and Sur LípezMay to October (dry) and January to March (mirror effect)🇧🇴 La Paz and the Yungas RoadMay to October (dry season)🇧🇴 Lake Titicaca (Copacabana)May to October🇧🇴 Sucre and PotosíApril to October🇦🇷 Iguazú FallsApril to May and August to September🇵🇪 PeruMay to September (dry season)🇵🇪 Cusco and Machu PicchuMay to September (dry season)🇧🇴 BoliviaMay to October🇨🇱 The Atacama DesertApril to May and September to November🇺🇸 Las VegasMarch to May and October to November🇺🇸 LouisianaMarch to May and October to November

Oceania

🇦🇺 AustraliaMarch to May and September to November🇵🇫 French PolynesiaMay to October (dry season)🇵🇫 Bora BoraMay to October (dry season)🇵🇫 MooreaMay to October (dry season)🇦🇺 SydneyMarch to May and September to November🇦🇺 UluruMay to September (southern winter)

Frequently asked questions about travelling in May

Where to go for sun in May?

Greece, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and Mauritius are among the best sun destinations in May: according to our climate calendar it is one of their best times, with weather suited to the beach and the outdoors.

Where to go with children in May?

France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece work well for a family trip in May: a good season, varied activities and facilities suited to children.

Which destinations are best avoided in May?

Egypt, South Africa, Kenya and Thailand are not at their best in May: the season is not the most favourable. Nothing is impossible, but if your dates are flexible, aim for their best time or pick a destination at its best this month.

Another month

Flexible dates? Look at where to go in April and where to go in June: a few weeks can change a destination completely.

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