4 Best Places to Visit in May

Introduction

May is one of those months when travelling is at its best, and you can find some of the best places to visit in May. Days are long, temperatures are warming up, and destinations are fully awake without being overwhelmed by summer crowds. It’s a month where everything starts to flow a bit more easily.

We’ve always liked travelling in May for that reason. Temperatures are comfortable, moving around isn’t tiring or making you sweat quickly, and you can enjoy places without planning your days around crowds or extreme heat. It’s the kind of month where you can take things as they come and still have a great trip.

In many destinations, May is that in-between moment. Shops, cafés, and attractions are open, but you’re not queuing everywhere. Roads are quieter, accommodation is easier to find, and you don’t feel like you’re constantly navigating around other people’s itineraries.

Depending on which best places to visit in May you go, May can still feel like spring or already lean into early summer. Either way, it’s a great month for road trips, city breaks, and trips where walking and being outside are a big part of the experience.

As always, this guide only includes places we’ve personally visited. These are destinations that genuinely worked for us in May and that we’d recommend if you’re planning a trip around this time of year.

Don’t forget to book your accommodations in advance – the best places always fill up quickly.

How to choose where to travel in May

May is a month where you have a lot of freedom, but that also means it’s easy to choose badly if you don’t think it through. The trick is not to chase “summer” too early in the best places to visit in May, but to lean into places that benefit from late spring or early warm weather.

The weather is usually the main reason May works so well. In many destinations in Europe and the Middle East, it’s warm enough to enjoy long days outside, but not hot enough to be overwhelming. That makes May ideal for trips where you plan to walk a lot, explore cities thoroughly, or spend time moving between places rather than staying put.

Crowds are another big factor in the best places to visit in May. In many regions, May falls just before peak season. Everything is open, but you’re not dealing with full summer tourism yet. That’s especially noticeable in popular cities and road-trip destinations, where May can feel calm compared to what’s coming a few weeks later.

May is also a good month to think about rhythm. It works well for trips where you want to combine a few things, cities and countryside, road trips with short stays, or culture mixed with nature. You are less likely to lose days due to bad weather or insane heat, which makes planning your trip easier.

Budget-wise, May often offers decent value. Prices usually start climbing towards summer, but they’re not always at their highest yet. Accommodation availability is better, and you’re less likely to feel forced into booking far in advance.

If you’re wondering where to travel in May, the safest bet is to pick places where spring or early summer conditions make daily travel enjoyable. May rewards destinations that rely on being outside, walking, and taking your time, rather than rushing from one sight to the next.

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Weather in May: what to realistically expect

May is one of the most comfortable months of the year when it comes to weather. It’s not extreme, which is exactly why it works so well for the best places to visit in May.

In much of Europe, May brings mild to warm temperatures and noticeably longer days. You can expect pleasant conditions for walking, sightseeing, and spending time outdoors without needing to constantly plan around heat or rain. Evenings are usually comfortable enough to sit outside, which makes a big difference to how a trip feels day to day.

In other parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia, May often falls just before the peak of summer or the rainy season. That means temperatures are rising, but not yet overwhelming, and weather patterns are generally stable. It’s a good month for destinations where being outside is a big part of the experience, whether that’s cities, nature, or road trips.

The best places to visit in May can still vary a bit. Some places are firmly in spring mode, others already feel like early summer. That’s why packing layers is usually a good idea, especially for trips that mix cities and countryside or involve moving between regions.

Overall, May is less about chasing perfect weather and more about enjoying consistency. You’re unlikely to deal with extreme conditions, which makes planning easier and gives you more freedom once you’re there.

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Best places to visit in May (based on our travels)

China

May is a really comfortable month to travel in China. Spring is well settled, temperatures are manageable, and moving around the country feels much easier than in summer.

Daytime temperatures usually range between 18–28°C (64–82°F), depending on the region. Cities such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, or even Beijing or Shanghai are warm without being stifling, and outdoor sightseeing is far more enjoyable than later in the year.

We lived in China for three years and travelled extensively in the spring. May was one of the best months for exploring cities, walking neighbourhoods, and visiting cultural sites without constantly hiding from the heat. Trains were easy to book, attractions were open, and travel felt smooth overall.

If you’re looking for good places to visit in May that work well for culture-heavy trips, China makes a lot of sense.

Read: All our articles about China

Turkey

Turkey is another one of the best places to visit in May. The weather is warm but not overwhelming, and the country feels lively without being crowded.

Expect temperatures around 20–28°C (68–82°F), depending on where you are. It’s ideal for walking, sightseeing, and moving between regions.

We travelled through Turkey in May and found it to be a great balance. Cities like Istanbul were comfortable to explore, coastal areas were warming up, and popular sights were far easier to enjoy than in peak summer. It’s a month where you can fit a lot into a trip without feeling rushed.

For us, Turkey is one of the best places to travel in May if you want variety without dealing with summer extremes.

Read: All our articles about Turkey

Czech Republic

May works really well for the Czech Republic, especially for city travel. Spring brings milder weather, longer days, and a more relaxed atmosphere compared to summer.

Temperatures usually sit around 15–22°C (59–72°F). It’s comfortable for walking all day in cities like Prague and spending time outside without needing to plan around weather too much.

We visited the Czech Republic in May and found it ideal for exploring cities on foot. Walking through historic areas was easy, cafés and parks were enjoyable, and the overall pace was calm. It’s a good month if you want to take your time and explore without crowds.

If you’re looking for where to travel in May within Europe, the Czech Republic fits very naturally.

Read: All our articles about Czech Republic

Israel

Israel is definitely one of the best places to visit in May, especially as it is right before the crazy summer heat comes to places like Jerusalem. The weather is already hot; it could be worse. Days are quite long, and travelling between regions is easy.

Expect temperatures around 22–30°C (72–86°F), depending on location. Coastal areas are warm and pleasant, while inland regions can be hotter but still manageable.

We travelled in Israel in May and found it a good time to combine cities, cultural sites (which are everywhere), and time outside. Long Walking days are realistic, even if a bit sweaty, and evenings are comfortable enough to stay out late. It’s a month that lets you see a lot without constantly adjusting plans for the heat.

For travellers wondering where to travel in May with a mix of culture, history, and variety, Israel works really well.

Read: All our articles about Israel

Is May a good month to travel?

Yes, and for many of the best places to visit in May, it’s one of the best months of the year.

May hits a sweet spot that’s hard to beat. The weather is generally comfortable, days are long, and most places are fully accessible again after winter. You can move around easily, spend long hours outside, and plan full days without worrying too much about heat or bad weather.

It’s also a great month if you like travelling without pressure. Popular destinations aren’t yet overwhelmed by summer crowds, which makes sightseeing more enjoyable and logistics simpler. Whether you’re exploring cities, moving between regions, or taking your time in one place, May gives you that flexibility.

Another advantage of May is variety. You can travel within Europe and enjoy spring conditions, or head further afield to destinations where early summer warmth makes daily travel easy. It’s a month that works for cultural trips, road trips, and places where walking and being outside are a big part of the experience.

If you’re wondering where to travel in May, the safest advice is to choose destinations that benefit from mild weather and longer days. May rarely disappoints when you follow the season instead of trying to rush into summer.