Where to go when guide
If you’re tied to school holidays, keen to miss the monsoon season or hoping to snag an off-season bargain, read our month-by-month guide on where to go on holiday when.
Where to go on holiday in May 2021
The days are getting longer and sunnier in Europe. It’s warm enough to get out on the water down south, or head into the hills for biking and hiking before it gets too hot. Japan is green, serene and ripe for walking at this time of year, and if you head up to Hokkaido you’ll find cherry blossom season still in swing. In Borneo, meanwhile, the dry season makes trekking in the jungle that much more comfortable. Where should you avoid? Southern India and Southeast Asia are humid, hot and wet at this time of year, while it’s rainy season in much of Central America and the Caribbean.
Our Best places to go on holiday in May Holidays
Southern Croatia cruise in comfort
Cruise Croatia's beautiful islands on a small cruise ship
From
£559 to £865
8 days
ex flights
Scotland by railway holiday
Experience authentic Scotland independently and car-free
From
£1135 to £1195
8 days
ex flights
Split to Dubrovnik Luxury cruise, Croatia
Cruise Split to Dubrovnik in luxury via Croatia's islands
From
£899 to £1599
8 days
ex flights
West Highland Line railway holiday in Scotland
Take the "The World's Best Rail Journey" to the Isle of Skye
From
£895 to £965
5 days
ex flights
Amalfi Coast walking holiday, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
£1249 to £1649
8 days
inc UK flights
Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes
Explore bustling cities, lush jungles and paradise beaches.
From
£1658
9 days
ex flights
Luxury gulet cruise in the Aegean
5 star services while cruising the Greek Islands in luxury
From
£1035 to £1359
8 days
ex flights
Activity holiday in Montenegro
An active villa holiday at stunning Lake Skadar, Montenegro
From
£645 to £745
7 days
ex flights
Japan self guided walking holiday, Nakasendo Trail
Self-guided walking along Japan’s ancient Nakasendo trail
From
£815 to £1475
5 days
ex flights
Croatian coast walking tours, self guided
A seven-day walking holiday on the Dalmatian coast — islands and Dubrovnik included
From
€595 to €750
7 days
ex flights
Kumano Kodo trail self guided walking holiday, Japan
Self guided walking on the Kumano Kodo Trail
From
£805 to £2480
6 days
ex flights
Blue whale watching in the Azores, Pico Island
Best time to see Blue Whales in the Azores
From
£890
7 days
ex flights
Self guided biking tour in Croatia
Explore the amazing island's coasts, medieval town on bike
From
€440 to €905
7 days
ex flights
Borneo tailor made tour on a shoestring
The Best of Borneo: Wildlife, Adventure, Idyllic Beaches
From
£1295
11 days
ex flights
Porto to Lisbon cycling holiday, self guided
Flat terrain tour along the coast
From
€1005 to €2005
8 days
ex flights
Luxury fitness holidays in Spain
Luxury weight loss, detox, fitness & wellness retreat Spain
From
£1145 to £1295
7 days
ex flights
Blue Whale tour in the Azores
Visit the Azores at the best time to see Blue Whales
From
£1190
7 days
ex flights
The Silk Road small group tour
Discover the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China
From
£2949 to £3199
15 days
inc UK flights
Spanish course & walking holiday, Picos de Europa, Spain
Walk and talk on this small group language holiday in Picos de Europa National Park
From
€659
7 days
ex flights
Algarve holiday accommodation
Enchanting agrotourism on 6 ha rural estate close to beach
From
€55 to €225
per accommodation per night
Croatia national parks walking holiday
Walking holiday in Croatia's beautiful national parks.
From
€670
8 days
ex flights
Highlights of Albania
Discover the emerging nation of Albania and it's secrets
From
£1144 to £1325
11 days
inc UK flights
Luxury small ship cruise in Croatia
Luxury small ship cruise through Croatia's Islands
From
£1175 to £1535
8 days
ex flights
Puglia small group tour, Italy
Puglia, whitewashed towns, traditional farmland and fine cuisine
From
£1449 to £1749
8 days
inc UK flights
Las Alpujarras walking holiday, Spain
Guided walking holiday, Andalucia, with writer Chris Stewart
From
€1295
8 days
ex flights
Whale watching in the Azores
Classic whale watching trip in the Azores archipelago
From
£610
7 days
ex flights
Arctic sailing voyages, Spitsbergen
Experience sailing in the fjords
From
€2640 to €5490
8 days
ex flights
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan small group tour
A comprehensive tour through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From
£2699 to £2749
20 days
ex flights
Azores
1. Azores
The winter and early spring rains have subsided come May, leaving the island lush, green and bursting with wildflowers. Plus, there are sunny skies and mild temperatures averaging 19°C that make for excellent hiking and biking. Out on the water, whale watching is in full swing.
Croatia
2. Croatia
Early summer sees the best of Croatia. It’s warm enough to swim in the sea and sunbathe, with temperatures in the mid-20°Cs , yet the school holiday crush has yet to appear, meaning you can enjoy the country’s historic cities and beaches and still have space to breathe.
Greece
3. Greece
May is one of the best months to go to Greece thanks to the abundance of wildflowers to be found in the countryside and warm but not scorching temperatures making it ideal for hikers and cyclists. Sailing season takes off around now too... although sea swimmers beware – the water’s still chilly.
Japan
4. Japan
The rainy season begins towards the end of May, however the rain is never extreme and the country is vibrant and green, bolstered further by the planting of paddy fields, a serene sight happening across the country this month. You may have missed blossom season in most of Japan but you can still go to Hokkaido in May for the full array.
Scotland
5. Scotland
May’s mild temperatures combined with the changing colours of nature as flowers begin to thrive mean this is an excellent time for outdoor activities, particularly hiking. Other than the highest peaks, the snow will have melted by now. It’s a bonus if you make it here for World Whisky Day, which takes place on the third Saturday of May each year.
Spain
6. Spain
May is a top month to visit Spain if you’re looking for warmth and fewer crowds along the coast, as well as good conditions for walking and biking. Northern regions around the Basque Country and Picos de Europa will still find changeable conditions, though, so make sure to pack rain gear and some warm jumpers.
Our top Best places to go on holiday in May Holiday
Southern Croatia cruise in comfort
Cruise Croatia's beautiful islands on a small cruise ship
From
£559 to £865
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 26 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct
2021: 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 26 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Best places to go on holiday in May or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
May holiday advice
We’ve spoken to our expert travel partners to find out where they recommend travelling in May. Here’s what they say…
Jeremy Spencer, from our partners Oku Japan, thinks May is a good time for plant lovers: “People think cherry blossom marks the end of spring, but I think it marks the end of winter. And most of Japan is still very dried out and brown when the cherry blossom is out at the end of March-April, which is the cherry blossom season. Whereas in May, new lush green growth is coming through.”
Georgina Howard, from our holiday specialist Pyrenean Experience, on visiting the Spanish Pyrenees in May: “In May you get midsummer pagan festivals and long, silvery nights. Our walking holidays run from May to mid-October. It’s a crunchy time – the ground crunches with walnuts, chestnuts and is slippery with acorns underfoot. The sheep are out, trying to eat the chestnuts before you can get to them. Everyone picks mushrooms from their secret mushroom patches –they’re out at 6am so no one sees where they go.”
More about Best places to go on holiday in May
This is a brilliant time to soak up the best of the European sun before the summer holiday crush, and further-flung jaunts offer everything from wildlife watching in Borneo to cruising down the Nile.
Take a look at our top 10 May holidays – chosen for their popularity with our travellers. There’s plenty of excitement on offer here, whether you want to watch whales in the Azores, negotiate Croatia by bike or improve your language skills in Northern Spain.
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