Best places to go on holiday in May

We’ve gathered together the best places to go on holiday in May. Arctic cruises will be one of your top chances for icy vistas at this time of year – the rest of Europe is defrosting, warming up for outdoor activities before the heat sets in. Safari season in many African countries starts up around now, too.

Home\Where to go when

Best places to go on holiday in May

Arctic cruises begin in May. The earlier you get there, the more pristine the snowscapes will be – and the bigger the icebergs. Central and Northern Europe are warming up, too, reeling in sun-seeking hikers. Further south, towards the Balkans, it’s a great time to be out on a small ship cruise or kayaking holiday. It’s the final bell for cherry blossom in Japan; meanwhile, safari season in some African countries is just beginning.

Keep reading to discover the best places to go on holiday in May.

See all our Where to go when Holidays

Give us a call

Our Where to go when Holidays

Africa

This is your last call for Egyptian Nile cruises in temperatures below boiling point. Madagascar is lush and green following the recent rainy season. This is also your last chance to visit Morocco before the summer heat really kicks in. Namibia and Botswana’s landscapes are still fresh from the rainy season, but you’ll have clear skies and plenty of wildlife. It’s chilly at night, though, especially in the desert.

The Americas & Caribbean

Despite the greater chance of rain, the Galapagos Islands shelter under calmer seas and warmer weather. You’ll also miss the busy family holiday season. May is the start of the dry season in Peru, but the winter chill hasn’t yet kicked in; we think this is a great time to travel. Plus, it’s still outside the school holidays, so there will be more Inca Trail permits available.

Asia

Borneo can be visited year-round, but this is the driest season, making it the best time for visiting the orangutan rainforests and Mount Kinabalu. You’ll catch the best of the weather in China in May. The north has thawed from the winter chill, while the summer heat and humidity hasn’t yet kicked in in the south. This is peak season for tiger safaris in India and Nepal. The climate may be unpleasantly hot, but this is the key, as the tigers search in the open for water. Most of the cherry blossom might’ve dropped in Japan, but it’s still going strong on northerly Hokkaido island. Just watch out for Golden Week, when the Japanese holiday books out hotels months in advance. May is a great time to travel the Silk Road through the ‘Stans, especially for photographers after green hills and wildflowers. This is the best all-round month for Sri Lanka. You’ll miss the summer and winter monsoon seasons, and there’s plenty of wildlife visible in Yala National Park.

Europe

Some Arctic cruises begin now. Croatia, Italy, Greece, southern Portugal and Turkey have great weather for cycling, hiking or water-based activities, and you’ll avoid the summer crowds. Small ship cruising really gets the wind in its sails in May, too. Norway has some lovely mild weather in May, along with very long daylight hours and few other visitors. Whale watching season in the Portuguese Azores islands is well underway, coinciding with the baleen whale migration. Spring flowers have officially sprung, too. In Scotland, birds are showing off for their prospective partners, so you’ve got a better chance of spotting them. The mozzies (and other tourists) are only just starting to emerge. This is a gorgeous time to visit Catalonia in Spain – you’ll avoid the summer heat, humidity and crowds, and bag some deals on flights. The weather is also great for more active cycling and walking holidays. There’s still time to get active in Andalucia before the summer heat kicks in, too, and the Picos de Europa gets pleasant weather for exploring. Head to Sweden or Finland for long days, warmer weather and lower prices. May is a great time for activities such as walking, cycling or kayaking. You’ll skip the summer mosquito season, too.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Where to go when or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Where not to travel in May

This is peak rain in Kenya and Tanzania. Wildlife disperses, some lodges and roads in remote areas will close, and it’s a bad time to attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya.

This is the cyclone/monsoon season across mainland Southeast Asia. Some regions are also unbearably hot and humid, and the Mekong Delta may flood, causing travel disruption.

Need some help? Give us a call

More about Where to go when

Where to go on holiday & 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.

Best places to go on holiday in January

Read about the best places to go on holiday in January. Southeast Asia is in the middle of dry season, while in Northern Europe it's your chance to see the Northern Lights.

Best places to go on holiday in February

We’ve trawled temp charts, booking trends and asked experts to find the best places to go on holiday in February. Will it be monsoon-free Southeast Asia or yoga in Spain?

Best places to go on holiday in March

Wondering where’s the best place to go on holiday in March? Read our guide to find out where the rains are starting, where it's sunny, and which mountains still have snow.

Best places to go on holiday in April

We’ve answered the conundrum of where to go on holiday in April. Japan is the golden child, thanks to cherry blossom season, but sunny Southern Europe is also warming up.

Best places to go on holiday in June

It really is a case of sun, sand and sea when thinking about the best places to go on holiday in June: hikers and sailors explore the coastlines and islands of Europe.

Best places to go on holiday in July

Where are the best places to go on holiday in July? Wildlife migrations make Africa tempting, or you can spend long days hiking, sailing and kayaking at top of the world.

Best places to go on holiday in August

The best places to go on holiday in August depend on how you feel about the crowds. Safaris are popular around now and it can be a great time for a small ship cruise.

Best places to go on holiday in September

We lay out the best places to go on holiday in September. There’s a lot of choice, from small ship cruises around the Mediterranean to safari season in southern Africa.

Best destinations for an October holiday

Read our guide for ideas about the best places to go on holiday in October. It's one of the best months for small ship cruises and it’s cool enough for activity holidays.

Best places to go on holiday in November

We’ve cherry-picked the best places to go on holiday in November. Antarctic voyages are back on the cards and it’s a good time to brave the rains in some African countries.

Best places to go on holiday in December

December is the month to choose to step into Christmas or escape the sound of Jingle Bells. Read our guide for advice on the best places to go on holiday in December.