Spring is on the way out but summer hasn’t yet found its feet, making May a great month to travel. Whether you’re traveling in the US or further afield, the best places to visit in May balance the best of both seasons.
Flight and hotel prices haven’t yet reached their summer peak, meaning you can travel for less – or longer. Temperatures are climbing across the Northern Hemisphere, opening up interesting new places to visit, especially in Europe.
In the US, Memorial Day turns the country red, white, and blue in commemoration on the last Monday in May. And there are many more colorful and vibrant festivals and events kicking off around the world. Here I’ve selected 12 of my favorite destinations for some vacation inspiration.
Budget on your mind? Jump to KAYAK’s data-backed picks based on popularity, flight, and hotel prices.
Best places to visit in May in Asia
Magical spring landscapes and intoxicating festivals turn Asia into a panoply of color, music, and natural wonder in May. If you’re happy to fly long haul, magical experiences await.
1. Punākha Valley, Bhutan
- Why visit in May? See the spring flowers bloom against a Himalayan backdrop.
The country that inspired me to become a travel writer, Bhutan is the last of the great Himalayan kingdoms. It’s also one of the best places to travel in May when the valleys come to life with spring flowers.
The warmest and most picturesque is Punākha Valley, famed for the tiers of rice paddies blanketing its floor and slopes. Framing it all in the distance are the jaw-dropping peaks of the Himalaya Mountains. Trek through it and you can explore the mighty Pho and Mo Chhu Rivers and at their confluence, the imposing Punākha Dzong.
The journey from the capital Thimphu (where you’ll fly into) is long but extraordinary. A local bus follows a winding route up over the Dochula Pass where you can stop to photograph many of the world’s tallest mountains. Be warned though, the bus is affectionately known as the “vomit comet” for its tendency to turn passengers’ stomachs. If you get travel sick, bring medication!
Note to visit, you’ll need a visa and will have to pay a Sustainable Development Fee of $100 a day. Worth every penny.
2. Tokyo, Japan
- Learn more: Tokyo travel guide
- Why visit in May? Join the party at the Sanja Matsuri festival.
Over the weekend of May 17th to 19th, Tokyo goes wild with one of its biggest Shinto festivals, Sanja Matsuri. Huge parades, live music, and masses of people dressed in traditional costumes all fill the streets.
Held in the Asakasura district, it celebrates the three founders of the Sensoji Temple. Elaborate portable shrines are paraded along Asakasura’s streets bringing luck to the businesses and residents there. Food stalls cook up local delicacies, festival games make for great entertainment and the whole thing is soundtracked by Japanese drums and flutes.
Intoxicating and unique, it’s a window into local culture that makes Japan a great place to vacation in May.
Best places to visit in Europe in May
Europe’s great cities are at their very best in late spring. Days lengthen and evenings turn warm. Al fresco dining returns and streets erupt in life. Here are my picks for the best places to vacation in May in Europe.
3. Barcelona, Spain
- Learn more: Barcelona travel guide
- Why visit in May? Stroll warm spring streets on the trail of Gaudí.
My favorite city in the world comes alive in the late spring and is one of the best places to visit in Europe in May. With temperatures warm but not yet too hot, it’s the ideal time to wander the city, laze on its beaches, and dine outdoors.
The Sagrada Familia and the Park Güell both fall into that often overused ‘must visit’ attraction category, but each will take your breath away. The views over Barcelona from the latter only add to its magic.
Spend your afternoons in the city exploring the grand avenues of Eixample and the tiny backstreets of the Gothic Quarter. Take sundowners and tapas on one of the city’s nine beaches at a Chiringuito beach bar. And don’t miss an evening in Can Paixano, an old Barceloneta-style tavern as renowned for its delicious cava and tapas as for its flamboyant and rambunctious clientele.
4. Cannes, France
- Learn more: Cannes travel guide
- Why visit in May? Mingle with the stars at the Cannes Film Festival.
May in Cannes means only one thing: the Cannes Film Festival. One of the world’s most prestigious and glamorous celebrations of all things movies. It runs for 11 days from the 14th to the 25th and is a magnet for the rich and powerful.
If you fancy rubbing shoulders with Hollywood legends, head to the Palais des Festivals where the big screenings take place. Access to the famed red-carpeted steps outside the Lumière Theatre is free. Be prepared to get there early though to get a decent spot.
It’s not unheard of for very (very) well-dressed members of the public to be invited into screenings to fill empty seats. Don your finest threads and good luck!
5. London, UK
- Learn more: London travel guide
- Why visit in May? Make the most of multiple spring bank holidays.
May is Bank Holiday month in England. That means extra days off, people out celebrating, and lots of events. Indeed, KAYAK data shows London to be one of the most popular destinations at this time of year.
World-renowned but perhaps not on every visitor’s radar is the Chelsea Flower Show. Running from the 21st to the 25th of May this year, the Chelsea Flower Show is a spectacle of all things horticulture. Artists, celebrities, and gardeners from around the world create unique and extraordinary gardens and floral displays. This year it’s all about sustainability – showcasing responsible and innovative techniques and technologies.
My highlight is the WaterAid Garden from designer Tom Massey and architect Je Ahn. Imagining the garden of the future, it explores how water management and resilient planting can help everyday gardeners deal with climate change. Best to buy your tickets online in advance as they can sell out.
6. The Azores, Portugal
- Why visit in May? Surf deserted beaches and the chance to hike precipitous volcanoes.
Although part of Portugal, the Azores are an otherworldly archipelago of nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. A thousand miles off the Portuguese coast, they look like the setting for a dinosaur movie. Visiting is like stepping off the face of the world into another time.
A verdant wonderland of volcanic craters offering extraordinary hikes and deserted beaches with world-class surf, they’re rightfully known as the Hawaii of Europe. Direct flights to the island of São Miguel and Terceira from the US east coast take just five hours. Or you can combine it with a trip to mainland Portugal, where flights go regularly from Lisbon.
On São Miguel, be sure to jump into the thermal pools at Furnas Valley. Rich in minerals from a dormant volcano, they’re thought to have healing powers for a range of maladies.
Best places to visit in May in the US
From Mother’s Day to Memorial Day, May in the US pops with celebrations of hope and love.
7. Cape Cod, Massachusetts, US
- Why visit in May? Revel in the wilds of nature before the crowds arrive.
The peninsula of Cape Cod and the cluster of islands off its shores are lovely places to visit in May. It’s the go-to destination for the East Coast jet set come summer. But in May you can wander its pristine beaches and dine in its fine restaurants before the masses arrive.
Explore the picturesque lighthouses, cranberry bogs, and endless sands of Outer Beach in the wild Cape Cod National Seashore. If the weather’s warm enough, you could even brave a swim.
Hunger awoken, head to Skipper Chowder House for unrivaled fried clams, chowder, and beach views. One of the best places to visit in May in the US, you’ll find plenty of direct flights from major airports across the country.
8. Greenville, South Carolina, US
- Learn more: Greenville travel guide
- Why visit in May? Celebrate Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.
Rich in creativity and the culture of Americana, visiting Greenville is like being embraced by the best of the US. May sees its calendar of outdoor events awaken from hibernation – warm, welcoming celebrations for all the family.
Most of the action centers around quaint, tree-lined Main Street. A mile-and-a-half stretch of local eateries, boutiques, and hotels, eminently walkable but also served by a free trolley. Here you can enjoy weekly farmer’s markets, movies in the park at dusk, and free concerts for young and old.
The weekend of Mother’s Day, May 10 to 12th will see the Artisphere festival take over the town. Some 135 galleries pop up to showcase artists from around the world. Live demonstrations from glass blowers and chalk artists, and performances by dance troops and musicians line the streets.
Things are just as lively over Memorial Day Weekend with the launch of Greenville’s own Scottish Games – Gallabrae. Competitions and events, dancing in the streets and a sea of BBQ to gorge on await. Kilts are, happily, optional.
9. Washington D.C., US
- Learn more: Washington D.C. travel guide
- Why visit in May? Pay your patriotic respects on Memorial Day.
There’s nowhere more heart-stirring to spend Memorial Day than the nation’s capital. Make a long weekend of it to really get to the heart of the stories that define America’s military history.
At Arlington National Cemetery, pay tribute to 400,000 fallen military personnel and their families. Visit the moving World War II Memorial and walk the extraordinary Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. On Monday the 27th, the city erupts in patriotism in pageantry, awash in red, white, and blue for the National Memorial Day Parade.
The largest in the US, the parade makes its way down Constitution Avenue. Along the way, it shares the story of American military service and sacrifice in grand, fitting style. The event draws hundreds of thousands to the capital to pay their respects. Expect huge crowds and an atmosphere like nowhere else.
Best places to visit in May to enjoy nature
Be it the Caribbean, South America or Africa, the natural world puts on an epic springtime show in May. On land, in the ocean, or both – pick your preferred landscape and just go!
10. The Bahamas
- Why visit in May? Swim with pigs before crowds get in the way.
White sand beaches, bright blue skies, and only the lightest of breezes – the Bahamas are one of the best places to vacation in May. Before storm season arrives, the weather finds its perfect balance – hot but not humid, calm with no threat of hurricanes. Summer crowds have yet to fill hotels and beaches and the waters are blissfully still and warm.
Whatever you do, don’t miss the world-famous swimming pigs at Big Major Cay. Fifty miles from Georgetown on the island of Great Exuma, you can only reach the pigs by boat but booking a trip to see them is quick and easy.
11. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Why visit in May? Let the sheer force of nature refresh your spirit and senses.
Get a taste of Blue Zone living in the spectacular jungles, mountains, beaches, and waterfalls of the Nicoya peninsula. My preferred base is the gorgeous village of Montezuma close to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Here you can spend your days lazing, swimming, and wildlife spotting on its white sand beaches. It’s the Costa Rica you see splashed across brochures brought to life in blissful perfection.
Hike to Montezuma Waterfall just south of the village, but don’t be distracted by the small falls at the start. Keep going to the higher falls for the best show and fewer people. Later, reserve a beach table for dinner at Playa de los Artistas for delicious fresh food, cool cocktails, and sand between your toes while you dine.
12. Serengeti, Tanzania
- Why visit in May? Get your mind blown watching the greatest migration on Earth.
There is no bad time to go on safari in Tanzania. But if you want to elevate one of the great travel experiences even further, visit during the great wildebeest migration. It is one of nature’s most magnificent sights.
Visiting in May gives you a great chance to catch the start of the migration, although it’s not guaranteed. Depending on the season’s rainfall, the wildebeests’ 500-mile trek usually starts between late April and early June. From the birthing and feeding ground of the southeastern Serengeti, they move north through the Moru Kopjes. This is the area to focus on.
And if you don’t catch the migration, don’t worry. Head to Arusha and hike up or fly over Mount Kilimanjaro. Or make for the Ngorongoro Crater and explore the wildlife of the world’s largest intact (thankfully inactive) volcanic crater.
Data-backed picks from KAYAK
If seasonal events aren’t on your wish list, why not consider one of the below destinations? These destinations are based on KAYAK flight and hotel data, taking into account budget, weather, and popularity (so you can avoid the crowds). For personalized recommendations based on your location and chosen destination check out the Best Time to Travel tool.
| Destination | Country | Avg. flight price | Avg. hotel price | Avg. temp | Avg. precipitation | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | US | $341 | $176 | 64℉ | 0 '' | low |
| San Diego | US | $377 | $267 | 64℉ | 0 '' | medium |
| Orlando | US | $287 | $154 | 77℉ | 3 '' | low |
| Honolulu | US | $715 | $281 | 77℉ | 1 '' | medium |
| Fort Lauderdale | US | $298 | $210 | 79℉ | 5 '' | low |
| Palma de Mallorca | ES | $1,123 | $104 | 64℉ | 1 '' | high |
| San Francisco | US | $396 | $418 | 57℉ | 1 '' | medium |
| Miami | US | $344 | $198 | 81℉ | 5 '' | low |
| Cancún | MX | $453 | $266 | 84℉ | 4 '' | low |
| Seattle | US | $420 | $259 | 55℉ | 2 '' | medium |
| Lisbon | PT | $1,128 | $140 | 63℉ | 2 '' | high |
| Tampa | US | $285 | $240 | 79℉ | 2 '' | low |
| London | GB | $947 | $198 | 54℉ | 2 '' | medium |
| Singapore | SG | $1,447 | $128 | 82℉ | 7 '' | low |
| Dubai | AE | $1,084 | $91 | 86℉ | 0 '' | low |
| Fukuoka | JP | $1,265 | $117 | 66℉ | 3 '' | low |
| Istanbul | TR | $1,258 | $97 | 61℉ | 1 '' | medium |
| Bangkok | TH | $1,340 | $49 | 86℉ | 8 '' | low |
| Porto | PT | $1,100 | $140 | 59℉ | 4 '' | high |
| Key West | US | $504 | $395 | 81℉ | 3 '' | medium |
The following information refers to the destinations listed in the table.
Recommendation ranking within table:
Our recommendation ranking of where to go is calculated based on average flight prices, average hotel prices, popularity, average temperature, and average precipitation. Flight prices, hotel prices, popularity, and precipitation constitute inverse factors, the less the better. Average temperature optimal values are taken as the median for the destination, and a difference is calculated for the month from this reference point. The smaller the difference the more desirable the city is to visit in this month. This temperature factor is weighed double as much as popularity and precipitation.
Flight and hotel prices:
Average prices are estimated from KAYAK internal data from search period ‘2023-11-01’ to ‘2024-01-15’ for travel period ‘2024-05’. Flight prices include economy class return trips for one traveler, and hotel prices represent 3 stars or below hotels’ nightly rates for a standard double room. Price insights are subject to vary depending on the exact departure airport and over time as travel dates are approaching.
Popularity:
Monthly crowd estimates for each destination are determined by internal flight and hotel search data. This incorporates the latest historical insights from the past year collected on ‘2024-01-15’. For each destination, this popularity estimate is pulled for the particular month to gauge where it might not be too crowded.
Weather (average monthly temperature and precipitation):
Weather data is pulled from a third-party site, Weatherbase, and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data is based on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in real-time from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.
Discover more great places to travel
If you don’t want to wait until May, this year April is putting on quite the show with a total solar eclipse. Get the lowdown on where to see it with my guide to the best places to travel in April. Or if you’re holding out for warmer weather, June and July may be better months to search for vacation ideas.
Whenever you choose to travel, KAYAK Explore and travel guides are packed with destinations to inspire your next vacation. To book brilliant deals with ease, KAYAK is the place for flights, car rental, and accommodation.
