Best holiday destinations in May

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton

Deciding where to go in May for some deliciously hot and sunny weather? We have a great selection of destinations, from the starting-to-warm-up Med to the hot theme parks of Florida and other options in between.

Palma Nova, Majorca
Palma Nova, Majorca © Alexandre Rosa - Adobe Stock Image

Top five destinations to visit in May 2024 for the best weather

Although temperatures in the Mediterranean are still cool, it's the first month of the year when you can realistically plan a beach holiday close to home. Discover our favourite places, near and far, when it comes to choosing where to go in May for the best weather.

1. Cyprus

  • Flight time from London: 5 hours
  • Daily high: 26°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 10
  • Sea temperature: 20°C

Sitting in the eastern Med, which is quite a bit further south than the western edge, Cyprus is both warmer and sunnier than destinations such as the Canary Islands at this time of year.

Expect long sunny days at resorts along the south coast, from Paphos to Ayia Napa, with daytime temperatures in the mid-to-high twenties.

On the beach in Cyprus
On the beach in Cyprus © smikeymikey1 - Fotolia.com

Heat and humidity is low, so if you're planning on doing lots of outdoor activities it shouldn't be too hot, however, the sea is still a little cool to be thinking about a beach holiday. If this is on your mind, it may be worth the extra hour or so flight to the resorts of the Red Sea.

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2. Florida, USA

  • Flight time from London: 9.5 hours
  • Daily high: 29°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 10
  • Sea temperature: 27°C

Although the rainy season officially starts in Florida in May, don't be put off, as there's still plenty of sunshine and warm daytime temperatures, with just moderate heat and humidity.

In and around Miami the seas are beautifully warm, though be warned, the sun is already really strong so high factor sunscreen is essential.

Where to go on holiday in May
Where to go on holiday in May © sborisov - Fotolia.com

If it's the theme parks of Orlando you're heading for, it's normally hotter than the coast as it's inland and away from the cooling effect of the sea.

It can be slightly cloudier than southern Florida, but you should still see nine hours of sunshine and temperatures creeping just above 30°C on average.

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3. Majorca, Spain

  • Flight time from London: 2.5 hours
  • Daily high: 21°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 9
  • Sea temperature: 17°C

Whether you're looking for somewhere lively and loud or blissfully peaceful, the island of Majorca has it all.

From the party town of Magaluf to the secluded shores of Alcudia, and sophisticated town of Port de Pollenca, Majorca is a delightfully diverse destination.

Indulge in fine dining, shopping, and spa treatments or hit the great outdoors hiking, cycling or stand up paddle boarding.

Majorca in the spring
Majorca in the spring © Pkazmierczak - Adobe Stock Image

While days are warm with no heat and humidity to worry about, the sea is still a little on the cool side, so you may want to hunt for a hotel with a heated pool.

Evenings, too, can get chilly, dropping as low as 12°C, so pack an extra layer for after dusk. While the island doesn't bask in the kind of conditions that follow in summer, it's a thoroughly pleasant time to go with good weather and plenty to do.

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4. California, USA

  • Flight time from London: 11.5 hours
  • Daily high: 23°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 9

Looking to the west coast of America, California is beautiful in May with an abundance of spring sunshine.

It's also got a bit of everything, from expansive parks such as dramatic Yosemite, redwood-rich Sequoia and Kings Canyon (among many others), to bustling vibrant cities such as San Diego and San Francisco.

Arriving at Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Arriving at Yosemite National Park, California, USA © Dawn Endico - Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

As a general rule, temperatures are higher the further south and inland you go in the state, with Los Angeles hitting 23°C with nine hours of sunshine, compared with San Francisco, which peaks at about 18°C but with 11 hours of sunshine.

No holiday here is going to centre around swimming in the Pacific, which remains cold almost all year round. Instead, hit the trails, shops, restaurants, sights and activities of this colourful state.

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5. Antalya, Turkey

  • Flight time from London: 4.5 hours
  • Daily high: 25°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 10
  • Sea temperature: 20°C

Much like Cyprus, Turkey enjoys an early spring, and by May daytime temperatures are already warm with lots of sunshine, even more so than in the western Med.

The coastal resort of Antalya sees loads of sunshine and warm temperatures, although these do fall to the mid-teens overnight, so definitely pack an extra layer.

Heat and humidity is low during the day, making it a good time of year to get out and about exploring without it being too hot, which is a good thing as the sea isn't necessarily warm enough for everyone.

One of many hotels along the coast near Antalya, Turkey
One of many hotels along the coast near Antalya, Turkey © Castenoid - Fotolia.com

There's plenty to see and do in Antalya: consider visiting ancient ruins, natural mineral springs or, simply, enjoying a drink and some good food on the seafront. May is one of the quietest months in southern Turkey, so it's also relatively peaceful.

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Alternative destinations to visit in May 2024

As well as the five destinations above, there are a few other long haul options worth considering. While temperatures start to climb in Europe making it more accessible for UK holidaymakers, there are destinations further afield that also offer fabulous weather in May.

If you'd like to get up close and personal with wilderness, then consider a safari in Botswana.

It's a very comfortable time of year to visit, with highs of 25°C, no heat and humidity, only a slim chance of a shower and nine long hours of sunshine. It does get cold at night though, dropping to around 8°C, so cosy PJs recommended for sleeping out in the bush.

Game viewing in the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta
Game viewing in the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta © Tim Copeland - Flickr CC BY 2.0

If you're after somewhere in May that's seriously hot and sunny, look no further than Dubai. It's already heating up nicely by this time with daily highs of around 37°C and no less than 11 hours of sunshine.

The added element of very high heat and humidity sits on top of the high temperatures, often making it feel even hotter. The sea is positively balmy at 29°C and evenings are warm too, rarely dropping lower than 23°C.

This is a great holiday destination in May for those who like it hot and want to go somewhere with every amenity and facility. From massive malls to water parks, indoor skiing, kids' theme parks and much more, Dubai is a haven for luxury lovers and families with a little extra cash to splash.

Long Beach on the east coast of Mauritius
Long Beach on the east coast of Mauritius © Guillaume - Flickr CC BY 2.0

Our final destination is another that requires relatively deep pockets - the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It's less ferocious than Dubai at this time of year and perfect for a beach break.

Days peak at about 27°C with nine hours of sunshine and only moderate heat and humidity. The sea is warm at 26°C and there's only an outside chance you'll catch a passing rain shower. Go for the beaches, swimming, snorkelling, and general indulgence.

Whether you're guided by price, distance, climate or a mixture of all three, the good news is that by this time of year there are loads of great options close to home and further afield - it just depends what you want to see and do.

If you'd like to find out more, we have a detailed look at the weather in May in other popular destinations, and don't forget to see our latest holiday offers and May half term holiday deals from leading providers to help you get away for less.

Destination ideas for May 2024

  • Month: May
  • Daytime temperature: 22 - 28°C [remove]
  • Sunshine hours: 8 hours or more [remove]
  • Sea temperature: 25°C or warmer [remove]
  • Destination: Croatia [remove]

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Rank Rating Score Destination
1 Weather Score for Cavtat in May is 67% 67% Cavtat
  Weather Score for Jelsa in May is 67% 67% Jelsa
  Weather Score for Korcula in May is 67% 67% Korcula
  Weather Score for Loviste in May is 67% 67% Loviste
  Weather Score for Mlini in May is 67% 67% Mlini
  Weather Score for Plat in May is 67% 67% Plat
  Weather Score for Pomena in May is 67% 67% Pomena
  Weather Score for Postira in May is 67% 67% Postira
  Weather Score for Primosten in May is 67% 67% Primosten
  Weather Score for Sibenik in May is 67% 67% Sibenik
  Weather Score for Supetar in May is 67% 67% Supetar
  Weather Score for Vodice in May is 67% 67% Vodice
  Weather Score for Zadar in May is 67% 67% Zadar
14 Weather Score for Baska Voda in May is 61% 61% Baska Voda
  Weather Score for Bol in May is 61% 61% Bol
  Weather Score for Brela in May is 61% 61% Brela
  Weather Score for Drvenik in May is 61% 61% Drvenik
  Weather Score for Dubrovnik in May is 61% 61% Dubrovnik
  Weather Score for Hvar in May is 61% 61% Hvar
  Weather Score for Lopud in May is 61% 61% Lopud
  Weather Score for Novigrad in May is 61% 61% Novigrad
  Weather Score for Orasac in May is 61% 61% Orasac
  Weather Score for Orebic in May is 61% 61% Orebic
  Weather Score for Pag in May is 61% 61% Pag
  Weather Score for Porec in May is 61% 61% Porec
  Weather Score for Pucisca in May is 61% 61% Pucisca
  Weather Score for Pula in May is 61% 61% Pula
  Weather Score for Rab in May is 61% 61% Rab
  Weather Score for Ravni in May is 61% 61% Ravni
  Weather Score for Rovinj in May is 61% 61% Rovinj
  Weather Score for Slano in May is 61% 61% Slano
  Weather Score for Split in May is 61% 61% Split
  Weather Score for Stari Grad in May is 61% 61% Stari Grad
  Weather Score for Trogir in May is 61% 61% Trogir
  Weather Score for Umag in May is 61% 61% Umag
  Weather Score for Vrsar in May is 61% 61% Vrsar

Metric (°C / mm)  |  Imperial (°F / inches)

Where to go on holiday for the best weather

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Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton is Weather2Travel.com's editor. Kirsten writes, commissions and edits our travel features, liaising with our contributors and ensuring copy is spick-and-span. A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Kirsten also freelances writing articles on travel, history and the outdoors for titles such as Scotland Magazine and BBC Travel.

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