Best holiday destinations for May including where it’s hot and sunny

With two bank holiday weekends and a half term break, May offers up plenty of opportunities for a holiday.

Plus, spring is in full swing and summer is fast approaching, meaning that there are plenty of destinations where you can find hot and sunny weather. Still, the weather may be balmy but it's still cool enough to get plenty of sightseeing done.

For example, there can be gloriously sunny days in the likes of the Greek Islands or Canary Islands, while those looking to go further afield will be spoiled for choice with the likes of South Africa, Peru and Australia worth having on the radar.

To help you narrow it down, we've taken a look at some of the best holiday destinations for May – and where to look if you're after some bargains.

Check out our top picks below…

1. Greek Islands

Come May, temperatures in the Greek Islands tend to average around 23C, making for ideal weather to check out the beaches, eat outside and do some hiking through the breathtaking landscapes.

Santorini can be a popular spot as the temperatures are rising but the prices aren't soaring quite as quickly – and its hills and white-washed villages can be idyllic when you're not battling the summer heatwaves.

Not sure which island to visit first? Our Greek Islands guide has plenty of handy tips for choosing the right one for you. Meanwhile, Julia Bradbury's latest show offered up heaps of inspiration including some lesser-known spots that intrepid explorers are sure to love.

2. Orlando

Orlando isn't a budget-friendly destination, but if you're tied to the school holidays then May half term can be one of the best times as the weather is hot and sunny but not unbearable.

If the theme parks are on your radar, then you may want to check out our guides for finding deals to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios .

It's also worth keeping an eye out on websites such as Attraction Tickets where you can find deals on combo tickets to both resorts, while Picniq can be a good spot for day ticket discounts.

If you're after bargain stays, the likes of IceLolly can be useful for comparing prices if you can be flexible with travel dates, while Teletext Holidays can often have handy bargains.

3. Croatia

Croatia has an abundance of brilliant things to see and do , whether you're looking to explore its incredible national parks , take a trip to its pretty islands , lay out on the beautiful beaches or discover the best of its cities .

Speaking of cities, we've got dedicated guides to hotspots including Dubrovnik , Split , Zadar and Sibenik , as well as party island Hvar .

In May the average temperatures are still a little cool at around 19C but the weather tends to be dry and sunny, so it can be an ideal time to go exploring.

Not sure where you'd want to visit? Croatia cruises can be a great way of getting a taster of a number of hotspots – Mirror Cruise has some discounted packages including drinks deals and free cabin upgrades.


  • How to find cheap holidays to Croatia for 2019 including top deals

4. Canary Islands

Each of the islands offers something pretty different – from family beach holidays to rugged landscapes for explorers – so to help you pick the right one, we've put together a Canary Islands guide .

In May the weather tends to be dry and sunny, with average temperatures at 23C, so it can be ideal weather if you're looking to explore the attractions, go on leisurely strolls and even, on the warmer days, make the most of those glorious beaches.

Loveholidays , TUI and Lastminute.com can be good sources for cheap Canary Islands holidays, while if it's all-inclusive that you're after it's worth keeping an eye out for deals on First Choice .

5. South Africa

South Africa can be pretty dreamy in May. For a start it's the beginning of dry season, so if you're thinking of going on safari and want to spot the wildlife, this can be a good time to plan a trip.

However, while the day temperatures average around 21C, in the mornings and nights it can be cold so make sure to pack plenty of layers.

There's heaps to explore too – Cape Town alone has heaps of brilliant things to see and do from its beautiful Table Mountain to Boulder's Beach where you'll see plenty of penguins.

Thinking of making a wider trip of it? South Africa's Garden Route can make for a pretty unforgettable getaway. 


  • Love Island style villas in Cape Town you can book with amazing pools and views

6. Norwegian Fjords

While the peak season to visit the Fjords tends to fall between June and September, if you're not a fan of crowds then May can be ideal.

Pack some layers as the weather can be quite cool, although it's usually dry and sunny making for some pretty incredible views.

Speaking of incredible views – there's a reason why the fjords are hailed as one of the best things to visit in Norway . Think awe-inspiring mountains and valleys, ethereal waterfalls and heaps of picture-perfect backdrops.

There are also plenty of brilliant cruises that offer a unique way of exploring the landscapes – the likes of Fred Olsen and Mirror Cruise offer a wide array of itineraries.

7. The USA – the west coast

The USA's west coast tends to be popular in the summer – meaning you can face crowds of tourists amidst the high temperatures.

Head in May and you'll find that the temperatures are a little cooler, but still warm, and the crowds a lot smaller.

Los Angeles and San Diego have balmy temperatures of 24C, ideal if you're planning to explore the cities' best sightseeing spots, while San Francisco has averages of 18C but with its very hilly location, you may be grateful if you're hoping to explore on foot.

Oh, and if the Grand Canyon has always been on your bucket list, May can be an ideal time to visit if you don't want to be jostling through crowds to take in those beautiful views.

8. Peru

Peru's dry season kicks off in May, and with average temperatures of around 22C in the daytime it can be an ideal season to come and explore the sights – including the iconic Machu Picchu.

But it's not all about the 15th century Incan citadel. The country is filled with beautiful landmarks, bustling cities and historic hotspots – to help you narrow it down, we've put together a guide to some of Peru's best things to see and do .

There are plenty of travel firms that offer holidays with escorted tours – Mercury Holidays , Hayes and Jarvis , and Saga Holidays can be good sources for brilliant and unique itineraries.

If you've been considering a city break in Canada, then May can be an ideal time for the likes of Toronto and Vancouver. The weather won't be hot, but it will be dry and sunny.

Not sure where you'd want to go first? We asked Air Transat's cabin crew to share their insider tips on their favourite Canadian cities, from the best places to eat to the sights you absolutely won't want to miss.

We've also got plenty of Canadian destination guides to the likes of Ottawa , Alberta , Halifax and British Columbia .

Meanwhile, Canadian Affair can be a good source for cheap packages, while Air Transat often hosts sales on direct flights from the UK.

10. Australia

May marks the end of autumn in Australia, so temperatures are cooler, with winter creeping in in some hotspots.

However, if you're not interested in the hot and sunny summer temperatures, then it can be an ideal time to come and explore Australia's incredible cities, or go hiking among some of the picturesque landscapes.

Want to go exploring but don't know where to start? We've got a guide to the best things to see and do in Australia to get you started.

TrailFinders and Kuoni can be handy sources for finding dreamy holiday packages and escorted tours.

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