May is a great time to get some holiday sunshine. It’s part of shoulder season, so travel tends to be cheaper, destinations are quieter and it’s before the school summer holidays. While the British weather can still be up and down, travelling somewhere that’s hot in May can be a welcome way to start your summer early.
1. Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam’s vibrant, bustling capital city is almost always warm in May.
It’s the last month of spring, so temperatures are starting to rise. There’s also a little more rainfall – meaning tourist numbers are starting to tail off. But don’t be put off by the increased chance of showers. There’s still plenty of sunshine and lots of opportunities to stroll around the city. Pull up a stool and tuck into street food like pho bo (noodle soup), banh cuon (filled rice flour pancakes) and banh mi (spicy filled baguette).
In May, the warm and pleasant temperature makes exploring the city’s beautiful parks and outdoor spaces a joy. Take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the capital, or get out of the city with a weekend boat tour around spectacular Ha Long Bay. If you’re in town on Thursday 23 May 2024, you can join in with Vesak Day festivities. This joyful event celebrates the birth of Buddha, and features colourful processions and religious ceremonies.
2. Bali, Indonesia
Known for its lush greenery, stunning beaches and peaceful spiritual retreats, Bali is an excellent choice for a sunny May holiday.
In fact, May is the hottest month on the island, with the weather consistently dry and sunny. It’s ideal for getting out and exploring the great outdoors. When you’re not soaking up the sun on famous beaches like Kuta, Seminyak and Jimbaran, lace up your trainers and head out on a hike.
Popular trekking spots include Ubud, where trails like the Campuhan Ridge Walk give you an insight into the rural rice paddies. Another must-do is the Munduk Waterfall trek. It takes 3-4 hours, so it’s worth waking up early to miss the hottest part of the day. At the end you can cool off with a dip in the crystal clear pools underneath the falls themselves.
If you’re planning your own Eat, Pray, Love this year, Bali is a great place to go. The first weekend of May is when the Bali Spirit Festival takes place, where hundreds of thousands of like-minded people gather to dance, meditate and spread positivity.
3. Algarve, Portugal
Visiting the Algarve in May gives you the best of everything.
It’s sufficiently warm to bask on the famous beaches, but mild enough to explore historic attractions and hiking trails. Party animals flock to the vibrant clubs and bars that reopen at this time of year. And, because it’s still shoulder season, there are fewer crowds than in the height of summer.
When you’re not soaking up the sun on soft, sandy beaches like Praia do Barril, Praia da Rocha and Praia da Gale, it’s well worth popping on your trainers and heading inland. From the town of Monchique you’ll find plenty of cork tree lined walking trails heading up into the hills. If you’d rather stay near the coast, you can tackle the rugged Seven Hanging Valleys clifftop trail in Lagoa.
May is also a good time to try your hand at water sports. Lagos, in the Western Algarve, is an ideal base for those wanting to try playing in Portugal’s famous Atlantic waves. Or you could just get your adrenaline pumping at local water park, Slide & Splash, which is open from April to November.
Delve into some culture with visits to the region’s historic towns. Silves is full of medieval charm, and has lots of great places to eat. Don’t miss marketplace restaurants like Churrasqueira Valdemar, where barbecue pros grill piri piri chicken and sardines over an open flame.
Where else is hot in May?
May is an great time of year to soak up some sun.The Northern Hemisphere is starting to properly heat up, while destinations in the south are starting to cool off from the heights of summer. Heading to the Mediterranean takes you to places far warmer than the UK, while destinations around the equator will bring you some real heat. Think of the Caribbean, North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Because it’s just before summer gets into full swing, May is considered ‘shoulder season’. This means that flights and hotels will be less crowded, and a bit cheaper to boot.
| Country | City | Average temperature in May |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Bangkok | 34°C / 93°F |
| Vietnam | Hanoi | 32°C / 89°F |
| Morocco | Marrakech | 29°C / 84°F |
| Mauritius | Grand Baie | 28°C / 82°F |
| Cyprus | Limassol | 26°C / 82°F |
| Indonesia | Bali | 28°C / 82°F |
| Portugal | Faro | 18°C / 64°F |
| Oman | Muscat | 40°C / 104°F |
| Costa Rica | San Jose | 26°C / 82°F |
Can’t wait until May?
If you need some sun in your bones earlier than May, have a look at where’s hot in April – especially if you fancy a trip to Tenerife, Croatia or Malta. Just make sure you check out our latest deals.
Where’s hot in May FAQs
There are plenty of options for beach holidays in May. For maximum heat, head close to the equator. For example Grand Baie in Mauritius, with its white sandy beaches and lively resorts. Closer to home, head to Limassol in Cyprus or the Algarve in Portugal.
There are lots of cheap flights from the UK to Italy in May. Northern cities like Milan are starting to get warmer, and make an excellent base for beachy breaks in Lake Como and Lake Garda. Spain and Portugal are also cheap to fly to in May, particularly Barcelona and Faro (the Algarve).
