Where to go in May for sun? In May, the three safest destinations for sunshine are Greece, the Canary Islands and Bali. Greece and the Canaries for a short trip, with dry weather and prices still moderate, Bali for tropical heat at the start of the dry season.
May is a favourable shoulder-season month: the Mediterranean warms up without oppressive heat, the southern Indian Ocean and Indonesia enter their dry season, and most destinations are not yet in high season. On the other hand, the monsoon is arriving in part of South Asia. Here are 12 destinations ranked using official climate normals, with what can disappoint for each.
Where to go in May: key facts
- Sun and heat: Bali, Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion
- Europe and the Mediterranean: Greece, Croatia, Albania, Andalusia, Madeira, Canary Islands
- Culture and cities: Japan (after Golden Week), Seville, Athens, Edinburgh
- Low budget: Albania, Canary Islands, Mauritius (low prices in May)
- Best avoided: Sri Lanka (west coast), Maldives, Thailand, the Nile Valley
Comparison: the climate of 12 destinations in May
| Destination | Average high (May) | Average rain (May) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece (Athens) | 24.4 °C (76 °F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | Islands, ancient sites |
| Croatia (Split) | 23.4 °C (74 °F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | Coast, islands, parks |
| Madeira (Funchal) | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | Hiking, flowers |
| Canary Islands (Tenerife) (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) | 24.8 °C (77 °F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | Gentle sunshine |
| Albania (Tirana) | 23.8 °C (75 °F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | Low budget, nature |
| Andalusia (Seville) | 28.2 °C (83 °F) | 33.9 mm (1.3 in) | Cities, heritage |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 23.6 °C (74 °F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | Culture, cities |
| Bali (Denpasar) | 33.1 °C (92 °F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | Beach, rice terraces |
| Seychelles (Mahé) (Victoria) | 30.9 °C (88 °F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | Beach, diving |
| Mauritius (Port Louis) | 29.3 °C (85 °F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | Beach, good value |
| Réunion (Saint-Denis) | 27.6 °C (82 °F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | Hiking |
| Scotland (Edinburgh) | 14.9 °C (59 °F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | Road trip, cool weather |
These figures are averages over several decades: any given year can be drier or wetter. Rainfall totals do not tell the whole story: 150 mm (5.9 in) falling in short late-afternoon showers is less of a nuisance than continuous drizzle.
Where to go in May on a budget
This second table ranks the destinations from cheapest to most expensive, with a rough low-budget cost on the ground per person per day, excluding flights. Flight prices are not shown: they vary too much with the booking date and your departure airport.
| Destination | Low-budget cost on the ground (per person per day, excluding flights, roughly) |
|---|---|
| Bali (Denpasar) | $35 to $80 |
| Albania (Tirana) | $45 to $75 |
| Greece (Athens) | $65 to $100 |
| Canary Islands (Tenerife) | $65 to $100 |
| Mauritius (Port Louis) | $65 to $110 |
| Croatia (Split) | $80 to $110 |
| Andalusia (Seville) | $80 to $125 |
| Madeira (Funchal) | $80 to $110 |
| Réunion (Saint-Denis) | $80 to $125 |
| Japan (Tokyo) | $80 to $125 |
| Scotland (Edinburgh) | $90 to $135 |
| Seychelles (Mahé) | $135 to $225 |
Greece (Athens)
May is one of the best months for Greece: it is already warm, it hardly rains, island hotels have opened and prices remain moderate. It is the right time to link the Acropolis, the Peloponnese (Mycenae, Olympia) and one or two Cyclades islands.
Caveat: the sea is still cool for many swimmers early in the month. It becomes more pleasant at the end of May, first in the south (Crete, Rhodes). Check ferry timetables before building an itinerary between small islands.
In May in Athens: 24.4 °C (76 °F) average high and 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Greece?
Croatia (Split)
In May, the Dalmatian coast offers long, mild days, sites that are still quiet and moderate prices. Dubrovnik, Split and the national parks of Plitvice and Krka can be visited without the summer crowds, and island hotels have reopened. Quiet sites and moderate prices: the climate in Dubrovnik month by month confirms the appeal of spring on the Dalmatian coast.
Caveat: the sea stays cool, and swimming becomes more pleasant in June. A few rainy days are possible. In Split, the feast of St Domnius, the city’s patron saint, is celebrated in early May. St Domnius feast day and a still-cool sea: planning a trip to Split in May means favouring sightseeing over swimming.
In May in Split: 23.4 °C (74 °F) average high and 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Croatia?
Madeira (Funchal)
May is one of the best-balanced months in Madeira: mild weather, little rain and flowering vegetation. It is the month of the Funchal Flower Festival, with parades on two Sundays of the month, and a good time to hike along the levadas, the irrigation channels lined with trails.
Caveat: the sea is still cool and the island has few sandy beaches; the one on neighbouring Porto Santo is the best known. On parade weekends, hotels in Funchal are in high demand: book early. Check trail conditions before setting out on a hike. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026) says there is a high risk of wildfires in Portugal in the summer season from April to October.
In May in Funchal: 22.0 °C (72 °F) average high and 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Madeira?
Canary Islands (Tenerife)
The Canary Islands offer one of the best weather-for-price ratios of the year in May: almost no rain, 24 °C (75 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon, few crowds and fares among the lowest of the year. The climb of Mount Teide is possible without the winter snow.
Caveat: the sea is cooler than at the end of summer, and the north of the islands is often cloudier than the south. Canary Islands Day, at the end of May, is a public holiday across the archipelago.
In May in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 24.8 °C (77 °F) average high and 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Canary Islands?
Albania (Tirana)
Albania is a budget option in May: pleasant temperatures, nature still green and moderate prices. It is a good month for the historic towns of Berat and Gjirokastër, the ancient site of Butrint and the rivers of the south (the Vjosa, the Osum canyons).
Caveat: May is still fairly wet inland, and the sea is still cool on the riviera. High-mountain trails, between Theth and Valbona, only really open from June. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 15 October 2026), wildfires are common in Albania from April to October.
In May in Tirana: 23.8 °C (75 °F) average high and 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Albania?
Andalusia (Seville)
May is a very good time for inland Andalusia, before the intense summer heat. It is the right time to visit the Alcázar and the cathedral of Seville, then Córdoba and Granada, by train or car.
Caveat: the heat rises fast at the end of the month, and summer is very hot in the Guadalquivir valley (32.9 °C (91 °F) average high in June in Seville, 36.3 °C (97 °F) in July). Sightsee early in the morning and at the end of the day, and book tickets for the Alcázar of Seville and the Alhambra in Granada in advance. Those 36 °C (97 °F) in July call for early-morning visits: a stay in Seville is best prepared by booking the Alcázar in advance.
In May in Seville: 28.2 °C (83 °F) average high and 33.9 mm (1.3 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Andalusia (Seville))?
Japan (Tokyo)
After Golden Week (late April to early May), Japan offers one of its best windows of the year in May: mild weather, fresh green foliage and fewer crowds. Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and the Japanese Alps can be visited in good conditions. After Golden Week, mild weather and fresh foliage: the climate in Kyoto month by month makes it one of the best windows of the year.
Caveat: it already rains 140 mm (5.5 in) on average in Tokyo in May, and the rainy season (tsuyu) begins in early June on Honshu, as early as early May in Okinawa. Avoid the first days of the month: during Golden Week, trains and hotels are packed and fares are at their highest. Before the rainy season begins in June, the climate in Tokyo month by month shows the appeal of the second half of May.
In May in Tokyo: 23.6 °C (74 °F) average high and 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Japan?
Bali (Denpasar)
In May, Bali enters its dry season: 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain on average in Denpasar, against 345 mm (13.6 in) in January, with a steady heat of about 33 °C (91 °F). The rice terraces are still green and the summer crowds have not arrived: it is one of the best weather-for-price ratios of the year. Rice terraces still green and no crowds: the weather in Bali in May details this weather-for-price ratio, with the Denpasar normals.
Caveat: a few showers are still possible. Flights are long and usually include a stopover: plan a stay long enough to justify the journey and the jet lag.
In May in Denpasar: 33.1 °C (92 °F) average high and 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Bali?
Seychelles (Mahé)
May is part of the shoulder season in the Seychelles, between two monsoons: the wind drops, the sea is calm and clear, and sunshine is among the highest of the year. It is one of the best months for diving and snorkelling, on Mahé as well as Praslin and La Digue.
Caveat: it still rains 171 mm (6.7 in) on average in Victoria, mostly in showers. The Seychelles remain an expensive destination: accommodation and inter-island connections weigh heavily on the budget, even outside the holidays.
In May in Victoria: 30.9 °C (88 °F) average high and 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Seychelles?
Mauritius
May marks the start of the dry season in Mauritius: it is still warm, it rains little and the cyclone risk is falling as the season, which according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026) usually runs from November to May, draws to a close. Few crowds and fairly low prices make it one of the best value-for-money moments of the year.
Caveat: the trade winds gradually strengthen and the east coast becomes windier during the southern winter. For a beach stay, favour the west or north. School-holiday periods can push prices up early in the month.
In May in Port Louis: 29.3 °C (85 °F) average high and 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to île Maurice?
Réunion
In May, Réunion enters the southern winter: it is still warm on the coast, trails are drying and the vegetation is very green. The cirques of Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie and the Piton de la Fournaise: this is the start of the good hiking season, with few people around.
Caveat: the east coast stays very wet (260 mm (10.2 in) on average at Saint-Benoît), while the west is dry (18 mm (0.7 in) at Le Port). At altitude, clouds often rise from late morning: start early.
In May in Saint-Denis: 27.6 °C (82 °F) average high and 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Réunion?
Scotland (Edinburgh)
If you are not looking for heat, May is one of the best months for Scotland: it is often the sunniest of the year, days exceed 16 hours in Edinburgh in mid-May and midges, the tiny biting flies of the Highlands, are still scarce. A good time for the Isle of Skye and the west coast. 16-hour days and midges still rare: the climate in Edinburgh month by month shows the appeal of May for the Highlands.
Caveat: it is cool and the weather changes quickly: pack several layers and a waterproof. UK bank holidays in early and late May bring crowds to the best-known sites.
In May in Edinburgh: 14.9 °C (59 °F) average high and 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go to Scotland?
Preparing for a May trip
Public holiday weekends can push up the price of short flights to the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands or Madeira: check the holiday calendar at your departure point. Outside those weekends, May remains one of the cheapest months of the year for many destinations, before the summer price rise.
For entry requirements (passport, visa, vaccines), check the official travel advice of your own government (for example travel.state.gov in the US or GOV.UK in the UK) before booking. For South Asia, the arrival date of the monsoon varies from year to year: follow the bulletins of the national weather services before you leave.
Destinations to avoid in May
- The west and south coast of Sri Lanka: the southwest monsoon arrives (314 mm (12.4 in) on average in Colombo). The east coast (Trincomalee), on the other hand, stays dry.
- The Maldives: May is the wettest month of the year in Malé (238 mm (9.4 in)), with the arrival of the monsoon.
- Thailand: start of the rainy season and heavy heat (35.1 °C (95 °F) average high and 217 mm (8.5 in) in Bangkok, 237 mm (9.3 in) in Phuket).
- The Nile Valley in Egypt: already 39 °C (102 °F) average high in Luxor, too hot to visit the temples in good conditions.
- Costa Rica: start of the rainy season (268 mm (10.6 in) in San José, 194 mm (7.6 in) in Liberia).
Toutes nos destinations idéales en mai (104)
Liste établie automatiquement d’après nos calendriers « quand partir » : destinations notées ✓ idéal pour ce mois. Température max. moyenne indicative ; détail et sources sur chaque guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find sun in May?
In Europe, Greece, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Andalusia offer mostly dry weather in May, with average highs between 22 °C (72 °F) and 28 °C (82 °F). Further afield, Bali, Mauritius, Réunion and the Seychelles are at the start of their best season.
Where can I go swimming in May?
For a warm sea, look at Bali, the Seychelles or Mauritius. In the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, the water is still cool in May: swimming becomes more pleasant from June, first in the south of Greece.
Where can I go in May without travelling far?
For European travellers, the Canary Islands, Madeira, Greece, Croatia, Albania and Andalusia are short-haul options. The Canaries and Madeira are the mildest, Andalusia the hottest (28 °C (82 °F) average high in Seville).
Where can I go in May on a budget?
Albania, the Canary Islands and Mauritius have some of the lowest prices of the year in May. Albania has one of the lowest costs on the ground in our comparison, at roughly $45 to $75 per person per day (excluding flights). Check public holiday weekends, which can push up the price of short flights.
Our sources
- Official climate normals: Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), 1955-2010 normals (Athens-Elliniko); Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ), WMO 1991-2020 normals (Split-Marjan); Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), 1991-2020 normals (Funchal); AEMET via l’WMO (NOAA archive), 1991-2020 normals (Santa Cruz de Tenerife); Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), temperatures 1961-1990 and precipitation 1951-1980 (Tirana); AEMET, 1991-2020 normals (Seville airport); Japan Meteorological Agency, 1991-2020 normals (Tokyo); BMKG via the WMO World Weather Information Service, 1961-1990 normals (Denpasar); WMO, 1991-2020 normals (Victoria, Mahé); WMO World Weather Information Service (Port Louis); Météo-France, 1991-2020 normals (Saint-Denis Gillot); Met Office, 1991-2020 normals (Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Garden)
- For destinations that already have a guide on our site, figures taken from our « when to go » pages, which cover all 12 months
- Indicative budgets: practical fact sheets in our country guides, linked from each destination, converted at the European Central Bank reference rate of 23 October 2026
- Wildfire and cyclone-season information: UK FCDO foreign travel advice (GOV.UK) for Portugal/Madeira (updated 11 August 2026), Albania (15 October 2026) and Mauritius (19 October 2026)
- How we select and verify destinations: see our page Our methodology
Updated November 2026.