Last Updated: January 3, 2024
May marks the start of summer for us and at this time of the year, we are always looking for the best places to visit in May in Europe for our spring getaway. We usually like to plan our vacations at least a few months in advance. So, if this is the case for you too, then we hope our list of the best places to visit in May in Europe will help you choose where to travel to next.
Spring is a wonderful time of the year! The flowers are blooming and the weather is getting warmer but not too hot yet. Another reason we love to travel around Europe in May is that the crowds have not yet arrived yet at many destinations and we can find great cheap options for hotels and flights.
If you’ve always dreamed of visiting any of the following travel destinations and are wondering if May is a good time to visit them, then this article is for you!
Here are the 10 best places to visit in May in Europe.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN MAY IN EUROPE
1. SANTORINI, GREECE
Santorini is one of the most romantic destinations in the world, but that comes at a price. During the peak months of July and August, prices in Santorini skyrocket. Even if budget isn’t an issue, finding available rooms in popular locations like Fira and Oia is a real challenge. May is your window of opportunity to find fantastic deals on those dreamy hotel rooms with panoramic views of the caldera and a private pool. Rooftops are becoming a mecca for many trying to capture the perfect Instagram-worthy photo. However, if you come in May, the crowds are significantly lesser so you can enjoy the magical sunsets from your room while sipping a glass of champagne and without any distractions.
2. BERAT, ALBANIA
Berat is one of the most picturesque towns in Albania. Located less than 2 hours from its capital, Tirana, the town has become increasingly popular in recent years. This quaint town sees its greatest influx between June and August, with accommodation availability becoming an issue at times. You can beat the crowds (and the inflated prices), by visiting in May for an authentic experience without the tourists. The warm temperatures of May create the perfect conditions to explore all that Berat has to offer. Also, you can enjoy many outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, and biking.
3. MALTA
We have said it several times and we will repeat it; Malta is a wonderful destination all year round! The Maltese islands enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year. May is your last chance before summer to enjoy warm temperatures and fewer crowds. The island is very busy from June to early September. Malta is one of the best places to visit in Europe in May for a relaxing holiday, lots of sun, and beautiful beaches.
4. POZNAN, POLAND
Everything comes alive in Poznan at this time of the year. Spring brings out the best in Poznan; cafes set up their tables outside, the city is bustling with people enjoying the warm spring days, and the flowers are in full bloom, turning Poznan’s beautiful parks into a playground for both adults and children. In May Poznan enjoys an average of 10 hours of sunshine per day, which means that you can spend most of your time outside doing fun things. This is one of the most underrated Polish cities and we are here to convince you to give this beautiful city a try. You can thank us later!
5. ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Istanbul is a busy city all year round. Its airport is one of the largest in Europe and therefore attracts not only those who come here just to visit the city but also those who stay between flights and try to use the extra hours and see Istanbul. Winters in Istanbul can be pretty harsh, but every spring everything comes alive. Life in Istanbul is fast-paced, but we recommend slowing down and trying to experience it at your own pace. Sunny spring days and mild temperatures will offer you a unique opportunity to get out and explore it with fewer crowds. Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in May in Europe if you are looking for a unique destination with lots to see and do.
6. CYPRUS
As we have already mentioned, for us, as soon as May arrives, we immediately have the feeling that summer is already here, and in our minds summer automatically equates with beaches and hot sunny days. If you’re like us then you’ll love Cyprus. When it comes to “best places to visit in May in Europe”, Cyprus is one of our top picks. This is the best time to visit Cyprus to take advantage of the great temperatures and enjoy days at the beach while working on your tan. There aren’t many places in Europe that can offer that in spring. Cyprus gets very crowded in the peak months, but you can find great prices on hotels and car hire in May. Don’t miss the Flower Festival which takes place across the island every year.
7. BURGUNDY, FRANCE
Wine lovers, rejoice! Burgundy is one of the top destinations in France for those who love wine and want to taste great wines straight from the source. There’s no better time to go to Burgundy than May. During this month, average temperatures in Burgundy range from 9℃ to 18℃, perfect if you want to explore the countryside during the day without battling the heat, and the cool nights are ideal for relaxing and sipping wine in a charming wine bar. We think Burgundy is one of the best places to visit in May in Europe for another reason; unbeatable prices. May offers a great opportunity to explore this gorgeous French region on a budget. We don’t know about you, but for us, that is a big winning factor.
8. MADRID, SPAIN
Madrid has always been our favorite city for an exciting cityscape. As the capital of Spain, Madrid packs a bunch to see and May is one of the best times to visit. Why? Because with an average daytime temperature of 18℃, you’ll want to spend as much time outdoors as possible, exploring the remarkable parks, plazas, and open-air markets. When you are done with all that, you can follow the locals’ lead and sit in a tapas bar and enjoy a local cerveza (beer) and mouthwatering tapas!
Best of all, crowds are still low in May, so you don’t have to worry about booking ahead at trendy restaurants or queuing to enter the museum. If you happen to visit around the 15th of May when locals celebrate their patron, San Isidro, then you’re in luck. During this time of the month, there are a plethora of fun events across the city, including music, food markets, parades, and all sorts of other fun activities.
Now you can see why we think Madrid is one of the best places to visit in May in Europe.
9. MYKONOS, GREECE
Mykonos is actually one of the best places to visit in Europe in May! This sensational island is one of the most popular destinations in Greece (and around the world, dare we say it) and that comes at a price; huge crowds and sky-high prices. However, in May the island is still relatively quiet and hotels have only just begun to welcome visitors for the summer season. That means you can take advantage of the low occupancy and find flight tickets and hotel rooms at a bargain.
The weather in May in Mykonos is beautiful, with maximum temperatures of 24℃ and minimum of 17℃. You can spend your days swimming in crystal clear waters and soaking up the Meditteranean sun and your nights sipping cocktails in a trendy bar. We don’t think it can get better than this so if you’re still wondering which are the best places to visit in May in Europe, then Mykonos is one of your safest bets.
10. DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
There are a handful of destinations in Europe that are on (almost) everyone’s bucket list and Dubrovnik is definitely one of them. As with other popular destinations on this list, May is one of the best months to visit Dubrovnik if you’re looking to escape the summer crowds. Tourist hordes have yet to arrive in Dubrovnik and you can have this iconic European destination practically to yourself if you visit in May. Dubrovnik has a fascinating history and every building is within its walls located within its walls it feels like it has remained intact over the years. To learn more about its history, be sure to book a walking tour. We strongly recommend you rent a car and also explore some interesting places near the city as well as its exceptional beaches.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN MAY IN EUROPE – FINAL THOUGHTS
Europe has no shortage of gorgeous places to explore and this list is just a fragment of the unique destinations that you can explore in May. However, if you’re looking for the best places to visit in May in Europe for a relaxing holiday, without having to deal with heavy crowds and extravagant prices, then the above destinations are our top recommended places. Spring is a wonderful time to visit Europe and we’re sure that whichever destination you choose, you’ll have a fantastic time!
