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Where to travel in May

Find travel inspiration with our guide to the best places to go in May. Map your route across Norway's hiking trails, relax as you explore the cayes of Belize, or get to know Portugal's wine regions on a flavourful journey.

Belize

Belize is an incredible destination in Central America, home to over 400 islands and around 9,000 square miles of mainland. It’s a country where you’ll find diverse landscapes for both land and sea adventures, with rainforests, jungles, mountains, rivers, and cave systems all at your fingertips.

Best of all, May falls within Belize’s dry season. If you’re a marine enthusiast, this is the perfect time to explore the Belize Barrier Reef. The stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site is a 180-mile natural wonder that offers some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving opportunities. Dive into crystal-clear waters to see vibrant coral formations, swim alongside schools of tropical fish, and if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of nurse sharks or rays.

History buffs will be captivated by Belize’s ancient Mayan ruins in Caracol, an ancient city with well-preserved artifacts, towering pyramids, and intricate carvings. When it’s time to unwind, relax in the sunshine at Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye, then browse the small shops, restaurants, and bars in nearby San Pedro town. Nature lovers can also visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve to see natural pools, diverse wildlife, and the highest waterfall in Central America, the Thousand Foot Falls.

Portugal

Portugal is a fantastic destination for a May getaway, offering a mix of historic charms, beautiful beach towns, and delightful weather, with temperatures averaging between 18-23 degrees Celsius. Start your journey in the capital city of Lisbon to explore its winding alleys, historic trams, and lively neighbourhoods like Alfama. Step back in time at the UNESCO-listed Jerónimos Monastery, climb to the Castle of São Jorge, or take a day trip to Sintra to see the candy-coloured Pena Palace. Stop to enjoy dinner and listen to a live fado show for a quintessential Portuguese cultural experience.

May is also the perfect time to explore Portugal’s wine regions, such as the Douro Valley, where you can enjoy wine tastings without the summer crowds. Join a scenic boat ride and travel past the terraced vineyards and quaint villages along the river banks. Afterward, you can visit the city of Porto and stroll the UNESCO-listed streets and the Ribeira, a picturesque riverfront area lined with historic buildings.

The Algarve region in Portugal’s south offers stunning beaches for a coastal adventure. A road trip to small beach towns reveals views of dramatic cliffs, golden sands, and turquoise waters, while small restaurants serve up fresh-caught seafood paired with local wines.

Croatia

Croatia’s Adriatic coast is a popular tourist destination in summer, but visiting in May allows you to enjoy the beauty of this region without the crowds. Dubrovnik is usually the first stop for many visitors, and with the nickname the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, it’s easy to see why. Walking along the historic city walls offers panoramic views of the terracotta rooftops, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding islands.

Speaking of beautiful island views, Hvar is a captivating destination in Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands. Known for its lavender fields and lively nightlife, it boasts pebbly beaches and a vibrant waterfront that are perfect to explore in May. Alternatively, the island of Vis provides a quiet escape with its picture-perfect beaches, turquoise waters, and charming villages.

If you’re a history buff, Split is another city worth adding to your itinerary. The UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, which forms the heart of Split’s Old Town, boasts ancient Roman ruins. Nestled on the northern Istrian peninsula, Rovinj is another picturesque destination with cobbled streets, Venetian-style houses, and an Old Town dotted with pastel-hued houses. Outdoor lovers will want to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park to marvel at its stunning landscape of tiered waterfalls and turquoise lakes.

Clear blue waters of Brela Beach in Dalmatia, Croatia

Norway

May is an excellent time to explore Norway’s famous fjords. The snow has melted just enough to open up for hiking the trails, but the peaks are still capped with snow, creating postcard-worthy views. The Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are two of Norway’s most spectacular fjords and are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They showcase dramatic landscapes with steep cliffs, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains, and deep blue waters.

As the days grow longer, bigger cities like Bergen and Oslo are also worth exploring. Considered the gateway to the fjords, Bergen boasts painted wooden houses and a vibrant fish market filled with Norwegian seafood delicacies. Oslo is Norway’s capital city and a cosmopolitan destination with world-class restaurants, art galleries, and historic sites; the historic 13th-century Akershus Fortress and the world’s largest collection of Edvard Munch paintings at MUNCH are just a couple of its highlights.

For a more laid-back adventure, the Lofoten Islands offer dramatic landscapes of rugged mountains, striking fjords, and charming fishing villages. May is also a great time to experience Norway’s cultural events: if you time your visit right for Constitution Day on May 17th, you can join the national celebration of parades, traditional costumes, and street festivities.

Man walking in a quiet residential street with painted white houses in Bergen, Norway

China

May is one of the best months to visit China, as the weather is warm but not yet scorching, and the spring blossoms are in full bloom. Beijing’s historical sites, like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, are some of the country’s most iconic attractions; for your best chance at avoiding tourists at the Great Wall, avoid the more popular Badaling section and head to Mutianyu or Jinshanling, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Shanghai is China’s largest city and the most striking example of where tradition blends with ultra-modernity. Top attractions like the Bund are a must-see with its waterside walkway offering impressive skyline views. Alternatively, the Yu Garden provides a peaceful retreat with its Classical Chinese garden displays.

For nature lovers, the picturesque landscapes of Guilin and the Li River offer stunning scenery that’s well worth the journey. A wonderland of beautiful karst topography, Guilin is considered one of the most picturesque destinations in China. Elsewhere, Guangzhou is a top destination for foodie lovers with its modern landscape of neon-lit skyscrapers, while Lijiang is famed for its beautiful UNESCO-listed Old Town that dates back over 800 years.

Landscape of Guilin, Li River and Karst mountains

Egypt

May is an excellent, less-crowded and cooler time to explore Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza, the temples of Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings are all top landmarks for history fans. Dating back nearly 5,000 years to the dawn of recorded history, these ancient wonders invite you to envision the lives of the pharaohs who once ruled this land.

But Egypt is more than just its pyramids and temples. The capital city of Cairo is home to lively streets, beautiful mosques, and fascinating history museums. For a more leisurely experience, you can travel along the Nile River by boat, stopping off for sightseeing and taking in views of riverside scenes.

The Red Sea coast is also one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations, with a chance to see vibrant coral reefs and an array of marine life. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, consider a visit to the Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert. This remote area is rich in natural beauty and local culture, offering a different perspective on Egypt’s landscape with its salt lakes, palm groves, and ancient ruins.

Bolivia

Bolivia is an off-the-beaten-path destination that offers unique experiences for intrepid travelers. May is the start of the dry season, making it an excellent time to visit Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. It is particularly picture-perfect at sunrise and sunset, when the light creates a mirror-like effect on the surface.

Bolivia’s capital city, La Paz, offers an enticing blend of Indigenous culture and modern urban life. The city’s markets are a fascinating place to pick up souvenirs, offering everything from traditional remedies to vibrant textiles. You can test your fear of heights by going up Mi Teleférico, the highest cable car system in the world. It offers a birds-eye view of the city, operating over 13,000 ft above sea level in La Paz.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the nearby Valley of the Moon with a guide to see its unusual rock formations and stark landscapes of canyons and stalagmites. For a thrill-seeking adventure, you can bike across the North Yungas Road, also known as the Death Road; it is one of the longest downhill stretches in the world, passing through cloud forests and deep valleys. A more chilled-out destination is the Laguna Colorada, or Red Lake, with its red-hued waters and resident flamingos.

Alpaca with Bolivia's Nevado Sajama volcano in the background

South Africa

South Africa is one of the world’s best destinations for wildlife enthusiasts. In May, the cooler weather in the Southern Hemisphere means it’s easier to spot wildlife. Kruger National Park is a top destination for safari-goers, offering the chance to see the Big Five in their natural habitat.

The Garden Route features stunning coastal scenery and charming towns for road trippers, stretching from Mossel Bay to Storms River and passing through lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches. Along the way, you can stop at small towns like Knysna, known for its seafood restaurants and lagoon, or Plettenberg Bay, where you can enjoy whale watching or hiking in the nearby Tsitsikamma National Park.

In Cape Town, you can hop on a scenic cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding ocean. Top city attractions such as the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Victoria & Alfred Waterfront are delightful places to explore for all ages. Visit Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, then stroll through the Bo-Kaap neighborhood to see rows of brightly painted houses.

Elephant-spotting in Kruger National Park, South Africa

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