22 Best Places to Visit in Europe in May 2024

Most of Europe still isn’t warm enough for sitting on a beach or by the pool in May, but you’ve still got lots of great choices if you are looking for culture, food, nightlife, and just about anything else. The Nordic region is still too chilly to be comfortable this month, but just about the rest of Europe will be pleasant in May where you’ll only need a light jacket or sweater most of the time. The year 2024 looks like it’s going to be another popular one for travel to Europe so expect large crowds in summer and high hotel prices in those months, especially if you don’t book early.

In case you were looking for warm places to visit you might instead check our list of cheap destinations with great weather in May, which highlights choices from around the world. And if you really want a beach destination, check our list of Caribbean islands ranked from cheapest to most expensive for some great bargains.

If you are the type who likes to live it up a bit while traveling you might be interested in our new list of the cheapest 5-star hotels in Europe, starting at US$80 per night for a super nice place.

Important May holidays for Europe in 2024

  • May 1 – International Workers’ Day/Labour Day/May Day: A public holiday all over Europe
  • May 9 – Ascension Day (Germany, France, Italy, Spain etc)
  • May 14 to 25 – Cannes Film Festival (France)
  • May 27 – Spring Bank Holiday (UK)

How is the weather in Europe in May?

As you’ll see by scrolling down the choices below, May brings hot, or at least warm, temperatures to most of the Mediterranean countries, so they are perfect for visiting this time of year. In fact, all of the places that are hot or warm in May in Europe are also much hotter and sometimes unbearable in July and August, so May is the perfect month to arrive.

Central Europe is still a bit on the chilly side in May, but it’s warm enough to enjoy being outdoors in the day, so it’s a good time to visit these areas as well.

Northern Europe, including Britain and the Netherlands, is still fairly cool in May, but these aren’t places you visit to sit by a pool or on a beach anyway, so visiting in May is still one of the better times of the year.

Warmest places in Europe in May for beach visits

Costa del Sol/Malaga, Spain

  • May avg high: 75F/24C
  • May avg low: 56F/13C
  • May avg precip: 0.9″/2.3cm

Costa del Sol highlights in May

  • Very nice beaches with great hotel prices in May
  • A variety of different towns to choose from
  • Small crowds and still plenty of activities
  • Malaga city tours and museums
  • Easy for English speakers

May is the first month of the year that southern Spain has reliable enough warm days that you can book a beach trip for sunbathing. Most people have at least heard of Spain’s famous Costa del Sol, which is a group of beach towns just west of Malaga and the Malaga Airport. Each town has its own vibe and style, with Marbella being the most famous and most upscale of them and Torremolinos being the first of them and still the most interesting.

Since the season doesn’t really begin until June, hotel and apartment rental prices in this area can be very good in May. And cheap flights into Malaga are easy to find on various discount airlines all over Europe in May. If you are coming from North America it’s probably cheaper to fly into Madrid or Barcelona and then book a separate flight from there to Malaga. On the other hand, if you are coming from North America it might not be worth stopping in this area at all. It’s a place most people visit simply to relax and sit in the sun.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €56 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €75 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €14 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Costa del Sol
>>>Costa del Sol/Malaga prices and travel tips


Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

  • May avg high: 75F/24C
  • May avg low: 64F/18C
  • May avg precip: 0.2″/0.5cm

Tenerife highlights in May

  • Sandy beaches and hotel pools everywhere
  • A relaxing atmosphere with very affordable food and drinks
  • Interesting and mellow nightlife with no huge clubs
  • Teide volcano and national park
  • Comfortable and familiar for English speakers getting out of the cold

The Canary Islands are warm pretty much all year round, and May is one of the better months because it’s warm enough for sunbathing but still not so warm that it can get uncomfortable. Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, and the most popular island for English speaking tourists, but you could get similar weather in any of them.

Hotels and apartment rentals are good deals in Tenerife all year round. The best area that usually has the best weather in Tenerife is along the southwest corner of the island, in Los Cristianos and up the coast from there. Flights into either Tenerife airport are pretty cheap from the European continent. Often the flights into the North Airport are cheaper, and there is a public bus that connects it with the South Airport in one hour. Air+hotel package deals from major cities in Europe can be great deals as well. The main activity is relaxing in the sun. Aside from an interesting volcano in the south, there isn’t much to do here and even the nightlife is quite mild.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €37 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €56 for two people
  • All-inclusive resorts in May from €145 per couple

>>Check hotel deals for Tenerife
>>>Tenerife prices and travel tips


Antalya, Turkey

  • May avg high: 79F/26C
  • May avg low: 58F/14C
  • May avg precip: 1.3″/3.3cm

Antalya highlights in May

  • Sandy beaches in some areas, but it’s worth checking your hotel
  • Very cheap food and drinks
  • Small crowds in May yet good weather
  • Historic Antalya with the old city filled with restaurants and bars
  • Good beach destination for English speakers

Antalya isn’t technically in Europe, but nearly all the guests who come here are European and it’s a fairly short flight from many large European cities. This is a historic city with interesting sights and ruins on display in the Old Town center, but most people who come here head straight to one of the larger beach hotels in either direction from the city center.

The value at hotels here is excellent, especially as the value of the Turkish Lira has struggled recently. Some areas in greater Antalya are popular with certain nationalities, so that’s worth looking into if you prefer to fit in. There are beaches where Germans or Brits or Russians or Swedes dominate, particularly at all-inclusive resorts. Many Europeans are skipping all of Turkey in the current political climate, which has helped bring room rates down even more. There have been no reports of any problems for tourists in Antalya, though it never hurts to check the news before you book. It will be interesting again in 2024 because Russians had been a large portion of the visitors, and the Ukraine war may slow that down a bit, or maybe not.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €23 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €35 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €9 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Antalya
>>>Antalya prices and travel tips

 

Non-beach destinations that are nice in May

Rome, Italy

  • May avg high: 72F/22C
  • May avg low: 53F/12C
  • May avg precip: 1.3″/3.3cm

Rome highlights in May

  • Coliseum, Ancient Rome, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain etc.
  • Modest crowds and pleasant weather
  • Easier to get into major attractions than summer
  • East connections for day trips to Naples or Pompeii
  • Cheaper hotel prices than high season

The warmest summer days in Rome can be brutal, but May is pretty much lovely from start to finish so it’s the ideal time to come. Many of the famous sights here are outdoors, so being able to see them in pleasant and dry weather is a huge plus, and you get that all month long in May.

The busy tourist season in Italy starts in June, so May is really the perfect month to visit as you’ll get cheaper flights, cheaper hotels, and smaller crowds even though the weather is perfect. If you have extra days you might consider taking a train down to Sorrento for a few days along the Amalfi Coast nearby, which is also wonderful this time of year. It’s worth noting that Rome can be a rather hectic place to visit, so many savvy travelers prefer to stay only a few days and move on to someplace more relaxing. Rome is an obvious stop on the best Italy itineraries, and the whole country has pleasant weather in May.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €83 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €105 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €14 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Rome
>>>Rome prices and travel tips


Florence, Italy

  • May avg high: 74F/23C
  • May avg low: 52F/11C
  • May avg precip: 2.9″/7.3cm

Florence highlights in May

  • The Duomo (Florence Cathedral)
  • Ponte Vecchio Bridge
  • Uffizi Gallery (make reservations)
  • Amazing food in the capital of Tuscany
  • Easy base for day trips to Pisa, Siena, Cinque Terre, and hill towns

For most people who start their first Italy visit in Rome, the wonderful Tuscan city of Florence is their next stop. Florence was the cultural center of the world for hundreds of years and you’ll see evidence of that on display even today. You get a bit more rainfall in this area, but it’s still dry most of the time here, and most of the sights here are indoors anyway.

Since Rome can feel a bit chaotic, it’s nice to linger in Florence if you have extra days. You can do a day trip to Pisa or Siena from here, as well as the Cinque Terre. There are also some very nice hill towns just a short train ride away, so Florence is an ideal hub for sightseeing in the central Italy region.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €73 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €121 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €21 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Florence
>>>Florence prices and travel tips


Venice, Italy

  • May avg high: 70F/21C
  • May avg low: 54F/12C
  • May avg precip: 2.7″/6.8cm

Venice highlights in May

  • St. Marks Square and Basilica
  • Rialto Bridge
  • Canal rides (expensive but memorable!)
  • Walk the island in peace in the morning and later evening
  • Probably Europe’s most photogenic city

If you are going to Rome and Florence then you should head next to Venice. The May temperatures are very pleasant, which will help you deal with the crowds here. The key to a good Venice visit is to stay for one or two nights on the main island so you can do most of your sightseeing in the early morning and evenings, before or after the day-trippers are here. Venice is usually filled with cruise passengers and those on bus excursions from around 9 AM until around 5 PM, so the hours before and after that are the nicest for exploring.

Hotels on the main island are understandably more expensive than those on the mainland, but they are worth it at least for one night to avoid the crowds. The main sights can be seen in less than a day, and it’s so crowded that you really won’t want to linger for more than two days, although Venice is so unforgettable that no one regrets a visit.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €85 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €133 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €34 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Venice
>>>Venice prices and travel tips


Paris, France

  • May avg high: 68F/20C
  • May avg low: 53F/12C
  • May avg precip: 2.4″/6.0cm

Paris highlights in May

  • Eiffle Tower
  • Louvre and Musée d’Orsay
  • Seine cruise at sunset to see the lights and bridges
  • Amazing food that exceeds expectations
  • Arc de Triomphe, Versailles Palace etc.

Paris is farther north than you might realize, so it’s cooler in May than most of Europe, but it’s still pretty much a perfect month to visit. This city is popular all year with tourists from all over the world, but the May crowds are lighter than the June crowds, so it’s easier to hit the main sights in less time. Speaking of that, if you want to see the famous sights in a few days you should consider a Paris Pass.

Hotel prices are moderate in May, but this is also a major business capital so many of the 4-star hotels in the city center will be full for most of the month. You should be able to stay reasonably in non-business neighborhoods such as the glorious Rue Cler or the more edgy Montmartre. One other great thing about Paris is they have Metro stations within a few blocks of almost everywhere, so you can save money by staying a bit out of the center, and then take the Metro into the tourist areas in a short time for not much money.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €80 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €106 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €24 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Paris
>>>Paris prices and travel tips


Nice, France

  • May avg high: 68F/20C
  • May avg low: 56F/13C
  • May avg precip: 1.9″/4.8cm

Nice highlights in May

  • Explore the city before summer crowds make it almost unbearable
  • Walk the Promenade des Anglais (beach walk)
  • Castle Hill
  • Great food (different from Paris)
  • Famous farmer’s market through the center of town

Visitors who fly into Paris and want to see something else in France will often end up in Nice. This Mediterranean city is packed all summer with French people on their annual holidays, but that doesn’t start until late June, so May is a perfect time to visit.

The city of Nice itself is a very worthwhile destination, but it’s also a great stop because it’s a 20-minute train ride from Cannes to the west and from Monaco to the east. Both of those cities are fascinating day trips, yet the hotels in both are quite expensive so Nice is the ideal base. The Cannes Film Festival is held in May so some people come to see the stars and that can fill up some hotels in Nice since it’s so close. If you want to visit Cannes and Monaco while here, it could be worth staying in the area near the Nice train station so you don’t have to spend too much time going back and forth.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €84 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €106 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €29 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Nice
>>>Nice prices and travel tips


London, England

  • May avg high: 63F/17C
  • May avg low: 48F/9C
  • May avg precip: 2.0″/5.0cm

London highlights in May

  • Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey
  • Tower of London and Tower Bridge
  • West End theatres
  • Oxford Street for shopping
  • Smaller crowds and cheaper hotels than summer

London is famous for having only a few good weeks of weather each year, so the best you can hope for is to avoid the coldest and rainiest months. May is a very good month to visit because the crowds are smaller than they are in summer, and yet the weather is still warm enough and the days are long enough to do whatever you like.

You can easily take the Eurostar train from here to Paris in a bit over two hours, and then be in Amsterdam in a bit over 3 hours from there. London hotels are expensive all year round, but you should have a better chance of finding a decent deal in May compared to July or August. The London Pass can be a good choice for those who want to do a lot of sightseeing in a short time. The British pound continues to be weak as 2024 goes on so England is cheaper now than it has been in many years, even with the inflation they have also been experiencing.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from £69 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from £108 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from £28 per person

>>Check hotel deals for London
>>>London prices and travel tips


Split, Croatia

  • May avg high: 72F/22C
  • May avg low: 59F/15C
  • May avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm

Split highlights in May

  • Warm, sunny weather and very small crowds
  • Stunning historic center (rivals Dubrovnik)
  • Cheap hotels and sobes (local name for accommodation)
  • Easy to get around in May
  • Ferries to nearby islands are cheap

As far as Croatian cities are concerned, Dubrovnik, is far better known, but Split is really the better choice for most visitors. Dubrovnik is a popular cruise port with a small (and stunning) walled city at its core, so it’s far more crowded and expensive than Split, which is actually a bit older with more interesting sights.

Split is also the main travel hub along the Croatian coast, as the train comes here but doesn’t reach Dubrovnik. There are also ferries in Split that can take you to the various nearby islands. The May weather may not be warm enough for sunbathing every day, but on some days it will be. And since the main tourist season doesn’t start until June, hotel prices and apartment rentals (called ‘sobes’ here) are very reasonable.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €55 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €67 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €14 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Split
>>>Split prices and travel tips


Barcelona, Spain

  • May avg high: 72F/21C
  • May avg low: 61F/12C
  • May avg precip: 2.3″/5.8cm

Barcelona highlights in May

  • Amazing architecture unlike anywhere else in the world
  • Great beaches right in the city
  • Sagrada Familia cathedral (nearly complete now)
  • Hotels are cheaper than in summer
  • Great nightlife that is easy to join for foreigners

You might expect Barcelona to be warmer in May than the temperatures listed above, but it’s farther north than you might expect, even though it’s on the Mediterranean. This city has become so popular with tourists that visiting in a mild-weather month is best because it’s easier to deal with the crowds at Sagrada Familia and along the Rambla than in summer.

Flights into Barcelona can be cheap, especially from within Europe, but even from the US and Canada the fares are reasonable. If you are visiting Barcelona you should really also visit Madrid (see below) and get there on the high-speed train in only 3 hours. Both cities are huge and quite different from one another.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €54 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €65 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €13 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Barcelona
>>>Barcelona prices and travel tips


Madrid, Spain

  • May avg high: 71F/22C
  • May avg low: 51F/11C
  • May avg precip: 2.0″/5.0cm

Madrid highlights in May

  • Prado Museum
  • Puerta del Sol (main square)
  • Royal Palace
  • Inexpensive hotels in May
  • Best and easiest place to enjoy tapas culture (free food with cheap drinks)

In recent years it’s Barcelona (above) that has taken most of the spotlight in Spain, but Madrid is still a gorgeous and fascinating capital city. You should absolutely plan on spending about 3 days in each of them because they are so different and both so filled with worthwhile sights.

The May weather is pleasant enough for sightseeing in the day, and the evenings are mild enough that staying out late is still comfortable if you bring a jacket or sweater. You can get to nearby Toledo on a short train ride so it’s a popular day trip, and connections to Seville and Granada are also good so Madrid is an ideal hub for a full visit to Spain.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €61 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €72 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €19 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Madrid
>>>Madrid prices and travel tips


Lisbon, Portugal

  • May avg high: 71F/22C
  • May avg low: 56F/13C
  • May avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm

Lisbon highlights in May

  • Castles, towers, and cathedrals, all in the historic center
  • Tram 28, which connects many of Lisbon’s tourist sights in style
  • Elevador de Santa Justa – the famous outdoor elevator
  • Great cuisine at appealing prices
  • Fado (famous local music) shows to go along with great meals

Speaking of the Iberian Peninsula, Lisbon might be the most underrated capital in Europe. The remote location makes it difficult to combine with other cities unless you fly in or take the night train from Madrid. But those who do make the trip are rewarded with a lovely and interesting city that is also an unusual bargain.

Hotels and hostels in Lisbon are known for high quality at moderate prices, and May is one of the better month for deals before summer begins. The warm but not hot weather is also ideal for sightseeing in this hilly town. This is a good city to start a Europe tour in this month, because temperatures will get warmer as you move north and east as June approaches.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €63 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €73 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €22 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Lisbon
>>>Lisbon prices and travel tips


Valletta, Malta

  • May avg high: 72F/22C
  • May avg low: 59F/15C
  • May avg precip: 0.5″/1.3cm

Malta highlights in May

  • Historic Valletta and harbour
  • Blue Grotto
  • Popeye Village
  • Pleasant small island where English is common
  • Cheap food and drinks, even with a great view

If you aren’t British or Maltese, you might not know much about this former British possession. This small group of islands is located just south of Sicily, and it has some of Europe’s best year-round weather. There aren’t many sandy beaches on these islands, but there is plenty of sunshine and places to enjoy it.

The value in Malta is also very good, as you can get hotels and meals even in the tourist-friendly areas such as Sliema at very appealing prices. Valletta itself is the small historic capital district with only a few hotels, so most people stay elsewhere on the coast and visit Valletta for a few hours here and there.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €58 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €82 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €21 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Valletta
>>>Valletta prices and travel tips


Interlaken, Switzerland

  • May avg high: 66F/19C
  • May avg low: 46F/8C
  • May avg precip: 4.8″/12.0cm

Interlaken highlights in May

  • Jungfraujoch railway and Schilthorn cable car
  • Lauterbrunnen Valley (perhaps the most beautiful mountain area in the world_)
  • Cable cars and mountain walks
  • Adventure sports
  • Spend a night in the tiny mountain village of Gimmelwald

Many people know they want to visit somewhere in Switzerland, but they aren’t sure where. That’s the main reason I wrote an article called where to go in Switzerland on a short visit. If you are thinking about Switzerland I hope you read it, but the short version is that you should probably head to the Interlaken area, and also Lucerne if you have more than 3 days or so.

Interlaken is Switzerland’s top outdoor sports capital, with skiing and snowboarding for almost half the year, as well as hiking and paragliding among other things for the rest of the year. May is usually too late to ski, but a perfect time for the non-snow adventure activities. The Alps views here are the best in Europe, particularly the Schilthorn cable car and observation deck, and the Jungfraujoch railway. Hotels here are famously expensive and the public transportation system is so good that it can be a good idea to stay in one of the nearby villages instead of in Interlaken itself, at least if you find a good deal on a nice hotel.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €222 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €279 for two people

>>Check hotel deals for Interlaken
>>>Interlaken prices and travel tips


Berlin, Germany

  • May avg high: 66F/19C
  • May avg low: 48F/9C
  • May avg precip: 2.1″/5.3cm

Berlin highlights in May

  • Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden
  • Reichstag Building and Berlin Cathedral
  • Fascinating and unusual nightlife
  • Cheap hotels for a big European city
  • Beer gardens and outdoor markets

Berlin is another huge tourism success story for Europe, as it’s now one of the continent’s most popular cities for holidays. The May weather might look a bit chilly, but it is pleasant enough and very nice as you avoid the even larger crowds starting in June.

There are a lot of outdoor attractions in Berlin, but at least May is a fairly dry month so you should be able to spend all day outside and be comfortable. One of Berlin’s many charms is that it’s one of the cheapest capital cities in western Europe. Hotel deals here are still quite good, especially in the areas of the former East. Rates were up quite a bit for the dates we checked for 2024, but usually you’ll find better deals than the ones mentioned below.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €83 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €93 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €14 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Berlin
>>>Berlin prices and travel tips


Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • May avg high: 61F/16C
  • May avg low: 46F/8C
  • May avg precip: 2.0″/5.0cm

Amsterdam highlights in May

  • Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House
  • Rijksmuseum and Rembrandt House
  • Stunning 16th Century architecture and canals
  • “Coffeeshops” and other odd ball attractions
  • Nearly car-free city center that is walkable

Those temperatures above might not look too appealing, but Amsterdam is another city that is so crowded from June through August that it can feel unbearable at times. May is a perfect month to come for decent temperatures and moderate rainfall. This is mostly an indoor city, but of course you’ll want to do a canal tour and perhaps a walking tour, so you can schedule those on the best weather days of your stay.

Flights into Amsterdam can be reasonable from all over the world. And if you are already in Europe you’ll find that trains here are wonderful. The high-speed train from Paris takes only a bit over 3 hours, and Berlin is only a bit over 5 hours away. A new hotel tax that launched in 2020 has made it even more expensive than it already was, but Amsterdam is amazing enough that it doesn’t sting as much as it might elsewhere.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €126 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €161 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €43 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Amsterdam
>>>Amsterdam prices and travel tips


Krakow, Poland

  • May avg high: 68F/20C
  • May avg low: 48F/9C
  • May avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm

Krakow highlights in May

  • Historic district surrounded by a park
  • Wawel Royal Castle
  • Day trip to Auschwitz (worth it)
  • Cheap hotels and hostels
  • Cheap local food and fun nightlife even for tourists

We consider Krakow to be Europe’s best big city travel bargain, and May is a great month to visit before the larger summer crowds descend on the place. There are a few cheaper large big cities in Europe, but none of them are this nice or interesting. Krakow has also become popular with the party crowd who fly in for weekend breaks to enjoy the cheap hotels, food, and drinks.

One of the reasons that Krakow isn’t even more crowded is that the trains are still fairly slow in this part of Europe, and the closest other large cities are Prague and Budapest. For that reason you might want to fly into Krakow, but you can also consider buses because they are usually cheaper and often just as fast as trains around here.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €54 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €63 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €13 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Krakow
>>>Krakow prices and travel tips


Prague, Czech Republic

  • May avg high: 66F/19C
  • May avg low: 47F/8C
  • May avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm

Prague highlights in May

  • Prague Castle and Charles Bridge
  • Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock
  • Some of Europe’s finest original architecture
  • Excellent beer that is cheap if you avoid other tourists
  • One of Europe’s nightlife capitals

The May temperatures in Prague don’t look great, and it does rain a bit this month. Still, the crowds in Prague have gotten so out of hand in summer that you’ll be far better off visiting before the main crush begins in June. The main sightseeing corridor in Prague is now almost like Venice in that it can be exhausting during peak season, so May is more enjoyable.

While Prague hotel prices have gone up in recent years, it’s still possible to get a well located hotel with good rates. And food here is still cheap as long as you avoid the most touristy places with the big English-language menus out front. If you have 2 or 3 more days in your trip you should consider a side trip to the wonderful small town of Cesky Krumlov, which is 3 hours away on a scenic bus ride or train.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €90 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €95 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €14 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Prague
>>>Prague prices and travel tips


Budapest, Hungary

  • May avg high: 71F/22C
  • May avg low: 51F/11C
  • May avg precip: 2.5″/6.3cm

Budapest highlights in May

  • Hungarian Parliament Building
  • Buda Castle
  • Hot springs that are cheap and easy to visit
  • Cheap food and hotels (if you avoid the Danube-view places)
  • Ruin pubs and other unusual nightlife with cheap drinks

If Krakow is our best big-city bargain in Europe, Budapest is probably right behind it. The May temperatures are warm enough for sightseeing and the hotel rates here this month are still very modest. As long as you stay a bit away from the river, you can get excellent bargains in both accommodation and food.

The nightlife in Budapest is also a highlight, even for those who speak no Hungarian. The famous “ruin pubs” are like nothing you’ve seen before, with several forms of entertainment going on at all times, along with cheap drink prices.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €51 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €64 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €11 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Budapest
>>>Budapest prices and travel tips


Athens, Greece

  • May avg high: 79F/26C
  • May avg low: 57F/14C
  • May avg precip: 0.9″/2.3cm

Athens highlights in May

  • Acropolis and Parthenon
  • Acropolis Museum
  • Ancient Agora of Athens
  • Cheap hotels and food by Europe standards
  • Ferry ride away from many islands, which are opening for the year in May

The month of May is perfect in Athens as it’s plenty warm enough to enjoy the outdoor sights such as the Acropolis, but not yet so hot and crowded that it can get miserable. May is also the first month of the year that visiting the Greek Islands is worthwhile, so many people will spend 2 or 3 days in Athens and then take a ferry or flight to an island for some serious relaxation.

Greece has hundreds of islands with hotels and tourism, spread over a large area. There are a few within a short ferry ride to Athens, but the most famous ones are farther out. If this is your first visit to Greece you should consider SantoriniMykonos, or Rhodes. They are the most popular and can be reached by ferry or air. Santorini has become so insanely crowded during summer in recent years that it’s probably not worth a visit, but in May it should still be rather pleasant.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €74 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €83 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €12 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Athens
>>>Athens prices and travel tips


Istanbul, Turkey

  • May avg high: 71F/22C
  • May avg low: 54F/12C
  • May avg precip: 1.3″/3.3cm

Istanbul highlights in May

  • Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque
  • Grand Bazaar and general shopping
  • Topkapi Palace
  • Great food at very reasonable prices
  • Very cheap hotels in central locations

Many of us grew up with an image of Istanbul being surrounded by desert, but it’s actually on a similar latitude to Chicago, Rome, and Barcelona, so the May temperatures here are still mild. Easily one of the most fascinating and historic cities in the world, Istanbul had become somewhat expensive for a few years, but a fall in the currency here and drop in visits due to a few political protests have put it back into the bargain category.

Turkey has gone through some struggles in recent years, not having to do with the pandemic. Their government has been trying to kick-start the economy with low interest rates and that has triggered runaway inflation instead. Fortunately for outside visitors, the currency decline is outrunning the inflation rate, so all of Turkey is a fantastic bargain in 2024. Consider a visit to the stunning Cappadocia area if you’ve got 2 or 3 extra days.

  • Good 3-star hotels in May from €56 for two people
  • Good 4-star hotels in May from €63 for two people
  • Hostel dorm beds in May from €12 per person

>>Check hotel deals for Istanbul
>>>Istanbul prices and travel tips

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  1. Toby Lopez says:

    oops forgot to add I’ve thought of adding Munich for Bavarian Alps, maybe Rothenburg and day trip to Salzburg

  2. Toby Lopez says:

    Thank you, I’m more interested in outdoors, natural beauty, and food. Not really into art, museums, or architecture.