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
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
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 Santorini, Mykonos, 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
Hi
Thanks for your recommendation.
I have been to the swiss alps last year. Had spent a week in grindelwald and Interlaken and Lucerne. On the way to the swiss had a halt at Triberg, which was also beautiful.
So I think I will follow your suggestion of Rome, Florence and Venice.
Thanks
Sudha
I have 22 nights planned in May and this was my plan
3/4 London, Bath? York?
5/6 Paris-French Rivera, Normandy?
3/4 Interlaken
2/3 Venice
2 Vienna
2 Prague
3/4 Berlin
3/4 Amsterdam
Vienna/Prague may be cut and the travel time from Interlaken to Venice and out of Italy for rest of trip is really cutting into my time.
Toby,
Your plan looks quite good. London will require at least 3 full days and 4 is better. You could visit Bath as a day trip (along with Stonehenge and/or Oxford) on a bus tour, or you could take a train ride and spend a day there, but it takes quite a bit of time to get back to London from there for the train to Paris. York is small enough to enjoy in a day if you got an early-morning train out of London, but again, it takes several hours to get back so you might just save those for a future tour of Britain.
I’d save at least 3 or 4 days for Paris. You could enjoy the French Riviera in 2 or 3 days by visiting Nice (it’s very close to Monaco and Cannes by train). As for Normandy, it really depends on what you’d want to see there. If you mainly just want to enjoy the beach areas I’d go to Nice instead, but if you want to visit some historical sights you’ve got some good options, although not all of them are easily reached by public transportation.
I normally recommend spending 24 to 48 hours in Venice. It’s quite compact, but it’s also so crowded that most people are ready to leave after seeing the main sights (which are amazing by the way).
I think saving Vienna for another trip might be wise, unless there are things there that are really high on your list. I find it a little dull, although the famous palaces and cultural institutions are very impressive. I think you could enjoy Amsterdam in 3 days and Berlin in 3 days as well. I’m not sure what help you were looking for and I am happy to answer other questions if you have them. -Roger
Hi
Wonderful article to read and in depth knowledge of travel is excellent.
I live in India and am planning to visit Europe in May for 3 weeks.
I have already been to Germany,France and Switzerland.
I want to just travel for 1 week and then will stay with my daughter in Belgium.
In that 1 week, which would be the best place to visit?
I prefer being in nature.
Just adding a note….which would be a better option…Italy or Spain.?
I am not a beach lover. Does Spain have locations other than beaches?
Will I be able to cover a good number of locations in Italy in one week and which ones should I definitely look into? That is, which places in Italy would you recommend for me as a tourist?
Thanks
Sudha,
Thank you for the kind words. I’ll try to help. I’d say the best place to “be in nature” in Europe would be to visit the Swiss Alps. It’s very expensive, but the scenery is some of the most amazing anywhere in the world. Norway is also known for its natural beauty, especially along the west coast in Bergen and north from there. But Norway is also quite expensive and it’s fairly remote. Slovenia and Croatia are great places for nature, though I’m not sure they are worthwhile compared to Italy and Spain, as you suggest.
Spain has more than just beaches, but honestly I think Italy is a far better choice for those who’ve yet to visit either one. Italy has some of the world’s most unforgettable sights and cities, most notably Rome, Florence, and Venice. They are all rather crowded so if you really prefer to be in nature then they may not be for you. I’d suggest either spending most of your week in Switzerland (Interlaken and Lucerne mostly) or you could do 3 days in Rome, 3 days in Florence, and 1 day in Venice.
I’m happy to help with more advice if you require it. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger
You got an awesome site here. earlier thought it was easy to choose a 2 weeks tour of Europe, now I am spoiled for choices.
I am planning a Europe trip in May (Wife + Daughter age 12)
Flying from Mumbai to London, stay 3 days
Then 2 weeks of Europe
Options – Paris 2 days complete
Interlaken + Lucerne (Must) can stay 3 days
Italy 5 or 6
Fly back from Rome.
Can I add more as Salzburg or anything?
Or this will be relaxed tour?
Thanks for all advices given on site, sure will be troubling you more for finer points.
Amit
Amit,
I’m glad you find this useful. Three days in London should be just enough, but Paris in 2 days would be very rushed. This comes up a lot so I wrote a long explanation of why I recommend staying 3 nights in almost any city in Europe you visit. The fastest trip to Italy that I recommend is staying about 24 hours in Venice and then 2 days in Florence and 3 days in Rome.
If you’ve got 3 weeks after London you could take the Eurostar train to Paris and stay 3 days and then take a train to Interlaken for 4 days in Switzerland and then take a train to Venice and to Florence and to Rome before flying back to London for your flight home (unless you can fly home from Rome). I think if you added Salzburg it would be too rushed. In fact, doing it the way I just described would be rushing around quite a bit, but for 17 days or so you should be able to enjoy it still. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hie there,
It’s appreciable and wonderful job done by you,I am willing to travel in May and wish for European country in my list,but as I am first time to move ,I have no idea,So kindly guide me so that I can make my move.Thanks in advance
Ratesh,
The most popular countries to visit for first trips to Europe are England, France, and Italy. More specifically, many people like to visit London and Paris on the same trip, and they are easy to get between on the Eurostar train service. Another trip that is extremely popular for good reason is to tour Italy. Rome, Florence, and Venice are Italy’s “Big 3” destinations and spending 7 to 9 days in them is an excellent first experience in Europe. I hope this gives you an idea at least. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi!
I’m planning a trip with my husband and baby (1.5 yo) and we’re trying to sort out an itinerary for mid-May this year for 2 wks.
We’ve been to many places in Europe having lived there for so many years (and my husband is Swedish) and I’m wondering what are good places to travel to during mid- May with the options being between Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Croatia. I guess Croatia will be chillier and from what I’ve heard, is not that easy to travel around between places. Is there much to do in Switzerland aside from being outside in nature, hiking, skiing, etc? We enjoy trips where we can have nice nature but also the option for good food, shopping, and be able to walk around and explore.
in addition to my last question, wondering about Slovenia in addition to the other places in question in May and if 2 wks is too long to go. Weather likely not too warm yet also.
I’d appreciate the advice!
Karolina,
As discussed in the article above, only the southern coast of Spain and Portugal will have warm enough weather for some sunbathing in mid May, at least on a consistent basis. Croatia get warm enough in June, but in May the temperatures in pretty much all of southern Europe are ideal for sightseeing. Croatia does have slow train service and the trains only go as far south as Split, but because of this they do have frequent and fairly efficient bus service. So getting between cities on buses is pretty cheap and easy, and relatively quick, but not as quick as fast train service in Sweden or Spain.
Switzerland has Europe’s best scenery and it’s concentrated mostly in the Alps and specifically in the Interlaken area. Have a look at my article on where to go in Switzerland for more details. It’s a pretty amazing place, but it’s also quite expensive. Food and drinks are similar in price to Sweden and hotels are also quite expensive.
Spain and Portugal could be great options, especially if you want to explore the cities and culture. Barcelona and Madrid are both great for 3 nights each, and Lisbon is as well. With two weeks you’d still have 5 more days to explore Seville, Granada, or the Costa del Sol, among other choices. Two weeks might be a long trip if you only stay in nature areas or if you are really looking for beach weather, but it’s not too long if you want to go to cities as well.
Italy is a another great choice with pleasant May weather. I mention details on Rome, Florence, and Venice in the article above, and you could do those in 8 or 9 days and spend the rest of your time based in Sorrento to make trips to Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and the Isle of Capri. That would be a wonderful two weeks.
You could spend 8 or 9 days in Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split, and Plitvice Falls National Park) and the rest of the two weeks in Slovenia, which would also be a great time. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi,
I will be in Romania for work in May and I’m looking at extending my trip for 4-5 days. Can you help me decide between Greece, Hungary and Italy. Can I fit 2 of those in? I’m more of an activity person than a sightseer.
Thanks
AB,
The tricky part about Romania is that the train service and even normal roads for bus service are still REALLY slow. It takes at least 14 hours to get to Budapest by train or bus, so it’s obviously better to fly. With that in mind you should probably just look for the places you want to visit most that can be reached on a reasonable flight from Bucharest (assuming that’s where you’ll be).
With 4 or 5 days I’d recommend going to one or two places within the same country as each other. You could fly to Athens and stay two days there and then take a ferry to Santorini or another island for the remaining 2 or 3 days. Or you could fly to Rome and after a few days take a train to Venice or Florence for a day or two. Italy and Hungary are more about sightseeing, while on the Greek islands you’d be able to rent a Jet ski or boat or any other water sport. I’d say Greece is probably your best bet, and May is a nice time to visit because the islands have come to life, but they aren’t very crowded (or expensive) yet. Italy is already really crowded in May. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thank you for the blog and you are doing really amazing work.
I am visiting Paris in May for some work and this is my second visit so would like to explore some best places on weekends other than Paris.
I have 3 weekends to spend so could you please suggest cheapest and best places to visit in Europe from Paris.
If overnight travelling is safe then am ready for it.
Some short lists are (need to final also youcan suggest some if not listed here)
Amsterdam
Brussels
Prague
Nice
Athens
Barcelona
Venice
AP,
This sounds like a great opportunity. If you are looking for three great weekend trips from Paris I’d definitely put Amsterdam on that list. By train it’s a bit over 3 hours, and it’s an amazing city that is very different from Paris.
I’d also visit Nice, which takes just under 6 hours by train. On its own it’s really a wonderful city, but it’s also a great place to stay while visiting Monaco and Cannes, which are each about 20 minutes away by train. That would make a great weekend visit, and this would be a good opportunity because reaching Nice from almost anywhere else is challenging and time consuming.
Prague, Athens, and Venice would require flying. Each is very worthwhile, but personally I strongly prefer trains, especially on weekend trips like these. Getting out to the airport and going through security and all of that is a hassle even in Paris and a one-hour flight still takes at least 5 hours from city center to your hotel in the other city.
Brussels is interesting, but it’s a bit boring compared to Amsterdam. Bruges and Ghent are smaller alternatives that are really lovely, though they will both strongly remind you of a small Amsterdam, so I’d just go to Amsterdam instead.
Barcelona would make a great trip and you can get there by train from Paris in about 6.5 hours. It’s very different from Amsterdam and Nice and it’s a pretty amazing city that would be really great in May. From June though August Barcelona has become VERY crowded and so going as early as possible in May would be really ideal.
Another option would be to explore more within France. The Loire Valley and Normandy are both close to Paris and both with lots to see and do. And of course there are the wine regions to consider as well. I hope this helps.
By the way, those train tickets all have dynamic pricing so the sooner you buy them the cheaper they will be and the more departures you’ll be able to choose from. If you bought them on departure day they’d be VERY expensive. -Roger
Hi,
I loved your replys. I am planning for Croatia for my honeymoon in may. I am planning 15 days. Please suggest places i should definitely visit in Croatia and which neighbouring country should i visit. i am not looking at a very hectic trip. Also Croatia is not a Schengen country. How should i plan for entry.
Dinesh,
Croatia should make a great place for a honeymoon trip. Zagreb is nice, but maybe worth only a day or two and you’ll want to focus on the coast. With 15 days you’ll have enough time to spend at least two days in Dubrovnik, which is the main tourist hub. Dubrovnik is very nice, but it’s almost always crowded, especially on days when a cruise ship is docked, so I prefer to spend more time in Split. Actually, Split is even a bit older and the cities look very similar as the historic districts are both made of white marble and other white materials. Split is also cheaper and more of a real city while Dubrovnik is more touristy. I’d also plan on spending two days or so in Plitvice Falls National Park, which is one of Europe’s most beautiful places. There are also islands near Split and you might want to take a ferry to one of them to spend a couple days there.
As for another country the most obvious one is Slovenia. The capital of Ljubljana is really lovely for a couple days, and you can also visit Lake Bled and the Karst hills. Slovenia is known for its scenery, and it’s also quite affordable. Another option is to visit Budapest if you want to visit a great European city. Again, Zagreb is nice, but Budapest is MUCH more impressive and three nights there could be great if you like historic cities.
Regarding entry, if you fly in you’ll go through Immigration and Customs just as you would in a Schengen country, although of course the requirements can be different so I assume you’ve checked based on the passport you have. If you enter Croatia by train from a Schengen country (or any other country actually) the train typically stops on or near the border and border agents (and sometimes dogs) will board the train and go carriage by carriage until they’ve checked the passports for every passenger. This can take as long as an hour, but it’s factored into the train journey time so the train will usually still arrive when it was supposed to. If you enter by bus the bus will pull over near the border and agents will come on to check passports, and sometimes they just check to make sure your photo matches you and they take all the passports off the bus to check in an office for 10 or 15 minutes. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger!
I’m travelling with my boyfriend in May (we’re from London) and am hoping to plan a surprise trip for his birthday but am stuck between a few locations! I am torn between Malta, Madeira (Funchal) and Naples (and Capri included).
His favourite city is Barcelona – so if you have any suggestions that could perhaps mirror/be a likeness to Barcelona – or if not suggest which is best for seeing both the city and beautiful views. We have been to Mallorca together and it was not the best experience -too touristy! I am concerned about picking a place that resembles that!
Many thanks!!
K
Kate,
This is an interesting one. I’ve yet to make it to Madeira, although I’ve researched it a bit and I don’t think it’s much like Barcelona as far as the culture and nightlife are concerned. I’ve spent a long time on Malta and I have mixed feelings about it. There aren’t many unique attractions and there are almost no beaches at all (the popular areas have big rocks along the coast), but I do like it as a place to chill out when the weather is nice there.
Naples itself is an unusual city, even for Italy. It’s very crowded (because of the way it’s built) and there is almost no green space at all. I think it’s an interesting place to visit, although it still has a reputation for petty crime so I’d prefer to spend nights elsewhere. My favorite city in that area is Sorrento, and that might be a good pick for you. It’s a bit over an hour from Naples on the Circumvesuvia train line, and Pompeii is in between them. It’s also a great place to start a trip to the nearby Amalfi Coast as well as ferries to Capri. In general Sorrento is very relaxed and not overrun by tourists, partly because most people seem to be on day trips most days. English is pretty widely spoken there as well, which isn’t true in most other smaller Italian cities.
A bit more like Barcelona is Lisbon, as it’s on the coast with a great climate and lively culture and nightlife. It’s really a gorgeous city and partly because of its remote location it doesn’t get nearly as many tourists as it should. It’s also more reasonably priced than Barcelona. All of these options will be nicer than Mallorca. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger