The Ultimate List of Best Places to Visit in May

May is honestly one of the most underrated months to travel in. The peak summer rush hasn’t fully kicked in yet and prices are still relatively low in a lot of places. The weather is also great for most parts of the world. If you’ve been putting off booking that trip, take this as your sign. Here are the best places to visit in May that are actually worth your hard-earned time & money.

Greece

Santorini in the sweet of May is the sweet spot. It’s warm enough to enjoy beaches and clifftop walks but without the wall-to-wall tourists showing up in July and August. Here, places are lower, restaurants aren’t fully booked out and you can actually stop and take in the views without someone photobombing every shot you take.
Grab a Greece eSIM so that you’re well connected from the moment you land - be it navigating ferry schedules or finding hidden local spots. 

Japan

Japan is truly underrated in May. The Golden Week brings about a festive buzz to the cities. And once it ends around May 5th, the crowds thin out and you’re left with comfortable temperatures and lush green landscapes across Kyoto and Tokyo. It’s one of the best holiday destinations in May if you want a mix of cultural celebrations, food and city energy.

A Japan eSIM is essential here. You’ll be using Google Maps constantly to navigate the bullet train and find backstreet restaurants.

Portugal

Lisbon in May is warm, affordable and genuinely lovely to walk around in. Especially before summer crowds arrive. The Algarve coastline is also at its best. The golden cliffs, sea caves and coastal towns like Lagos can actually be enjoyed without fighting through peak-season tourists.

If you’re still deciding between spring months, the best places to go in April are worth a look, too. 

Morocco

Marrakech in May sits at a comfortable 25-28°C. Warm and vibrant, but before the intense summer heat makes the medina unbearable. The souks, riads, and food scene alone make it worth the trip, and if you have time, heading into the Atlas Mountains or towards the Sahara in May is one of the most rewarding road trips you can do.

For anyone after good places to go in May that feel genuinely different from the standard European city break, Morocco consistently delivers.

Italy

The Amalfi Coast in May is accessible in a way it simply isn't in August - you can drive the coastal road, enjoy the restaurants, and breathe. Tuscany is equally stunning, with vineyards coming back to life and hilltop towns like San Gimignano that are actually walkable in the mild heat.

Italy is one of the best places to travel in May if you want history, scenery, and world-class food without paying peak summer prices. Check out Three Mobile eSIM from reliable providers like eSIM Cards for data options across Europe.

Bali

May sits right at the tail end of Bali's wet season, which means the rice terraces are an almost ridiculous shade of green while the weather is turning sunnier by the day. Ubud feels peaceful and lush, the surf on the west coast is solid, and prices haven't hit their dry-season peak yet.

It's one of the best destination to visit in May in Southeast Asia for the mix of nature, culture, and affordability all in one island. Get an Indonesia eSIM before you go so that you can upload Bali pics in real time.

Spain

Spain in May is perfect - warm without being overwhelming, and the festival season is just getting started. Barcelona's streets are buzzing, Madrid's rooftop bars are open, and the coastal towns along the Costa Brava are beautiful without the packed beaches of summer.

A Spain eSIM keeps you connected as you move between cities, and trust us, you'll want data when you're trying to find the best pintxos bar in San Sebastián.

Croatia

Croatia is one of the best places to go in May, which feels like a well-kept secret. Dubrovnik's famous old city walls, the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes, and the island-hopping around Split and Hvar are all far more enjoyable in May when the summer yacht crowds haven't arrived yet.

The Adriatic coast is already warm and clear - great for swimming without the chaos of July.

Thailand

May marks the start of low season in parts of Thailand, which works in your favour — resorts drop their prices, the Gulf Coast islands like Koh Samui stay relatively dry, and popular spots feel genuinely relaxed. Chiang Mai is also brilliant in May for temple visits, jungle treks, and street food that costs next to nothing.

Get the eSIM Cards App and activate a Thailand data plan before you even board the plane - no hunting for a local SIM at the airport.

Turkey

Istanbul in May is one of the most pleasant city-break experiences in Europe. The Bosphorus is glittering, the rooftop restaurants are open, and Cappadocia's famous hot air balloon rides are running daily with clear skies and comfortable temperatures. It's the best holiday destination in May that genuinely covers both history lovers and photographers equally well.

A Turkey eSIM is worth grabbing if you plan on moving between Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the Aegean coast in one trip.

Canada

Canada in May is a country slowly waking up after winter, and it's a surprisingly good time to visit. Banff National Park starts opening up its trails, Vancouver is green and mild, and cities like Toronto and Montreal have an energy about them as the outdoor terraces and events come back to life.

It's one of the more underrated best places to visit in May if you want big landscapes without the full summer tourist rush. And a Canada eSIM ensures you don’t have to keep searching for public WiFi when you need internet.

Iceland

Iceland never really has a traditional peak season, but May is special because the days are getting dramatically longer - you're looking at 20+ hours of daylight by late May, which means more time to explore waterfalls, lava fields, and the Ring Road without rushing. The northern lights are fading by now, but the landscapes more than make up for it.

For remote areas where WiFi is non-existent, an Iceland eSIM keeps you connected across the whole island.

Quick Tips for Travelling in May

May is genuinely one of the most flexible months for travel. Most of the best places to visit in May are also well past their rainy or cold season and peak summer pricing hasn’t fully kicked in.

A few things worth keeping in mind, though is to book accommodation early. For each destination, try to get connectivity sorted before you head off. If you’re travelling through Europe and want to visit the UK, get the best eSIM plans UK from providers like eSIM Cards. With their eSIM plans, you can seamlessly stay online while avoiding roaming charges and buggy WiFi.