WHERE TO GO IN MAY | THE BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL THIS MONTH
May is my secret-weapon month: summer weather in a lot of places without the summer crowds or prices. If you can travel before Memorial Day, you'll have a lot of these places almost to yourself.
Here are my top picks for May, plus a splurge and a save hotel for each one so you can choose what fits your budget.
1. Florida's 30A
Warm Gulf water, sugar-white sand and walkable beach towns like Seaside, Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach, all before school lets out. Rent bikes and ride between towns, grab lunch from the food trucks in Seaside and stay for the sunset. May is the sweet spot before the summer crowds arrive.
Splurge: WaterColor Inn — The original 30A beachfront inn, with rooms looking right out over the Gulf and easy access to the beach and bike paths.
Save: Hotel Effie Sandestin — A rooftop pool and an easy home base just west of 30A, usually at a much better price than staying right in the beach towns.
Read more: My guide to Seaside, Florida
2. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Late spring brings warm days, lemon season and swimmable water before the peak summer crowds arrive in June. Base yourself in Positano or Amalfi, take a boat to Capri and plan long lunches overlooking the sea. The roads get busy, so lean on boats and ferries whenever you can.
Splurge: Le Sirenuse — Positano's most iconic hotel, with the famous pool, perfect views and impeccable service.
Save: Hotel Marincanto — Terraced sea views in Positano and an easy walk to the beach, at a more reasonable price than the big-name hotels.
3. Portugal
Lisbon is lively and the Algarve beaches are warming up. Ride the trams through Alfama, eat pastéis de nata warm from the oven and then head south for golden cliffs and sea caves. It's great value, great food and easy to combine city and coast in one trip.
Splurge: Vila Vita Parc — A clifftop resort in the Algarve with gardens, pools and beach access, plus excellent restaurants on site.
Save: Memmo Alfama — A boutique hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking the old town and the river, in the heart of Lisbon's most charming neighborhood.
4. London
Long days, gardens in full bloom and some of the best weather of the year for walking the city. Spend a morning in Hyde Park, wander Notting Hill and catch a West End show at night. May also tends to be a little calmer than the busy summer months.
Splurge: Claridge's — Mayfair's art deco legend, with afternoon tea in the Foyer and that classic London glamour.
Save: The Hoxton, Holborn — Cool, well-priced and central, with a buzzy lobby and easy access to the Tube.
Read more: A day in London
5. Croatia
Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast before the summer rush: sunny days, clear water and much easier sightseeing in the Old Town. Walk the city walls early in the morning, then island-hop to Hvar or Korčula. The seafood and local wine are a highlight.
Splurge: Villa Dubrovnik — Cliffside views of the Old Town with a private boat shuttle into the harbor.
Save: Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik — A resort-style stay on the Lapad peninsula with pools and easy bus access to the Old Town.
6. Ireland
Green everything, longer days and some of the driest weather of the year make May a great time for a road trip. Drive the Wild Atlantic Way, see the Cliffs of Moher and settle into a pub with live music at night. Pack a rain jacket anyway.
Splurge: Adare Manor — One of the most beautiful castle hotels in Europe, with stunning grounds, golf and a world-class spa.
Save: The Dean Dublin — A fun, stylish base in Dublin with a great rooftop, perfect for the first or last nights of a road trip.
Not sure where to go?
Take my Trip Finder quiz. Answer a few quick questions about when you're traveling, your travel style and your budget, and I'll match you with a destination plus three places to stay.
Or skip the research entirely. I plan trips for readers, from long weekends to honeymoons, and I'll build an itinerary around your dates, budget and style. Here's how planning a trip with me works.
Every trip is different, and weather, events and hotel availability can change from year to year, so double-check dates before you book.
More months: Where to go in April · Where to go in June
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