Where to go in May
Europe's best weather before high season, and the month Asia's rains begin to arrive in order.
May is the month people who know Europe well tend to pick: warm enough for everything without being hot, very long days, and rates that have not yet reached July levels. In Asia the rains begin arriving region by region — which does not rule the continent out, but does mean choosing the right coast and keeping an indoor fallback.
8 places this month suits
Prancūzija
Long days and warmth enough for both the cities and the countryside, with far shorter queues than summer and the regions outside Paris fully open.
Prancūzija plansItalija
The most balanced month before summer heat: the coast becomes usable and the historic cities are still walkable all day.
Italija plansGruzija
Mountain spring: the routes open and the valleys are at their greenest, with prices still low and far fewer visitors than summer.
Gruzija plansJaponija
Once Golden Week has passed, the weather is good and crowds drop sharply. It sits before the rainy season and is one of the best-value months of the year.
Japonija plansIndonezija
The dry season begins on Bali and Java — sunny with a calming sea, and without July's crowds yet.
Indonezija plansIslandija
Very long daylight and the highland roads starting to open. It is still cold, but the ring route works and there are fewer people than midsummer.
Islandija plansTurkija
Istanbul and the Aegean coast hit their best weather before summer; the sea is warm enough for some and prices have not yet peaked.
Turkija plansPietų Afrika
Early winter, dry and clear across much of the country, and the point where wildlife viewing improves as the vegetation thins.
Pietų Afrika plansWhat this month does to a data plan
Multi-country European trips pick up this month. A regional package covering several countries usually costs less than buying them separately and saves re-configuring every time you step off a cross-border train — check the country list before you set out.
What to skip this month
Thailand's Andaman coast and parts of South Asia enter the monsoon. If your plans depend on boats or diving, move the dates or switch to the Gulf coast, which runs opposite.
Where to go in May
Is May better than June in Europe?+
Better on price and crowds; June is warmer with slightly longer days. For a city trip with a lot of walking, May usually wins.
Should Asia be avoided this month?+
No — the rains do not arrive everywhere at once. Japan and Korea are still good, and in Southeast Asia you pick the coast that is not yet in monsoon.
How many countries does a Europe plan cover?+
It depends on the package, and each one lists its countries on its own page. Check that every country on your route is on that list before you buy, not after you land.