The 22 best places to visit in May

May is a great month for visiting many places around the world: for wildlife watching, warm weather, festivals and other cultural experiences – so figuring out where to go and what to see can be tricky.

Whether you’re looking for planning a longer-term trip, or are just looking for a shorter May break somewhere pleasantly sunny, we’ve got recommendations for you.

Skip ahead to your chosen travel type by clicking on one of the below, or keep scrolling for the full list:

• The best May destinations for festivals and culture
• The best May destinations for quiet adventures
• The best May destinations to visit for wildlife watching

Here are 22 of the best places to visit in May…

The best May destinations for festivals & culture

May is an excellent time for food lovers to visit the Croatian coastline. The country is famed for its gastronomy as it is, but there are three fantastic food events this month that celebrate the best of its cuisine.

Head to Split before the summer crowds arrive and join the locals in celebrating Sudamja, the feast of St Domnius. Despite the name, it’s not all about the food: there are live bands, traditional performances, exhibitions and even an International Rowing Regatta. But cuisine still takes the pride of place with plenty of Dalmatian delicacies to get stuck into.

Elsewhere on the island of Krk, lamb takes centre stage at the Black Sheep Festival, whereas wine and seafood is the focus of the maritime Festival of Peljesac Captains in Orebić.

Every May, towns across the province of Quezon celebrate the festival of Pahiyas, the most colourful and grand harvest festival in the Philippines. The modern-day event has been going on for more than sixty years now, and is held in honour of the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador.  

Visitors can experience the joyous festival atmosphere in several towns, but at the heart of it all is the city of Lucban. Here, locals decorate the front of their houses with fruit, vegetables, flowers and other produce to create colourful and artistic façade. Throughout the two weeks of celebrating, there’s also competitions, parades, cultural performances and fiestas. Make sure to also swing by a food vendor to try some local dishes such as pancit habhab (rice flour noodles stir fried with vegetables and meat), or Lucban pilpit (a sticky, sweet treat made with rice flour and squash and dipped in caramelised sugar).

Celebrate spring in bloom in the Canadian capital at the Canada Tulip Festival. Held every May, the festival is said to be the largest of its kind in the world – despite the Netherlands often considered the home of tulips.

The origins of tulips in Canada began when the Dutch royal family gifted Canada 100,000 bulbs following the WWII, and then 10,000 bulbs each year following. This eventually led to the first tulip festival being held in Ottawa in 1953 and has now become the city’s official flower. Visitors can now enjoy a spectacle of vibrant and curated floral displays planted in Commissioners Park by following a free self-guided tour of the tulips.

Nowadays, there’s more than just flowers to enjoy: there’s food trucks, drone shows, open-air movies and more of outdoor delights.

Summer in D.C. is usually called 'sticky' – but if you visit in May you’re likely to catch a few spring rays.

The National Memorial Day Parade takes place in May, as does Passport DC throughout the month, with workshops, exhibitions and fun festivals taking place to celebrate its diplomatic community. You may also be lucky to catch a free jazz concerts that take place throughout the month at the National Gallery of Art.

The weather offers opportune time to explore the city’s iconic monuments. The towering Washington Monument, which honours the first president of the United States, George Washington, can be found in National Mall. The Lincoln Memorial can be found there too, while the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is nearby in West Potomac Park.

Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican Republic’s defeat of French Forces during the Battle of Puebla on the 5 May, 1962. Although the French went on to win the war, this day is still considered important to Mexico.

Although celebrations take place across the country, the main festivities are largely held within Puebla City, near to where the original battle took place. The day extend to a month-long party, with fairs, plays and concerts held citywide.

On 5 May itself, a re-enactment of the originally battle takes place at Penon de los Banos, while a frenzy of colourful floats, traditional mariachi bands and locals dressed in period costume (and fuelled by margaritas) march through the streets in a spectacular display.

Carnival season might take place in February across many countries, but the party is just getting started in the Cayman Islands.

Batabano Carnival on Grand Cayman first launched in 1983, getting its name from the island’s turtle heritage. The word ‘batabano’ is a Caymanian term describing the tracks left in the sand when the turtles crawl up the beach to nest – which usually begins in May (another great reason for wildlife enthusiasts to visit – although make sure to be respectful and observe from a distance).

As with most carnivals, the national carnival is a colourful celebration of the Cayman Island’s heritage and culture, with parades, costumes and performances. The islands are home to 100 different nationalities, so there’s a melting pot of cultural influences evident in the music, dancing and cuisine.  

Most people will think of Cannes when it comes to film festivals in May, but did you know the Seattle International Film Festival has been running for more than half a century now? The Washington State capital invites people to join in the fun with a series of screenings throughout the event, said to be the largest of its kind in the USA.

Also taking place during May is the Nothwest Folklife Festival – an open-air music and arts festival that takes place at the Seattle Center. Expect spontaneous buskers, impromptu jam sessions and ticketed concerts and get to experience the music culture of this exciting city.

May is great time to visit Seattle in general before the hoards arrive for the summer season.

Weather-wise, April to May is one of the better visiting windows for Uzbekistan. Being a desert country, it's often rather hot and dry during the summer.

The culturally rich country has a series of festivals worth travelling for in May. First up is the Silk and Spices festival: held annually in Bukhara, the festival aims to preserves the country’s heritage and support local artisans. The programmes includes traditional band performances and traditional games and sporting competitions, as well as master classes and tasting sessions. A parade opens the festival, transporting visitors to a bygone era when silk and spice travelled through Uzbekistan on its way from China to Europe.

Alternatively, there’s also the chance to immerse yourself in the traditions and culture of the little-changed villages in the Boysun district – an area recognised by UNESCO for its Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Boysun (Baysun) Bahori Festival aims to celebrate its unique culture and raise awareness of a way of life that's dying out. It includes yurt camps with performances and workshops, and traditional sports such as kurash (wrestling), kupkari (horseriding games) and tight rope walking.

Memphis in May International Festival is a month-long celebration that takes place across the Tennessee city. An array of events are held, from the famed Beale Street Music Festival to a barbeque cooking competition – a cuisine Memphis is known for. Each year it also pays tribute to a different country and its culture, previously saluting nations including Ghana, Poland, Canada and Columbia.

While you’re here, it would be a crime not to visit Elvis Presley’s former home of Graceland. The property has now been transformed into a museum, with collections displaying his gold records, bejewelled jumpsuits and classic cars.  

The Caribbean isn’t often a destination people consider to visit in May, especially as Europe begins to warm up, but as well as St Lucia's year-round balmy climate, the island also hosts one of the world’s best jazz festivals this month. 

Now more than 30 years old, St Lucia Jazz Festival & Arts Festival is now one of the most popular events on the island. Against the lush backdrop of the historical Pigeon Island National Park, attendees can immerse themselves in open-air performances with a musical programme spanning classic jazz, Afro beats, soca, gospel, and jazz-pop with a line-up of world-renowned musicians.

While visiting, wildlife lovers can scout out the island’s endemic ‘Small Six’ – as opposed to Africa’s ‘Big Five’ – on a inland walking trek across the island. This includes the St Lucia Parrot, St Lucia black finch, St Lucia oriole, St Lucia warbler, St Lucia racer and the St Lucia pygmy gecko.

The best May destinations for quiet adventures

Montenegro celebrates its relatively new Independence Day on 21 May each year. The capital of Podgorica is central to the festivities, where cultural performances and concerts brings partygoers to its streets, Independence Square and Gorica Park. Although beware, many restaurants and shops might close for the occasion.

The capital makes a fantastic jumping off point for exploring Montenegro’s gems on the Adriatic coastline. A large part of this coastline dips inland, forming a stunning fjord dotted with picturesque towns. Kotor and Perast are must-visits for old town architecture with views across the bay. From here, you can then drive 30 minutes to Budva, known for its medieval centre and sandy beaches, and further along to Sveti Stefan, home to an tiny island with a 15^th -century fortified town.

It's an ideal time of year to visit, as May brings warm days and avoids too many crowds – summer expects hordes of day trippers from Croatia who often take a tour of Montenegro’s highlights.

Santorini and Mykonos might be the first islands that spring to mind when thinking of the Cyclades, but there’s so many hidden gems to explore that have just as much – if not more – to offer travellers, and away from the party scene.

To name just a couple of alternatives, the southwestern isle Milos is an otherworldly land of thermal springs, ethereal rock formations and over 80 beautiful beaches and harbours.

If activities such as diving and hiking are more up your street, Amorgos, tucked away in the distant southeastern arc of the Cyclades, is for you. It’s is also famous for its pies. Fried white beet and fennel pie, or xerotígana, as the locals call it. And don’t miss the extraordinary whitewashed monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, clinging to the cliffs.

Did you know May is National Walking Month in the UK? As the tail-end of spring, it’s the ideal temperature for pulling out your hiking boots and hitting the countless walking trails around the country, especially in the national parks.

Head to Pembrokeshire National Park to follow the coastal path along the Welsh coastline. Home to a glorious 300 km trail, it uncovers secluded coves and pastel ports and over 50 beaches and 40 Iron Age forts. There’s no need to tackle it all in one go though – there are plenty of shorter itineraries available. Those brave enough for a cold-water plunge can dive into the famous Blue Lagoon, located on the north coast of the national park.

Most UK walking festivals kick off in May, offering a variety of guided walks. The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is one of the most popular, with some challenging treks along its shoreline filled with fascinating rock formations, whereas Suffolk Walking Festival tends to offer gentler inclines as you ramble alongside the North Sea coast.

Read more 7 pretty towns on the UK’s south coast

It's long been thought that hiking the famous Inca Trail is best done in May. It won't be quite as busy as it will be in the summer, and the weather's very palatable: not much rainfall, and easy temperatures.

For a quick summary of what it's all about, the Inca Trail is a multi-day trek through spectacular Peruvian landscapes, passing ancient Inca ruins before reaching the iconic Machu Picchu.

Fortunately, it'll be less chilly on nights in May, as it does get colder as the sun goes down in June, July and August. You'll be avoiding rainy season, which takes place from December to April.

May is one of the best months to go walking in Slovenia, especially if you're planning to hit the Juliana Trail. The 270 km-long hiking route weaving through the Julian Alps not only provides views of soaring peaks, but also traverses through old mountain villages, lush green valleys and blooming meadows of wildflowers. 

If you want to take on a smaller challenge, the trail is divided into 16 sections of approximately 17 km each. The route is well-marked so you don't have to worry about going off track. 

You'll likely fly into Ljubljana in order to get to the Julian Alps. The Slovenian capital is well worth a stopover for a couple of nights, with cobbled pedestrian streets, green parks and Ljubljanica River lined with outdoor cafes. 

The best May destinations for wildlife watching

International Leopard Day is celebrated on 3 May every year, and it just so happens to be a great month to try and spot these big cats in the wild.

Although Africa and India may spring to mind, Sri Lanka is also a key destination for leopard spotting, and the best place for prime viewing is Yala National Park. Home to the sub-species endemic to the country, in certain areas of the park the density is approximately one leopard every square kilometre. Other animals to spot also include sloth bears (who emerge to feed on newly grown palu tree fruit in May), sambar (large deer) and buffalo, among others.

Similar fauna can be found in Wilpattu, Sri Lanka’s largest national park. Although leopard sightings are not as famed here anymore, there is still the possibilities to seek them out.

It's also a great time out of year to enjoy the less-popular east coast, home to plenty of dreamy beaches, and you won't be suffering from monsoon season.

Read next: A guide to Sri Lanka's national parks

May is the final month before a scorching hot summer begins in the Middle East, however the increased temperatures make the waters of the Red Sea comparable to that of a bath – making May an ideal time to experience its beautiful reef system.

Of course, there are many countries that border the Red Sea. One of the most popular spots is Hurghada in Egypt, so we recommend trying a lesser-known destination. A great option is Aqaba in Jordan, where divers can share the water with dolphins and tropical fish among shallow coral reefs, deep canyons and fascinating underwater shipwrecks.

Alternatively, Saudi Arabia also has plenty of exciting options along its Red Sea coastline, but Farasan Islands Marine Sanctuary is one of its best-kept secrets. Dive in clear waters to find unspoilt reefs with schooling hammerheads, barracuda and tuna.

This archipelago located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean welcomes many species of whales to its waters in May, making it an opportune time to spot these giants of the ocean.

Year-round its possible to spot sperm whales, however there’s an abundance of them found off the shores in May and through the summer months. Also migrating through the waters from March until June are larger species including the fin and blue whales, which are best seen around the island of São Miguel.

With more sunny days and winds beginning to drop, May is also a great month for hiking the island’s network of dazzling trails, known for volcanic azure lakes, flourishing greenery, birds and waterfalls. It promises to be one of the most enchanting and heavenly places to walk.

Read next: Where to see whales in the wild

Phillip Island is a well-known destination for wildlife watchers keen to see penguins. In May, penguins start their nest building, and can usually be spotted around 5.30pm. There’s also a ‘penguin parade’ at sunset, whatever the weather.

From May to October, there’s a chance of seeing whales, too. Humpback whales and southern right whales are often spotted along the Victoria coast. There are numerous trails and update pages to help you with the best chance of spotting.

Dry season begins in May and lasts until October, and low season for safari parks is December to April – so May is an ideal time to visit any of Botswana’s main safari reserves, including Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta.

Not only does it have some of the best weather conditions for safari (clear skies, warm weather without overbearing heat and only a small chance of rainfall), but it’s also before the absolute peak season begins in June.

Located in the High Arctic Tundra within the Canadian territory of Nunavut, Baffin Island transforms into one of the most exciting wildlife hotspots in May as its ice begins to melt.

This is prime time for polar bears to go hunting, as they approach the melted floe edge in search for prey such as seals and other fish. It’s strongly advised to seek out polar bears with an expert guide who can educate you about these white giants, take you to the best spots, and keep you safe.  

Inbetween the melting shards of ice, there’s also ample opportunity to spot mystical narwhals. These ‘unicorns of the sea’ feed beneath the ice year round, but in the month of May and June they often come closer to the shore. Join a polar bear and narwhal expedition and you might just get the best of both (but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed).

The Galapagos is often a go-to spot during turtle nesting season, but there are other destinations to witness this spectacular spectacle of nature – like Oman.

Many are surprised to learn thousands of turtles migrate to the Sultanate for nesting season which begins in May, one of the cooler months in Oman. An estimated 20,000 sea turtles crawl onto the Arabian Peninsula sands, dig their nests, and lay from 50,000 to 60,000 every year.

Green turtles are likely to be seen on most Omani beaches, with Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve being the top spots to visit. The latter is the largest reserve in the Indian Ocean with strict rules in place to manage and protect the endangered marine reptile. Other species can be found on Masirah Island, Oman’s largest island, while leatherback turtles may also be spotted in Omani waters, but don’t come to shor

Read more:

The best places to visit in June

The best places to visit in July

The best places to visit in August