Best places to travel in May
12 destinations ranked by overall draw and how well May fits each. Updated daily.
Best picks for May
Italy
Western EuropeThe benchmark for food, history, and beauty.
Greece
Southern EuropeAncient history, beach, and good food in perfect Mediterranean combination.
Japan
East AsiaExtraordinary food, culture, and cities. Nothing quite prepares you for it.
Bali, Indonesia
Southeast AsiaWarm, affordable, endlessly deep — beach, wellness, and culture in one place.
Croatia
Eastern EuropeDubrovnik, the Adriatic coast, ancient cities. Compact and beautiful.
Iceland
Northern EuropeGeysers, glaciers, northern lights, hot springs.
Lisbon, Portugal
Western EuropeThe best value city in Western Europe.
South Korea
East AsiaSeoul is one of the most exciting cities in Asia.
Morocco
North AfricaMedinas, desert, mountains, and coast — sensory and varied.
Norway
Northern EuropeFjords, northern lights, midnight sun — utterly unlike anywhere else.
Peru
South AmericaMachu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lima's food scene, and the Amazon.
Southern Portugal
Western EuropeAtlantic beaches, excellent food and wine, slow pace.
Trending right now
Underrated spots having a moment this May.
Skip in May
Off-season for these places — rainy, too hot, or limited access.
Frequently asked
Where's the best place to travel in May?
Italy. The benchmark for food, history, and beauty. May is peak season there.
Where should I avoid in May?
Places like Thailand, The Alps, India are off-season — rainy, too hot, or limited access. Worth checking the calendar on the destination page before you book.
What's a good budget destination in May?
Italy, Greece, Bali, Indonesia all sit in the budget-to-mid range and work well in May.
Personal match
Let the quiz pick for May
22 questions, three destinations matched to your travel style. Five minutes.
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