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

The benchmark for food, history, and beauty.

Greece

Southern Europe

Ancient history, beach, and good food in perfect Mediterranean combination.

Japan

Extraordinary food, culture, and cities. Nothing quite prepares you for it.

Bali, Indonesia

Warm, affordable, endlessly deep — beach, wellness, and culture in one place.

Croatia

Dubrovnik, the Adriatic coast, ancient cities. Compact and beautiful.

Iceland

Northern Europe

Geysers, glaciers, northern lights, hot springs.

Lisbon, Portugal

The best value city in Western Europe.

South Korea

Seoul is one of the most exciting cities in Asia.

Morocco

Medinas, desert, mountains, and coast — sensory and varied.

Norway

Northern Europe

Fjords, northern lights, midnight sun — utterly unlike anywhere else.

Peru

Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lima's food scene, and the Amazon.

Southern Portugal

Atlantic beaches, excellent food and wine, slow pace.

Trending right now

Underrated spots having a moment this May.

Bali, Indonesia

Warm, affordable, endlessly deep — beach, wellness, and culture in one place.

South Korea

Seoul is one of the most exciting cities in Asia.

Georgia (Caucasus)

Extraordinary food, wine, hospitality, mountains, and old cities — all cheap.

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.