Top travel destinations in May: Ideas and personal recommendations for the best holiday destinations worth visiting in May.
Are you asking yourself "Where can I travel in May?" and looking for warm destinations? Then check out this article for tips and inspiration on the best destinations to visit in May.
In this article you will find suggestions for:
The best travel destinations in May for Germany, Europe and the world.
Places where it is already warm in May (few flight hours or arrival by car or train)
Inspiration for holiday destinations in Germany
Tips for short trips and city breaks in Europe
The best destinations worldwide for round trips, road trips, adventures and beach holidays 2022
Local activities and adventures
Looking for more inspiration?
Go to the best destinations month by month
Go to the best cities in Europe
Tips to make the most of bridge days to take almost twice as much holiday
If you have any other suggestions, I'm of course happy to receive a comment at the end of the article. I love to discover new destinations in the merry month of May through you and I love to travel to places that are not too crowded in this month!
My favourite travel destinations in May:
Normandy:By car or motorhome along the Normandy coast. Take advantage of the low season and travel before the crowds.
Faroe Islands: I love this rugged nature and especially the golden puffins!
Northern Territory with Outback (Uluru) in the Red Centre in Australia: Unique moments in the Australian autumn. For hikes you don't have to start at 5 a.m. now, because the hiking trails are open all day!
In Germany, for me it's the Lake Constance, Rügen and the North Sea islands
My favourites for a city break in May: Rostock, Rome (low season), Belfast (underestimated), Prague and Düsseldorf (Japan Day).
I would definitely like to go there myself in May: Loire, Pellworm, Scotland and Montenegro.
Where is it really nice and warm in May?
Warm destinations we recommend and visit in May are the Canary Islands, Portugal, Florida and Australia (Northern Territory).
Most beautiful holiday destinations in Germany
Mainau Island on Lake Constance
Why now? May is the ideal month to visit the flower island of Mainau. The blossoms are glistening everywhere now and everything is colourful.
There are a few tourists here before the main season, but there are still far fewer than in summer.
What to do on Mainau? Cycle around Lake Constance, take day trips to Constance or Meersburg.
See sights at Lake Constance with tips
Beautiful destination: Flower Island Mainau on Lake Constance
Hamburg in May
Why in May? Hamburg's Hafengeburtstag (harbour birthday) takes place in May. An entire party weekend drives many onlookers to the arrival parade of the traditional ships and cruise liners.
Find all my Hamburg info here:
Top sights in Hamburg for a short trip.
Insider tips Hamburg from locals
Eating and drinking in Hamburg: The best cafés and restaurants
7 cool city tours and activities in Hamburg
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg from the water
Pellworm in May
Why in May? Experience the wind and weather of the North Sea. Here you can experience the power of nature with all its advantages and disadvantages! Before the rush of tourists from Whitsun onwards, Pellworm is simply ideal for relaxing.
What to do in Pellworm? Popular activities are, of course, cycling along the dyke, watching seals or taking a tour with the postman through the mudflats to the Hallig Süderoog!
Düsseldorf in May
Why in May? Do you like Japan as much as we do? Then head to Düsseldorf for Japan Day, which regularly takes place in mid-May .
The capital of North Rhine-Westphalia also has Altbier (for those who like it), the Kö (not to everyone's taste), a great old town and lots of art and culture.
What to do? Explore the diversity of Japanese cuisine in over 400 Japanese restaurants. I love the food, especially ramen soups, mochis and of course sushi.
Did you know that more than 8,000 Japanese people live in Düsseldorf? Also visit the Japanese Garden, learn all about the culture on Japan Day, try on a real kimono or take part in a sake tasting.
City trip in Europe
Prague
The all-time favourite for city breaks Prague, the largest and most populous city in the Czech Republic. In addition, the capital of the Czech Republic has a fascinating history. The metropolis is home to medieval castles, underground pubs, restaurants serving hearty cuisine and many winding cobblestone streets and alleys. Great views of the city with its many church spires await everywhere.
There's plenty to see and do here in Prague all year round. Stroll through the glowing Christmas markets in December or relax in an outdoor beer garden in summer or on a boat on the Vltava River. See the sunrise and sunset over the Charles Bridge or enjoy a cocktail in a chic café or bar. Winter or summer, no matter what time of year you visit Prague, you'll fall in love with this romantic city.
My trip in May was sunny, an ideal destination with pleasant temperatures for a city break.
In fact, there is so much to do that I think a weekend in Prague is the minimum time you should spend in this exciting city. See my recommendations here:
Check out my itinerary for 3 days in Prague and the sights here.
See the top sights in Prague
Prague Castle is best visited early in the morning 
Great photos at any time of day: Charles Bridge in Prague 
My absolute highlight in Prague: Strahov Monastery, the reading room 
Belfast
The Northern Irish capital Belfast is not only an excellent port of call for fans of the popular series "Game of Thrones", although there are indeed many impressive filming locations to be discovered around Belfast and in Northern Ireland in general. The Titanic Museum also attracts many visitors every year. This is because Belfast is where the Titanic was built as the largest ship in the world at the time.
Due to the many disturbances, Belfast was long considered a city to be avoided by travellers. In the meantime, however, this has changed. In Belfast there are many Victorian-style pubs, live music and also a lot to discover in terms of cuisine.
For street art fans, Belfast is also a Mecca. Here you can admire political artworks on countless walls.
In just a few days you can get a good feel for the city, which had its "most glorious" days during the Industrial Revolution. If you also want to explore the surrounding countryside in Northern Ireland, Belfast is also an excellent base. For me, Belfast is an ideal destination that is often forgotten. My insider tip for May.
Read more: Tips for Belfast with places of interest
View of Belfast at sunset. With this view, it's no wonder that the region around Belfast was also used as a filming location for the series "Game of Thrones".
Amsterdam in May
You could also call Amsterdam the city of canals. There are plenty of canals in this beautiful city. That's why you'll find inhabited houseboats almost everywhere. If you want to explore the canals, you can easily hop on one of the many canal boats. Or you can board one of the free ferries near the central station, from which you can also catch a glimpse of Amsterdam from the water.
If you're not so visually impaired, you can do the same as Amsterdam's inhabitants and simply tour the streets by bike. In the canal belt you will find narrow streets with crooked houses. And if the weather doesn't cooperate, Amsterdam has a huge selection of exhibitions and museums. Or how about a coffee variation in one of the many centuries-old bars such as Café Pieper?
Continue to the travel report with tips for Amsterdam
The top sights in Amsterdam
Ideal for a day trip until mid-May: Visit the tulip paradise Keukenhof
Holiday in Amsterdam in May - the city of canals
Jerusalem
Jerusalem - the holy city for the three world religions. It is home to historical relics from Judaism, Islam and Christianity, which is why it has been the subject of fierce battles for thousands of years. If you want to visit archaeological finds and religious sanctuaries, and generally experience a mix of history and modernity at first hand, you should definitely visit Jerusalem.
Why visit Jerusalem in May? In May, the weather is very mild and the temperature is pleasant. If you don't fly to Jerusalem for Easter or another religious holiday, you'll catch a time without the big tourist crowds. If you have more time, you can visit Tel Aviv or the Dead Sea.
Activities: Explore the historic Old City, the Wailing Wall and the Temple Mount. Learn about Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Enjoy the good Israeli cuisine andand take a Food Tour.
The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is an impressive religious site. It is also called the Western Wall or Kotel.
Vienna in May
There are many highlights in Vienna that you should not miss during your visit. These include the Hofburg with its treasury, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Sissi Museum, the Spanish Riding School and Schönbrunn Palace. If you need a break in between, you'll find it in the cosy Viennese coffee houses. You should also definitely visit the Naschmarkt and the vineyards.
Vienna is ideal for anyone who wants to take a short trip to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe without having to fly very far away and is also very well connected by train. May also offers mild temperatures that can reach the 20° mark with only a few rain showers. This means that exploring the city is not a sweaty affair. In mid-May, the Vienna Festival Weeks begin with cultural contributions and performances of music, dance and theatre.
Vienna Highlights with Sights
Holiday in May in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe: Vienna Europe: It's warm here in May
Crete in May
The largest Greek island and the second largest in the eastern Mediterranean after Cyprus, Crete attracts visitors from Germany time and again. I have already been here twice. In the low season in May, Crete is the best example of a holiday on the Mediterranean coast without mass tourism. The costs are also lower then, an insider tip for Greece fans.
Why in May? The weather on Crete in May is simply ideal and with
24° C already warm enough. If you want to avoid the big heat wave in summer, you have to go to the largest Greek island right now!
What to do on Crete? The water temperature is still quite fresh for a pure bathing holiday, but on Crete you can set off to explore the island by rental car. Ancient ruins and excavations (Palace of Knossos), archaeology museum and hiking in nature are activities I prefer anyway.
Road trips: Europe by car or motorhome
Scotland in May
Why in May? There are no midges in May. The Scottish "midges" can be really annoying! Also, in May the wildflowers and rhododendrons bloom in the Scottish Highlands. Temperatures are still a bit nippy, but in Scotland you have to be prepared for changeable weather all year round and be prepared for wind and rain at all times.
What to do in Scotland?
In Inverness, cycle along Loch Ness and Loch Lochy to Fort William.
In Fort William, climb Ben Nevis - Scotland's highest mountain.
Explore the breathtaking (!) Isle of Skye before the high season.
Cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow or a visit to one of the many whisky distilleries are real highlights in Scotland.
Note: Wild camping is (still) allowed. On the West Highland Way you can hike from the Scottish Lowlands near Glasgow into the Scottish Highlands up to Ben Nevis. This long-distance trail is about 150 km long and can be completed in a week if you are fit enough. It was recommended to me by a Scotsman and is high on my travel list.
Trekking adventure in Scotland: Here at Ben A'an with a view of Loch Katrine in the Highlands. Warm destinations worldwide
Komodo and Flores (Indonesia)
Why May? The rainy season is over, everything is green, it is also less humid and almost constantly dry. Beach holidaymakers are drawn to the sun and the sea. It's still low season, so there are fewer people and prices are cheaper. You can travel spontaneously and don't have to book accommodation in advance.
What to do? Experience the "dragon": The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard in the world. Go underwater and dive with rays. Climb Komodo's highest point: Gunung Ara or explore the many crater lakes on Flores. You'll find plenty of insider tips here, because apart from divers or Indonesia fans, these islands are rarely a household name as a travel destination in May.
Explore the island world of Indonesia on a holiday in May: Here the small island of Nusa Lembongan not far from Bali with two SUP surfers.
Cape Verde in May
Why now? You dream of eternal summer? Then you can plan a holiday in Cape Verde in May. The air and water temperatures are around 20 degrees all year round.
Activities: In addition to the white sandy beaches with azure blue water for all swimmers and water sports enthusiasts who can't wait for summer, the interior of many islands also has a lot to offer.
Narrow paths lead through the partly mountainous island world with beautiful views. Especially the islands of São Nicolau, Santo Antão and Fogo will quickly be taken to heart by hiking holidaymakers. On Fogo, the island of fire, you can climb the highest mountain of the Cape Verde Islands (2829 m) together with a mountain guide. As the name "Pico de Fogo" suggests, it is a (still active!) volcano.
Pico de Fogo on the Island of Fire (Fogo) in Cape Verde
Panama in May
Why now? Tropical, but pleasant temperatures around 30° C. Low season and therefore few tourists. However, there can be short rainfalls from time to time, as the rainy season slowly begins in May. Prices are therefore much lower, and you can book accommodation spontaneously on site.
What to do. Ideas for activities:
Explore the paradisiacal San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)
Form an opinion of Panama City
Visit the Panama Canal, the "most famous shortcut in the world".
The highlands around Boquete: Coffee plantations, extinct volcanoes and cloud forests. Hiking, rafting, climbing and ziplining. Outdoor freaks get their money's worth here.
See all travel reports for Panama
Panama: Simply marvel at nature, enjoy and switch off! A dream holiday on the San Blas Islands is guaranteed.
Queensland Australia
Why now? It's autumn in Australia and the temperatures in the tropical north are really pleasant now. Perfect for a road trip through Queensland! The ideal starting point for this is the city of Cairns.
What to do?
Explore the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and take a boat tour to explore the reef above and below the water.
Snorkel & Dive the Great Barrier Reef
Explore Green Island and Fitzroy Island
Take a detour into the rainforest of the Daintree National Park
All travel reports for Australia
Highlights of the East Coast in Australia
Australia tips for planning a trip to Australia
Dream holiday Down Under: White Heaven Beach on the east coast of Australia Queensland, no rainy days and ideal temperatures in May Long-distance travel: Adventure and round trips
Costa Rica in May
Why in May? Costa Rica is really green in May. The water level in the rivers is ideal for activities like rafting, and the temperatures are pleasantly warm all year round. May is low season, accommodation is much cheaper than in high season (and there are fewer US-Americans on the road). The conditions for surfing are great and the national parks are also much emptier than in summer. Everything here is pura vida, you can relax everywhere if you want to. One of the most beautiful long-haul destinations in May.
What to do. Local activities:
Surf! My insider tip: Santa Teresa
Hiking in the national parks, cloud forests near Monteverde or around the Arenal volcano
Ziplining in Selvatura Park (Monteverde)
Visit coffee plantations and take part in a tasting session
Here you can find all travel reports for Costa Rica in the blog
Beautiful beach El Remanso in Costa Rica. Unfortunately not suitable for swimming. But there are many beaches for bathing holidays.
Western Australia in May
Why now? Western Australia is a real highlight. No matter where you go, it's beautiful and diverse! Best of all, it's not as crowded as the east coast.
Things to do in Western Australia:
Visit the sunniest city in Australia: Perth.
Hike in the Karijini National Park with its red gorges
Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
Experience Broome with its kitschy sunsets and camels on the beach!
Explore Australia's most beautiful beaches in Cape le Grand National Park and find kangaroos on the beach in Lucky Bay.
See the world's largest gathering of orcas in Bremer Bay.
Visit the world's largest gold mine in Kalgoorlie.
All travel reports for Western Australia
Tips and attractions for Perth
Travelogue for the road trip from Adelaide to Perth - with route and tips
Travelogue for the road trip from Perth to Broome - route with tips
Swimming with whale sharks - a dream come true in Western Australia at Ningaloo Reef! Best destination and ideal travel time to swim with whale sharks. 
Destinations Dales Gorge and Fortescue Falls in Karijini National Park, Western Australia. Watch out for the sun, it beats down mercilessly here - even in May.
On the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, the unknown destination.
Why now? May is a good month to discover the myth of Central Asia's Silk Road in Uzbekistan. Temperatures have not yet reached their peak, even if they are increasingly moving towards 30°C. In July and August at the latest, the historical city tours turn into a particularly sweaty affair because of the heat.
What to do in Uzbekistan?
Take the Orient Silk Road Express along the legendary Silk Road.
Explore important cities like Tashkent, the silk city of Samarkand, the oasis city of Bukhara or Khiva.
Ancient mosques, turquoise ornaments, traditional silk carpets, necropolises and arid desert landscapes.
Tip: Marco Polo travelled the Silk Road to China in the 13th century. If you are interested in his travelogues on the way to China from a completely different time, then you should definitely read one of the many novels about his journey or watch one of the many film adaptations. A sense of travel and adventure is pre-programmed! It is not for nothing that there is a complete travel guide series with his name.
Holiday in May in the footsteps of Marco Polo: Here the Registan Samarqand in Uzbekistan, one of the most important stopovers on the Silk Road on the way from Europe to China.
Morocco in May
A long-haul destination that you can reach in just a few hours by plane. Ideal for a beach holiday, road trips or exploring the cities. Warm temperatures and sun are guaranteed, rainy days are almost non-existent. Except in the Atlas Mountains. The sights in Marrakech, Essaouira or Tozedur are numerous.
Why in May? In May it is not yet unbearably hot. The many mountain passes in the Atlas Mountains open for trekking (closed in winter due to snowfall). May is an ideal month for a road trip or to visit the historic cities of North Africa.
What to do.
Explore desert regions: From the oasis town of Tozeur in Tunisia or even from Marrakesh in Morocco start.
Explore the historic cities of Marrakech, Essaouira on a city trip
Flower Festival in the Valley of Roses at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains
Active holiday: Hiking in the Atlas Mountains
Marrakech, Djemma el Fna: Perfect view I could enjoy for hours!
