With warmer weather making its presence felt in some places, autumn giving way to winter in other and the chill abating in Europe, there is a plethora of places where May is marked as the best time to visit. So. if you were looking for the top destinations to visit in May, look no further because we’ve got the scoop right here.
May is widely regarded as one of the best months to visit Peru, given that the most of the landscape has turned a lush green from the recent rains and the land has yet to turn dry from the summer’s heat. As of yet, the high season crowds have not descended and there are still decent rates for flights and hotels. In general, the mountains and canyons are still on the quieter side this time of year, so this is a good month if you're trying to avoid the high season.
Machu Picchu is the most important and highly visited of all Incan ruins, and the Inca Trail is the only way to hike directly into the park through the Sun Gate. However, you should explore the Sacred Valley that lies in Peru’s interior further than just that. There you’ll find a host of ruins like Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, and Pisac and while these smaller sites are more spread out than Machu Picchu, you’ll have your fill of Spanish colonial villages, handicraft markets, and Incan history if you do choose to visit them. A visit to the Cotahuasi Canyon, the world's deepest canyon, located in the high Andes northwest of Arequipa is another popular destination during this time. Though it's often too chilly for swimming in the Pacific Ocean unless you're further north and closer to the equator, it's worth visiting Peru's stunning coastline. Further south is the Paracas National Reserve with sand dunes and cliffs, unspoiled beaches, and diverse fauna. Finally, Peru's often overlooked capital, Lima is also rich in history and culture with beautiful architecture, cathedrals, interesting museums, a growing culinary scene, nightlife, and great shopping and definitely worth a visit.
With a balmy, sand-fringed Mediterranean coast, scented with jasmine and sea breezes, and where the fish on your plate is always fresh, Tunisia is prime territory for a straightforward sun-sand-and-sea holiday. But beyond the beaches, it’s a thrilling, underrated destination where distinct cultures and incredible extremes of the landscape – forested coastlines, Saharan sand seas in the south – can be explored in just a few days. Tunisia was originally discovered by Phoenician traders who chose to settle here with the colony eventually developing into the center of an empire that dominated the Mediterranean Sea. Although not a lot has been left over from the original Cartague, history buffs will relish the opportunity to explore its ruins including Roman baths, a cathedral, and even an amphitheater.
The country is home the most impressive Roman ruins that can be found outside of Italy. Head to the northeast of the country to observe remains of Roman history in the cities of Dougga, Bulla Regea and Chemtou. Don’t miss the UNESCO listed amphitheater El Jem, built around 238 AD. With an estimated capacity of 35.000 spectators, it is the world’s third-largest amphitheater. Be sure to visit some of the beaches along Tunisia’s 1,148 kilometers long coastline, the prettiest of which are located on Cap Bon peninsula.
Visiting during May where Spring is in full bloom is considered the best time to visit Turkey to witness the place in its full glory. The weather in Turkey in May is quite pleasant, ensuring that you can easily indulge in a wide range of outdoor activities. During this time you can enjoy not just the magnificent beauty of Turkey but also be present for the wide range of festivals that take place during that time frame. The Istanbul Music and Jazz festival is primarily held to showcase and highlight the amazing classical as well as jazz music and hosts some world-famous orchestras and even jazz performers who come from across the globe to showcase their talent out to the world. It is also the beginning of Ramadan, so you can see Turkey come alive in the evenings in celebration. Apart from the usual including the capital of Istanbul, among the best place to visit in Turkey during May are the Butterfly Valley, Kabak Beach, Patara, and the City Of Ephesus, with the best places to stay during this time including Bodrum, Oludeniz, and Gümbet. The tranquil nature of Kabak beach is perfect for one to sit down and have a good time in and from here you can either hire a car or hike up to Kabak Valley located near Fethiye. Afterward head to Patara, which is believed to be the longest beach in Turkey and known for its mystic beauty and wide range of activities that one can indulge in. The City Of Ephesus was once an active commercial center in ancient time and a keen draw for history buffs. While the majority of the area is now covered in ruins, there is still much to witness here with the Great Theatre and Liberty of Celsus found nearby. So there is plenty to explore and enjoy in Turkey during May.
May in Australia serves as the last month of Autumn and marks the transition into Winter, however, unlike many other countries the temperature remains relatively warm. The pleasant temperatures and low humidity both contribute to a great sightseeing month for those who aren't too big of fans of the Australian heat. Specifically, May is the time to hit up the wild West Coast, specifically Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth. The reason is Whale sharks. This is the start of the dry season, when dozens of whale sharks appear off the coast of Exmouth, cruising the warm waters above the reef. There is an annual Whale Shark Festival held which is a massively popular event, however the true highlight of the whole thing is donning your snorkel, diving off the boat, and swimming alongside the biggest fish in the world. Plan your trip such that you have plenty of time to explore Australia's scenic beauty and wildlife including the iconic Kangaroos and Koala Bears.
Seychelles is synonymous with a flawless beach paradise. Set in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is a beautiful archipelago of 115 islands. With shimmery coastline, smooth white sand beaches, palm-lined shores, and crystal clear waters, Seychelles is absolutely one of the stunning and best summer holiday destinations in the world.
In Greece, the month of May is when the warm weather starts to settle in, and the sun begins to shine brightly. While the country may be preparing for summertime, the number of visiting tourists is fairly minimal, which makes May an ideal time to visit highly frequented destinations. As the weather remains reasonably mild during this time, it is also considered a good time to plan a road trip while you and your car won't have to bake in the heat.
Athens is in its prime in May—perhaps the ideal sightseeing month. The weather is perfect for comfortable sightseeing, and the main venues are still not crowded. May is also one of the best months for visiting the Greek Islands, especially the most popular stops such as Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini, which by June will begin to overflow. But don’t forget the Saronic, Sporades, and Inonian islands, including Corfu. Spend some time exploring the whitewashed stone villages illuminated against the blue Aegean sea, head over the ancient ruins that tell about the history of the land and visit tiny little fishing villages.
Scotland is a destinatination with a large bounty of natural and manmade treasures– ranging from the clear blue skies, the ancient architecture, amazingly spectacular wildlife, delicious seafood and hospitable, down-to-earth people. May is possibly one of the best times to visit Scotland when it is the last month of spring and the temperatures are warmer, although there will still be snow in the mountains of the Highlands and the Cairngorms. Many Highland games featuring heavy athletic events such as tossing the caber, tug-o-war as well as dance competitions and piping are held in May and June.
The iconic Isle of Skye, with its rugged mountains and peaks, lunar landscapes, waterfalls and beautiful coastlines is one of the most popular places to visit during May. Also head to Fort William in Lochaber, known as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK.’. Situated at the bottom of Scotland’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, here you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, such as cycling, mountain biking, kayaking, and rafting. The beautiful lake of Loch Ness is another place to visit, along with the ruins of Urquhart Castle on its banks. The lake is renowned for being the home of the mythological Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. Between your visit to the popular destinations of Glasgow and Edinburgh, you should also visit the Stirlingshire region for a good mix between the Lowlands and Highlands. It is home to Stirling Castle, one of the most visited historic sites in Scotland, and nearby Doune Castle, which you may have seen featured in many films and television series.
During the month of May, the weather in Botswana is positively sublime – the warm sunny days and mild evenings that have just a hint of chill makes for the perfect time to tour Africa’s gold-standard safari destination. The lush grazing of summertime is over and animals prepare for the dry and potentially hungry winter that lies ahead of them. On the grasslands of the Kalahari, massive heards of Zebras kick up a storm of dust as they traverse their annual path making their way towards the winter wetlands further north. The first of the elephant heards start to appeare in the regions of Chobe River and Linyanti signalling the start of the arrival of the many thousands that make their way there in the depths of the dry season. Another phenomenon is also underway: the Okavango Delta is quietly, slowly and very steadily flooding into its dry southern fingertips.
As most of Botswana dries out for winter, its biggest wetland – and the world’s biggest inland delta – receives billions of liters of clean fresh water, trickling down from the distant Angolan mountains. Visitors will find that they can keep pace by even walking ahead of the creeping water as it inches down dry, cracked channels. Great shimmering floodplains form and ephemeral rivers and lakes slowly fill up. You can imagine where all the animals are heading and why May may just be the best time to visit Botswana.
This was our list of suggestions for some of the best destinations to visit in May 2019. You can also explore the Best Places to Visit in April and the Destinations to Visit During the Eid Al Fitr Holidays.