The 15 best places to travel on holiday in May 2025

Average May temp: 15C/59F

Toronto is home to a lesser-known cherry blossom season that rivals Yoshino. Its popular High Park is home to over 2000 cherry trees that flower in a stunning display of pink and white. Summers can be pretty intense here, even for a cold city, and May is perfectly on the cusp for ideal sightseeing weather: the CN Tower, Niagara Falls and Tim Hortons are all much more magical without the summer crowds – trust us on that one. 

Why go now? You mean, aside from the cherry blossom? Fine – check out the Toronto Comic Arts Festival celebrating the world’s best in comics, graphic novels and cartoonists. 

Average May temp: 12C/54F

Too late for Japan’s famed April cherry blossoms? Fear not. Up north in Hokkaido, sakura flower a month later than they do elsewhere, bringing the island to life in early May. Matsumae Park is one of the best places to spot them; it has around 250 varieties of cherry blossom and 10,000 trees to marvel at. Later in the month, shibazakura (pink moss) blankets vast swathes of the countryside—Higashimokoto Park even holds a festival dedicated to the otherworldly flower. 

Why go now? The (free) Takikawa Canola Flower Festival is held in mid-to-late May, where throngs of crowds gather to see beautiful yellow flowers with live music and street food. 

📍 Discover the most underrated destinations in Japan

Average May temp: 20C/69F

May in Athens is the perfect time to have the city’s playground of ancient ruins to yourself before the summer months’ unbearable heat and equally unbearable crowds descend on the city. Though a city steeped in ancient history, Athens is also home to a number of trendy bars and cafés and an innovative art scene with a range of exciting contemporary arts galleries. Heaven for history buffs and foodies alike, once you’ve had your fill at the Acropolis and Temple of Poseidon, fill your appetite with some souvlaki or the innumerable excellent restaurants in Athens. Or simply whittle away your time walking the streets of any number of the charming neighbourhoods in this constantly evolving cultural capital.

Why go now? This is Athens: City Festival takes place in May, with various events, music, art, comedy and more. 

📍 Discover the perfect weekend in Athens

Average May temp: 22C/72F

There are plenty of reasons to get giddy about visiting Memphis in May, but the creatively-named Memphis in May festival might just be right at the top of that list. A month-long festival (unsurprisingly, held throughout May), each year sees a different country from around the world celebrated through live events, exhibitions, screenings, performances and art. 2025 is Malaysia’s time to shine, so expect a whole lot of colour in Memphis this May.

Why go now? If you want a truly Memphis experience, check out the 47th edition of the Barbecue Contest, where contestants compete in pork ribs, whole hog and more for $150,000.

Average May temp: 13C/56F

Hailed as the cosier version of Amsterdam, Utrecht has many of the same selling points of canals and pretty Dutch architecture, but with fewer crowds and marginally lower costs. And as Amsterdam surges its tourist tax this year, it may be time to pay a visit to ‘Little Amsterdam’ instead. A split-level university city, Utrecht is modern cool meets Medieval. May’s moderate, if still a little chilly weather is a great time to explore the number of cool independent boutiques and lively cafés and bars in the city's car-free Old Town. Feeling active? Climb the 465 steps of the Dom Tower, the Netherlands’ highest church tower, for some well-deserved outstanding views of the city below. And to quench your thirst from all that walking, sip on some Belgian beer at café Olivier, a converted church-turned-pub.

Why go now? For all things techno and electronic music, head to Utrecht’s Soenda Festival on May 31. 

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Average May temp: 13C/55F

Billy Connolly once said, ‘There are two seasons in Scotland: June and Winter,’ which is to say that Scotland is absolutely baltic most of the year. The Scottish Highlands are known for their impressive and stunning scenery but unfortunately also for getting the worst of the Scottish weather (think unrelenting rain and fog). But May is somewhat of a welcome break from extreme weather conditions. With a pleasant 13-degree average, you might even be brave enough to walk around without a jacket.

Why go now? This is perfect sightseeing weather for gothic medieval castles like Eilean Donan or the infamous Loch Lomond – Lochness monster not promised. 

Average May temp: 15C/60F

Want epic beaches and unforgettable wildlife encounters? Buckle up for a road trip along Australia’s West Coast, where you can spot stingrays, dolphins, Australian sea lions, fairy penguins and more. In Ningaloo Marine Park, May is prime time to dive with whale sharks (the largest fish in the world), and there’s even an annual whale shark festival in Exmouth. On Rottnest Island, a 30-min ferry from Perth, you’ll find quokkas and their young. The island is car-free, so hiring a bike is a great way to get around.

Why go now? Sink craft beer and BBQ food more at Perth Beer Festival in mid May.

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Average May temp: 21C/71F

If you’re unsure what time of year to make the pilgrimage to Nepal, consider May. After all, the weather is just about as pleasant as it gets, and two of the country’s biggest festivals take place during the unofficial best month of the year. Tiji Festival is a celebration of the (presumed) triumph of good over evil, while Buddha Jayanti is a colourful love letter to the life and times of Gautam Buddha. If you need more than two massive festivals, remember that the temples of Bhaktapur are arguably at their most accessible during May. 

Why go now? The number of lovely spring festivals mean cities in Nepal are filled with flowers, lights and flags for most of the month. 

Average May temp: 15C/59F

May might just be the perfect month to go to Paris. The weather is mild, spring blossoms burst into colour, and the summer crowds are still weeks away. Culture lovers are spoilt; La Nuit des Musées (on the third Saturday of May) grants visitors free entry to the city’s museums, which stay open late for the occasion. Elsewhere, Tous à l’Opéra offers free concerts and theatre tours, and the Jazz Festival in Saint Germain des Prés gets toes tapping with free performances and workshops.

Why go now? Get seriously French at the Saint Germain-des-Près Jazz Festival (and then check out one of the city’s best jazz bars). 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Paris

Average May temp: 17C/64F

Lisbon is one of the best cities on the planet to travel to year-round, but visiting in May presents the extra opportunity to grab a surfboard and hop on the waves when the coast is still pretty clear. Surf town Ericeira (less than an hour from Lisbon) has beginner-friendly waves. Just be warned – Portugal’s Atlantic waters are typically colder than those in the Med and are still pretty chilly in May — but don’t let that stop you. 

Why go now? ARCO Lisboa 2025 is a contemporary art fair for collectors, gallery owners and creatives of all kinds. 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Lisbon