The 8 Best Places to Visit in May - Without Losing Your Mind or Your Wallet
1. Sydney, Australia - Autumn in Flip-Flops
Autumn in Sydney doesn’t mean grey skies and gloom. It means fewer tourists, beaches that still work for sunbathing, and locals who aren't fleeing the heat. Explore The Rocks for history, then ferry-hop to Manly for fish and chips with a view. Bondi still buzzes, and the city sharpens up for Vivid Sydney, a light and sound show that makes even the Opera House look like it’s having an existential glow-up. May in Sydney feels like the city’s taking a breath, still lively, but in no rush.
May weather in Sydney: 21°C highs| 12°C lows | Season: Late Autumn
2. Munich, Germany - Lederhosen and Lager, but Chill
May in Munich means Springfest, which is basically Oktoberfest without the international stag parties or the bloke passed out in a bush before lunch. There’s beer, bratwurst, and enough dirndl-wearing locals to make you feel like you’ve time-travelled. But it’s not all foamy steins and fairground rides. Watch surfers tackle the Eisbach wave in the English Garden, visit castles that look like someone sketched them while tipsy on schnapps, and wander into museums to make yourself feel vaguely intellectual before your next pint.
May weather in Munich: 18°C highs | 7°C lows | Season: Spring
3. Scottish Highlands, UK - Wild, Rugged, and Yours for the Roaming
May in the Highlands is when everything wakes up: the heather, the hills, and your sense of drama. There are lochs so still that they look fake, castles that may or may not be haunted, and hikes that end in whisky. It’s cool, sure, but there’s nothing like a bracing breeze to remind you you’re alive. Skip the plane and take the Caledonian Sleeper from London. Wake up to mountains, mist, and maybe a stag glaring at you.
May weather in the Highlands: 13°C highs | 5°C lows | Season: Spring
4. Senegal - Pink Lakes and Wild Wonders
Senegal in May is where things get unexpectedly epic. It’s the tail end of the dry season, which means manageable heat and landscapes that still have their colour. Lake Retba goes full Barbie-pink, and the birdwatching in Djoudj is off the charts, especially if sassy flamingos are your flavour. Dakar hums with music and meaning, Gorée Island whispers history you’ll feel in your bones, and Niokolo-Koba National Park offers safaris with zero Wi-Fi and plenty of wow.
May weather in Senegal: 28°C highs | 22°C lows | Season: Dry Season
5. Fort Lauderdale, USA - All the Sunshine, None of the Snowbirds
If Miami feels like a nightclub and Naples feels like retirement, Fort Lauderdale sits somewhere in between. In May, it’s absolute bliss. Seven miles of beach, Everglades full of wildlife that looks like it came from a sci-fi set, and a museum with peacocks that have better hair than most people. Las Olas Boulevard brings the café culture and shopping you didn’t know you needed, and the weather means sun without the sweat.
May weather in Fort Lauderdale: 29°C highs | 22°C lows | Season: Late Spring
6. Greece - Before It Gets Too Hot to Function
May in Greece is like someone cracked open the doors to summer but politely left the hordes outside. The weather’s warm enough for beach-hopping, but the crowds haven’t quite arrived. Start in Athens and actually see the Parthenon instead of someone’s iPad filming it. Then hop to the islands: check out Skiathos for “how is this real?” beaches, Corfu for Venetian vibes, and Sifnos if you like your luxury low-key and your tavernas family-run. Santorini? Go in May and you might catch a sunset without someone proposing in front of it.
May weather in Greece: 18–24°C highs | 5°C lows | Season: Spring
7. Tuscany, Italy - Florence Without the Queues
Tuscany in May feels like someone handed Florence back to the locals. There’s space to breathe, and you won’t need to elbow anyone out of the way at the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze to see David’s, er, details. The city’s in bloom too, both figuratively and literally, with roses in the Boboli Gardens and actual flag-throwing in the piazzas. There’s also a festival for crickets (yes, the insects, not the sport...), and another where artisans take over the streets. Just go with it; Florence knows what it’s doing.
May weather in Florence: 23°C highs | 11°C lows | Season: Spring
8. Savannah, Georgia - Southern Charm Without the Swelter
Savannah in May is all big porches, Spanish moss, and the kind of sultry breeze that makes you want a cold drink and absolutely no responsibilities. It’s historic, yes, but not in a boring “read this plaque” kind of way, more in a “wow, that building’s older than my entire ancestral lineage” kind of way. You’ll stumble into festivals without meaning to, especially the kind where someone hands you a cocktail and points toward live music. Sit under a tree and eavesdrop; it’s practically a sport in Savannah. There’s art on the pavements, food that’ll ruin you for your diet, and a general vibe of unhurried excellence.
May weather in Savannah: 29°C highs | 17°C lows | Season: Late Spring
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Visit in May
If you're after a month where everything aligns - weather, prices, and the elusive lack of crowds - then May is your golden ticket. Whether it’s sunset beers in Sydney, pink lakes in Senegal, or whisky by a Scottish loch, these are hands down some of the best places to visit in May. And let’s be honest, it feels good to beat the rush and still get the sunshine. Get in touch now so we can start putting together your May escape.
