Feel like making a quick getaway? The best places to go in May

Our monthly series tells you which cities and countries to visit when to enjoy the best weather, events and festivals – as well as steering clear of crowds.

COUNTRIES

CANADA

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Canada. Credit: iStock

Why you should go: Picture Canada in May: the snow has melted, the trees are green, the spring flowers are out. Summer is still yet to arrive, with its crowds and its high prices, but skies are clear, days are long, campsites are quiet, and you have found yourself the ideal time to explore. Outdoor enthusiasts are going to love the rugged likes of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and more.
Don’t miss: Vancouver Island, in BC, is particularly good to visit in May. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, with everything from wildlife spotting to whitewater rafting, while Vancouver Island’s restaurant and bar scene is hitting its straps as summer approaches.
canada.travel

SPAIN

Barcelona already has beach weather in May.Credit: Getty Images

Why you should go: Don’t go to southern Spain in summer – you’ll fry. Similarly, if you visit northern Spain in winter, you’ll find it surprisingly cold. Spring is the sweet spot across the country, before the bulk of the cruise ships and bucks’ parties and tour buses have arrived, but the weather is good and the people are out enjoying it.
Don’t miss: It already feels like summer in Barcelona in May, when the city beaches are filling up and the tapas bars and restaurants nearby are rowdy until the wee hours. Also, take the chance to visit historic Seville in May, when there’s plenty of sunshine, but the temperatures haven’t yet reached sweltering.
spain.info

FIJI

Tivua Island, one of Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands.

Why you should go: This is the beginning of the dry season in Fiji, which also means it’s the beginning of the high season – though crucially, there are no Australian school holidays in May, which means the bulk of the family groups have yet to arrive, so there’s still plenty of space, and prices have yet to reach their zenith. It’s almost winter, but high temperatures are still around 30 degrees, and it only rains an average of eight days in May.
Don’t miss: This is a great time to check out some of the more touristy areas of Fiji, at a time when visitor numbers will still be relatively low. Visit the beautiful Mamanuca Islands, a chain that includes Beachcomber and Vomo, or check out the resorts around Denarau and the Coral Coast on the main island.
fiji.travel

MOROCCO

Morocco’s Kelaat M’gouna.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: There’s much to love about Morocco, from the ancient and seemingly untouched alleyways of Fes, to the markets of Marrakech, the beaches of Essaouira, and the golden expanse of the Sahara. These destinations, however, don’t particularly shine at the height of summer, when the temperature is uncomfortably hot, and the crowds are heavy. Go, instead, in May to beat the heat while still enjoying some sun.
Don’t miss: Each May, the desert town of Kelaat M’gouna hosts the Festival of the Roses, when these treasured blooms are harvested from the surrounding countryside and locals take to the streets to sing, dance and feast in celebration. It’s a colourful, joyous occasion.
visitmorocco.com

MALTA

Valletta, Malta’s charming capital.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: Malta is one of Europe’s most underrated countries, a stunningly beautiful and historically fascinating Mediterranean island with everything that makes this continent great, only in miniature. Unfortunately, come June or July, that also includes the European holiday crowds. To get the most out of Malta, travel in May.
Don’t miss: Malta’s charming capital, Valletta, is UNESCO World Heritage listed, a beautifully preserved 16th-century port town that abuts the sparkling Med. Spend time here exploring the old streets, strolling atop the city walls, or eating down by the waterfront.
visitmalta.com

CITIES

EXMOUTH, WA

Gentle giant: A whaleshark at Ningaloo Reef.

Why you should go: Two words: whale sharks. These are the world’s largest fish, gentle, majestic beasts that are longer than a double-decker bus, and at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia you can dive into the ocean and swim with these incredible creatures. May is bang in the middle of whale shark season in Ningaloo – if this experience is on your bucket list, now is the ideal time to visit.
Don’t miss: There’s more to Ningaloo, and Exmouth itself, than the whale sharks. Explore Cape Range National Park, go kayaking on the reef, take a glass-bottom boat ride, go fishing, or snorkel with manta rays at Coral Bay.
westernaustralia.com

CUSCO, PERU

Now’s the time to beat the crowds at Machu Picchu. Credit: iStock

Why you should go: While the May nights are chilly in the ancient Andean town of Cusco, the days are sunny and temperate, and the large crowds who arrive in June and July have yet to descend. There are a few great festivals to check out too, including the “Festival of the Cross”, a Catholic celebration, and Qoyllur Rit’i, a traditional Quechua celebration held at the foot of a glacier.
Don’t miss: Now is the time to beat the crowds at Machu Picchu – or at least, to beat the bulk of them (particularly since the site only recently reopened after political unrest). You’ll still find the full complement of hikers on the Inca Trail, but May is just the beginning of the season for this world-renowned sight, and while the skies are clear and the grass is lush and green, the crowds at the main site are manageable.
peru.travel

ROME, ITALY

Head to Rome’s Trastevere district for a meal.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: You don’t want to be in Rome at the height of summer. For one, it’s really, really hot. It’s also really, really popular. That combination of high temperatures and huge crowds makes for one uncomfortable experience, which is why it’s best to arrive before everyone else does. May is still busy in Rome, don’t get us wrong, but it’s far more serene and pleasant than hitting the city in peak season.
Don’t miss: Though there’s so much about Rome that’s spectacular and beautiful and charming, there’s surely there’s nothing better than a perfectly cooked, authentic Roman carbonara. Get the best of the best at Da Enzo al 29 in the Trastevere district.
turismoroma.it

BRIGHTON, UK

The Royal Pavilion, Brighton.Credit: iStock

Why you should go: The UK feels like it’s coming alive in May, as the days get longer and warmer and the citizens shake themselves out of hibernation and prepare for the summer ahead. Coastal Brighton, in southern England, is a particularly good place to be: May in this laidback town is festival time, which means a whole month of partying.
Don’t miss: The Brighton Festival and the Brighton Fringe (England’s largest arts festival) turn the city into one giant stage throughout May. Catch artists and performers of all genres and calibres, and soak up the fun of a city in celebration mode.
visitbrighton.com

RIO DE JANEIRO

Get a true appreciation of Brazil’s football mania by attending a match in Rio.Credit: Getty Images

Why you should go: Conventional wisdom might have it that the best time to visit Rio is during Carnival, in March. But conventional wisdom would also have you sharing your Rio experience with millions of other revellers, and paying the price on accommodation. In May it’s much calmer. The weather is also excellent – crisp and clear instead of stinking hot – the sea is warm, and the people are in their usual good spirits.
Don’t miss: May marks the beginning of Brazil’s domestic football competition, and to truly appreciate the mania that accompanies this sport, you have to get to a game. Rio is home to several major clubs – Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama – and seeing any play will be an experience you’ll never forget.
riodejaneiro.com