After the cold winter months, hot May holidays are well needed! May is the best time for a sunny vacation if you want to go on a summer trip but don’t want to experience the summer crowds. Discover the best places to go in May for sun and a great time!

From the sandy beaches of North America’s coastal towns to the beautiful Greek Islands, here are the best destinations to travel to in May.

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Best Places to Go in May for Sun

Spring break doesn’t have to end in April! Whether you’re looking to go on a big vacation to a bucket list destination or do a mini road trip for a weekend getaway, there are plenty of fabulous May travel destinations.

They say April showers bring May flowers, so here are the best places to visit in May for sun!

Best Beaches to Visit in May in the USA

Wilmington, North Carolina:

One of the most underrated and best destinations in the United States in May is Wilmington, North Carolina and its beautiful local beaches! It’s ranked as one of the “South’s Best Cities on the Rise” by Southern Living Magazine.

The best place to stay in Wilmington is Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center by Marriott. Wilmington also has an incredible culinary scene. You must eat at Seabird Restaurant for delicious seafood, Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods for breakfast, Ceviche’s for Peruvian dishes and Floriana for Italian cuisine. Even though Wilmington is still under the radar compared to other beaches, this area is in the high season during the summer months. It’s best to make reservations in advance!

Wilmington is considered one of the best places to go in May for sun due to its close proximity to beautiful Wrightsville Beach! In May, Wilmington has warm temperatures, ranging in highs of the lower 80s° Fahrenheit and lows in the upper 50s° Fahrenheit, making it perfect beach weather. Wrightsville Beach features aqua blue waters, powder white sand and a relaxing atmosphere. It also boasts Oceanic Restaurant for seafood, cocktails and live music!

Other great things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina are to learn about the ecology of the North Carolina marshlands through a Masonboro Island Nature Cruise; kayak at Carolina Beach State Park; do a ghost tour and visit the beautiful Airlie Gardens.

Another reason Wilmington, NC is a great place to visit in May is its stunning Riverwalk with shops, restaurants and bars, scenic views and more. It’s a wonderful spot to watch a sunset in Wilmington!

Portland, Oregon:

Portland, Oregon is one of the most eclectic cities to visit in May. It’s renowned for its local art culture, microbreweries, outstanding restaurants, coffee shops, beautiful parks and also tulips!

Oregon tulips bloom from late March through early May, so a trip to the Beaver State must include the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. This spring festival makes for a great day trip from Portland and takes place at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, Oregon. Please note that you must visit in early spring to see the tulips!

The best hotel to stay at in Portland, Oregon is the Inn at Northrup Station, which is a retro-style boutique hotel that is in the Northwest District of Portland. The top places to eat in the city are Sansai Sushi Bar for Japanese food, Pine State Biscuits for breakfast, Serratto Restaurant and Bar for Italian cuisine, Salt & Straw for ice cream and Blue Star Donuts for donuts.

Speaking of food, one of the top things Portland, Oregon is known for is its food cart pods. From taquerias to ramen and Polish cuisine to African food, you can find every cuisine in these epic food carts!

Some of the other best things to do in Portland, Oregon during May is to stroll through Washington Park Rose Garden and Portland Japanese Garden. Both spots are beautiful and offer great photo opportunities.

Additionally, it would be best to visit Powell City of Books, see the White Stag Sign and hike in Forest Park. Great day trips from the city are to Mount Hood National Forest and Multnomah Falls.

Richmond, Virginia:

Richmond, Virginia offers the best weather in May for a holiday! Virginia’s capital city is located on the James River and features great restaurants, historical landmarks and museums and beautiful parks.

One of the best places to stay in Richmond is Linden Row Inn. It’s a historic boutique hotel and inn with a stunning courtyard, restaurant, bar and elegant guest rooms. The top restaurants in Richmond are The Jefferson Hotel for brunch, Perly’s for Jewish deli bites, Maya for Mexican cuisine and Fat Dragon for Asian food.

Some of the best things to do during a Richmond getaway in May is to do the canal walk along the James River. You can connect to the Pipeline Trail on this walk and enjoy cool street art. Since Richmond has an average high temperature in the low 80s° and high 70s° Fahrenheit, you will surely enjoy this walk in May.

Other wonderful places to stroll through are the Fan District to admire colorful homes, Libby Hill Park and Carytown. Overall, Carytown is considered Richmond’s downtown area and it features a charming, small-town ambiance with locally owned boutiques, restaurants, spas and bookstores.

A trip to RVa is incomplete without visiting a museum! Some of the best ones to visit are the Edgar Allen Poe Museum and American Civil War Museum. Other fun things to do in Virginia’s capital city are participating in a ghost tour, visiting the Virginia State Capitol and doing a day trip to Colonial Williamsburg.

Memorial Day weekend is a great time to visit Richmond, Virginia. It’s when you can enjoy fewer crowds because everyone leaves the city for the beaches. It’s also one of the best places to go in May for sun!

Kiawah Island, South Carolina:

Kiawah Island, South Carolina and the surrounding area offer the best beach holidays in May! It’s the perfect time of year to do a couple’s getaway! Being only 45 minutes south of Charleston, Kiawah Island is a luxury golf resort that boasts warm weather for lounging at the beach and pool, bike riding, tennis, shopping and outdoor dining.

The best place to stay during a May vacation to Kiawah Island is Andell Inn by Marriot. It’s situated in Freshfields Village and has a pool to enjoy! The top restaurants in Freshfields Village (Kiawah Island’s downtown area) are Hege’s Restaurant and FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen for dinner, Café Eugenia and Cantina 76 for lunch and Java Java for breakfast!

Kiawah Island is one of the best places to go in May for sun because it boasts warm weather with average highs in the 80s. In that case, it’s perfect for the beach, pool and other outdoor activities like golfing, biking and fishing. Also, the ocean has warm water in this part of South Carolina, making it perfect for swimming.

Other fun things to do on Kiawah Island during a May vacation are to go frosé tasting at The Co-op, make your own candle at Palmetto Scent Studio and enjoy a spa day at Urban Nirvana!

Portland, Maine:

Portland, Maine is another of the best holiday destinations in May in the USA. Located on the opposite side of Portland, Oregon, Portland in Maine is in New England and features poetic harbors, thriving wharves, incredible seafood restaurants, breweries, picturesque lighthouses and more.

One of the best hotels to stay at in Portland, Maine is the Portland Harbor Hotel. Overall, Portland is the perfect place to enjoy delicious seafood staples like lobster rolls, oysters, chowders and more. The best places to eat in this charming city are at Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room, Little Tap House, Bite Into Maine, Gilbert’s Chowder House and The Holy Donut!

May is considered the rainy season in Portland, but there are plenty of cozy indoor spaces to enjoy. The average high temperature in Portland during spring is in the 60s, so bringing warm clothing is vital to being comfortable during your vacation. Many restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and hotels also have fireplaces to warm up to on cold, rainy days!

A significant reason you should visit Portland in May is because you can enjoy the beautiful nature surrounding the city. One of the best things to do in Portland is to stroll along the Eastern Promenade. It’s a stunning coastal trail built along an old rail corridor that offers beautiful views of the harbor and Casco Bay.

Portland, Maine is also known for its lighthouses! In South Portland, you can visit the Spring Point Ledge Light and see the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth’s Fort Williams Park. Both of these spots are beautiful, especially on a sunny day!

During a trip to Portland, you must also visit the surrounding coastal towns. Some of the most beautiful are Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford Pool and Kennebunkport. Portland is also a 3-hour drive from Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor!

Best Places to Visit in May in Europe

Mykonos, Greece:

Undoubtedly, the Greek Islands are some of the best places to go in May for sun! The summer season is the peak season for Mykonos, so visiting in May when there are clear skies and fewer crowds is best.

If you enjoy having a good time, then you cannot overlook Mykonos as one of the best holiday destinations in May! The island of Mykonos is filled with whitewashed buildings, pristine beaches, fun beach clubs, glistening blue waters and great nightlife.

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury hotel, you must stay at Cavo Tagoo in Mykonos! The top restaurants to enjoy a nice meal are Scorpio’s, Niko’s Taverna, Kastro’s and Kounela’s Fish Tavern. Please note that you must make reservations in advance because Mykonos is one of the most popular destinations.

In addition to going to the beach and swimming in the beautiful Aegean Sea, you must wander through the quiet stone-paved streets of Mykonos and admire the beauty all around! I loved all the stunning flowers, white-washed buildings and charming cafés! I won’t forget to mention that Mykonos has incredible sunsets.

Other fun things to do in Mykonos are to go on a booze cruise, dance with the world’s best DJs at Paradise Beach and go clubbing at one of the many nightclubs in town. My friends and I loved Skandinavian Bar the best!

Zurich, Switzerland:

Switzerland is one of the best nations to visit in May and Zurich is one of the country’s major cities that offers the best weather and things to do in spring. During the month of May, Zurich has warmer weather for hiking and touring, there’s a plethora of street vendors to shop from in the city center, outdoor dining is thriving and it’s a good time to take a boat cruise around the lake.

The best hotel in Zurich is B2 Hotel; the best restaurants are Razzia for Italian food, Cafe & Conditorei 1842 for breakfast, Restaurant Brasserie Johanniter and Volkshaus for authentic Swiss food!

Visiting Zurich during the shoulder season allows for laid-back activities. Plus, it’s one of the best places to go in May for sun! Some top things to do are enjoy Lake Zurich’s beauty, shop on the Bahnhofstrasse, take a ferry ride and do a chocolate-making class.

During a May getaway to Zurich, Switzerland, you must enjoy a city tour! The Old Town of Zurich is stunning and has a lot of beautiful historical landmarks to learn about and admire. It will make you feel like you’re in a storybook! The top landmarks in Zurich are St. Peterskirche, Grossmünster and Framünster.

Zurich is also one of the top May travel destinations for mountain lovers! Plenty of great hiking trails are nearby, along with fun mountain coasters, paragliding opportunities and scenic gondola rides to mountain peaks.

Near Zurich, you can visit the mountain town of Adliswil, which features charming Alpine vistas and chalets. One of the most incredible things to do here is to take the cable car to the Felsenegg vantage point. From there, you can enjoy one of the many hiking trails, a Swiss beer and take in all the breathtaking views.

Barcelona, Spain:

The Catalonian city of Barcelona is one of the best places to go in May for sun and fun! Barcelona is a unique Spanish city on the Mediterranean coast and boasts the most incredible Art Nouveau architecture, mouthwatering cuisine, good weather and fascinating landmarks.

The trendiest place to stay in Barcelona, Spain is Kimpton Vividora in the Gothic Quarter. The best restaurants in this vibrant city are Terraza Martinez for paella, Bar Cañete for tapas and Can Fisher for seafood. Spanish food is the best and a good reason to go to Barcelona is to enjoy its specialties.

What makes Barcelona, Spain a fascinating city is its architecture. Most of the Art Nouveau architecture featured throughout the city was created by Antoni Gaudí. You can admire his work by visiting La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Vicens, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, Casa Calvet, Torre Bellsguard and Collegi de les Teresianes. (Most of these landmarks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.)

Not only does Barcelona have some of the best food in the world, but it’s also a great place to enjoy a drink! Vermouth is a staple to Barcelona and you must try it. This type of drink is a fortified wine that is flavored with botanical. The best place to enjoy vermouth in Barcelona is Morro Fi!

Other great things to do in Barcelona, Spain, during May, are to tour the Palau de la Música Catalana, go to a rooftop bar, relax at Barceloneta Beach, stroll through Las Ramblas and visit the Boquería market and hike Muntanya del Tibidabo.

Tuscany, Italy:

Another great May destination with sunny weather and warm days is Tuscany, Italy! This area of Italy features stunning villas, beautiful wineries, charming cities and villages and delicious food, making it one of Europe’s best places to visit in May!

The best city to stay in Tuscany is Siena and one of the most luxurious hotels is Grand Hotel Continental. Some of the best restaurants in Siena are Ristorante Pizzeria Spadaforte, Antica Osteria da Divo, Il Bandierino and Osteria La Mossa.

The top three places to visit in Tuscany are San Gimignano, Siena, Monteriggioni and Chianti!

San Gimignano is everything you imagine Tuscany to be: rolling green hills, beautiful Medieval towers and 13th-century fortress walls. Some of the best things to do in this town are to get lost in the Medieval streets, shop, visit the Duomo and Torre Grossa and enjoy gelato at Gelateria Dondoli – the best gelato shop in the world!

Siena is the city where you can hear the most beautiful Italian being spoken and it’s one of the best places to go in May for sun! Some of the best things to do in this Tuscan city are to wander through the Medieval Piazza del Campo, walk through the Duomo, see the Torre del Mangia and eat delicious food. Tuscany is known for truffle, pappardelle pasta, roasted meats and more.

In the Chianti wine region of Tuscany, you must visit the fairytale village of Monteriggioni. It’s a walled town that overlooks the wine region and includes small shops, restaurants, cafés and lovely parks. From there, you must go wine tasting at Famiglia Mazzarrini. The wine in Tuscany is perfect because the region experiences a dry season during the warmer months and winters are usually rainy, making the soil ideal for growing grapes.

Peniche, Portugal:

On the Portuguese coast, Peniche is one of the best places to go in May for sun! This seaside town is located an hour and 15 minutes north of Lisbon and features beautiful white sand beaches, historical wonders and natural beauty. Peniche also has little rain and great weather, making it one of the top May beach holiday destinations.

Deck Lodge is one of the best places to stay in Peniche, Portugal. It’s a hostel, but it feels like luxury because it’s quaint, in the perfect location and it’s newer! Additionally, the best places to have a good meal in Peniche are A Sardinha, oS aMericanO’s and Ristorante Pizzeria il Boccone.

Not only is relaxing at the beach one of the best things to do in Peniche, Portugal, but it’s also a great place to learn how to surf. Good Surf Good Love is a great surfing company that will teach you basic instructions on how to walk into the water with the board, get onto the board, stand up and balance and take the wave in. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to make memories in Peniche.

The Portuguese village of Peniche also has a former prison for you to visit and learn about, called Fort Peniche. It also has numerous sunset spots for incredible photo opportunities!

Peniche is also small enough that you can walk to other nearby villages! Each village is beautiful and offers stunning beaches, restaurants, scenic views and local shops.

A May vacation to Peniche, Portugal is incomplete without taking a boat over to Berlenga Island! This small island is seven miles west of the mainland and it’s a gem. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can explore different caves; visit the famous Fortress São João Baptista; hike to the top of the island, see the lighthouse, and relax at one of the hidden beaches.

Best Places to Visit in May in the World

Machu Picchu, Peru:

Peru is one of South America’s best places to visit during May. Because Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere, May is considered autumn. This time of the year is the best time to do the Salktantay Trek to Machu Picchu.

The closest city to Machu Picchu is Cusco and before or after your hike, you must enjoy the city and discover how fascinating the local culture is.

Even though you can see Machu Picchu by taking the train or doing a tour from Aguas Calientes, the best way to experience it is by doing one of the treks. My recommendation is to do the Salkantay Trek with Machu Picchu Reservations.

On this incredible trek, you’ll hike through diverse landscapes that include glaciers, rivers, lagoons, jungles and valleys. The highest point you’ll hike to is 15,226 feet above sea level. You’ll experience incredible adventures, like visiting a coffee plantation or zip lining, before getting to Machu Picchu at 13,828 feet above median sea level.

Hiroshima, Japan:

Hiroshima is in western Japan and is associated with the devastation of the first and only atomic bombing in 1945. Nowadays, Hiroshima is a vibrant city and culturally rich. It’s also one of the best places to go in May for sun!

The best place to stay in Hiroshima, Japan is at the Sheraton Grand. The top spots to eat are Otafuku for okonomiyaki, Hisashi Nabeyaki for ramen and Milky Tetsuo’s Kaki Goya Ujina for oysters.

You cannot visit Hiroshima and not do a historical tour. During a tour, you’ll learn all about what happened at 8:15 am on August 6, 1945, when an American B29 bomber was dropped on Hiroshima. Almost everyone in the area died instantly and many were left severely injured and sick.

The Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall is the only remaining building that shows the devastation and destruction from that day. You must visit the Old Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch and the Hiroshima Memorial Monuments from there.

Other things to do in Hiroshima are to visit the two castles – Hiroshima Castle and Fukuyama Castle; explore downtown Hiroshima; go to a karaoke bar and savor the best Japanese food!

Located less than an hour from the heart of Hiroshima is the small island of Miyajima, where you can enjoy a sunny day savoring delicious food, seeing incredible sites and making friends with local deer!

The best things to do in Miyajima are to walk through the Peace of Shrine Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; see the floating torii gate; visit the Buddhist Daiganji Temple and binge on Japanese street food. Great things to savor on Miyajima are the fresh fruit smoothies, grilled meat on a stick, oysters, Momiji Manju (a sugary buckwheat and rice cake with a red bean paste filling); Deer Beer; eel; steamed pork buns, okonomiyaki and deep-fried fish cakes.

Other Best Places to Go in May for Sun:

Looking for other great destinations in May? Check out the below destinations!

Caribbean Islands: Great Exuma Island, Bahamas

South Africa: Cape Town

North America: Central Park, New York City

I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best places to go in May for sun. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

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