Kick-start your summer early by traveling in May! The Northern Hemisphere is wonderful this month because the flowers will be blooming, the weather will be warm and sunny, and the summer crowds won’t have descended yet. So I’ve rounded up the best places around the world to visit in May.

Month-By-Month Destination Guide

May is also an excellent month for African safaris because it’s the start of the dry season. Wildlife will be easier to spot as they gather around waterholes. And the vegetation will still be lush from the rains.

Here are the best places around the world to visit in May!

Greece

May is the perfect month to visit Greece! The weather is warm but not sweltering (like it is in June, July, and August), and the water will be warm enough for swimming, snorkeling, boating, and diving.

All of the islands will be fully open. And internal flights, buses, and ferries will operate at total capacity.

Visiting Greece in May will allow you to skip the Easter crowds and beat the summer peak prices and tourist numbers.

Zimbabwe and Zambia

Zimbabwe and Zambia are great destinations in May because the temperatures will still be pleasant before winter, you’ll beat the peak crowds and prices, and Victoria Falls is at some of its highest water levels all year.

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I highly recommend splitting your time between these countries and venturing beyond Victoria Falls! For an off-the-beaten-path safari, head to Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia or Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.

Croatia

In Croatia, May brings warm temperatures, and the water will be perfect for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and diving. May is a shoulder month, so it’s an ideal balance between smaller crowds, good weather, and more affordable prices.

The popular places – Split, Dubrovnik, and Plitvice National Park – will start to get crowded, so visit these places earlier in the month. Then head to the northern wine regions later in May to escape the increasing crowds.

The Philippines

May is the end of The Philippines’ dry season, so you’ll still have clear skies on the coast, in the jungle, and the cities. Crowds and prices will also be relatively low during this month

It’ll be hot and humid, though, so plan on spending the afternoons in a pool, under shade, or in the ocean.

New York City

“The Big Apple” is stunning in May. The city will be covered in flowers, the sun will be shining, and the temperature will be warm.

May isn’t a peak travel month for NYC, so the famous tourist spots won’t be as crowded. And if you wander off the beaten path, you’ll find that New York can be refreshingly un-crowded, tranquil, and relaxing in May.

Peru

The highlight of Peru is Machu Picchu, and the Inca Trail is at its best in May because this is the shoulder season and the start of the dry season.

So crowds and prices will be relatively low. And the landscape will be lush from the rainy season, but the trails will be dry.

If you want to venture beyond the Sacred Valley, Peru’s beaches and dunes in the south are especially un-crowded during May!

Malta

If you’re looking for a Mediterranean destination to visit in May, Malta is for you! This archipelago – home to Europe’s smallest capital city and a fantastic blend of European and African culture – has perfect weather in May.

The days will be warm and sunny, and the water temperature will be perfect for swimming in turquoise lagoons and diving in hidden coves.

May is also a pleasant time to explore the islands’ ruins before they get too hot and crowded in the summer.

Spain

This is a great month to visit Spain because the days are warm, the skies are clear, and the water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and boating.

May is a shoulder month, so the crowds and costs will be lower than later in the summer.

The beaches will start to fill up towards the end of the month, so start your trip on the coast and then move inland to stay ahead of the crowds.

Yellowstone

May – September is Yellowstone’s peak season because all areas of the park are fully accessible. The rest of the year, snow closures impact most of the park.

June is when Yellowstone’s crowds and prices skyrocket, so visiting in May will allow you to take advance of the great weather with slightly lower prices and crowd numbers.

Most visitors to Yellowstone are concentrated in the Old Faithful and Canyon districts. These parts of the park are ABSOLUTELY worth visiting, but to escape the crowds, explore the Lake District, Mammoth Springs, and the Tower-Roosevelt area.

Belize

May is the end of Belize’s dry season. So this month is the perfect mix of great weather and decreasing costs and crowds. It will be hot and humid, so plan on spending the afternoons inside or in the water.

I suggest splitting your trip between the coast and the inland jungle region near Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

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