Skip to content
wheretotravel.info
May · 15 top picks

Where to go in May

May is a strong month for southern Africa, the Mediterranean and a few far-flung spots. Zambia tops the list with a score of 9.7, highs of 26°C and about 1 rain day. Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Angola are also dry, each with fewer than 3 rain days. Mongolia and Chile are mild, with highs around 19–21°C and little rain. In Europe, Spain, Gibraltar and Cyprus reach 21–26°C. Fiji has sea temperatures of 29°C. Avoid Thailand, Ghana and Haiti, where highs pass 32°C and there are 18 to 21 rain days. India and Mauritania are dry but very hot, at 40°C and 38°C.

Top picks

Best places to go in May

Ranked by our month score: temperature, rain, sunshine and sea.

  1. Zambia 26°C

    1.Zambia

    9.7/10

    Africa

    Scores 9.7. The rain has stopped, with 4 mm, highs of 26.2°C and 10.9 hours of sun.

    High / low
    26°C / 16°C
    Rain days
    1
    Sun daily
    10.9 hrs
    Zambia guide →
  2. Madagascar 21°C

    2.Madagascar

    9.5/10

    Africa

    Scores 9.5. The dry season starts, with 2.6 rain days, 12 mm of rain and highs of 20.6°C.

    High / low
    21°C / 10°C
    Rain days
    3
    Sun daily
    10.2 hrs
    Madagascar guide →
  3. Zimbabwe 24°C

    3.Zimbabwe

    9.5/10

    Africa

    Scores 9.5. Only 8 mm of rain, 10.1 sun hours a day and pleasant highs of about 24°C.

    High / low
    24°C / 11°C
    Rain days
    2
    Sun daily
    10.1 hrs
    Zimbabwe guide →
  4. Chile 21°C

    4.Chile

    9.4/10

    Americas

    Highs around 21°C, rain on about 3 days.

    High / low
    21°C / 11°C
    Rain days
    3
    Sun daily
    9.3 hrs
    Chile guide →
  5. Mongolia 19°C

    5.Mongolia

    9.4/10

    Asia

    Top score of 9.4. Dry and sunny, with 11.9 sun hours, 3.2 rain days and highs of 18.9°C.

    High / low
    19°C / 5°C
    Rain days
    3
    Sun daily
    11.9 hrs
    Mongolia guide →
  6. Gibraltar 21°C

    6.Gibraltar

    9.2/10

    Europe

    Scores 9.2, with pleasant 21°C highs, 12.3 sun hours and only 4.2 rain days.

    High / low
    21°C / 15°C
    Rain days
    4
    Sun daily
    12.3 hrs
    Gibraltar guide →
  7. Spain 24°C

    7.Spain

    8.8/10

    Europe

    Top score of 8.8. Madrid averages highs of 24°C, 12.6 hours of sun and only 6.3 rain days.

    High / low
    24°C / 12°C
    Rain days
    6
    Sun daily
    12.6 hrs
    Spain guide →
  8. Cyprus 26°C

    8.Cyprus

    8.5/10

    Europe

    Scores 8.5. Warm highs of 25.5°C with 12.8 hours of sun before the July heat.

    High / low
    26°C / 15°C
    Rain days
    7
    Sun daily
    12.8 hrs
    Cyprus guide →
  9. Israel 28°C

    9.Israel

    8.4/10

    Asia

    Highs around 28°C, rain on about 2 days.

    High / low
    28°C / 16°C
    Rain days
    2
    Sun daily
    12.6 hrs
    Israel guide →
  10. Fiji 29°C

    10.Fiji

    8.2/10

    Oceania

    Scores 8.2, with rain down to 8.1 days and the sea still warm at 29.3°C.

    High / low
    29°C / 22°C
    Rain days
    8
    Sun daily
    9.8 hrs
    Fiji guide →
  11. Japan 20°C

    11.Japan

    8.1/10

    Asia

    Top score of 8.1, with mild 20°C highs, 9.3°C lows and 9.8 sun hours a day.

    High / low
    20°C / 9°C
    Rain days
    10
    Sun daily
    9.8 hrs
    Japan guide →
  12. Bermuda 22°C

    12.Bermuda

    7.9/10

    Americas

    Also scores 7.9: warmer highs of 22.4°C, 11.5 sun hours a day and only 10.7 rain days.

    High / low
    22°C / 21°C
    Rain days
    11
    Sun daily
    11.5 hrs
    Bermuda guide →
  13. Canada 20°C

    13.Canada

    7.8/10

    Americas

    Scores 7.8. Ottawa warms to 19.5°C highs with 10.4 sun hours and 11 rain days, but nights are cool at 8°C.

    High / low
    20°C / 8°C
    Rain days
    11
    Sun daily
    10.4 hrs
    Canada guide →
  14. Papua New Guinea 23°C

    14.Papua New Guinea

    7.0/10

    Oceania

    Scores 7. Rain drops to 419 mm, sun rises to 9 hours a day, and highs reach 22.6°C.

    High / low
    23°C / 18°C
    Rain days
    28
    Sun daily
    9.0 hrs
    Papua New Guinea guide →
  15. Australia 17°C

    15.Australia

    6.5/10

    Oceania

    Highs around 17°C, rain on about 11 days, sea 17°C.

    High / low
    17°C / 11°C
    Rain days
    11
    Sun daily
    8.3 hrs
    Australia guide →

May

Warm & sunny

Highs of 24 °C or more and few rainy days.

May

Short-haul from Europe

Within about 3,500 km of central Europe.

Honest advice

Toughest weather in May

Places where the weather is usually at its worst this month.

Side by side

May weather comparison: top 10 destinations

Average weather of each destination's main city this month, and our month score out of 10.

May weather for the top 10 destinations
Destination Avg high Avg low Rainfall Sun hrs/day Sea temp May score
Zambia 26°C 16°C 4 mm 10.9 hrs Inland 9.7
Madagascar 21°C 10°C 12 mm 10.2 hrs – 9.5
Zimbabwe 24°C 11°C 8 mm 10.1 hrs Inland 9.5
Chile 21°C 11°C 24 mm 9.3 hrs – 9.4
Mongolia 19°C 5°C 13 mm 11.9 hrs Inland 9.4
Gibraltar 21°C 15°C 25 mm 12.3 hrs Inland 9.2
Spain 24°C 12°C 31 mm 12.6 hrs Inland 8.8
Cyprus 26°C 15°C 38 mm 12.8 hrs – 8.5
Israel 28°C 16°C 8 mm 12.6 hrs – 8.4
Fiji 29°C 22°C 77 mm 9.8 hrs 29°C 8.2

FAQ

Travelling in May

Where is warm and dry in May?

Southern Africa is the best bet for warm, dry weather in May. Zambia tops our list with a score of 9.7, highs of 26°C and about 1 rain day. Angola reaches 27.3°C with just 0.3 rain days. Zimbabwe (23.9°C, 2.4 rain days) and Israel (28.2°C, 2.3 rain days) are also good choices.

Where should I avoid travelling in May?

Avoid Thailand, Ghana and Haiti in May because of heavy rain. They get between 18.4 and 21.2 rain days, with highs above 32°C. India and Mauritania are dry, but they are very hot. India reaches 39.7°C and Mauritania 37.9°C. That heat makes sightseeing hard.

Is Thailand good in May?

No, May is a poor month for Thailand. It scores only 0.6, the lowest on our avoid list. Expect about 18.4 rain days and highs of 35.7°C. That means hot, humid days with frequent downpours. Consider going at another time of year.

Where in Europe is good in May?

Spain, Cyprus and Gibraltar are the strongest European picks for May. Spain scores 8.8, with highs of 24.4°C and 6.3 rain days. Cyprus is warmer at 25.5°C, with 7.3 rain days. Gibraltar is the driest, with 4.2 rain days and highs of 21°C. France still makes the list, but expect about 12.4 rain days.

Where can I go for a beach holiday in May?

Fiji is the top warm-water choice in May. The sea is about 29.3°C and daytime highs reach 28.9°C. It scores 8.2. Plan for some showers, because there are about 8.1 rain days in the month.