The 7 Best Places to Go in May 2026

May might just be travel's best-kept secret. It's the time of year when festival season kicks off, warmer weather is here to stay, and longer days arrive, without the peak-season crowds. Whether you're on the lookout for a vibrant cultural celebration or want to see vibrant landscapes at their most alive, May is an excellent month to travel. Combine stunning landscapes and unforgettable cultural experiences with reduced travel costs, and you're in for a winner if you're planning to travel this May.

Here are the best places to travel in May 2026:

Where should you travel in May 2026?

1. Puebla – Mexico

Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May) is one of Mexico’s most well-known festivals. Honouring the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, the festival is best celebrated in the very city where victory was achieved. 

In other parts of Mexico, while the victory is still observed, it is best celebrated in Puebla. Located just two hours from Mexico City, Puebla’s celebrations feature a 20,000-strong parade and authentic battle reenactments inside the UNESCO World Heritage City.

For an authentic, genuine celebration of Mexican culture, experiencing Cinco de Mayo in Puebla should be on your bucket list for May 2026.

Best Dates to Visit: Early May, specifically Tuesday, 5th May 2026.

2. Sydney – Australia 

Sydney is another excellent city to visit in May.

This is partly due to it being a shoulder season in Australia, as the weather transitions from the stifling hot Australian summer into the cooler autumn months.

As such, travel is generally cheaper in Australia during May, while the weather is still around a pleasant 10-20℃ throughout the day and night. Due to the pleasant weather, beach days, swimming and surfing are still possible, while it is also much more comfortable walking around the city during the middle of the day due to the milder temperatures.

As the nights get darker earlier, the famous Vivid Sydney light show illuminates the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, starting on 22nd May and running through until 13th June 2026.

This is a must-see if you’re planning on visiting Sydney during May.

Best Dates to Visit: Late May in time for Vivid Sydney

3. Antalya – Turkey

Located on Turkey’s famous Turquoise Coast, Antalya is an excellent place to visit in May for an early summer holiday.

With daytime temperatures hovering around 26℃, it is the perfect place to top up your tan and enjoy a beach holiday without the crowds or the expense of going in the middle of summer.

While sea temperatures are cooler than in the summer months, May is still a great time to enjoy a beach holiday in Turkey. Furthermore, it is also a good time to explore nearby historic sites without the intense summer heat putting you off doing so. Examples include Aspendos or the Old Town of Kaleiçi, which can add a cultural element to your beach holiday.

For those seeking a budget-friendly summer holiday without the crowds, a visit to Antalya in May is ideal.

Best Dates to Visit: Whole month

4. Cusco – Peru

If you’re planning a visit to the Southern Hemisphere in May, then the Cusco Region in Peru is an ideal place to visit.

May marks the beginning of the dry season, with long, sunny days and mild temperatures, making it perfect for Andean hiking.

And in Cusco, you can take on the Inca Trail, a four-day hike which ends at the iconic Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. 

However, there are also other hikes in the Cusco Region and nearby Sacred Valley, which can also be undertaken during May, such as the world-famous Rainbow Mountain, which also offers equally stunning views and experiences.

For keen hikers, a visit to Peru in May is a must.

Best Dates to Visit: Whole month

5. Cannes – France

Cannes, a renowned city on the French Riviera on the Côte d’Azur in southern France, is another stunning place to visit in May.

Aside from the pleasant weather due to its Mediterranean climate – with temperatures around 22℃ during the day – it is also the home of the world-famous annual Cannes Film Festival, which attracts legendary film stars from across the globe to the French city.

During the daytime, the city is ideal for beach days and enjoying traditional French cafes and cuisine, while at night, the cooler temperatures are ideal for exploring the cit, or relaxing in a nice bar.

Be aware, though, that visiting Cannes during the Film Festival is not cheap, so a good option could be to stay on the outskirts of the city and hire a car to commute in to save on accommodation costs.

Best Dates to Visit: Late May (Saturday 23rd May for Cannes Film Festival)

6. Da Nang – Vietnam

Southeast Asia is a backpacker’s dream destination, and few places are better to visit during May than Da Nang in Vietnam.

Found in Central Vietnam, Da Nang is geographically located in an excellent place to visit in May. In the south of the country, the rainy season is just beginning, but in Da Nang, the May weather is dry, sunny and warm, making it perfect for beach holiday conditions.

Due to the high temperatures, swimming and watersports are perfect during May, often with clear conditions in the waters off places such as the Son Tra Peninsula, perfect for snorkelling and seeing a vast array of marine life.

Best Dates to Visit: Whole month

7. Okavango Delta – Botswana

For safari enthusiasts, there are few better places in the world to visit during May than the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

May marks the start of the dry season, so there is a much higher change to see wildlife congregated around waterways and pools, meaning that you have an excellent chance of seeing wildlife such as elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, African painted dogs, cheetahs and more, making the Okavango Delta a prime destination for viewing wildlife in Africa during May.

In addition, because May is just the beginning of the dry season, there are still plenty of waterways which can be explored by traditional mokoro (boat) safari, offering a chance to get up close to African wildlife from the water.

The dry weather, combined with the vast array of wildlife in the Okavango Delta, makes May the perfect time to visit Botswana for a safari holiday.

Best Dates to Visit: Whole month

FAQs

Why is May a good month for travel?

May is considered a shoulder season for most destinations across the globe, offering a mix of affordable accommodation, good weather and cultural experiences.

Are these destinations crowded in May?

For the most part, no – but if you visit for the purpose of a festival such as Cinco de Mayo, Vivid Sydney or Cannes Film Festival, then you can expect large crowds.

Is May suitable for beach holidays?

Yes, May is ideal for beach holidays, especially in places with warm, dry weather like Turkey and Vietnam.

Which destination is best for adventure travel during May?

Depending on what you want from your holiday, a hiking trip to Peru is an excellent choice, although visiting Botswana for a safari can be equally exhilarating.

Are flights and accommodation cheaper in May than in the summer months?

Generally, yes. May is an excellent time to travel if you’re on a budget or simply want to avoid the larger summer crowds.