Top 5 Destinations to Travel in May

Do you want to go for a nice swim or to explore some cities before all the tourists arrive? In this blog post, we bring you the top 5 destinations to travel in May, that you will enjoy for sure. Not only they are less crowded in May but also, they are way cheaper, so you can enjoy your travel and still have some money left in your pocket.

Don’t forget to download our Cultural Places App and add these destinations to your personal trip planner, so you can easily find them later.

Let’s find perfect May destinations…

Istanbul, Turkey

If you’re really into exploring Istanbul, the best time to visit is definitely May when the weather is mild and it’s not that crowdy as it gets in the summer. Istanbul is a magnificent city that connects two continents and two totally different cultures and is the largest one that lies on two continents. There are layers and layers of history and culture to be explored – everything in Istanbul tells a story.

There is so much to see that you’ll spend days just wandering around this amazing metropolis, here we’ll mention just a few things that you mustn’t miss, such as Hagia Sophia – first the Greek Orthodox church, later the Ottoman mosque and today the museum; then there is Topkapi Palace, where sultans lived, also a museum today, and the Blue Mosque, that is still serving as a mosque.

If you like shopping visit the Grand Bazaar that is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. Also, we loved the Spice Bazaar – the most colourful bazaar in the city where you can find all the spices you can imagine, as well as other Turkish delights.

Norwegian Fjords

If you love exploring nature more than exploring cities, this unique experience is the right for you. You can explore the Norwegian fjords in a few ways – you can go for a cruise and explore them from the water or for a magnificent road trip and explore them from the clifftops. May is the time when wildflowers are in bloom, and the grass is at its greenest – everything smells so good. Also, it’s when fjords are free of tourists and from annoying midges, too, so you can enjoy nature in peace. Beware, even though it’s late spring, the weather can be very tricky. So, pack something warm to wear, just in case.

Some of the most famous fjords, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, on the west coast, are even listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. If you go fjord cruising, you’ll explore some smaller cute Norwegian cities, as well as the larger ones like Oslo or Bergen with their magnificent ports.

Marrakech, Morocco

Due to its geolocation, Marrakech and the whole of Morocco tend to get very hot in the summer, so if you are eager to visit, we definitely recommend May. Visiting this part of the world is a unique experience, in Marrakech, you’ll find numerous mosques, beautiful palaces and gardens, as well as souk markets that are a bit chaotic but worth exploring.

While in Marrakech, you cannot miss the main square called Jemaa el-Fnaa – you’ll see some snake charmers, henna-tattoo artists and various other entertainers by day, and food stalls with lamb, orange juice and other specialities at night. If you want to relax a bit, check out the Jardin Majorelle, one of the most popular places in Morocco, it’s a tranquil garden with streams and over 300 plant species – the perfect place to get out of the city bustle.

After a long day of exploring the city, find a hammam – public bathhouse, where you can enjoy a sauna, different massages and often a dip in an ice-cold pool.

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Bali is the perfect destination if you desire to go swimming in May, the weather is perfect – it’s the beginning of the season, and the crowds are a couple of months away. We recommend visiting the village of Kuta – it’s the oldest beach resort in Bali and it is perfect if you want to learn how to surf. So, don’t miss the opportunity while you’re there, it’s super fun. There are many beaches around Kuta, some are perfect for sunbathing while others are more for diving – you’ll find the perfect one for yourself for sure. No matter where you spend your time, you’ll have a great time to relax, enjoy the sun and the perfect sea.

Kuta is the entertainment capital in Bali, so you can imagine that the nightlife there is quite vivid – there are many nightclubs, bars and restaurants, so you’ll have a lot of fun while you’re there. Also, there are a few waterparks that you must visit – you’ll have a great time. If you want to explore a bit of Balinese culture, visit Kuta Theatre – you’ll see great traditional magic show with performers wearing traditional Balinese costumes that are actually there to distract you from the illusions they prepare.

One of the best things that we visited in Kuta is the Bali Sea Turtle Society. They protect the eggs of these wonderful creatures and when they hatch, they are being returned to the sea. If you donate some money, you can help them get into their natural surroundings – it’s a unique experience.

Bahamas, Caribbean

The Bahamas are the dream destination of many people, it’s known for its warm white sandy beaches, clear, turquoise waters and magnificent marine wildlife. May in the Bahamas is off-season, so you’ll have those perfect beaches just for yourself, but the weather will still be perfect for sunbathing and swimming. The best place to visit in the Bahamas is Nassau, the capital. It’s the perfect blend of everything that the Bahamas and the Caribbean have to offer.

Nassau is a great town and it’s worth exploring, you should definitely dedicate one whole day to it. You’ll get to explore some great fortresses, beautiful 17th and 18th-century buildings and you can visit one of the museums and learn about the Bahamas culture and history. When you get to Fort Fincastle (and you will) check out the Queen’s staircase – the most famous landmark in Nassau.

Nassau has a few incredible beaches, but certainly, the most popular one is the Cable beach, the best place to sunbathe and swim all day long. If you’re a fan of snorkelling and want to explore the underwater world of the Bahamas, visit Love beach or Jaws beach, named after the popular movie that was filmed here. Don’t worry, you won’t see any sharks here, only coral reef with tons of different fish.

These are our favourite May destinations, hopefully, you’ll love them as much as we did. So, get ready, pack your bags and enjoy your May vacation.