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A windswept divi-divi tree on the white sand of Eagle Beach, Aruba

May

Best beach destinations in May

If you want a beach trip in May, Barcelona comes out first, with average highs around 22°C and moderate crowds.

Beach destinations, ranked by how good the month is there: weather, crowds, prices and events. Each card shows the real average temperature, crowd level and price level for May, and links to the full May guide for that destination.

By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026

Photo: Aruba (#3 on this list)

  1. The Sagrada Família rising over Barcelona rooftops toward the sea at golden hour
    1

    Barcelona

    Spain
    Temperature
    14–22°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    €€€

    +Excellent balance of weather, daylight and manageable crowds.

    –Demand starts increasing toward summer.

    Barcelona in MayAll months
  2. Whitewashed buildings and domes in Oia, Santorini, at sunset
    2

    Santorini

    Greece
    Temperature
    17–23°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    €€€

    +Warm, green and almost everything open.

    –The sea is still cool and cruise days can be busy.

    Santorini in MayAll months
  3. A windswept divi-divi tree on the white sand of Eagle Beach, Aruba
    3

    Aruba

    Aruba
    Temperature
    27–32°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    $$$

    +Dry, sunny, lower prices.

    –Few events.

    Aruba in MayAll months
  4. Downtown Los Angeles with the San Gabriel Mountains behind
    4

    Los Angeles

    United States
    Temperature
    14–21°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    $$$

    +Excellent walking, dining and beach weather without peak summer demand.

    –May's marine layer can make some mornings unexpectedly grey.

    Los Angeles in MayAll months
  5. The crescent of Molokini crater in deep blue water off Maui
    5

    Maui

    United States
    Temperature
    20–30°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    $$$

    +Dry, sunny and quieter.

    –Few events.

    Maui in MayAll months
  6. Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay
    6

    Rio de Janeiro

    Brazil
    Temperature
    20–27°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$

    +Best overall balance of weather, crowds and price.

    –Few headline events, and the sea starts to cool.

    Rio de Janeiro in MayAll months
  7. Taormina on its clifftop above the Ionian Sea at golden hour, Mount Etna in the distance
    7

    Taormina

    Italy
    Temperature
    17–23°C
    Crowds
    Medium
    Prices
    €€

    +Long, warm evenings, a fully open town, and none of June's festival-driven price spike.

    –It's no longer a secret — book accommodation a few months ahead for the best choice.

    Taormina in MayAll months
  8. Valencia coastline and city viewed from above
    8

    Valencia

    Spain
    Temperature
    15–24°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    €€€

    +Excellent weather + balanced crowds

    –Prices begin rising

    Valencia in MayAll months
  9. Palma Cathedral glowing at sunset above the water of Parc de la Mar
    9

    Palma de Mallorca

    Spain
    Temperature
    16–23°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    €€€

    +Warm sea starting and the island at its best.

    –Weekends are busier.

    Palma de Mallorca in MayAll months
  10. Split's waterfront with palm trees and Marjan hill rising behind the old town
    10

    Split

    Croatia
    Temperature
    16–23°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    €€€

    +Warm weather and a lively Riva.

    –Cruise days start to bite.

    Split in MayAll months
  11. Turquoise bay with a golden sand beach framed by rocky hills in Malta
    11

    Malta

    Malta
    Temperature
    16–24°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    €€

    +Warm weather without peak-summer heat

    –Visitor numbers and prices begin to rise

    Malta in MayAll months
  12. Dubrovnik's old town and harbour seen from the city walls
    12

    Dubrovnik

    Croatia
    Temperature
    15–22°C
    Crowds
    Moderate-High
    Prices
    €€€

    +Good weather, longer days and manageable crowds.

    –The sea is still cool for swimming.

    Dubrovnik in MayAll months
  13. Two pigs walking on a white-sand beach beside turquoise water in the Bahamas
    13

    Bahamas

    Bahamas
    Temperature
    21–29°C
    Crowds
    Low
    Prices
    $$

    +Warm sea, quiet beaches, lower prices.

    –Rainier, and hurricane season is near.

    Bahamas in MayAll months
  14. The twin bays of Porto Timoni with turquoise water, Corfu
    14

    Corfu

    Greece
    Temperature
    13–24°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    €€€

    +Warm days, quiet beaches.

    –Sea still fresh.

    Corfu in MayAll months
  15. Es Vedrà rising from turquoise water off Ibiza's west coast
    15

    Ibiza

    Spain
    Temperature
    14–23°C
    Crowds
    Moderate
    Prices
    €€€

    +Warm days and quiet coves.

    –The sea is still fresh, around 19°C.

    Ibiza in MayAll months

Temperatures are monthly averages. Crowd and price levels are my own judgement. Want to narrow it down? Filter all destinations for May.

FAQ

Best beach destinations in May

What are the best beach destinations in May?

Barcelona, Santorini and Aruba come out best in May. Beach destinations, ranked by how good the month is there: weather, crowds, prices and events.

Which of these is warmest in May?

Aruba, with average highs around 32°C in May.

Which of these is quietest in May?

Rio de Janeiro, where crowds in May are low.

Best beach destinations in another month

More ideas for May