Where should you travel in May 2027?

Quick picks for May 2027

• Warm and sunny: Bali, Hoi An, the Croatian coast, Kotor and the Albanian Riviera, Andalusia.

• Cities: Seoul, Prague, London, Tokyo after Golden Week.

• Festivals: Orthodox Easter (2 May), Córdoba's Patios (reported 3 to 16 May), Buddha's Birthday in Korea (13 May), Sanja Matsuri in Tokyo (expected 21 to 23 May).

• Budget: Da Lat, Transylvania, Albania.

• Skip: Japan from 1 to 5 May, Bangkok and Saigon as the rains arrive, Turkish intercity transport in bayram week.

Warm and sunny

1. Bali, Indonesia. The dry season is under way: about 75 to 90 mm of rain in April and May, and prices below the July and August peak. Two holiday dates: Indonesia's 2027 holiday decree, as published, lists Waisak on Thursday 20 May, and Idul Adha is reported for Monday 17 May, to be confirmed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Bali is mostly Hindu, so neither changes much on the island, but domestic flights get busier. At temples, wear a sarong and sash and do not climb shrines for photos (temple etiquette). We spent 19 May to 6 June 2023 in Bali, with a night in Banyuwangi on Java. See our 18-day Bali route and Ubud guide.

2. Hoi An and Da Lat, Vietnam. Hoi An stays in its dry season but gets hot and humid as the month goes on. Da Lat, in the highlands, is the cool counterweight. Reunification Day and Labour Day (30 April and 1 May, Friday and Saturday in 2027) make the first weekend a domestic travel peak; any substitute day off had not been announced when we checked. We were in Hoi An to 5 May 2023 and Da Lat from 5 to 10 May. See how many days in Da Lat and what to pack for Hoi An.

3. Croatia. May averages about 23°C (73°F) in Split with the sea at 17°C (63°F): excellent for sightseeing, a little cool for swimming, and summer ferry timetables start towards the end of the month. The catch: Dubrovnik's old town gets crowded on cruise-ship days, so check the port schedule before you pick dates. See best time to visit Croatia and Dubrovnik city walls. We were in Croatia in August 2023.

4. Kotor and the Albanian Riviera. Montenegro and Albania are shoulder-season options with lower prices than Croatia. Orthodox Easter is Sunday 2 May 2027; at churches, dress modestly and ask before photographing services. The catch: the sea is still cool for swimming in early May, as it is across the Adriatic. See our Balkans road trip and Kotor guide. We were in Montenegro and Albania from August to October 2023.

5. Andalusia, Spain. Seville averages about 28°C (82°F) in May, Madrid about 23°C (73°F). Córdoba's Festival de los Patios is listed for 3 to 16 May 2027 by one tour operator on Spain's official tourism site; the city confirms the programme in spring. The catch: late May in Seville can already be hot. See the Mezquita tickets guide and our Spain route.

Cities and festivals

6. Seoul, South Korea. May is warm and green, before the summer rains. Buddha's Birthday falls on Thursday 13 May 2027 (the eighth day of the fourth lunar month), a public holiday, and the Lotus Lantern Festival parade is held on a weekend around it; the 2027 programme is not announced, and in 2026 the parade was on 16 May. Temples such as Jogyesa hang lanterns over their courtyards: walk quietly and do not step in front of people praying. See our Jogyesa guide and where to stay in Seoul. We were in Seoul in June and July 2023.

7. Prague and London. Prague averages about 19°C (66°F) in May and London about 18°C (64°F), with long evenings. England's bank holidays are Monday 3 May and Monday 31 May 2027, so book London and the Cotswolds early for those weekends. See best time to visit Prague and best time to visit London. We were in Prague in September 2022 and London in November 2023.

8. Tokyo, after Golden Week. Once Golden Week ends on 5 May, Tokyo is calm and mild. Asakusa's Sanja Matsuri is held from the third Friday to Sunday of May, which in 2027 points to 21 to 23 May; the shrine confirms the dates in spring. See best time to visit Tokyo and our Golden Week guide.

Budget picks

9. Transylvania, Romania. May highs are around 23°C (73°F), the hills are green and prices are well below summer. Orthodox Easter on 2 May means a long weekend in Romania. See best time to visit Romania and the Bran Castle guide. We were in Romania in October and November 2022.

10. Turkey, around the bayram. May highs are about 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F) across the main sights. Kurban Bayramı runs Sunday 16 to Wednesday 19 May 2027 by the Diyanet calendar, with the eve, 15 May, a half day. Check opening hours for the first day of the holiday, and expect full buses and domestic flights; Morocco's Eid al-Adha is expected on 16 or 17 May, by moon sighting. Book transport before anything else. See best time to visit Turkey. For more low-cost Europe, see cheapest places to travel in Europe.

Where to avoid in May

• Japan from 1 to 5 May. The end of Golden Week, with full trains and higher prices.

• Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, if you want dry days. The southwest monsoon arrives: Bangkok gets about 250 mm in May and Saigon about 220 mm, usually as afternoon storms.

• The Philippines late in the month. May is the hottest month and rain starts building.

• Munich and southern Bavaria, for outdoor plans. May begins the wettest stretch, about 107 mm in Munich.

Frequently asked questions