Best time to visit
Where to Go in May
May is late spring across the northern hemisphere, with long days and warm weather arriving before the busiest summer weeks, and late autumn in the south. These are the cities whose Wanderlust guide counts May as one of the best months to go, highest-ranked first.
#1Portugal · EuropeLagos, Portugal
Golden cliffs meet azure waters in Portugal's most charming coastal town
#2Portugal · EuropeAzores, Portugal
Nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic — where dramatic crater lakes, hot springs, and world-class whale watching meet authentic Portuguese island life.
#3Spain · EuropeFuerteventura, Spain
Canary Islands gem with volcanic landscapes, golden beaches and year-round perfect winds for watersports
#4Japan · AsiaKyoto, Japan
Japan's ancient capital — 1,200 years of temples, tea ceremony, and timeless beauty.
#5Spain · EuropeGran Canaria, Spain
Spain's miniature continent offering golden dunes, volcanic peaks, and year-round sunshine
#6Spain · EuropeTenerife, Spain
The Canary Islands' largest gem where volcanic majesty meets year-round spring with dramatic hikes and vibrant resorts
#7Indonesia · AsiaJimbaran, Indonesia
Bali's sun-soaked fishing bay where candlelit seafood dinners meet world-class resort living.
#8South Korea · AsiaJeju Island, South Korea
South Korea's volcanic island paradise — UNESCO landscapes, black-pork feasts, and world-class hiking at every turn.
#9Portugal · EuropeFaro, Portugal
The Algarve's authentic capital — Moorish old town, lagoon wilderness, and year-round sunshine without the tourist crowds.
#10Japan · AsiaTsushima Island, Japan
Japan's untamed border island — where samurai history, primeval forest, and Korea's coastline meet on the horizon.
#11Indonesia · AsiaSeseh, Indonesia
Bali's best-kept coastal secret — black-sand beaches, rice paddies, and quiet luxury without the crowds.
#12Japan · AsiaFukuoka, Japan
Japan's laid-back southern gem — world-class ramen, buzzing yatai stalls, and an airport that drops you downtown in five minutes.
#13Portugal · EuropeEriceira, Portugal
Europe's only World Surfing Reserve - where traditional fishing village charm meets world-class waves and digital nomad culture.
#14South Korea · AsiaDaejeon, South Korea
South Korea's Silicon Valley with nature at its core
#15Spain · EuropeMallorca, Spain
Spain's sun-drenched Balearic gem — where dramatic Tramuntana mountains meet 262 pristine beaches.
#16Thailand · AsiaKo Pha Ngan, Thailand
Thailand's legendary party island with a soul — pristine beaches, jungle waterfalls, and world-famous Full Moon Parties.
#17Estonia · EuropeTartu, Estonia
Estonia's intellectual heart: vibrant university city with art, culture, and compact charm.
#18Japan · AsiaKobe, Japan
Japan's cosmopolitan port city — where mountain hikes, Michelin-starred beef, and harbor sunsets collide.
#19Spain · EuropeValencia, Spain
Spain's sun-soaked third city — birthplace of paella, home of futuristic architecture, and one of Europe's best-value Mediterranean escapes.
#20Indonesia · AsiaUluwatu, Indonesia
Bali's dramatic clifftop frontier — world-class surf, temple sunsets, and laid-back luxury on the Indian Ocean.
#21Hungary · EuropeBudapest, Hungary
Discover Europe's Pearl of the Danube where imperial grandeur meets thermal baths and vibrant nightlife.
#22United States · North AmericaLawrence, United States
University town with authentic Main Street, vibrant arts scene, and civil rights history
#23Indonesia · AsiaCanggu, Indonesia
Bali's sun-soaked surf capital where digital nomads, yogis, and beach-club devotees all find their tribe.
#24Portugal · EuropeMadeira, Portugal
Portugal's lush Atlantic island paradise known for its eternal spring climate and dramatic volcanic landscapes.
#25Indonesia · AsiaUbud, Indonesia
Bali's spiritual and artistic heartland, cradled by emerald rice terraces, jungle temples, and a thriving wellness scene.
#26Indonesia · AsiaSanur, Indonesia
Bali's original beach town — calm seas, sunrise walks, and a slower tempo that the island's trendier spots can't match.
#27Portugal · EuropeBraga, Portugal
Portugal's ancient "City of Archbishops" reimagined as a youthful tech hub with Baroque grandeur and affordable living.
#28South Korea · AsiaBusan, South Korea
South Korea's coastal gem — where sandy beaches, hillside art villages, and world-class seafood collide.
#29Thailand · AsiaKo Samui, Thailand
Thailand's Gulf island gem — white-sand beaches, jungle waterfalls, and luxury resorts all in one tropical paradise.
#30Japan · AsiaHokkaido, Japan
Japan's wild north — world-class powder snow, volcanic landscapes, and lavender fields with no rainy season.
#31Germany · EuropeNuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg blends medieval grandeur, world-class WWII history, and Germany's most iconic Christmas market.
#32Netherlands · EuropeZwolle, Netherlands
Historic Hanseatic city of 125,000 offering festivals, history, and cultural attractions above its weight.
#33Andorra · EuropeAndorra la Vella, Andorra
Europe's highest capital — a Pyrenean microstate where tax-free shopping, world-class skiing, and thermal spas share a stunning mountain valley.
#34Portugal · EuropePortimão, Portugal
Authentic Portuguese coastal city with golden beaches, maritime heritage, and vibrant marina life
#35Denmark · EuropeCopenhagen, Denmark
Scandinavia's happiest capital blends royal history, cutting-edge design, and sustainable living in perfect harmony.
#36France · EuropeLyon, France
France's culinary capital blending Renaissance history with modern elegance.
#37South Korea · AsiaDaegu, South Korea
South Korea's hot-blooded inland city — where street food, mountain temples, and K-drama backdrops collide.
#38South Korea · AsiaSeoul, South Korea
Where ancient palaces meet K-pop fever and world-class street food — Seoul delivers it all, non-stop.
#39Spain · EuropeMenorca, Spain
The Balearics' quietest gem — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of turquoise coves, prehistoric sites, and slow Mediterranean living.
#40Spain · EuropeAlicante, Spain
Sun-drenched port city on Spain's Costa Blanca where Moorish hilltop castles meet sandy beaches and laid-back Mediterranean living.
#41Indonesia · AsiaGili Air, Indonesia
The laid-back middle child of the Gilis — car-free, coral-rich, and perfectly balanced between party and peace.
#42Japan · AsiaYokohama, Japan
Japan's historic port city where waterfront modernity meets deep multicultural roots.
#43Slovenia · EuropeLjubljana, Slovenia
Europe's greenest capital with fairy-tale castle, vibrant street art, and picturesque river walks.
#44Netherlands · EuropeLeiden, Netherlands
The Netherlands' "City of Discoveries" — a canal-laced university town where 17th-century grandeur meets vibrant student life.
#45Bulgaria · EuropePlovdiv, Bulgaria
Europe's oldest living city — Roman ruins, cobblestone charm, and a buzzing arts scene at Bulgarian prices.
#46Japan · AsiaSendai, Japan
Tohoku's vibrant capital — samurai history, celebrated festivals, and easy access to Japan's most scenic bay.
#47Japan · AsiaOkayama, Japan
Japan's sun-drenched "Land of Sunshine" — home to one of the country's three great gardens and a gateway to art islands and historic canal towns.
#48Argentina · Latin AmericaBuenos Aires, Argentina
Argentina's passionate capital where European elegance meets Latin American soul in every tango-filled street.
#49Japan · AsiaKagoshima, Japan
Kyushu's volcanic southern gem — where Sakurajima's smoke, samurai history, and Satsuma cuisine converge on a warm, sea-kissed coast.
#50Japan · AsiaOsaka, Japan
Japan's vibrant kitchen where ancient tradition meets neon energy and street food rules.