From Portugal to the Canary Islands via Greece and Malta: the four best destinations to travel in May.
Want to travel, take a break? If you are looking for a period that is not too crowded, with a pleasant climate and affordable prices, traveling in the month of May is ideal.
In this article I want to leave you four destinations where you can appreciate culture, nature and art. Always remember that an island or a territory embraced by the sea does not only mean beaches: explore the hinterland, discover hidden corners, taste the local cuisine, practice outdoor activities such as trekking and walking, breathe the atmosphere that each destination gives you and let yourself be carried away by emotions.
Where to travel in May
May is considered one of the best months to go on a trip. Whether it’s a day trip, a romantic weekend, or a longer adventure, traveling in May means having an almost always favorable climate and very few tourists around. In fact, since it is not a peak season, this month allows you to enjoy, in peace and quiet, every wonderful corner of the world.
But what are the best destinations to travel to in May?
Portugal
Portugal , which occupies the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, is undoubtedly one of the best destinations to travel in May. Also known for the quality of its wines and oil, produced in particular in the Alentejo region, this country is made up of large cities that alternate with quiet villages and plains that gradually give way to the coast.
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A short itinerary to do in Portugal? We start from the north in Porto , a city known for its wine, to continue to Coimbra with its UNESCO heritage university and Aveiro , on the ocean. We continue to Fatima , famous for the apparition of the Madonna on May 13, 1917 and a favorite destination for pilgrims who go to the sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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At the mouth of the Tagus River, Lisbon boasts a colorful old town, the Belem district with the eponymous tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. From the capital, be sure to head to the coastal towns of Cascais , with the extravagant Museu Condes Castro Guimaraes, Estoril with its racetrack and Sintra , in the mountains, with one of the most beautiful castles in Europe.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN LISBON: Find all the offers for accommodation
In the southernmost part, the Algarve is the most popular destination for those who decide to spend a beach holiday in Portugal. If you love surfing, opt for Praia da Rocha . The Algarve also offers characteristic towns such as Lagos , Tavira , Faro , Albufeira , Portimao and, near Sagres, Cabo de Sao Vincente where a lighthouse decrees the southernmost point of continental Europe.
Complete the picture Madeira , Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic with beaches, mountains, vineyards and natural areas. Worth a visit is the capital Funchal with the Monte district from which to admire a breathtaking panorama.
Canary Islands (Spain)
Located about 60 km west of Morocco, the Canary Islands are the southernmost autonomous community of Spain . Of the eight islands that make up the Canary Islands, the most loved and visited are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.
Cities that alternate with pretty villages with a serene pace of life, natural corners with a variety of landscapes that range from coastal areas to volcanic rocks, and then valleys, mountains, dunes, salt flats… in short, if you are looking for a mix of fun, beaches and unparalleled views, the Canary Islands are certainly among the best destinations to travel in May.
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The best things to do and see in the Canary Islands? Let yourself be tempted by the 3,751 meters of the dormant volcano Teide in Tenerife , visit the capital Santa Cruz , the village of Masca nestled in a valley, the picturesque villages of Garachico and San Cristobal de la Laguna .
Did you know that the Entallada lighthouse , in Fuerteventura , is the closest point in the Canaries to Africa? And that the Pico de Zarza , at 807 metres, is the highest peak on the island? On this island that is among the most Instagrammed in the archipelago, you can immerse yourself in the streets of Puerto del Rosario , the capital, and discover the characteristic village of Betancuria .
WHERE TO SLEEP IN FUERTEVENTURA: Find all the offers for accommodation
In Gran Canaria , instead, you will be welcomed by the peak of Ro que Nublo . Don’t miss the Morro de la Agujereada (1,956 m) and the Pico de las Nieves (1,949 m) which offer notable photographic opportunities. In Firgas , among the mountains, it is a must to walk along the artistic promenade Paseo de Canarias while, if you are looking for a larger city, I recommend you go to Las Palmas .
On the island of Lanzarote , don’t miss the panorama of Mirador del Rio , the lava tunnels ( Cueva de Los Verdes ) and the wine area of La Geria Valley . If you love lively areas, your top ten should definitely include Puerto del Carmen and Arrecife .
WHERE TO SLEEP IN FUERTEVENTURA: Find all the offers for accommodation
Malta
Between Libya and Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea, the archipelago of Malta is made up of the island of the same name, Gozo, Cumin and other minor islands. Its characterizations are beaches, rocky coasts and low hills with terraced fields… a perfect combination to choose it as a destination where to travel in May.
The cultural visit of Malta usually begins in Valletta , the port city and capital where, within the walls of the old city, stands the richly decorated St. John’s Cathedral and, outside the Old Town, the Grandmaster’s Palace, seat of the president. Historic buildings, walls and narrow streets characterize the nearby towns of Rabat and Medina .
WHERE TO SLEEP IN VALLETTA: Find all the offers for accommodation
On the island of Gozo , on the other hand, you can feel a more rural and peaceful atmosphere. The main city is Victoria with the fortified citadel on a hill and the baroque cathedral. To admire the panorama of the Mediterranean Sea, I recommend you go up to the Ta Cenc cliffs , 130 meters high.
Visiting Cumino means relaxation, especially outside the tourist season. Virtually uninhabited, this small island attracts tourists for the beauty of the Blue Lagoon with turquoise waters and sea caves . Of great impact are the Saint Mary’s Bay and the nearby Saint Mary’s Tower , a bastion with four observation towers.
Greece
Bathed by the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean seas, Greece is a well-known seaside destination with a great historical past… perfect to be chosen as a destination to travel in May.
Blue waters, picturesque islands with white and blue buildings, hills overlooking the coast for a breathtaking sunset characterize one of the countries that was the cradle of our civilization.
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The most visited islands in Greece are Corfu with its old town and the castle of Angelokastro perched on a rock, Santorini with the capital Fira perched on the coastal ridge and the wine industry, Crete with the palace of Knossos and the Samaria Gorges, Mykonos with the windmills and Rhodes with the old town, the hot springs of Kalitea and the castles.
Among the other things that are absolutely not to be missed in Greece are a stop at the Parthenon in Athens , a visit to the ruins and archaeological museum of Olympia and finally an exploration of Delphi , on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, also famous for its ancient archaeological finds.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN ATHENS: Find all the offers for accommodation
Note! For the more adventurous, I recommend the suggestive monasteries of Meteora on top of rocky promontories and, 80 km from Thessaloniki, Mount Olympus which , at 2,917 metres, is the highest mountain in Greece.
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Veronica Crocitti
