Where to go on the May long weekend
May has the best climate of the year for almost everything and isn't yet high season. The problem is that a long weekend concentrates everyone into a few days.
Why May is such a good month
Temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees across most of Mediterranean Europe, long days, everything open and prices that haven't reached summer levels. Objectively one of the two best months of the year to travel.
Book early
The one drawback of a long weekend: fixed dates mean everyone buys at once. Prices climb hard about six weeks before. Deciding two or three months ahead makes a big difference.
European cities
Rome, Lisbon, Porto, Prague, Budapest or Amsterdam are at their best: good weather without summer heat and without July's queues. Four days is plenty for any of them.
Breaks around Spain
The Andalusian cities before the heat sets in, the north with the countryside fully green, or the villages of the Sierra de Francia and the Jerte Valley. No flight needed and less competition for accommodation.
The first beaches
In May the Mediterranean sits at 18 to 20 degrees: cool but swimmable for many. The Almería coast, Murcia and the Alicante coast are the best bets, with near-guaranteed sun and low-season prices.
Mountains
A good month for valleys and mid-altitude routes, with rivers full from snowmelt. Watch out for high mountain routes, which may still have snow in May with many refuges closed.
Budget
Four days in a European city booked in time: 350 to 550 euros per person. A break within Spain without flights: 200 to 350. Booked last minute, expect 40 percent more.
The dates trick
If you can take a single extra day off, travelling the week before or after changes the price radically, with the same weather and everything equally open.
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