If late spring isn’t warming up fast enough for you and you’re wondering where’s hot in May, then head to these hot destinations for some serious fun in the sun.
1. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is known for two things: music and BBQ. In May, this jovial southern city celebrates its claim to fame with a month-long party called the Memphis in May International Festival. The festival pays homage to the city, its people, history, and culture with events like the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (May 15-18, 2024) and the Great American River Run (May 25, 2024). Additionally, it honors an international destination. This year, the spotlight shines on France with a multitude of cultural events across the city’s museums, galleries, and performing arts centers.
May in Memphis is nothing short of delightful, making visiting the city’s extraordinary spaces, including the sprawling Shelby Farms Park and the opulent Victorian Village, a pleasure in 80-degree weather. Music history institutions abound — don’t miss Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley — and make sure to put the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel on the top of your to-see list in Memphis.
Stay at the iconic Peabody Memphis, and you’ll be a stone’s throw from Beale Street, Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Orpheum Theater, and Arnold’s BBQ and Grill. For a budget-friendly sojourn, the Holiday Inn Express Memphis is a solid option.
2. Albanian Riviera, Albania
With turquoise waters, beaches ranging from powder white to rocky, and affordable prices, the Albanian Riviera won’t remain a hidden gem for long. And May, when temperatures hit the sweet spot, is the perfect time to discover this coastal European paradise. Stretching from the seaside districts of Vlorë to Sarandë, the Albanian Riviera, known as Bregu, is dotted with olive groves on terraced hillsides, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient castles, and quaint Mediterranean villages above mountain passes.
And it’s not just natural beauty that’s drawing the attention of travelers escaping the beach crowds on the neighboring shores of Italy, Croatia, and Greece. You’ll also find Instagram-worthy beach cabanas and vibrant nightlife if that’s more your vibe. Begin your getaway in Dhërmi, exploring hidden coves and inlets by day and the old town by night. Then off to Sarandë, the largest town on the Riviera, for a taste of Albanian seaside nightlife. From there, make your way to picture-perfect Ksamil, where you can spend the day splashing in azure waters and sampling the freshest seafood. For a little culture and history, roam among the impeccably preserved ancient Greek and Roman ruins in Butrint. And keep going — there are plenty of magical seaside villages along the way, each one worth a stop.
Make the Demi Hotel your base in Sarandë. Although, be warned: With its well-appointed sea-view rooms, a private beach, and a restaurant, you might find it hard to venture out. In Ksamil, there is no shortage of quaint hotels whose prices seldom hit the triple digits. The Hotel Mare, with its spacious balconies, is a great example.
3. Saint George’s, Grenada
With spring break crowds gone, peak prices dipping, and the rainy season still a month away, May on the Caribbean Island of Grenada is as close to paradise as it gets. Though it’s one of the Caribbean’s smallest islands, covering a little more than 122 square miles, the list of things to do, see, and taste is both long and impressive.
White sand beaches — with Grand Anse Beach as the star — majestic waterfalls, the world’s first underwater sculpture park, and countless diving opportunities that include exploring the Bianca C, the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean, are reason enough to visit Grenada. But come May, the Spice Island hosts an extravagant Chocolate Fest (May 15-20). Now in its 11th year, the 2024 edition highlights the island’s other specialty, rum. The schedule is jam-packed with unique cultural and culinary experiences that take visitors on guided tours of working cocoa farms and rum distilleries to meet local producers and farmers upholding traditional production processes. Then apply your knowledge at chocolate-making classes and tasting events. Expect plenty of opportunities to enjoy local cuisine and music too, plus a chance to tap into the healing properties of chocolate with wellness events.
Stay at the True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, the official headquarters of the Chocolate Fest. It offers guests a restaurant, spa, yoga classes, multiple pools, and water sports access, including a dive center — all without breaking the bank. But if you’re looking to splurge just a little, book a room at Mount Cinnamon Resort.
Where’s hot and sunny in May
You can still reap the benefits of off-season travel in May, especially if you travel to these sun-drenched destinations where peak-season prices are still weeks away.
| Country | City | Average temperature in May |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Cabo San Lucas | 91°F / 33°C |
| USA | Galveston | 81°F / 27°C |
| USA | New Orleans | 85°F / 29°C |
| Venezuela | Margarita Island | 84°F / 29°C |
| USA | Las Vegas | 90°F/ 32°C |
| Indonesia | Bali | 91°F / 33°C |
| USA | Kauai | 78°F / 26°C |
| Antigua | Saint John’s | 85°F / 29°C |
| Greece | Athens | 78°F / 26°C |
| Spain | Tenerife | 80°F / 27°C |
Where’s hot in May FAQ
Florida and Mexico are always excellent choices in May, and they are not as crowded once spring break ends. Or go hang out on the beach on South Padre Island in Texas before the summer crowds descend on its shores. The Dominican Republic is likewise sunny and hot in May. For something a little different, book a trip to San Pedro in Belize.
May is an excellent time to visit cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, and Thimphu in Bhutan. Closer to home, southern states such as Georgia, Texas, and Arizona are heating up fast. Spring in parts of Europe is likewise getting hot, and exploring Barcelona, Rome, Paris, and Athens, where outdoor dining and events are in full swing, is pure pleasure in May.
May is still considered the shoulder season, so you are more than likely to find deals to popular hotspots across the globe. If you’ve been thinking about a Euro trip, Portugal, Spain, southern Italy, and Greece are all hot and inexpensive this time of year. The Caribbean is likewise seeing a drop in travelers as well as prices. So if you’ve had your eye on a resort in Aruba, it’s time to book.
