Cheapest Holiday Destinations in May
Five destinations to compare before peak summer, with May-specific ways to get more for your money.
May is a tempting month for a holiday from the UK: Mediterranean resorts are preparing for summer, the days are longer and you can enjoy beaches, old towns and countryside before the busiest weeks. But May is not uniformly cheap. Bank-holiday weekends, school half-term, flight availability and how quickly an individual resort opens for the season can matter more than a destination's reputation for good value.
Quick answer: Crete, Rhodes, the Algarve, Antalya and the Costa del Sol are five destinations worth comparing for a value-focused May holiday. They are not a live-price ranking: without comparing identical dates, airports, trip lengths and inclusions, no one can honestly say these are the five cheapest destinations. Instead, this guide shows where the value may lie, what kind of May holiday each destination delivers, and the traps that can turn a cheap package into an expensive trip.
May 2027: three date windows to compare before choosing a destination
In 2027, the UK's early May bank holiday is Monday 3 May and the spring bank holiday is Monday 31 May, according to GOV.UK's official bank holiday calendar. In several English council calendars, the summer half-term runs from 31 May to 4 June 2027, including Essex County Council. Academy and local school dates can differ.
That creates three useful search windows. Early May can be attractive for a long weekend but the 3 May holiday may lift demand on some routes. The middle of May is worth comparing for travellers who can avoid school breaks: many beach resorts are open or opening, while peak summer demand has not arrived. Late May brings warmer conditions in many Mediterranean destinations, but the bank holiday and half-term can raise prices and reduce room choice. This is a planning framework, not a guarantee that one period will always win.
Practical experiment: run the same holiday search for a departure around 10–13 May, another around 17–20 May, and one near the end of the month. Compare the total price for the same party, duration and board basis. If a school break is unavoidable, compare a four- or five-night stay with seven nights, and investigate nearby airports rather than assuming a weekday flight is automatically cheaper.
Explore holidays departing on your dates
TripsByDate shows advertised package holidays across its wider inventory. The changing options below are not necessarily Christmas-week departures or packages to these five destinations. Use them as starting points, then compare your own dates and check the final price, availability and festive arrangements with the provider.
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LGW • 7 nightsAI · Thomas CookFive destinations to compare for a better-value holiday in May
The first infographic lists each place with attractive temperature ranges. They are broad illustrations, not precise averages, forecasts or price evidence. Beach conditions can also change materially between early and late May and between neighbouring resorts.
1. Crete, Greece: a long season with much more than beaches
Best for: travellers who want a mix of sightseeing, food, beaches and day trips. Crete is large enough that choosing the right base can matter as much as finding a low hotel price. The Chania area suits picturesque harbours and west-coast excursions; Rethymno combines an old town with nearby resorts; the Heraklion area is useful for archaeological sightseeing including Knossos, while eastern Crete offers a different, often more relaxed pace.
May advantage: warm spring days make inland trips and old-town exploring more comfortable than midsummer. Beaches can look glorious even when the sea is still relatively cool. Typical May daytime highs at Heraklion are around the mid-20s Celsius in long-term climate summaries, but that is not a promise of beach heat every day. For destination and activity ideas, use the Greek National Tourism Organisation's Crete guide.
How to find the value: compare the total cost of staying in an attractive town versus a remote resort. Crete's size means a low hotel price can be outweighed by car hire, long transfers or repeated organised excursions. For a short break, check the airport closest to the region you actually want to visit; Heraklion and Chania are not interchangeable for every itinerary.
Before booking: confirm whether pools and seasonal restaurants are operating and whether an advertised beach is suitable for the kind of swimming you want. Families may prefer a well-established resort, while couples exploring independently may gain more from a walkable town. Compare seasonal advice in our best months to visit Greece guide.
2. Rhodes, Greece: beach resorts plus a genuinely impressive old town
Best for: couples and families seeking a straightforward island holiday with sightseeing built in. Rhodes Town combines a medieval walled centre with hotels, cafés and transport links; Faliraki offers a more conventional resort experience; Lindos and nearby areas appeal for scenery, beaches and exploring ancient sites. The best-value base depends on whether you will mainly use the hotel or spend each day out.
May advantage: the island is moving into its main tourist season, but it is generally more comfortable for walking around historic streets than the hottest part of summer. Do not confuse sunny afternoons with a reliably warm sea, especially early in May. Rhodes averages are broadly in the mid-20s Celsius for daytime highs in May, with actual conditions varying.
How to find the value: if history is your main interest, a hotel near Rhodes Town may reduce transport needs; if poolside days dominate, compare resort packages with meals included. An all-inclusive deal is only good value when you will use what it includes. See Visit Greece's official Rhodes guide for local attractions before paying for excursions.
Before booking: check transfer length, beach access, family facilities and whether your accommodation is on a steep hillside. A cheaper property may require more taxis or a rental car than expected.
3. Algarve, Portugal: beautiful coast, with a few important trade-offs
Best for: scenic coastal walks, smaller towns, golf, cafés and a relaxed holiday rather than guaranteed warm sea swimming. Lagos offers dramatic beaches and plenty of restaurants, Tavira has an older-town feel and a calmer pace, and the central Algarve offers more conventional resort options. The value equation depends on transport and the holiday style you want.
May weather: temperatures are generally pleasant for exploring and there can be very warm afternoons, but this is the Atlantic. Even a sunny day does not make the sea as warm as summer Mediterranean water. Portugal's official meteorological institute publishes climate normals that are useful when setting realistic expectations.
How to find the value: compare Faro flight availability, transfer costs and the price of renting a car. A self-catering apartment may offer flexibility, especially for families, but price the full cost of meals, groceries, transport and any optional activities. Golfers should check green fees before assuming a lower hotel rate makes the entire holiday cheap.
Before booking: examine the beach access on a map; some celebrated cliff-backed beaches involve steps and are not ideal for every family. For the bigger seasonal picture, read Best Months to Visit Portugal.
4. Antalya, Türkiye: test all-inclusive value rather than headline price
Best for: travellers who want a comfortable resort base, plenty of hotel facilities and options for historic or scenic excursions. Antalya city and Lara Beach are very different experiences from Belek's resort hotels or Side's mixture of beaches and ancient ruins. Always identify the actual resort and transfer time, not simply the arrival airport.
May advantage: temperatures are climbing towards summer along the Mediterranean coast. Earlier May can make sightseeing easier than midsummer; later May often feels more beach-oriented. However, hotel pools, waterslides and seasonal services may operate on their own schedules, so ask about your exact dates.
How to find the value: inspect the details of any all-inclusive package. Confirm which restaurants are open, whether branded drinks, snacks or children's activities are included, and whether transfers and luggage are part of the advertised price. A larger resort package may be attractive if you plan to remain on site, but an inexpensive half-board hotel can win if you want to explore and eat locally.
Before booking: review relevant UK government travel advice for Türkiye, check passport and entry requirements, and compare the hotel's real location against your planned activities. For seasonal context, see Best Months to Visit Turkey.
5. Costa del Sol, Spain: more value when you use the coast as a base
Best for: couples, friends and families who appreciate easy sightseeing as well as beach time. Málaga has museums, galleries, markets and restaurants; Benalmádena and Torremolinos offer resort facilities and access to the coast. With useful public transport around the Málaga area, it can be possible to enjoy several days without hiring a car.
May weather: AEMET, Spain's official meteorological agency, reports an average May daytime maximum of 24.3°C at Málaga Airport in its 1981–2010 normals, compared with 21.4°C in April. It is a strong month for outdoor activities, but still not a guarantee of hot water or uninterrupted sunshine. See the official Málaga climate table.
How to find the value: a walkable hotel with nearby public transport can outperform a cheaper property requiring taxis. For short breaks, focus on flight timings and usable days: an early departure out and late return can be worth paying for if it gives you more time on holiday. Compare both city hotels and coastal resort packages.
Before booking: be clear whether you want a busy promenade, historic city, quiet beach or a family hotel. These are very different trips at different price points. Our Spain-by-month guide explains how the destination changes through the year.
Which of these five May destinations suits your budget best?
- For a history-rich holiday: Rhodes and Crete offer old towns and major archaeological sites, but price transport and admissions as part of the trip.
- For organised resort facilities: compare Antalya with Greek island packages. Look at actual operating facilities, included meals and transfers.
- For walking and dramatic coasts: the Algarve stands out if you do not insist on hot seawater; choose a convenient base rather than a remote bargain.
- For a three- or four-night city-and-coast break: Málaga can be efficient because airport access, food and sightseeing can be combined without long excursions.
- For a family school-holiday trip: choose the place with the best overall package for your exact dates and the right facilities, rather than betting on a destination being consistently cheapest.
Compare May holiday dates
See available packages across destinations from your preferred airport.
Explore holidays by dateHow to compare May holidays without wasting hours
Step one: define the comparison. Choose the same number of people, nights, board basis and luggage allowance. If you mix two adults on a room-only flight-and-hotel deal with a family all-inclusive package, the prices tell you very little.
Step two: move the dates intelligently. Search one week in the middle of May and compare it against the bank-holiday weeks. Do not treat midweek flights as an automatic saving: a package may be priced according to hotel allocation and flights together. Your departure airport is another lever, but only if driving, parking or rail costs do not erase the saving.
Step three: compare a four-night and seven-night trip. A shorter trip usually has a lower total cost, but the nightly rate may be higher because flights and transfers are spread across fewer nights. Conversely, seven nights is not automatically better value if it means expensive peak dates or additional meals.
Step four: price the hidden extras. Check airport baggage, seat selection, transfers, meals, tourist taxes, cancellation terms, accommodation location and facilities. Find out whether a hotel's swimming pool, waterpark or restaurant is operating before paying for that benefit.
Step five: check your booking protection. Eligible UK flight-inclusive package holidays should come with appropriate ATOL protection. Read the terms and identify the actual organiser and booking provider; use the UK Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL guidance rather than assuming every offer has the same protections.
Step six: use date-first search as a shortlist tool. Browse available offers from your departure airport at TripsByDate, compare different destinations alongside each other, and then confirm the current complete price with the provider. A cheap-looking listing is a lead for further comparison, not proof of a universal bargain.
Five less obvious May savings and planning tips
Protect your swimming plans. Sea temperatures can lag behind sunshine. If a warm pool matters, contact the property to establish whether it is heated during your stay. A heated pool can be more valuable than a small headline saving at a beautiful but chilly resort.
Check the start of the season. Greek and Turkish coastal hotels can have different opening dates for bars, water attractions, kids' activities and excursions. An early-May deal may be brilliant for a relaxed stay but disappointing if you expect a fully running summer resort.
Do not pay for unnecessary all-inclusive. It can be excellent for a family enjoying the hotel all week. But on Crete, Rhodes or the Costa del Sol, you may prefer to eat out and explore, making breakfast-only or self-catering better value.
Think about travel time, not just flight length. Factor in the door-to-door journey from home, airport arrival requirements and resort transfer. A nominally cheap flight from a distant UK airport may be much less appealing after travel and parking.
Check cancellation and flexibility. Price-sensitive trips can benefit from a fair cancellation policy or low deposit, but those terms differ by provider. Read the full terms rather than assuming the cheapest rate offers the best flexibility.
Frequently asked questions about cheap May holidays
What is the cheapest holiday destination in May?
No destination has a fixed cheapest position. Crete, Rhodes, the Algarve, Antalya and the Costa del Sol are sensible places to investigate, but the answer changes with UK departure airport, departure date, hotel, duration, demand and inclusions. Compare actual packages before deciding.
Is early May or late May cheaper?
Not consistently. Early May includes a bank holiday, while late May often overlaps spring bank holiday and half-term demand. The middle of the month is worth checking if you are flexible, but only a current like-for-like price comparison will reveal a saving.
Is May good for a beach holiday in Europe?
Often yes for sunshine and time on the beach, particularly later in May, but the sea may still feel cool. It varies by destination and weather. If swimming is essential, check current sea conditions and your hotel's pool arrangements. See Best Months for a Beach Holiday in Europe.
Is May half-term expensive for family holidays?
It can be, because demand is concentrated around school dates and the bank holiday. It is not always more expensive for every destination or operator. Compare different airports, suitable family room types and package inclusions carefully; always check your own school dates.
Will waterparks, children's clubs and resort restaurants be open in May?
Many are, but not universally and not necessarily for the entire month. Check the hotel's published operating season and ask the provider for written confirmation if a particular facility is central to your trip.
Should I book an all-inclusive May holiday?
Only if it fits how you plan to travel. Compare the supplement against realistic meal and drink spending and examine which outlets are open. When you plan to explore all day, bed-and-breakfast or self-catering may offer better overall value.
More May and money-saving guides
Where to Go on Holiday in May · Cheapest Months to Go on Holiday · Cheapest Holiday Destinations in April · Best Months for a Family Holiday · Best Months for a Beach Holiday in Europe · Best Months to Visit Greece.
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