Travel with You, Me, Away

Where to travel in May: places for couples

8 places to consider in May as a couple, from southern Europe to northern cities and overseas. Each section names the station, period and source of the climate figures.

Reviewed

How to choose a destination in May as a couple

May is a good month to compare. In the sources below, Palma's mean daily maximum is 23.7 °C and Seville's 27.2 °C, while Edinburgh's is 14.91 °C and Washington Reagan AP's 24.7 °C (converted from 76.5 °F).

The page covers warm southern cities, an island, a cooler northern capital and two US cities. Each figure comes from one station and one period, so use the numbers to narrow your list, not to promise weather. Check local holidays, which can make a May weekend busier than the climate suggests.

Mallorca (Palma)

AEMET's Palma de Mallorca, Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list May with a mean daily maximum of 23.7 °C, a mean temperature of 17.5 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 32 mm and 3.8 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Mallorca fits couples who want a mix of old town, coast and a hire-car day inland. Palma airport is one station on a large island, so mountain and east coast values will differ. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Palma de Mallorca, Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Seville

AEMET's Sevilla Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list May with a mean daily maximum of 27.2 °C, a mean temperature of 20.7 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 30 mm and 3.7 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

A city for slow wandering between courtyards, squares and long evenings out. Check the maximum against how much walking in the open you plan for the middle of the day. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Sevilla Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Lisbon

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Lisboa / Gago Coutinho list May with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 22.8 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 18.4 °C, 50.7 mm of precipitation and 5.7 days with at least 1 mm.

Hills, viewpoints and tram rides make Lisbon an easy city for couples who like to walk and stop often. Check the forecast for evenings, which can feel cooler than a daytime maximum suggests. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Lisboa / Gago Coutinho climate normals, 1991-2020

Madeira (Funchal)

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Funchal list May with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 22.0 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 19.1 °C, 27.2 mm of precipitation and 3.3 days with at least 1 mm.

Madeira suits couples who want hillside walks, sea views and mild air more than guaranteed beach swimming. The figures are for Funchal on the coast and do not describe the mountains. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Funchal climate normals, 1991-2020

Kyoto

The Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991-2020 normals for Kyoto list May with a mean daily maximum of 25.1 °C, a mean temperature of 19.5 °C, a mean daily minimum of 14.5 °C and 151.4 mm of precipitation for the month.

Kyoto suits couples who want temples, gardens and walks in a compact city. Its figures differ from those of Tokyo, so compare both if you plan to see both. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Kyoto climate normals 1991-2020 (annual and monthly values)

Edinburgh

The Met Office's 1991-2020 long-term averages for Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Garden No 2 list May with a mean maximum temperature of 14.91 °C, a mean minimum of 7.08 °C, 47.60 mm of rainfall and 9.63 days of rain of at least 1 mm.

A compact, walkable capital that suits couples who want an old town, hills and an easy city break by rail or a short flight. The station is the Royal Botanic Garden. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Location-specific long-term averages, Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden No 2, 1991-2020

Washington, D.C.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Washington Reagan AP list May with an average daily maximum of 76.5 °F (about 24.7 °C), an average temperature of 67.2 °F (about 19.6 °C) and 7.3 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

A city break built around museums, monuments and walks along the river and the Mall. Check opening hours and conditions of each museum before you plan a day around it. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Washington Reagan AP

San Francisco

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for San Francisco Intl AP list May with an average daily maximum of 68.3 °F (about 20.2 °C), an average temperature of 59.9 °F (about 15.5 °C) and 1.6 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

San Francisco suits couples who like walking hills, waterfront and cafés, with day trips north or south. Pack layers and check the forecast for wind and fog. This is general advice, not a sourced figure. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, San Francisco Intl AP

Sources