Where's hot in May?

Tiger in Ranthambhore National Park, India

May is a transitional month across much of the globe, with spring giving way to summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This hot — but not searing — weather is good for outdoor activities and exploring cities, whether you’re in the Caribbean, Europe, or South Asia. It’s stickier in parts of Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, but the skies are cloudless and blue.

May at a glance

Destination	Max. temp.	Sunshine hours	Average flight time
India	Max. temp.	41 °C	Sunshine hours	11 hours	Average flight time	8½ hours (New Delhi)
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Max. temp.	30 °C	Sunshine hours	8 hours	Average flight time	10½ hours (via Antigua)
Spain	Max. temp.	25 °C	Sunshine hours	9 hours	Average flight time	2 hours 30 upwards dependent on airline (London to Madrid)
Turkey	Max. temp.	25 °C	Sunshine hours	11 hours	Average flight time	3¾ hours (Istanbul)
Bhutan	Max. temp.	24 °C	Sunshine hours	13 hours	Average flight time	12 hours (via Delhi, Calcutta or Kathmandu)
Thailand	Max. temp.	35 °C	Sunshine hours	7 hours	Average flight time	11½ hours (Bangkok)

India

Despite the humidity, May’s heat causes vegetation and smaller waterholes to dry up across the Indian Subcontinent. That means it’s much easier to spot wildlife as animals congregate at the larger, more reliable water sources. To spot elusive tigers, you might visit Pench or take a game drive through Ranthambhore.

Type of heat in India in May: Expect sticky, thick humidity with soaring temperatures of a maximum 41°C (106°F).

Average temperature in India in May: 31°C (88°F) depending on region

Average hours of daily sunshine in India in May: 11 hours.

Average flight time to India: 8½ hours (London to New Delhi)

Tiger, Ranthambhore National Park, India
Langur monkey, Pench National Park, India
Leh Palace, Ladakh, India
Sloth bears, Satpura National Park
Nubra Valley, India

Saint Kitts and Nevis

On Saint Kitts and Nevis, you’ll find balmy days, warm nights, and only a slightly elevated chance of rain throughout the month of May. The crowds have dwindled from their wintry throngs and you can spend your time on the beach, snorkelling to cool off, or hiking along jungle trails.

Type of heat in Saint Kitts and Nevis in May: The entire Caribbean is balmy and breezy, with only the occasional burst of rain. Maximum temperatures of 30°C (86°F).

Average temperature in Saint Kitts and Nevis in May: 27°C (81°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Saint Kitts and Nevis in May: 8 hours

Average flight time to Saint Kitts and Nevis: 10½ hours (London to Saint Kitts and Nevis via Antigua)

Port Zante, Saint Kitts
Botanical Gardens, Nevis
Brimstone Hill Fortress, Saint Kitts
Nevis Peak
Majors Bay, Saint Kitts

Spain

Spring means warming weather, blue skies, and blooming flowers across Spain, making it an excellent time to hike in the countryside. For example, you might take a guided hike through Alpujarras in Andalusia to see the rolling hills, scrubby oak trees, and Moorish architecture.

Type of heat in Spain in May: Comfortably warm and dry, with ample sunshine and maximum temperatures of 25°C (77°F).

Average temperature in Spain in May: 22°C (73°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Spain in May: 9 hours

Average flight time to Spain: 2½ hours upwards dependent on airline (London to Madrid)

Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain
Palacio Real, Madrid, Spain
La Rioja, Spain
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

Turkey

Warm days, comfortable nights, and parks where the flowers are in full bloom make this a great time to visit Turkey. The weather is comfortable for exploring Istanbul, visiting the Göreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia, or touring the country’s many ancient sites, like Ephesus.

Type of heat in Turkey in May: Days are comfortably warm and mostly sunny with maximum temperatures of 25°C (77°F), and slightly cooler nights.

Average temperature in Turkey in May: 22°C (72°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Turkey in May: 11 hours

Average flight time to Turkey: 3¾ hours (London to Istanbul)

Pamukkale, Turkey
Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Göreme Open Air Museum, Cappadocia, Turkey
Temple of Hadrian, Ephesus, Turkey
Kalkan, Turkey

Bhutan

Temperatures and humidity both rise in Bhutan in May, but the weather is very comfortable and the rhododendrons are usually still in full flower. For guided, multi-day treks, you can visit Bumthang, a remote, entirely undeveloped quartet of valleys dotted with ancient temples and sacred sites.

Type of heat in Bhutan in May: Days are warm, with some humidity and the occasional shower, and you’ll find cloud cover over the mountains. Maximum temperatures can reach 24°C (75°F).

Average temperature in Bhutan in May: 21°C (70°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Bhutan in May: 13 hours

Average flight time to Bhutan: 12 hours (London to Thimphu via Delhi, Calcutta or Kathmandu)

Buddha Dordenma statue, near Thimphu, Bhutan
Punakha, Bhutan
Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan
Bumthang, Bhutan

Thailand

May is hot and sunny in Thailand, with rare rain showers. For guaranteed sunshine, consider the east coast where you can visit islands like Koh Samui. If you’d like to enliven your time on the beach, you might take a boat tour of Ang Thong National Marine Park.

Type of heat in Thailand in May: Hot and humid, but not too sticky, maximum temperatures of 34°C (93°F).

Average temperature in Thailand in May: 33°C (91°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Thailand in May: 7 hours

Average flight time to Thailand: 11½ hours (London to Bangkok)