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2025's Best Travel Destinations in May

Travel
Hotel tips

May isn’t called the “month of delight” for nothing: it truly is a time of year when many destinations show off their most appealing side. If you're looking for the best places to travel in May 2025, you're spoiled for choice. Here are five ideas for you:

Merano, Italy

© Südtirol.info

Climate: Average temperatures during the day approx. 23° C, 8 hours of sunshine per day, 9 days of rain in April

Reason to book: Merano is one of the best places to visit in May 2025 for anyone looking to combine nature and indulgence. This is when apple and cherry blossoms are at their peak. In the blooming gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle—spread across 12 hectares—you’ll be treated to a breathtaking floral display. The first warm rays of sunshine invite you to get active. Conditions are perfect for hiking along the scenic Waalwege trails or across lush alpine meadows. Whether in the mountains or on the bike paths, it’s still much quieter now than in summer.

© Johannes Brunner

Check-in: Hotel Mignon is a true gem in Merano. Built back in 1948, it’s now one of the city’s top addresses. Still family-run, the hotel offers guests a prime location close to Merano’s charming arcades and elegant promenades. Inside, you’ll enjoy excellent cuisine made with regional ingredients, pampering moments at the Park Spa, and 50 stylish rooms and suites. The highlight? Suites with a private rooftop terrace and whirlpool.

Hotel Mignon
Karl, K. V. Grabmayr-Straße, 5, 39012 Merano Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, Italy
+39 0473 230353 - hotelmignon.com
Doubles from € 470

Madeira, Portugal

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Climate: Daily highs around 22 °C, 10 hours of sunshine per day, 2 rainy days per month

Reason to book: Even on the Island of Eternal Spring, May is a particularly special month. From May 1 to 25, Madeira hosts the colorful Festa da Flor (Flower Festival), a truly spectacular event. Every year, locals decorate festive floats for the grand Grande Cortejo Alegórico parade, and the celebration of blossoms continues in many forms—through dances, concerts, and flower exhibitions. The mild climate also makes it the perfect time to enjoy the island’s natural beauty in the great outdoors.

© Savoy Signature

Check-in: Saccharum, located on the sunny south-west coast in Calheta, is a particularly luxurious retreat. It embraces its guests with natural materials such as wood and stone, enchants with modern design elements and bears the signature of the well-known local designer Nini Andrade Silva. From the private balconies you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic. There's also a top spa with Ayurveda treatments.

Sachharum
Rua da Serra D'Água, nº1, 9370-087 Arco da Calheta, Madeira, Portugal
+351 291 820 800 - savoysignature.com
Doubles from € 250

Road trip, Namibia

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Climate: Average temperatures around 23 to 28° C, 9 hours of sunshine per day, 7 days of rain per month

Reason to book: May marks the beginning of the dry season in Namibia. That means clear skies and relatively pleasant temperatures—though it can still get quite chilly at night, especially in the highlands. With low humidity, it’s the perfect time for wildlife viewing and capturing stunning photos. If you're drawn to dramatic landscapes, a road trip is the way to go. The cities of Swakopmund, Lüderitz, and Walvis Bay offer a vibrant foodie scene and fascinating architecture. And don’t miss the towering dunes of Sossusvlei—an absolute must!

© Gondwana Collection

Check in: It's worth spending at least one night at the Dune Star Camp on the way. It's so eco that you only have electricity in the main house and you can only dream of WiFi, but it scores points for its exclusive seclusion. And as soon as night falls, you roll the four-poster bed of your little villa out onto the terrace. Because then the real spectacle begins and billions of stars suddenly seem close enough to touch.

Dune Star Camp
Sesriem Namibia 01, Sesriem, Namibia
+264 61 427 200 - gondwana-collection.com
Doubles from € 200

Kauai, Hawaii

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Climate: Average temperatures around 27 to 29° C, 9 hours of sunshine per day, 7 days of rain per month

Reason to book: Kauai is the rainiest island in Hawaii, so it's also the greenest. Nature is more lush than almost anywhere else in the world. On excursions to the Na Pali Coast, famous from Jurassic Park, you can experience dolphins up close, while snorkeling takes you diving with turtles. The weather is usually stable in May, but the island is generally not as crowded now as it is in high summer. Kauai's relaxed vibe and lively foodie scene make the island one of the best destinations in May 2025.

© Outrigger

Check in: Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort & Spa welcomes its guests directly by the sea. Bright rooms and suites with sea views are a home away from home, the people are welcoming and exude a lot of aloha. The resort's restaurants celebrate the island's culinary treasures, while daily activities such as yoga and a total of four pools provide variety.

Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort & Spa
4331 Kauai Beach Dr, Lihue, HI 96766, United States
+1 808 245 1955 - outrigger.com
Doubles from € 300

Taipei, Taiwan

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Climate: Daily highs of approx. 18° C, 5 hours of sunshine per day, 11 days of rain per month in April

Reason to book: Taipei is one of the most fascinating city break destinations. The city is extremely diverse. Its offerings range from night markets such as the Shilin Night Market to famous temples and breathtaking nature. The latter scores with volcanic landscapes, hot springs and waterfalls. May is also the main flowering season here. The weather is also still quite pleasant for anyone who wants to go hiking. The historic tea village of Jiufen in the mountains or Shifen with its waterfall and famous railroad line are well worth a visit.

© Mandarin Oriental

Check in: Mandarin Oriental guarantees luxurious accommodation in Taipei. It boasts stylish rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, a gym and a spacious spa. Naturally, guests are also spoiled with culinary delights at all levels. Think Cantonese cuisine, Italian delicacies and the excellent afternoon tea! The Xinyi shopping district is just a 10-minute drive away.

Mandarin Oriental Taipei
No. 158, DunHua N Rd, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10548
+886 2 2715 6888 - mandarinoriental.com
Doubles from € 240

Claudia Hilmbauer
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