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Home / WORLD'S BEST / Best Cities / Where is it warm in May? Top ten locations for the spring of 2023

Where is it warm in May? Top ten locations for the spring of 2023

2022-12-29  Diana Solomon

The warmest locations to visit in May, from lesser-known Greek islands to pleasantly warm Asian cities 

The month of May has arrived, the temperature is warm (in different locations), and swimsuit season has here! Finally, Europe is getting close to being prepared for a day at the beach. It's a shame that others are vying for the same sunny place as you. The good news is that several delectable locations are currently just on the cusp of becoming famous, from a hidden Aegean beauty to "the new Croatia." Feeling more foreign now? The best island in Asia and Brazil's equivalent of St. Tropez are getting hotter. Or, if you're more into urban chic, now is a good time to discover some of the world's busiest streets and an odd creative community in the high desert of New Mexico. 

Influenced? Explore the locations highlighted in May to select your ideal vacation spot for 2023. 

 

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Greece's Antiparos 

20°C is the average high in May. 

It may be time to shift your focus to another Cyclades gem because Mykonos and Santorini have been the subject of self-promotion from every want-to-be influencer and their mother this summer. Seclusion-seeking celebrities have become more prevalent due to Antiparos' serene beauty: 15 years ago, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson purchased a villa here, and Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and Matthew McConaughey have all been sighted taking a secret vacation here (no, not with each other). It undoubtedly helps that there is a great range of private villas with fantastic Aegean views (Villa Melissa from White Key, Villa Emerald with Elite). Additionally, there are several sandy beaches surrounded by electric-blue shallows, unpretentious fun cocktail bars open till morning (Boogaloo, Loco), and even The Beach House, a beach club/restaurant/boutique hotel that is tucked away in its cove. 

Where to stay: The Artemis hotel checks all the boxes for whitewashed walls against clear blue skies and traditional Cycladic architecture. Or, for independent travelers, don't miss out on this Airbnb with a sizable pool. 

 

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Formentera 

23°C is the average high in May. 

When Hard Rock Cafés and Nikki Beaches are threatening to overtake Ibiza, we previously said, "Formentera's groovy little beat couldn't be more alluring." It's still accurate. This 12-mile-long island, which is accessible by ferry from its larger sibling Balearic, has a barefoot-boho vibe going for it. Joni Mitchell composed her album Blue there, and Dylan once lived there in a lighthouse. There are also fantastic beach clubs without the banging choons. Seek out 10 Punto 7 for its white director's chairs, bleached decking, and Sushi; or ChezzGerdi for its padded daybeds and green tea-infused drinks. Etosoto is a farmhouse-turned-ideas-lab (wellness weeks, music workshops, film-making retreats), the creation of two Parisian brothers. It features nine lovely whitewashed and polished cement rooms. 

Where to stay: Can Aire, Can Mar, and Can Terra, three secluded, angular homes with a few rooms each, are located in Can Tres. They have individual patios with shade for hand-delivered breakfasts of freshly baked bread and jam that seem like little residences in the most sophisticated way. Or stay alone at this classic Airbnb close to the seashore. 

 

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Italy's Umbria 

23°C is the typical May temperature. 

Without the crowds of visitors, Umbria offers all the rustic splendor of the Tuscan countryside. It is Italy's unspoiled, back-to-the-land paradise, which is far less "discovered" than the popular tourist destinations in the country. It is dotted with lovely medieval hamlets and serves the most incredible slow cuisine from its farms and forests (truffles, wild pig, sunchokes). Whereas a Beato Angelico original is carelessly hung in a rural church, the Duomo in the hill town of Orvieto houses 500 years' worth of mosaics and sculptures. With antipasti, this flavorful and vibrant, Todi on a hillside farther down the River Tiber is a great place to enjoy Umbrian Sangiovese. You'll see why this place was once recognized as the most livable town in the entire world. 

Where to stay: If you want to enjoy wine while watching the sunset, we suggest gathering your friends and renting this lovely property in the hills. Or, for a more private stay, it's tough to top this little house with its pool and stunning views. 

 

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Riviera of Albania 

22°C is the typical May temperature. 

They claim that it is the "new Croatia," although they most likely only mean the stunning, crystalline color of the Adriatic. The Albanian Riviera provides a lovely European beach vacation with temps suitable for tanning by May. If you do it correctly, you can even replicate the "hidden treasure" atmosphere that initially drew bohemian travelers to this breathtaking stretch of shore. Visit Ksamil, which is just across from Corfu, for a bright-white beach on a picture-perfect bay. (If you need additional space, a trio of tiny islands is only a short swim away.) Or Dhrmi, known for the hue of its sea, yet with such a wide expanse of sand, it's easy to locate a place to call your own. 

Where to stay: Mrizi I Zanave Agroturizm is a boutique hotel with stunning views that are tucked away from the bustling shoreline yet accessible through a short drive. Or, the beachfront Elite Bay Hotel Lalez Durres is a minimalist's paradise. 

 

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Turkey's Turquoise Coast 

27°C is the typical May temperature. 

This south-western stretch of shoreline, where the Aegean meets the Med, is often referred to as "Turkey's Hamptons," and it has managed to maintain its glamour and dignity despite the influx of visitors that never ceases to grow. Hell, Assouline even published a picture book showcasing the area's aspirational beauty, from Kaş's historic ruins to the enticing river that glitters like the seductive temptress that it is. Alacati (simple and unspoiled), Kabak (beach yoga, trekking), or Patara are other options if Bodrum Town is too crowded (low-rise, low-key). As well as superb hotels like Ian Schrager's Edition and the Mandarin Oriental, there are also upscale beach clubs like Maçakizi where celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss have been spotted tanning. 

Places to stay: Bodrum EDITION features a beach with smooth sand, paddleboard-riding kids, and Balearic dance music. Its bar, Discetto, also features a huge pink disco ball. Six Senses Kaplankaya offers five private beaches in addition to a first-rate spa for the ultimate in luxury. 

 

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Japan's Tokyo 

21°C is the typical May temperature. 

The finest places to experience Tokyo's alluring otherness are on the streets, where you may be surrounded by people, stand beneath neon lights, or breathe in the yakitori smoke. Agog at the Gothic Lolitas of Harajuku and the architecture-as-art fashion business flagships along the lush Omotesando. Avoid the sporadic commotion that occurs at Shibuya Crossing and fights off a mild headache amidst the candy-colored anime anarchy in Akihabara. However, the weather at this time of year is great for more sedate activities, like meandering through the Meiji Shrine woodland or pedaling a swan-shaped boat across the pond in Ueno Park. One of our favorite hotels in the world, Aman's first urban resort, may help you relax more. 

Places to stay: The timeless-chic Mandarin Oriental has one of the best vistas of the Tokyo cityscape, while Edition Toranomon's sparkling Gold Bar serves up some of the city's most spectacular drinks. 

 

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New Mexico's Santa Fe 

22°C is the typical May temperature. 

Albuquerque may have become an unlikely celebrity thanks to Breaking Bad, but Santa Fe, the state capital of New Mexico, belongs on television. The city's distinctive adobe Pueblo-style architecture lends it a dreamy, vintage feel while being surrounded by the same strikingly gorgeous surroundings. But behind all of that New Age-ness and folk art, there is a startlingly modern pulse. One of its most popular attractions is the fanciful House of Eternal Return, a two-story, explorable art piece created by the local group Meow Wolf with funding from George RR Martin and a $2.7 million budget. Check out all the Georgia O'Keeffe attractions (the museum; her house and studio at Ghost Ranch, an hour outside the city), then sip drinks at Santa Fe Spirits' distillery and dine at Anasazi, where contemporary cuisine meets fiery Southwestern heritage (applewood-smoked duck breast with serrano-plum sauce). 

Places to stay: El Rey Court is a renovated Route 66 hotel with a top-notch mezcal bar and a pool. Or if you're looking for exclusivity, the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi is a no-brainer. The rooms include historic Navajo carpets, kiva fires, and beamed viga ceilings, and the setting couldn't be better. 

 

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Brazil's Buzios 

26°C is the typical May temperature. 

It might be tempting to limit travel to Rio de Janeiro when Brazil's ever-sexy beaches are on the menu. But that would be a mistake because the Brazilian equivalent of St. Tropez may be found just three hours away from "the magnificent city." Thank Brigitte Bardot for making the idyllic Buzios peninsula famous overnight in the 1960s when she arrived with her Brazilian beau. Today, it is much more sophisticated and polished than its well-known friend: the water is clearer and cleaner; there are several upscale boutique hotels. The Bardot effect doesn't appear to bother the locals, as seen by the sculpture of her that is located on a stunning coastline and is also titled "Orla Bardot." There are more than 20 beaches to pick from, ranging from jungle-covered lengths to exquisite rock-hewn coves, in addition to cobbled alleyways and caipirinhas. 

Places to stay: Insólito Boutique Hotel is located along the shore; if you can, extend to the suite with its deck and tiny pool, for unparalleled views. Or, rent out this sizable, cozy Airbnb with a pool with your pals. 

 

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Seychelles 

27°C is the typical May temperature. 

If you're going to spend money on perfection, go when it's most advantageous. May is the month when underwater visibility in Seychelles is at its highest, reaching depths of up to 30 meters. 

Where to stay: Stay at Six Senses Zil Pasyon to make it even more unforgettable. On Felicité, the classic castaway island with its huge granite boulders, jungly slopes, and white sand so soft it squeaks, are glass-fronted homes. A lavish spa is tucked away between rocks right on the beachfront, and nighttime offers fire-cooked lobsters and French champagne. The beach bar hangs enormous hammocks over the water. Or, the Four Seasons resort on Desroches Island has guest villas that are discretely and meticulously decorated, placed in vast lawned gardens with private pools, and connected by hidden passageways to broad beaches where turtles lay their eggs. 

 

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Philippines' Boracay Island 

29°C is the typical May temperature. 

White Beach in Boracay, which is 2.5 miles long and properly titled, is a victim of its success. Over the past several years, visitors to this little island have become so obsessed with it that the authorities unexpectedly closed it down in April 2018 for "repair." After six months, Boracay reopened under new regulations. There are a limited number of flights and hotel rooms available, alcohol and smoking are prohibited on White Beach, there are no casinos or single-use plastics allowed, and only certain areas are allowed for watersports. That ends the notion that Boracay is "the new Phuket," which can only be a good thing. 

Places to stay: The Shangri-La in Boracay is spread across 30 acres; the main structure is an open pavilion with a pitched roof and an exterior made of native coral stone. The rooms are opulent and vast. Alternately, Bolabog Beach is located on the calmer side of the coastline. At Banana Bay, Bolabog's best-kept boutique hotel, you can watch hundreds of colorful kites light up the sky while enjoying a Pineapple Mint shake. 

See our tips below for information on places to go during other months: 


2022-12-29  Diana Solomon