Where to go on vacation in May
Beach vacation in May
Egypt
Although you can visit the land of pyramids in winter, while Russian or European resorts don't offer good weather, Egypt is also popular in spring. Egypt is about moderate cost and a decent level of service: although the weather in May is hot and there are many people due to holidays, prices remain at low season levels.
It's unlikely you'll comfortably visit the pyramids in Giza: it's already too scorching in the desert in May. But the Red Sea coast awaits everyone who wants to swim, sunbathe, and eat fruits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Turkey
This destination holds its ground and continues to attract Russians with affordable tours, comfortable hotels, and leisure activities for children and adults. You can reach both the north and south of Turkey by direct flight from Russia — convenient! Get tickets on Kupi.com Moscow — Istanbul for a city break or choose the southern resorts of the country: Antalya, Alanya, Fethiye. The sea there is already warming up by May, the weather is moderately hot and resembles a Russian summer, and water parks are opening. You can bask on the sand, and then, for example, go diving and explore the underwater world in the Side and Antalya regions.
UAE
Recipe for a quick tan: a May vacation, tickets to Dubai, an interesting book, and a few days without work chats. The last month of spring in the Emirates is hot, so be sure to choose a hotel near the water or with a large cool pool for your trip.
Dubai is not as budget-friendly a destination as Egypt or Turkey, but the cost heavily depends on the area. The most expensive option will be staying in the prestigious Dubai Marina area; a more budget-friendly option is Jumeirah. Tourists often choose cities closest to Dubai — Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah.
Vacation in May in Russia
Kazan
Kazan is becoming a classic of domestic tourism and a popular option for where to go for the May holidays, and this is not surprising. The capital of Tatarstan — a beautiful, well-maintained, and multifaceted city that recently became the gastronomic capital of Russia. We have already told you how to spend a weekend in Kazan and what traditional dishes to try so that the impressions remain in your memory for many years. And the weather in May is already good — about +20 degrees, which means you can both walk around and relax on a summer cafe terrace, eating echpochmak.
Kaliningrad
An affordable way to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Western Europe in 2024 is to take tickets Moscow — Kaliningrad and go explore the former Königsberg. The temperature in May is around +20 degrees, the Baltic Sea is nearby, and the city offers an interesting combo of German and Soviet architecture. Our guide will help you navigate this European enclave of Russia — in it, we tell you how to spend time and where to walk in Kaliningrad.
Mineralnye Vody
Minvody, known as the gateway to the Caucasus, was appreciated as a holiday destination by Russian classics: M. Yu. Lermontov, to whom a museum in Pyatigorsk is dedicated, often visited the region. The most popular cities in Minvody are Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk. From here, excursions are offered to Elbrus, Dombay, the Arkhyz valley, and other destinations. In winter, the ski resorts of Prielbrusye are popular for their intended purpose, and in spring, it's simply good to breathe the fresh air and be inspired by the local beauty.
Gorno-Altaysk
A location for when you're tired of the city bustle and want to be filled with tranquility amidst nature: fly to Gorno-Altaysk, rent a car, and go explore the mountains and lakes of Altai. And where exactly to go, we told you here. All in all, May is the best time to rush off for a vacation in Altai: the weather is luxurious, the views are incredible, the air is pristine and practically healing.
Saint Petersburg
If nature trekking doesn't particularly interest you, but you want to change urban scenery and explore different routes, you can always fly or romantically travel by train to the Northern Capital. In May, bridges are already being fully drawn in Saint Petersburg, so if you haven't witnessed this process yet, it's definitely worth going.
Once you've checked off the bridge opening on your to-do list, visited the Hermitage, and strolled along Nevsky, it's time for trendy spots. You'll find Sevkabel Port, New Holland, Etazhi with rooftop access, Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art, 300th Anniversary Park with a view of Lakhta Center, and the new Zenit Arena stadium. Moreover, , in a couple of hours, you can reach another tourist city — Vyborg, where you can walk along ancient buildings and take a boat ride around Vyborg Castle.
Where to have an inexpensive visa-free vacation in May
Azerbaijan
And if you want to see the Caspian from a different angle — head to Azerbaijan. In early May, there's no scorching heat here; the temperature usually stays at +20–25 degrees — an ideal climate for walks in Baku. By the end of the month, the sun appears more often, so it will be hot.
We recommend doing the following if you are going to Azerbaijan:
- visit the Icherisheher fortress and head to the city's ancient landmark — the Maiden Tower, built in the 10th–11th centuries;
- stroll through Fountain Square — a lively center with shops and restaurants;
- visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple. The peculiarity of the place and the meaning of its name is that natural gas emerges from the ground on the territory where the temple stands — it ignites upon contact with oxygen.
Kazakhstan
In the south and west of Kazakhstan, spring begins earlier, but in May, even in the northern and eastern parts of the country, it's already warm enough to choose between a city walk or a hike.
What to see in the north and east: the capital Astana and EXPO-2017 facilities, Borovoe Lake, Katon-Karagay National Park, the red clay tract of Kiin-Kerish.
What to see in the south and west: Almaty, Kolsay Lakes, the ancient city of Turkestan, Aktau, and the Caspian Sea.
Georgia
In May, swimming in the sea in Georgia is unlikely: despite +20–30 degrees during the day, it's still cool at night, and the water doesn't warm up. But you can go hiking in the mountains or explore historical sites like the cave city of Uplistsikhe or Mtskheta, while feasting on khachapuri and fresh berries. By May, strawberries, sweet cherries, and cherries ripen in Georgia, so you have every chance to be the first among your friends to open the berry season.
Not only mountain air or ripe fruits help to improve health in Georgia, but also mineral waters. The famous Borjomi resort is only 160 km from Tbilisi, so organizing Georgian wellness is very much achievable.
We wish you a great vacation in May!
