Where to go in May
The places at their best in May, ranked by what the weather actually does — not by what a brochure says it does.
1. Los Angeles
United States
Beaches, canyons, tacos, and the industry that makes everything.
Highs around 23° (73°) · about 2 wet days a month · 496 airlines fly there
2. Athens
Greece
The Acropolis above a city that never stops eating.
Highs around 25° (77°) · about 5 wet days a month · 200 airlines fly there
3. Málaga
Spain
Picasso's birthplace, city beaches, and Andalusian sun.
Highs around 25° (76°) · about 4 wet days a month · 197 airlines fly there
4. Toledo
Spain
Three cultures on a rock in a river bend.
Highs around 25° (76°) · about 6 wet days a month · 322 airlines fly there
5. Nafplion
Greece
Venetian fortresses above the first capital of Greece.
Highs around 26° (78°) · about 5 wet days a month · 200 airlines fly there
6. Dakar
Senegal
Atlantic peninsula capital of music, markets, and Gorée island.
Highs around 26° (78°) · barely a wet day a month · 67 airlines fly there
7. Evora
Portugal
Roman temple, bone chapel, and Alentejo wine.
Highs around 24° (76°) · about 6 wet days a month · 216 airlines fly there
8. Brasília
Brazil
Niemeyer's modernist capital, laid out like an aeroplane.
Highs around 26° (78°) · about 2 wet days a month · 98 airlines fly there
9. Madrid
Spain
Prado, late dinners, and a city that stays up.
Highs around 24° (75°) · about 7 wet days a month · 322 airlines fly there
10. Salamanca
Spain
Golden sandstone university city, lit up at night.
Highs around 24° (75°) · about 7 wet days a month · 322 airlines fly there
11. Albufeira
Portugal
Algarve cliffs, cheap flights, and a very late night.
Highs around 25° (76°) · about 5 wet days a month · 103 airlines fly there
12. Beijing
China
The Forbidden City, the Wall, and duck worth the queue.
Highs around 28° (82°) · about 5 wet days a month · 528 airlines fly there