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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a beach holiday in Europe in May is a waste of money?

121 replies

Lennon80 · 07/04/2024 10:08

May half term - looking for a holiday in Europe with a 14, 7 and 4 year old and just thinking a city break will be hard work and beaches too cold? Any thoughts?

OP posts:
AComboOfSocksandNeverEnoughPants · 07/04/2024 10:09

Define 'too cold'.

I've been away in May and it has easily been hot enough for the beach.

Girasoli · 07/04/2024 10:10

You could try Malaga? We went early June one year and swam in the sea/outdoor pool. There was also plenty to see in the old town and it was all in comfortable walking distance (we didn't have DC then but it would have been fine for the older 2, and you could bring a cheap buggy for the 4 year old).

Gymmum82 · 07/04/2024 10:11

We always go away in the whit holidays as it’s the only time we can afford to go abroad and we always do beach holidays. We’ve done canaries, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Greece. All of which have been really warm 25-30 degrees. You can definitely beach holiday in May

Kitkat1523 · 07/04/2024 10:12

Too cold for what.?

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 07/04/2024 10:13

You could have also asked “where’s warm in May?”

bellezarara · 07/04/2024 10:13

YANBU, we have regretted it. We went to Malaga in May and it was a washout with rain every day.

Trying to save a few hundred quid led to feeling like we’d wasted much more going in May

Ellysa · 07/04/2024 10:14

Cyprus?

But so much depends on your preference Op. I’m already swimming in an outdoor pool in the UK. Yes it’s a bit chilly but the pool is heated.

Or, citybreak in Rome / Marrakech?

JaninaDuszejko · 07/04/2024 10:14

Where's the beach? And what's 'too cold'? I've been to the beach in the north of Scotland in April when there's been snow on the sand. We had a lovely picnic and the kids went in the sea but I accept most people would consider that too cold. But e.g. Turkey would probably be considered quite pleasant in May by most people.

Beezknees · 07/04/2024 10:15

YABU. May is my favourite time to go on a beach holiday as I can't cope with the extreme heat in Europe in July/August. Always had lovely weather and it's a cheaper time to go.

Cheeesus · 07/04/2024 10:16

Cyprus or Canaries would probably be ok. Have you looked at temperatures of where you’re thinking?

LipstickLil · 07/04/2024 10:16

Well the sea isn't very warm in May, if that's what you mean? The air temp can be plenty warm enough. but it might not be 'hot'. It really depends what you want, but personally I think Sept/Oct is a much better bet for settled, pleasantly hot weather and warm sea temps. I haven't been tempted to swim in the sea in May, but it's like a warm bath in the autumn.

Comedycook · 07/04/2024 10:17

I remember going to Cyprus in may as a child and it was absolutely baking

KimberleyClark · 07/04/2024 10:19

Croatia?

mondaytosunday · 07/04/2024 10:20

It's 23 degrees right now in the part of Spain we go to. That's plenty warm enough for me.

AdriftAbroad1 · 07/04/2024 10:20

Good Lord, Valencia in May is boiling. Schools break up for summer in June it is so hot by then.

It was 27 degrees yesterday. Beach was busy with Spaniards.

My best month in Spain is May. After that it is oppressively hot these days.

Original poster
Lennon80 · 07/04/2024 10:27

We’ve don’t beach holidays in May before and it’s just not hot enough for the beach all day.

OP posts:
chipsandpeas · 07/04/2024 10:28

cyprus will be warm enough for the beach all day in May

Georgesbar24 · 07/04/2024 10:30

Cripes how warm do you want it? May is my absolute latest for a beach holiday, after that I get too hot. I must be a softie!

AComboOfSocksandNeverEnoughPants · 07/04/2024 10:31

Lennon80 · 07/04/2024 10:27

We’ve don’t beach holidays in May before and it’s just not hot enough for the beach all day.

What temperature do you regard as suitably hot?

Comedycook · 07/04/2024 10:32

Anything 25 degrees and over is fine for me

idontlikealdi · 07/04/2024 10:34

Crete is reliably hot by May half term

supersonicginandtonic · 07/04/2024 10:36

I've been Portugal, Spain, south of France, Italy, Malta. All May half term and it's always been warm enough for beach and pool days.

Hoppinggreen · 07/04/2024 10:42

We go to our property on the Portugal/Andalucia border in May most years. Plenty hot enough and on occasion a bit hot for me.

Overtheatlantic · 07/04/2024 10:44

What about a river or lake holiday in May? Central European countries certainly worth a look.

Nevermind31 · 07/04/2024 10:49

Canaries would be fine. Went at Christmas and spent plenty of time on the beach, swimming in the sea.