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

[Lennon80]

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?

Not really. The average daily minimum is 10c in Spain in May. Yes average daily maximum can be mid-20.

But I’m never taking that chance again after a washout holiday in May in Malaga.

When weived in Cyprus, school sports day was before Easter as it was too hot after, and by May outdoor exercise was only advised before 10am. July/August was too hot altogether!

I agree, there’s a reason why hotels are half the price in May (including half term) when compared to July/Aug.

I just looked up Murcia in Spain...it's apparently 31degrees tomorrow

Just back from the med, one day 28,one day 20.
We spent lots of time on the beach? Depends how hot you want it, maybe for you a waste of time but a mix of temp are perfect for us although we've always done a beach in an interesting place.

For better chances of proper heat in May I'd look to Crete or Cyprus/somewhere southerly. Nowhere in Europe is guaranteed but your chances are better.

As PP have pointed out though, the sea and outdoor pools are always warmer in August/September than April/May as it's had all summer to heat up. If I wanted a beach holiday with the sea, I'd pick late summer if possible. May will still be nice, but the water will be cooler.

I'm in Spain at the moment and it's currently 22°c.

We enjoyed a heatwave in Croatia one year, but when we went again 3 years later the temperatures struggled to reach 20 degrees.
Crete has good weather at that time of year.

We went to Lanzarote in April one year and it was 25 degrees and perfect for the beach and the pool! Did Greece May half term and was 28 degrees. I imagine places closer to us like Spain and France wouldn’t be as warm.

Tenerife will be hot in May. I agree with weather though very disappointing when the sun doesn't last I had this for a few days in Majorca.

I’ve been to Majorca in May half term a couple of times and it’s been really hot both times. Also Rome and the Amalfi Coast.

If you’re willing to travel for 4ish hours, you could get to Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia or Turkey.

We've been to Spain twice in May half term, once blessed with glorious hot weather, the second time it was warm ish but you quickly got cold coming out of the pool so didn't want to sit around in a wet swimming costume, was ok as long as you stayed dry! Kids still had a good time but hotter weather was definitely a lot nicer if you plan on going in and out of sea or swimming pool, if sightseeing it doesn't matter still warm enough and dry.

Near Malaga last April was 30 degrees but in mid May it was below 20. They'd had a heatwave and drought followed by a colder rainy spell.
Last time we went to mainland Greece in June it rained quite a lot but was warm.

I went to Santorini in May a few years ago and it was in the 30s - definitely hot enough for the beach!

I've been to Corfu for May half term quite a few times and it's always gorgeous. We've swum in the sea and gone snorkelling , jumping off of the boat in various little coves. I think we've only ever had one day of cloud when there. I've been to Cyprus at start of April and it was lovely and warm - would have preferred a heated pool though.

I love May holidays but am tied to school holidays. Dh and I always went in May pre kids, usually to Spain and the weather was always great.

We went to Lefkada in Greece last May half term. Weather was perfect - nicely warm, a little hot during the peak of the day but could walk around without feeling totally overwhelmed by the heat. It was probably 26-27 most days. It was definitely warm enough for sunbathing and beaches (unless you want 30+ in which case no). I think maybe we took out cardigans at night but more for mozzies than because it got really cold. I plan to only do my beach holidays in May half term from now on. Summer in the med is too hot. I like being able to do a bit of exploring and I can't do that if it's 30+.

I did beach holidays every May half term week when my DS 3/4 until 14/15 and it was always hot enough to sunbath all day.

We did several Greek islands, canaries, Croatia, Portugal and Spain - never had bad weather.

I used to go to Greece in May and again end of September, always hot enough for beach!

Cyprus will probably be warm enough.
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/travel/holiday-weather/europe/cyprus/cyprus-weather

If you want somewhere really hot, why not go further than Europe?

Don't go then 🤷🏻‍♀️

UK or similarly north in Europe, definitely too cold for a beach holiday (assuming the idea is to spend most of your days on the beach). Yes you can occasionally get lucky with the weather but the last three May half terms we’ve spent in Norfolk or Dorset we’ve needed coats every day - definitely not beach weather! I would have thought southern France or further south for a beach holiday at the end of May.

It's better to do the Canarys in October HT. Weather is usually beach and outdoor pool weather. The sea has heated up all summer. I love an October holiday before winter sets in.