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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:
Branleuse · 07/04/2024 13:44

The sea is still chilly in a lot of Europe in May, but the weather can be great. If I'm looking at a holiday before June,with kids I tend to look for heated pool or indoor pool to be on the safe side

greengreyblue · 07/04/2024 13:45

Went to Seville in Feb half term- was up to 25c.
Menorca in early May- on the beach weather- cooler on evening but still sitting outside.
DD went to Crete last late April- sunny and hot, cooler in evening.
Have had v hot U.K. May holidays down in Dorset.
Went to Isle of Wight one Easter and it got hotter as the week went by.

mambojambodothetango · 07/04/2024 13:49

Majorca will be perfect in late May. Unless you want it 30 degreees+. Been twice at that time and hot enough to need a siesta after lunch.

SabreIsMyFave · 07/04/2024 13:51

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?

Went to the Costa Brava a few years ago in the middle of May, and it was gorgeous. Sunny and warm, around 25-28 degrees C. I would never go between mid June and mid September. Too high a risk of too-hot weather.

ZenNudist · 07/04/2024 13:51

I only beach holiday in May to places like italy spain Portugal Croatia greece Cyprus etc. By July and August I have To go somewhere cooler.

QueSyrahSyrah · 07/04/2024 13:55

Does it have to be one or the other? Majorca and Barcelona are two options of many that can offer a combination of beach and city to switch between.

In my experience May half term (so almost June) is very pleasant in most of Southern Europe and the Med, definitely warm enough without being roasting hot.

NOTANUM · 07/04/2024 15:23

This thread is all quite anecdotal - the truth is that May can be hot across southern Spain/Greece (even the UK/Northern France) but can also be variable with rain and chillier evenings.
I’d settle for somewhere with other attractions (indoor pool, tennis lessons etc.) so that there is stuff to do if the weather doesn’t play ball.

Rycbar · 07/04/2024 16:13

I often go on girly beach holidays in the Easter holiday. This year that meant it was in the last week in March. It wasn’t hot hot but it was certainly warm enough to sit by the pool. We went to Turkey and have previously done Cyprus and Greece.

DappledThings · 07/04/2024 16:17

We went to Sicily in May half-term and it was 30 every day. Would have been too hot to be on the beach all day even if we'd wanted to.

Alsonification · 07/04/2024 16:21

I'm in Spain right now. (Torremolinos). It's currently 25° & absolutely perfect. Right now I'm lying on a bed while dd is in the pool. We are going to the beach tomorrow.

RandomUsernameHere · 07/04/2024 16:36

It depends where.

greengreyblue · 07/04/2024 16:38

@NOTANUM I’ve had wind and rain in Menorca in August and also in Greece in June. May is not early.

boredybored · 07/04/2024 16:41

Hi to the canaries ... Spain is hit and miss in May . I want sunshine if I'm paying to go abroad

penjil · 07/04/2024 16:51

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.

Then don't go! Simple!

IcedPurple · 07/04/2024 17:16

Italians consider swimming in May to be similar to going for a dip in Antarctica.

However, those of us from Northern climes will likely find it very pleasant.

Mynewnameis · 07/04/2024 17:17

Haha. I've been on beaches in the UK for the previous 4 may half terms.

greengreyblue · 07/04/2024 18:12

Yes have had very hot weeks in May down in the South Devon coast near Lyme Regis.

sleepyscientist · 07/04/2024 18:23

What about Egypt (30-35+) or Turkey (26+) in may? We love both and they are great beach destinations.

HanaJane · 07/04/2024 18:23

It would be hot enough to be at the beach all day in the Canaries, also probably Turkey or Cyprus

greengreyblue · 07/04/2024 18:30

Have had windy cool weeks in Canaries in May.

museumum · 07/04/2024 18:33

Barcelona wouod be a good combo

greengreyblue · 07/04/2024 18:36

Good call @museumum as it was unbearably hot and humid(32c) in Barcelona last July.

Ace56 · 07/04/2024 18:42

May is definitely ‘shoulder season’ so will be a bit of a gamble, hence why it’s cheaper. For example Malaga atm is 20/21 degrees according to the forecast. Sunny, but for me that’s not warm enough for a beach holiday tbh. I wouldn’t risk it if you do just want a ‘lie on the beach’ type holiday - go in June or July instead.

Delatron · 07/04/2024 18:43

It’s just more unreliable than June onwards so that’s the risk you take. My parents used to take me out of school in May every year to go abroad for a cheaper holiday. Most years in southern Europe it was pleasant- we had quite a bit of rain in Majorca once. But not boiling.

It could go either way. If you’re not prepared to risk it you need to look farther afield or do a city break.

EatSprayGlove · 07/04/2024 18:48

How hot do you want it? Benidorm isn't hot enough for me in May so we go every year to turkey in May. Always over 30⁰ which is perfect for me. Its too hot for me in August but if you're looking for really hot in May we do Egypt then occasionally and it's hot