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?

Depends on where you go. We went to Portugal in the May half term of 2022 and it was lovely! Spent the days either on the beach or by the pool. It was hot, but not unbearably so.

We've been to Corsica in late May before and it's been above 25 every day.

Go to the canaries op.

I didn’t find Portugal warm in August! Think it would be unreliable in May.

Surer bets would be Canaries, Morocco, Egypt or Turkey.

YANBU.

I’ve been to the Canaries in May and had to but cardigans when I was there - the wind chill made it freezing and we couldn’t even sunbathe. Never again! Meanwhile at home people were sunbathing as there was a late May UK heatwave 🤣

Portugal can be hit and miss. We've been May half term many times - sometimes we were on the beach all day, others shivery in sweatshirts

Canaries should be ok

Just got back from Alicante and it was glorious, 23 degrees, hot, perfect weather. I don't see why may couldn't be the same

Because weather changes week to week and month to month. The week before this it was cold and rainy in Spain.

There are no guarantees at this time of year right though until June onwards. From that point you’d be unlucky to have a rainy week but before that it is not a given to have warm and sun.

Thanks for all the replies - I’m looking at Crete and Cyprus. I can’t go outside Europe as little ones passport has less than six months left on it or I’d have gone to Turkey.

Chania and Paphos, as examples of places in Crete and Cyprus are already consistently full sun and 22-23 degrees so give it another month into May and that's more than hot enough

We usually go to Greece in May and it's plenty warm enough in the day. Sometimes need a jacket at night.

I’ve been to Crete a couple of times May half term week and weather has been high 20’s both times.

Guess it depends where you go. Turkey, Southern Spain, Cyprus will all usually be warm in May. We've done Greece in May before and that was lovely too.

Some long haul locations don't require 6 months.

Done Tenerife in February last year and it was beach weather everyday!

And many European countries do!

We went to menorca last year May half term and it was plenty hot enough for beach sitting, late 20s. The sea was cool but easily swimable which is perfect for me as I like a swim to actually cool me down. I hate warm sea, feels like someone has peed in it!

I was prepared for chilly evenings but I never wore more than a loose linen shirt

Been to Majorca in early May a few times (both of us have birthdays then), the weather was lovely. Warm enough to wear shorts and sit outside but not intensely hot.

Greek islands in May were glorious last year definitely beach and pool weather just a bit cooler at night (not a bad thing!)

I think you need 6 months+ remaining to holiday INSIDE Europe. I'd apply for another passport asap if you want to go away in next couple of months

I think EU is 3 months