The best summer half-term destinations
The summer half-term, in May, is one of the best periods for a family holidays
Wondering where to go for the May school holidays? Explore the best summer half-term destinations for families, from sunny Mediterranean escapes to UK adventures and mid- and long-haul holidays.
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The summer half-term, typically in the last week of May, is an ideal window for family holidays. The Mediterranean is warm and fully open, but not overcrowded, while shoulder-season destinations further afield, from Cape Verde to Sri Lanka and Mexico, offer sunshine, lower prices and quieter resorts.
Whether you’re after a UK adventure, a sun-soaked beach escape or a theme park experience, late May combines reliable weather, value and variety for families.
This article covers the best summer half-term destinations families can enjoy, helping you plan the perfect late May holiday.
Best staycation: Scottish Highlands
Glenfinnan Viaduct
The Scottish Highlands come alive in May, making it one of the best times for families to visit, without the midges and heavy summer crowds. Days are long, the landscape is at its greenest, and the weather – while still changeable – is usually warmer and drier than in early spring. From loch cruises to easy mountain walks and castles, there’s plenty that works for all ages.
May weather averages:
Daytime temperatures: 13–15°C
Sunshine hours: 6–7
Rainy days: 12–14 (light showers, rarely all-day rain)
Sea temperature: 10–11°C (too cold for swimming)
Why choose the Highlands in May?
The main draw in late May is the balance: mild weather, manageable crowds and lots of outdoor adventure before peak summer pricing kicks in. Families can take boat trips on Loch Ness, visit Urquhart Castle, take the Jacobite steam train (the Harry Potter train) across the Glenfinnan Viaduct or spot dolphins in the Moray Firth. Walks are family-friendly, from short trails at Glencoe to forest paths in Cairngorms National Park. May is also one of the driest months, though you’ll still need waterproofs.
On cost, a family of three can book a self-catering lodge from around £120–£150 per night, while flights or trains to Inverness are often cheaper than summer peak. For those wanting a proper adventure without leaving the UK, May in the Highlands is as good as it gets.
Best for short-haul sunshine: the Algarve
A beach framed by the Algarve’s golden cliffs
The Algarve is one of the first parts of southern Europe to really warm up in late May. Families can expect bright sunshine, sandy beaches and resort towns that are lively but not yet overcrowded. The coast stretches for miles, dotted with golden coves, rock formations and family-friendly resorts.
May weather averages:
Daytime temperatures: 23–25°C
Sunshine hours: 10–11
Rainy days: 2–3
Sea temperature: 18–19°C
Why choose the Algarve in May?
Late May is ideal in the Algarve: not too hot for little ones, but reliably sunny for the beach. Family activities go beyond sand and sea: there are waterparks near Albufeira, dolphin-spotting trips from Lagos and easy day trips to historic towns like Silves. The sea is still brisk (the Algarve is on the Atlantic coast, and not the Med, after all), but most resorts have heated pools.
Flights take under three hours from the UK, and while the Algarve can be expensive in July and August, May is significantly cheaper. A family of three can expect to pay from £1,400 for a week in a mid-range resort, rising to £2,400 for a four-star all-inclusive. It’s one of the safest bets for short-haul sunshine in May.
Best Mediterranean escape: Rhodes
The village of Lindos in Rhodes
Rhodes is one of Greece’s most reliable May half-term options, sitting further south than many other islands. Resorts are fully open, the sea is warming up and sunshine is almost guaranteed. Families get a mix of beaches, history and laid-back Greek island life without the extreme summer heat.
May weather averages:
Daytime temperatures: 24–25°C
Sunshine hours: 10–11
Rainy days: 2–3
Sea temperature: 20–21°C
Why choose Rhodes in May?
By late May, Rhodes enjoys beach-ready weather that rivals mid-summer in the UK. Families can base themselves in resort towns like Faliraki or Lindos, mixing pool time with gentle sightseeing. Kids enjoy exploring Rhodes Old Town, boat trips along the coast or visiting the Valley of the Butterflies.
On value, Rhodes is often cheaper than Crete or Corfu in May. Packages for a family of three start around £1,500 in a three-star hotel, with all-inclusive four-stars closer to £2,200. With direct flights from across the UK taking just over four hours, it’s a solid Mediterranean choice with excellent reliability for half-term.
Best alternative destination: Lake Bled, Slovenia
Church of the Assumption of Mary on Lake Bled in Slovenia.
Lake Bled in Slovenia is a postcard-perfect alternative to a beach holiday. By May, the mountains are green, the air is fresh, and families can enjoy plenty of outdoor adventure without the summer crowds. The lake itself is calm and shallow, surrounded by trails, boats and castles.
May weather averages:
Daytime temperatures: 20–22°C
Sunshine hours: 8–9
Rainy days: 10–12 (short bursts, rarely all-day rain)
Sea/lake temperature: 17–18°C
Why choose Lake Bled in May?
Families can cycle around the lake, row out to Bled Island or hike easy trails into Triglav National Park. May is ideal as the weather is settled, but it’s not yet too hot for walking. Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, is only 45 minutes away and makes a fun day trip.
Costs are lower than in most of Western Europe. A week in a lakeside guesthouse for a family of three starts from £1,300. But hotel stays and holidays can still be pricey, with packages for a family of three easily costing upwards of £2,000. Flights to Ljubljana take around two hours from London, making this a surprisingly easy outdoorsy half-term option.
Best for mid-haul sunshine: Cape Verde
Cape Verde has stunning beaches
Cape Verde, a small island nation off the coast of West Africa, is one of the most reliable mid-haul options for May half-term. By late spring, the islands are firmly in their dry season, meaning long days of sunshine, very little rain and calm seas. Resorts on Sal and Boa Vista are designed with families in mind, built around big pools, all-inclusive dining and plenty of space to relax.
May weather averages:
Daytime temperatures: 26–27°C
Sunshine hours: 9–10
Rainy days: 0–1
Sea temperature: 24–25°C
Why choose Cape Verde in May?
The big advantage of Cape Verde in May is its climate: it’s hotter and drier than the Mediterranean, but without the long flight to the Caribbean. With almost guaranteed sunshine, it’s a safe bet for families chasing warm weather during the school break. Kids can enjoy sandy beaches and shallow waters, while parents benefit from resorts that run like clockwork with kids’ clubs and entertainment. Flight times are around six hours from the UK, making it manageable for younger children.
On price, Cape Verde is cheaper than the Caribbean and often more affordable than the Canary Islands in peak season. Packages for a family of three start at around £2,000 for a week in a well-rated three-star resort, with four-star all-inclusive options from around £3,000. For families wanting a straightforward, sunny escape with a touch of the exotic, Cape Verde is one of the strongest mid-haul choices for May half-term.
Best for cultural adventures: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a slice of Indian Ocean paradise
Sri Lanka is a brilliant long-haul option for the May half-term. While May marks the start of the southwest monsoon, the east coast and cultural triangle remain largely dry and sunny. This split makes it possible to combine beaches with temples, wildlife safaris and tea plantation visits.
May weather averages:
Daytime temperatures: 29–31°C
Sunshine hours: 6–7
Rainy days: 8–10 (mostly southwest)
Sea temperature: 28–29°C
Why choose Sri Lanka in May?
The advantage of Sri Lanka is diversity: beaches, culture, wildlife and food all in one trip. Families can ride trains through the hills, visit elephant sanctuaries or explore ancient sites like Sigiriya. While the southwest coast sees showers, destinations like Trincomalee or Arugam Bay are warm and dry in May.
On value, Sri Lanka is cheaper than Mauritius or the Maldives. A family of three can stay seven nights in a four-star beach hotel for around £2,800, including flights. With flight times of around 11 hours (direct or one-stop), it’s a longer journey but offers a lot of variety for the money.
Best for long-haul sunshine: Cancún and the Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya is hot and dry in May
Mexico’s Caribbean coast is a strong choice for the May half-term. The dry season is still in full swing, with hot temperatures, calm seas and long sunny days. Resorts around Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are designed for families, with big pools, kids’ clubs and easy beach access.
May weather averages:
Daytime temperatures: 30–32°C
Sunshine hours: 8–9
Rainy days: 3–4
Sea temperature: 27–28°C
Why choose Mexico in May?
May is perfect because it’s just before hurricane season and after the winter peak. Families get excellent weather, lower prices and fewer crowds. Activities range from snorkelling in cenotes (freshwater caves) to visiting Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza or Tulum.
Flight times are around 10 hours direct from the UK, but once there, resorts cater fully to children, offering water parks, entertainment, and family suites. Prices are good for long-haul: a week for a family of three in a four-star all-inclusive starts around £3,300. Mexico offers tropical beaches and culture at a price that often undercuts the Caribbean.
Best for long-haul fun: Orlando
Orlando’s theme-park crowds aren’t yet at their peak in May
Orlando in May is a smart choice for families. The weather is hot but not at its most humid, crowds are lighter than in summer, and prices are lower before the US school holidays begin. Theme parks are in full swing, with everything from Disney to Universal open daily.
May weather averages:
Daytime temperatures: 29–31°C
Sunshine hours: 9–10
Rainy days: 7–9 (short afternoon showers)
Sea temperature (nearby Atlantic): 26–27°C
Why choose Orlando in May?
For families wanting a big theme-park adventure, May is one of the best months. Queues are shorter, the heat is tolerable compared with July and August, and hotels often run offers before the US summer rush. Beyond the parks, families can explore the Kennedy Space Center or hit the beaches at Cocoa Beach or Clearwater.
On cost, Orlando is never “cheap”, but May is one of the more affordable windows. A seven-night stay with flights for a family of three can start around £1,800, compared with over £2,300 in peak summer. With direct flights from the UK taking about nine hours, Orlando is a big but unforgettable choice for the May half-term.
The May half-term is one of the most versatile times of year to travel as a family. The Mediterranean is open for business, shoulder seasons make long-haul more affordable, and the UK and Channel Islands are at their prettiest. Whether you’re after beaches, adventures or theme parks, late spring offers choice, sunshine and value in equal measure.
Interested in this topic? Check out our top destinations for the:
Summer half-term FAQ
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In England, the summer half-term typically falls in the last week of May. In Wales and Scotland, timings can differ slightly by local authority, but it’s usually around the same period. Always check your child’s school calendar for exact dates.
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Yes. May is one of the best school holidays for family trips. In Europe, the weather is warm but not too hot, the seas are starting to warm up, and prices are lower than the July–August peak. For long-haul travel, it often coincides with the shoulder or dry season, meaning fewer crowds and better value.
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Mid- and long-haul destinations are hottest: Cape Verde averages 26–27°C, Sri Lanka around 30–32°C and Cancún/Orlando 31–32°C. In the Med, Rhodes and the Algarve average 23–25°C, while Menorca is slightly cooler at 22–23°C.
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Generally yes. Flights and hotels cost significantly less than in July and August, particularly for long-haul destinations. Families can often save 20–30% by travelling in May instead of peak summer.
