Author: Irina
Reading time: 5 minutes
So, rest in May: looking for where to go and finding out how much it costs. Where to relax over the weekend from 1st to 3rd? We tell you - you are planning!
May means May holidays, and, accordingly, a suitable period for another trip in the summer. Of course, a seaside vacation in May in the vastness of Russia can hardly be called a beach holiday, and therefore resorts where you can go to relax and swim are located only within airplane accessibility.
How we rest in May 2021: from May 1 to May 3 and from 8 to 10.
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There is no need to explain that a beach holiday in May is a popular idea, and therefore you should buy a tour or tickets in advance. To explore all the possible offers from tour operators and compare prices for tours, take a look at:
- Travelata
- Level.Travel
- Onlinetours
They are our faithful assistants in organizing budget travel 🙂 As well as 10 rules for a bargain purchase of a tour.
If you are traveling on your own - to the United Arab Emirates, for example, or Egypt - look for air tickets on Skyscanner and Aviasales.
Where to relax in May at sea?
Where to spend a beach vacation in May 2021 so that a) the country receives tourists, b) a short flight, c) a swim, and d) change the skin tone to golden?
Your choice - open close countries:
- UAE
- Egypt
- Georgia
- Cyprus
- Croatia
- Bulgaria
- Greece
Yes, Turkey was closed until June 1, 2021 :(
It is clear that the holidays are short, and it takes a long time to get there - an option, rather, for a full vacation. However, here open distant countries:
- Maldives
- Cuba
- Mexico - from May 29, the first charter to Cancun will fly from Moscow!
Unfortunately, all the usual reflections on the topic of where to go to the sea in May are now very limited - it is impossible to go to Southeast Asia for example, a vacation in May abroad and in European countries is excluded.
While closed:
- Turkey
- Tanzania
- Thailand (Pattaya or Phuket)
- Vietnam (Nha Trang)
- Indonesia
- Spain
- Italy
- Tunisia
Georgia
Georgia is the new Europe for 2021. In conditions closed for tourists by Paris, Milan and Barcelona, Tbilisi looks like the best place for a short vacation. When you just want to exhale and not plan anything - take a long walk, eat deliciously, maybe drink a lot.
May itself adds to the desire to travel: of all that is available only in Georgia, the weather is pleasant in terms of temperatures. In Tbilisi, from + 15 ° C to + 23 ° C - after ten thousand steps around the city, you bite your first khinkal on the terrace of a cafe, squint from the sun, even more appreciate the free movement and the presence of Georgian cuisine on this planet. In Batumi, from + 15 ° C to + 27 ° C - you sunbathe by the sea, but you don't swim, it's still cool, you help yourself to survive this situation by ordering a real Adjarian khachapuri.
In the current world order, you need to prepare a little more diligently for a meeting with Georgia:
- first, find air tickets with a convenient connection - because there are no direct flights from Russia yet; try on Aviasales to pick up transit through Minsk or, which is unlikely, through Istanbul;
- then book a hotel - the choice is unlimited, and the prices are low, as if they were set at the request of tourists (they must somehow be returned to the country); here is the RoomGuru hotel aggregator to help you;
- well, and the final touch 1) do the PCR test 72 hours before departure (it must be presented on paper and in English at the border), 2) then on the 3rd day in Georgia, take another test on your own in a local laboratory (from $ 35); OR, if you let Sputnik through your veins, show the original vaccination document and its English translation - and that's it.
UAE
We were in Dubai in December and wrote a full review about the trip (follow the link)
Of the options where to relax in May at sea, the UAE stands out. Firstly, because abroad, but the flight will not take long (5 hours), and secondly, the temperatures there - August Turkey will envy.
It is better to fly to the Emirates in the first half of May. More precisely, as early as possible the hellish baking season, which begins in June. Imagine how a country is roasted if at the beginning of May the air is + 33 ° C, and in the water + 28 ° C.
Where to go? You can choose from skyscraper Dubai, Sharjah bordering it, capital Abu Dhabi, budget Ras Al Khaimah, or slightly less hot, but "in the backyard" - Fujairah.
Pros
+ the country is open to tourists
+ relatively inexpensive tours (but so far it's easier to get there on your own)
+ sea - favorite fresh milk
+ royal dates, kebabs, jeep safari and other Arabic flavor
Minuses
- you need a PCR test 72 hours before departure and at Dubai airport upon arrival (but here at least it's free)
- the weather is on the verge of "staying out of the hotel until 6 pm"
- high costs on site
- you will have to carry alcohol with you or purchase it in advance in a dutik
- half of the month falls in Ramadan (until May 12)
Useful articles
- Prices for holidays in May 2021 in the UAE - from 60,000 rubles for a week-long tour for two
Egypt
It would seem that there is nothing to remember about Egypt - charters from Russia stopped flying long before the worldwide suspension of aircraft. However, the pandemic played into the hands of the country: in conditions of a monstrously limited choice of where to go to the sea with minimal hassle, without quarantines and with free movement along the "beach-hotel" route, Egypt is now one of the leaders.
May is beautiful in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh - this is one of the best months of the year. The sea warms from + 24 ° C to + 26 ° C, and the air reaches + 30 ° C - the golden mean between cooler Turkey and the too hot Emirates.
In Egypt better to fly on your own... And this is no more difficult than buying a tour: instead of one site, you have to delve into two (with air tickets and hotels). To help the doubters, we have released detailed material on personal experience about independent travel after the opening of borders. Be sure to read it if, when you mention Egypt, you have a slight nostalgic or curious tachycardia (text below on the button "Independent there").
But in general, there are tours to the Red Sea. They are not cheap (especially for May, from 90,000 rubles per week for two) and with a flight to Cairo - and then a long-term bus transfer to the sea awaits. For comparison: you yourself can find a flight from Moscow and immediately to Hurghada or Sharm with a short connection in Istanbul. But here is someone who is more comfortable and calmer - in the end, both options will be delivered to the "all inclusive" and the pyramids!
Cyprus
Cyprus is the homeland of the goddess of love Aphrodite. Not surprisingly, tourists come under the romantic influence of seclusion. Already in May, the sea in Cyprus is quite warm and comfortable, at the end the water warms up to + 23 ° C. There are both youth (Ayia Napa) and family-oriented (Paphos) resorts.
Cyprus, like Turkey, is the leader in terms of the number of Russian holiday-makers on local beaches. And all because there is almost no visa and an adequate price tag for tours.
Not enough information? Read our separate article on Cyprus in May >>. The best hotels, a breakdown of resorts and options for what to do are all there. |
Pros:
+ high level of service, safety
+ favorable climate, many sunny days
+ country is open
+ free visa issued online
Minuses:
- 2 tests - before arrival and at the airport
- inflated prices for food and alcohol
- to see the island, you need to rent a car
What's better:
- The cost of tours for a week - from 45,000 rubles for two
Greece
Our trip in June to Rhodes / In October - to Athens
The famous phrase "Greece has it all!" absolutely fair in relation to her resorts. There are many great places in the country that offer visitors all the opportunities for a beach holiday.
But in May ... Not every sun and tan lover will like the trip.Firstly, the sea: at the beginning of May it was only warmed up to + 19 ℃, at the end - up to + 21 ℃. Secondly, life in resorts: we were in Rhodes in early June, and the island was still "waking up" after the low season - some cafes, restaurants and hotels were just opening. But on the other hand, May is especially comfortable for excursions, on the street it is pleasant + 23 улице.
Pros:
+ the country is open for Russian tourists, but only for independent and with a limit of 4000 people per week
+ direct flight to Athens from Moscow (and then to the resorts)
+ clean sea (but swim at the end of May)
+ delicious local food (gyros, meze, salads) and products (cheeses, olives, oil, fruits)
Minuses:
- restrictions are lifted from May 14, but you can only fly in with a test 72 hours before the flight or with a vaccination certificate (Sputnik will do)
- visa direction
- the need to rent a car to get to know the resort (or excursions)
- pebble beaches are common
About resorts:
- Search for flights to Greece on Aviasales.
Turkey
For many of our compatriots, the answer to the question of where to go in May does not require much thought. Of course, Turkey is one of the leaders in the tourism industry in both Europe and Asia.
We went to Turkey in May 2019, from the 10th to the 20th.
We read before leaving that there is still no heat and crowds of people, and swimming, except in the pool, will have to be postponed. What happened in practice: coolness in the mornings and evenings (so that it is comfortable in jeans), HEAT in the afternoon (it is easy to burn in the sun), struggle for food and sun loungers on the beach at lunchtime (that is, there are not few people) and daily swimming in the sea (it turns out that + 21ºС in the heat is very normal :)).
We rested in Side, in 4 * Z Hotels Side Town. We liked the hotel, such a strong four. And if you need a luxury five, then we recommend the Acanthus & Cennet Barut Collection, also in Side. Were there in the fall of 2020, follow the link for our review.
According to the weather. In May, Turkey is warmer on the Mediterranean coast: Alanya, Side, Belek, Antalya, Kemer. On the street from +20 to +30 (but on average + 25 ° C), in water - from +20 at the beginning of the month and up to +23 at the end.
Pros:
+ warm
+ no visa regime
Minuses:
- the country is closed until June
- PCR test is needed 72 hours before departure
- no tours and flights
- the desire of individuals to cash in on tourists
- low water temperature, only in the last few days it heats up to + 24 ° C
About resorts:
- Tours to Turkey in May - from 50,000 rubles for two for 7 nights
Tunisia
Tours to Tunisia in May delight tourists with their low cost - you can fly for 7 nights for 25,000 rubles per person.
In the second half of the month, it is already real summer here. True, only in the south (Djerba resort) the water in the sea by the middle of the month warms up to + 21 ° C (which is already faster than in most other countries), and a beach holiday starts.
In Sousse, Hammamet, Mahdia, the sea ranges from + 17 ° C to + 20 ° C. Seasoned extreme sports swimmers, while everyone else enjoys the warm sun and Moorish exoticism. I really want to see the Sahara desert, and from the reviews I realized that the best month for this excursion is just May. Tunisia, wait!
Pros:
+ visa-free!
+ all-inclusive system works
+ oriental exotic
+ short flight
Minuses:
- you can fly in - but only on your own with transit through other countries and upon arrival go through a 7-day quarantine
- not all hotels offer quality service
- a small selection of sightseeing tours
- you can swim in Djerba, in other resorts - just wet your feet
About resorts:
- The cost of tours for a week - from 55,000 rubles for two
Israel
All beaches in Tel Aviv are free, but very well maintained - there are toilets, changing cabins, awnings
Israel in May is already real summer. Even in the Mediterranean Sea, the water temperature rises to + 25 ° C, and the water in the Dead Sea is + 30 ° C.
A beach vacation can be arranged in modern Tel Aviv - on the Mediterranean coast, in the tourist Eilat - on the Red Sea coast, and in the slightly retired Ein Bokek - the most popular resort of the Dead Sea.
Pros:
+ perfect weather conditions
+ blooming of national parks and nature reserves
+ no need for a visa
+ many locals know Russian
Minuses:
- the country is closed
- shops / cafes / restaurants and public transport are closed from the second half of Friday until Saturday evening
- high prices for everything
- The cost of tours for a week - from 80,000 rubles for two
Spain
We have been to Barcelona 3 times already, this is one of our favorite cities. We have an article about the route in Barcelona, and about how to get from the airport for 1 euro 🙂
One of the best countries in the Mediterranean! When we planned a vacation in Spain in May, we still stopped in Barcelona, and not in resort towns like Lloret de Mar or Salou. At this time, the tourist zone is boring - the sea is cool, there are no vacationers, and half of everything is still closed.
But the sights of Barcelona (as well as Malaga or Valencia) - the most to watch in the spring, when there is still no stuffiness and unbearable heat. In the photo, in principle, you can see how things are with the weather: at the beginning of May we wore a T-shirt and jeans, taking a shirt or sweatshirt for the evening. In the air, on average, + 20 ° C.
Well, a beach vacation in May 2021 can be organized in full force only on the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria), where the water temperature (+ 20 ℃) more or less allows you to plunge.
Pros:
+ Barcelona is one of the most-most cities in the world (in our opinion :))
+ wonderful weather to walk a lot
+ from Barcelona you can fly cheaply to almost any country in Europe and not only (we flew to Portugal and Morocco)
Minuses:
- closed for tourists
- active thieves on the beaches
- cold sea
- visa
About resorts:
Italy
Our trip to Milan (Milan Cathedral + Gallery)
If you have not yet decided where to go for a vacation in May, but do not want to fly far, the best choice is Italian resorts. Italy is a country created to spend an unforgettable vacation here. Millions of tourists come here to enjoy the picturesque nature and wealth of attractions!
In May, it will definitely be warm, but the situation with sea swims is not completely clear. Only one thing is known - the sea picks up the required temperature the fastest in Sicily (at the beginning of the month + 17 ℃, at the end + 20 ℃), and the resort that is 100% suitable for water procedures is Ischia and the like, with hot thermal springs.
Pros:
+ so many interesting places and regions that you can't go around 10 times, Rome alone is worth a lot!
+ pizzerias and gelaterias, wines and cheeses
+ great shopping
Minuses:
- the country is closed
- be careful, you can fall in love with the country
- difficulties in obtaining a visa - Italians are mischievous and do not always approve of what they want
- cold sea
- The cost of tours for a week - from 55,000 rubles for two
Thailand
In Southeast Asia, I first came to the beginning of May - in Thailand in Phuket. I remember thinking "y-yes, this weather is not for me." It was stuffy, hot, and even after sunset the air was sticky and somehow heavy.
Later I learned that May in Phuket and Pattaya is a transition period to the rainy season, when the humidity rises sharply. In words, you don't attach such importance, but having gone to Tai in February, I understood the difference, how fresh it can be outside in high season :)
About the rains: in 10 days they went five times at night and once during the day - strong, noisy, but only for 20 minutes. Rainlessness can be guaranteed on the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, where the weather allows you to relax from February to August.
Pros:
+ tours are cheaper than in winter - we took our own for 62,000 rubles for 11 nights
+ good weather, showers are not frequent yet
+ from Tai you can fly cheap to Malaysia or Singapore
Minuses:
- Tai is kind of open, but, rather, for long-term tourists - upon arrival you need to go through a 15-day quarantine at your own expense
- high humidity and oh-oh-very hot
- long flight
About resorts:
- The cost of Thailand tours for 10 days - from 70,000 rubles for two
Vietnam
Where to go to the sea in May to make it like in Thailand? Unlike the latter, the tourist season in Vietnam starts closer to summer.Let us clarify that only in its central part - in Nha Trang, the most developed by the Russians.
The weather is typical for Southeast Asia: the air temperature is stable over + 30 ° C, the sea is heated up to + 29 ° C. It rarely rains (and I really want to).
In Nha Trang, you will not get bored - in addition to the beaches, the must-visit program includes islands, excursions to Hanoi and Dalat, and - best of the best - Vinpearl amusement park with a tremendous cable car (Sochi was not near) ...
Pros
+ Non-standard for SEA in May dry season
+ Every self-respecting (and money) seller-businessman knows Russian
+ Cool amusement park nearby
+ Low prices
Minuses
- Closed for tourists
- It happens that the sea is dirty
- Possibly too Russian-oriented infrastructure. There are many compatriots here, yes (we know that someone does not like this)
About resorts:
- In 2021, Vietnam costs from 80,000 rubles for 10 nights for two. Holidays in May for "all inclusive" - already from 130 thousand
China (Hainan)
Package tours from Russia to China have been suspended.
Hainan is still "holding on" in May. In the first half of the month everything is so good - the weather is favorable, and the sea is calm and warm (+ 28 ° C), and there is no rain.
The island is a worthy alternative to both Vietnam and Thailand. Plus, the direction itself is not so "hackneyed", and a visa is not needed. And if you consider that Hainan intends to introduce an all-inclusive system in hotels following the example of Turkey, it seems that it seriously claims to be the # 1 Asian resort. This means that it only gets better and better!
Pros:
+ warm and dry ("wet" starts by the end of the month)
+ Asian flavor is off scale - hieroglyphs, incomprehensible food
Minuses:
- closed
- long flight
- few attractions
- you cannot travel outside the island due to visa-free conditions
- Tours for 10 days to Hainan cost from 80,000 rubles for two
Bali
We went to the island of Nusa Penida, near Bali
Bali has a solid reputation as an “island paradise”. This is one of the most acceptable holiday options abroad in May 2021 for those who love tropical nature with "wild" landscapes, elements and juicy fruits. And of course, for those who wish to get on the board (surfing)!
The high season starts on the island in May. There is no rain, the air is + 29 ° C… + 30 ° C, the ocean is also heated up to + 30 ° C, but swimming in Bali is difficult because of the large waves and rocky bottom.
The most expensive thing is to fly to Bali (air tickets cost from 35,000 to 40,000 rubles per person). And living on the island is cheap: you rent a room / villa on Airbnb for ≈1500 rubles per day for two, eat in a cafe for 150-200 rubles per person, ride a bike for ≈150 rubles per day (if you rent for 2 weeks or more ).
Pros:
+ good-natured local population (namely the Balinese)
+ stunning sunsets by the ocean
+ cheap accommodation and meals
+ rice paddies, dozens of waterfalls and several volcanoes worth climbing!
Minuses:
- closed for tourists
- chaotic traffic on the roads
- a lot of any small (sometimes large) living creatures
- earthquake-prone region
- visiting Javanese - that still "mafia", it is better not to conflict with them
Our experience:
Where to go in Russia?
Climbed Rosa Khutor
Is it always necessary to go abroad, as they say, beyond the distant lands, to the sea, if it is nearby?
Some people think about where to rest in Russia in May, and they are absolutely right. Among the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory - Anapa, Tuapse, Sochi, Gelendzhik, Lazarevskoe, Adler - the beaches are already waiting for the first vacationers. It is a pity that only beaches, not water! It is still chilly for a relaxing splash, but you can substitute swimming in the pool, jacuzzi and saunas for a dip in the sea. Rest on the sea in May also attracts tourists who pursue health goals. Numerous health resorts provide a variety of firming and massage treatments.
The bar on the thermometer can creep up to + 25 ° C ... + 28 ° C, enough to sunbathe and cool down with a couple of cocktails. But there is a catch in Russian resorts - the water does not have time to warm up at the same rate and invigorates the brave souls who decide to plunge.
Vacation at sea in May - weather
Photos from our trip to Rhodes
Holidays abroad in May 2021 are spent in different ways. If your plans include swimming, then you have a direct flight to Cuba, Thailand, Bali, Israel... The latter, not only is close, but also convenient to visit without a visa, as well as Turkey. Although the water near the Turkish coast is not yet warm enough.
Going on vacation to Cyprus, Greece, Tenerife (Canary Islands), you can count on a high level of service, well-groomed beaches, visiting excursion programs and tons of local flavor. But even in warm sunny weather on the beaches, you will mainly sunbathe, since the water is still cold.
A beach holiday in May in the resorts of Spain and Italy attracts tourists from different countries with the level of comfort and European quality in all areas, whether it is felting on the sand or organizing excursions. The weather usually pleases with sunny, sometimes hot summer days.
Comparative table of water and air temperatures in May
| air temperature, ° С | water t (in mid-May), ° С | |
| Near East | ||
| Turkey (Mediterranean) | +27 | +23 |
| Tunisia | +23 | +19 |
| UAE | +35 | +29 |
| Israel (Mediterranean) | +28 | +23 |
| Europe | ||
| Cyprus | +27 | +22 |
| Spain, Barcelona) | +20 | +17 |
| Italy (Sicily) | +24 | +19 |
| Greece (Crete and Rhodes) | +24 | +21 |
| Montenegro | +23 | +20 |
| Bulgaria | +20 | +19 |
| Asia | ||
| Thailand | +30 | +30 |
| Vietnam (Nha Trang) | +30 | +30 |
| Indonesia (Bali) | +30 | +30 |
| China (Hainan) | +31 | +28 |
| Russia | ||
| Anapa | +21 | +18 |
| Sochi | +23 | +19 |
May: where to go without a visa?
A visa is not only dreary / time-consuming / nervous (underline the necessary), but also at least 4000 rubles per person. Not very fun, especially if a family with children aged 6+ is traveling.
Therefore, here are 8 May-friendly, but visa-free destinations:
- Turkey
- Tunisia
- Cyprus (online and free)
- UAE
- Israel
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
Where to have an inexpensive vacation at the sea in May?
Of course, each of us would prefer an inexpensive holiday abroad in May. It should be noted that in every country there are both promoted pretentious and more affordable, but no less comfortable places. And for those wishing to save well, there are always last minute tours.
Among the countries with budgetary, as far as possible, vacation at sea, we will single out:
- Turkey - tour for 7 days from 38 000 rubles >> for two
- Cyprus - tour from 42 000 rubles >>
- UAE - tour from 60 000 rubles >>
You can already swim in all three, which means you don't have to look for something to do with yourself, at least two hours a day 🙂
Where to go with a child in May
Holidays with children in Greece
When considering where to go to the sea in May with a child, parents must take into account many factors: the duration of the flight, the climate, the availability of conditions for a beach holiday with children. Resorts meet all these requirements:
- Of Israel
- Spain
- Turkey
- UAE
But if you want your little one to splash in the sea and are not afraid of exhausting flights, choose Thailand or Vietnam. Although in terms of service the resorts of these countries may be somewhat inferior to Europe, this is more than compensated by the gentle water and tropical landscapes.
How to relax in May 2021
It is already known how we rest on the May holidays in 2021. From 1 to 3 - the official weekend in honor of the Spring and Labor Day. And, of course, Victory Day - non-working days last from May 8 to 10.
Taking a short vacation / day off for a few days, you can extend the weekend in May to almost 11 days and enjoy the beach idleness to the maximum. 🙂
