I think half-term in May has to be one of the best months to travel with children. You can get some great deals and if you’re travelling further afield you can miss some of the stifling heat of Summer. If you’re looking for a holiday in May half term there is plenty of inspiration here. From city breaks close to home to guaranteed sunshine further afield (including how to work out when is May half term for your school area). Here are some of our tips for where to go in May half term holidays with kids.
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May half term UK & Channel Islands
May is a great time of year to travel around the UK as the weather can be beautiful (although always plan for some rainy days). And there aren’t the crowds of the summer.
As it’s not such a busy time with overseas visitors you can also pick up a bargain. And cheap May half term holidays are well worth looking out for (sometimes these are best booked last minute).
Enjoy the Channel Islands
May would be be an ideal time to visit the Channel Islands and Jersey is beautiful at this time of year.
Check out our main guide on Jersey with kids for lots of tips and inspiration. Some of our favourite sights are visiting Nazi war tunnels to exploring what we think is the best animal park around around, Jersey Zoo.
There are also some fantastic beaches. It really is a great place for families and an ideal time of year to visit.
Check out our top 10 things to do in Jersey with kids for more inspiration.
Take in some British cities for May half term holidays
It’s also a great time to visit some of the UK cities like Liverpool or Bristol and see the sights before the big waves of tourists arrive.
Searching for Harry Potter filming locations in Oxford is fun and it can be a lovely time to be in Bath.
Head to the Shetland Islands
For somewhere that feels almost otherworldly it can be a great time to visit Shetland at the very top of the UK.
We took a lovely family trip to Shetland in Spring where you can spot so much wildlife from seals to puffins. Taking the ferry to Shetland definitely feels like part of the adventure.
Short breaks May half term holidays
European City breaks
May can be a very good time for a European city break and all of the big hitters – Paris, Brussels and Berlin can be great at this time of year.
For somewhere a little different I definitely recommend Ljubljana, one of my favourite European cities. It can be a good time to be in Venice too.
Enjoy some time in Denmark
Denmark is one of our favourite countries and May is a wonderful time to visit.
We have been there in May and it was so hot we were in t-shirts. We have a great itinerary for a week in Jutland with kids to take in LEGOLAND,Lalandia and so much more.
Head to the Netherlands
It is also a lovely time for a spring visit to The Netherlands and if you are able to go early enough in the month you might even catch the tulips at the Keukenhof, just outside of Amsterdam.
The Netherlands with kids is always a wonderful trip and a great time to get out on the bicycles exploring.
Read more with our guide to the Netherlands with kids.
Enjoy beautiful northern Italy – May half term holidays
May is a perfect time to be in northern Italy. With a week you can do so much.
We took a road trip through northern Italy including a few days in Verona, time in Venice and time by the Italian lakes.
Enjoy almost guaranteed sunshine
I always think any time is a good time to be in the Algarve with kids. But May is lovely and balmy and almost guaranteed sunshine.
You can also pick up some great last minute holiday deals for May half term.
Indulge in some history in southern Italy
With less crowds than the height of summer the big hitting cities like Rome would be ideal in May.
Visit the Colosseum and the Forum for history that feels almost as if it’s alive. It would be a fantastic time to be in Naples too, where you can visit the world’s oldest pizzeria and take a trip to Pompeii with kids.
Long Haul for May with kids
It’s tricky to go too far for just a week which is what May half term invariably is. But there are some destinations which are a little further afield but still worth a week’s visit.
Enjoy Dubai for May half term holidays
Dubai is a brilliant place for a week’s holiday and not scorching hot in May as it will be in the summer. There are great places to visit with kids from a fab Legoland waterpark to visiting Kidzania Dubai.
Hit the theme parks of the USA
If you’re heading as far as the USA then it can feel crazy to just go for a week but we have spent a week in Florida and really enjoyed it.
We have lots of inspiration for Florida here.
Frequently asked questions about May half term holidays
When is May half term?
May half term dates are generally towards the end of the month but this can vary. Check the UK government site for all the school holidays here to find your local council. And remember to check in with your school before booking anything as they can still adapt the dates to suit their own needs.
What are you planning for May half term holidays? Share your thoughts and ideas below.
Amazong photgraphs! There are so many places I would love to visit – France, Italy, Florida, Texas….to name a few x
It’s funny to think that the children will so be off school again at the end of May – some great places to visit
So great to think that there is another holiday soon! What a great line up of things and places to do and love your photos too 🙂
Thank you so much And I totally agree, can’t have too many holidays! 🙂
Oooh this makes me want to go away!! Prob moving house in May so no hols for us!
Good luck with the house move! I hope it goes really well….a good reason not to go away!
It’s weird that one holiday is nearly over and I’m already looking forward to the next 🙂
Abi
Me too!! I love it, I wish we had a week off every month, that would be perfect 🙂
What some great sounding places to visit this May! If only there was the time. x
So many wonderful ideas. I hope we will find some time for a short break somewhere by the sea
I love travelling in May. Or at least I did until we were restricted to school holidays. We used to go to Greece in May, it’s normally quite hot but without the crowds the rest of summer brings.
I think it’s a great time to go to a lot of northern hemisphere places as it hasn’t got really hot yet.
Such lovely photographs and great suggestions too! May is such a great month for travel, we’ve always been lucky during the half terms over the years when we’ve been on hols in the UK. Hope to get some day trips in over the month, want to visit some more open spaces – nature reserves etc
All these places sound really great. It’s nice to get away on mini breaks.
Oh so many fab places! We are having UK breaks this year x
We went to Jersey years ago before we had the kids. We keep saying we must go back with them. The beaches are amazing!
aww nice choices were of to France the end of May, love a mini break 🙂
I have always wanted to visit the Channel Islands but we are off to Turkey in May
I would love to go to Russia
I would love to visit Russia, it sounds totally fascinating x
We always travel around this time of year and are going to our place in Portugal next week. Good deals and nicer temperatures for young ones.
So many fantastic ideas! I need to save up so we can go somewhere 🙂
Some lovely ideas for holidays. I’ve never considered Russia as a destination before.
We can’t wait for the next half term even though we’ve only just gone back.
we love to go to hotter places in May or after summer as we can’t cope with the heat during the summer. We were in Barcelona in May a few years back in T-shirts when locals where still wearing coats haha! x