Greece in May: The Best Places To Visit

It’s not just the weather and the lack of crowds that make May one of the best times to visit Greece, it’s also:  

The sea: Sea temperatures average around 19°C. But if it’s windy you may need a wetsuit for water sports, especially early on in the month.

The crowds: Pre-school holidays means all the beach clubs, restaurants, and amenities are open and ready, but the July - August tourist numbers haven't landed yet.  landed yet.  

The price: Flights and accommodation typically run at lower rates than peak summer.  

The festivals: Orthodox Easter often falls in late April or early May, bringing processions and fireworks to towns across the country.

The nature: Spring in Greece is genuinely stunning. The wildflowers are in bloom, and the landscape is lush and green. 

Lefkada - Island feel without the ferry transfer

Lefkada is one of Greece's best-kept secrets. It has all the feel of an island without the faff of catching a ferry thanks to it being connected to the mainland by a small bridge – so no lugging suitcases onto a boat.

But that's not the real reason to visit. The real reason is the beaches. Porto Katsiki and Egremni are consistently rated among the best in Greece, with their turquoise waters and dramatic white cliffs that plunge straight into the Ionian Sea, creating a scene so striking it feels almost like a scene from a movie.

Lefkada is also the water sports capital of Greece, thanks to the warm thermal Ionian winds that sweep across the island's bays. They make it the perfect destination for windsurfing and dinghy sailing, with Vassiliki Bay a hotspot for both.

And it doesn't stop at watersports. With epic hiking and mountain biking trails winding through local villages and olive groves, Lefkada is a brilliant destination for activity lovers of all kinds.

So, whether you’re on the water, in it, or exploring the hills above it, Lefkada rarely disappoints.  

Sold on Lefkada? Check out our holidays there at Cosmos Beach Club— you won't be disappointed.

Crete - A classic Greek all-rounder

If you want guaranteed good weather, good beaches and plenty of culture - head to Crete. It's consistently one of the warmest Greek islands in May, with average highs of 24°C and the kind of sunshine that feels like a proper summer day at home.  

Its beaches are also less crowded, with places like Elafonisi Beach far quieter and more accessible in May, leaving you feeling like you have the pink sand and turquoise shallows to yourself.

Crete also delivers on culture with the ancient Minoan ruins at Knossos, the walled old town of Chania, and great food practically everywhere you turn. And in early May, the wildflowers are still blooming through the Cretan countryside. The island is at its lushest and prettiest.

The Peloponnese — A different kind of Greece

The Peloponnese is one of Greece's most underrated destinations. It's got the beaches, it's got the history, it hasn't got the crowds. It feels like the real Greece, rather than the Instagram version.

Transfer times are short (especially with us in Messini Beach Club) depending on where you’re staying, which is great news if you've got kids in tow or you simply want to be in the water (or on a bike) as quickly as possible. And the history here isn't just impressive to history geeks - it lands with everyone. Its home to Ancient Olympia the birthplace of the Ancient Olympics, the legendary city of Sparta, the Bronze Age ruins at Mycenae, and the extraordinary hillside fortress town of Monemvasia.

The beaches also rival anything in the Greek Islands with long stretches of unspoiled golden sand and sparkling waters, ringed by stunning cliffs. So, if you’re done with fighting for a sunbed on Mykonos and want to rediscover what makes Greece so special in the first place, head to the Peloponnese.

Ready to discover real Greece? Browse our latest Peloponnese holidays at Messini Beach Club.  

Rhodes — Culture, history and epic beaches

Rhodes is like a good buffet. It has something for everyone. Want to spend your days horizontal on a sun lounger, kindle in hand? Rhodes delivers. More of a culture vulture? It has the Old Town, a UNESCO WORLD Heritage site. Prefer to be in or on the water? Then you’re in for a treat.  

Rhodes has some of the best conditions in Greece for water sports. The shallow waters and calm bays make it one of the best spots in Greece for snorkelling. While the consistent winds that roll in from the North make it a great place for beginners to learn to sail or windsurfing.  

And if that isn’t what your fancy doing then you can always take a day trip to see the Acropolis in Lindos or walk the ancient ruins of Kamiros.

Our point is, that whatever you're after, Rhodes tends to deliver. That's the beauty of it.

Fancy a trip to Rhodes? Check out Levante Beach Club.

Mykonos — Good for the gram with plenty of glam

Mykonos in May is a different proposition to Mykonos in August. The crowds are smaller and you can wander around the sights without feeling like you’re in a tin of sardines.

The temperature is also a little cooler, so walking the narrow lanes of Mykonos Town is a genuine pleasure rather than an endurance test — you might even make it to the windmills and back before reaching for the factor 50.

Nafplio — The Greek capital of love

The rest of the world hasn’t quite found out what the Greeks have known for a while... That Nafplio is one of the most beautiful towns in the whole of Greece. With ancient walls, medieval castles, Ottoman fountains and neoclassical mansions all sitting side-by-side, you’ll be asking “why haven’t I heard of this place before?”.  

Nafplio is also an excellent base for exploring the wider Peloponnese with Mycenae, the ancient theatre at Epidaurus, and the ruins at Tiryns are all within 30–45 minutes.  

If you don’t fancy staying in Nafplio, it also pairs brilliantly with a stay at Neilson Messini Beach Club, where you can spend the morning playing tennis or snorkelling and the afternoon in Nafplio. 

May is one of the better months to be in Greece for events and local celebrations. Here's what's on:

Protomagia — May Day (1 May): A nationwide tradition in Greece. Flower wreaths hung on doors, locals picnicking in olive groves, rallies in Athens. It's a very Greek celebration that gives you a genuine glimpse into everyday life.

Orthodox Easter: One of the most important celebrations in the Greek Orthodox calendar, it typically falls in late April or early May. Expect candlelit processions, midnight firework displays, and feasting that goes on for days. Check the exact dates before booking, as they change every year.
 

May is the perfect time to visit Greece but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a few things that you should know before you go:

What to pack: Light summer clothes plus one layer for cooler evenings. Sun cream is essential from day one. Even when the temperatures feel mild, the UV is stronger than you'd expect. 

Getting around: Ferries between islands are running in May but not at peak frequency. Domestic flights from Athens to most islands are often quicker and better value than long ferry chains.

Health cover: Apply for your GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) before you travel. It's valid in Greece and covers emergency medical costs. A quick bit of admin that's saves you a whole lot of stress if something does go wrong.

Temperature note: Southern Greece and the islands sit between 18–24°C in the daytime. The north and higher elevations are slightly cooler. Evenings drop to around 14°C across the board, so that light layer really does earn its place in the bag.
 

So there you have it. The best places to visit in Greece in May. May really is Greece at its finest, warm enough to get properly into holiday mode, but quiet enough to actually enjoy it. Whether you're chasing thermal winds off Lefkada, ticking off ancient ruins in the Peloponnese, or simply finding the best spot to watch the sun go down, you're not going to be disappointed.

Neilson has five Beach Clubs in Greece - Cosmos Beach Club, Messini Beach Club, Buca Beach Club, Levante Beach Club and Vounaki Beach Club - all open in May. Sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, cycling, tennis - all included in your holiday. All you need to do is show up.

Not set on May? Then check out our posts on the best places to visit in September and October or take a look at our guide to a family holiday in Greece.