Travel tips
Best honeymoon destinations in May: 5 places to go
May is when the Mediterranean wakes up and the Indian Ocean calms down. These are five honeymoon destinations for May, and the hotel we would choose in each.
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In short
The Amalfi Coast is our first choice for a May honeymoon, with warm weather before the summer crowds arrive. The Seychelles has some of its calmest weeks, and the dry season starts in Mauritius and Bali. Choose Santorini if you want a short flight and sunsets over the caldera.
Our first choice: See rooms at Caruso, A Belmond Hotel
In May the lemons are still on the trees along the Amalfi Coast, and there is room on the beaches. At the same time the wind drops over the Indian Ocean, and the Seychelles enjoys some of its calmest weeks of the year. If you are marrying in spring, May is one of the easiest months to find a great destination, near or far.
Five honeymoon destinations for May
Ravello
The view from Caruso runs straight out over the Amalfi Coast.
Amalfi Coast: Caruso, Ravello
May brings warm days to the Amalfi Coast, and the boats to Capri run without the summer queues. Caruso is set in an old palace in Ravello, high above the sea and quieter than Positano. The infinity pool seems to hang right over the coast, and breakfast is included.
Best for: couples who want Italian food, views and a quieter village.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Caruso, A Belmond Hotel
Imerovigli
The terraces at Katikies Chromata sit above the caldera.
Santorini: Katikies Chromata, Imerovigli
In May the sea is still fresh, but the days are long and warm and there are fewer cruise ships than in summer. Katikies Chromata is in Imerovigli, with terraces and a pool above the caldera. You get the view without the crowds of Oia, which is only a short drive away.
Best for: couples who want sunsets and a short flight.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Katikies Chromata Santorini
Seychelles: Constance Lemuria, Praslin
April and May are among the calmest months in the Seychelles, when the wind changes direction and the sea turns glassy. Constance Lemuria is on the north-west of Praslin, with three beaches and its own golf course. Spend a day in the Vallée de Mai palm forest, home of the coco de mer.
Best for: couples who want beaches and nature, far from everything.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Constance Lemuria
Paradise Cove
Pool and sun loungers under the palms. Press photo: Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel.
Mauritius: Paradise Cove, Cap Malheureux
May marks the start of the drier, slightly cooler season in Mauritius. Paradise Cove is adults only and sits at Cap Malheureux on the northern tip, with its own beach and 67 rooms facing the bay. Four hotels for newlyweds are in our Mauritius honeymoon guide.
Best for: couples who want peace without children around the pool.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel
Ubud
The pool hangs over the jungle valley.
Bali: Viceroy Bali, Ubud
The dry season on Bali gets going in May, and the rice terraces are still green after the rains. Viceroy sits on the edge of a deep jungle valley outside Ubud, and every villa has a private pool. The full route with six hotels is in our Bali honeymoon guide.
Best for: couples who want jungle and a pool of their own.
Book your honeymoon: See rooms at Viceroy Bali
Short haul or long haul?
The Amalfi Coast and Santorini are easy to reach from the UK, and work well if you only have a week. The Seychelles, Mauritius and Bali take longer to get to, but give you ten days of settled weather. With two weeks you could even pair a long-haul trip with a few days in a European city on the way home.
When should you book?
Book six to nine months ahead for the Amalfi Coast and Santorini, especially if you want a room with a view. Long-haul trips in May fall outside the main school holidays, so the best villas are often easier to get.
Frequently asked questions about a May honeymoon
Where is best for a honeymoon in May?
The Amalfi Coast and Santorini are the best choices in Europe, with warm days and fewer visitors than in summer. Further afield, the Seychelles has some of its calmest weeks, while Mauritius and Bali move into their dry season. Choose Europe for a short trip, and the Indian Ocean for settled heat and beaches.
Is the Mediterranean warm enough in May?
Yes for sunshine and sightseeing, but the sea is still fresh early in the month. On the Amalfi Coast and Santorini the days are warm and long, and evenings are cool enough for an extra layer. If swimming matters most, late May or June is a safer bet.
Is May a good month for the Seychelles?
Yes. April and May are the changeover between the two monsoons, when the wind is lightest and the sea calmest. That means clear water for snorkelling and smooth boat trips between the islands. Constance Lemuria on Praslin is our pick, with three beaches and the Vallée de Mai close by.
When should you book a May honeymoon?
Six to nine months ahead is wise for the Amalfi Coast and Santorini, where the best rooms with a view go early. For the Seychelles, Mauritius and Bali, May is outside peak season, so three to six months is often enough. Mention that you are newlyweds when you book, as hotels often do something extra.