Spain in May

Spain is consistently rated as one of the best countries for a beach holiday. But spring is an excellent time to see Spain differently. For example, in May you can visit Madrid, far from the sea, and spend a few days in the famous art museums.

Or, on the contrary, head to Barcelona to stroll along the Rambla and stop by the Boqueria market for cheese and jamon. Or even go to a seaside resort, not for lying on the beach, but for a trip to a safari park or even an amusement park. Although what is there — on the beach, too, you can lie down, if you are lucky with the weather. You will find the best options for holidays in Spain in May and on May holidays in the review Kidpassage.

Spain in May is beautiful and unique. It's warm and very sunny, there are lots of greenery, the air is full of the fragrance of jacaranda and bougainvillaea, and you can sit on a summer café deck, order churros with hot chocolate and bliss out.

• Spain: Family Travel Guide
• Best Family-Friendly resorts in Spain

Praise for holidays in Spain in May is not just about churros and jacaranda. There are many more advantages:

• there is no tiring heat, and you can walk for days on end;
• the seaside resorts are quiet and peaceful;
• before the sea lures you away on a lazy holiday, there is a chance to devote time to sightseeing;
• major tourist towns are not empty, but there are far fewer tourists than there will be in summer;
• water parks and amusement parks are in full force so that children will be happy;
• the beach season has not yet started, and airfares and hotel prices are moderate.

To call May the ideal time for travelling, a few little things are missing. Firstly, you can't count on a beach holiday. Sometimes the weather gives summer in advance, but tourists often breathe the sea air without changing into swimming costumes. The sea remains very cold for swimming in Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, where May is consistently warm. Secondly, as it is not yet the season for holidays at sea, the number of flights to sea resorts is relatively small.

To balance these disadvantages, choose those cities with museums and entertainment for your holiday for the whole family. And let the sea be a pleasant addition to the excursions.

And now more about where to holiday in Spain in May to visit museums, amusement parks and have beach fun.

There are countries where the weather in May and June leaves tourists with a choice of spending time at sea or going to museums. Spain is just one of such countries. Only in May museums are more frequently visited than beaches: the bathing season opens with the arrival of summer.

The weather at the beginning of May is not too conducive to beach holidays, but comfortable for city walks. There is usually no heat, it can even be cool, and the sun shines, which positively affects travellers.

Temperatures rise during the month, increasing your chances of sunbathing by the sea. The weather in Spain at the end of May is not yet suitable for swimming, but you can bask in the sun without the risk of getting burnt. If you travel with a child, luggage for a trip to Spain in May should be universal. You should take a windbreaker, a fleece or a jumper, and a thin cap for cool evenings, but light clothes will also be handy.

Spain has a Mediterranean climate, so it gets warm here as early as May. However, the weather in May is unstable — it can get cold to +16°C or hot to +30°C. But you should instead count on moderate warmth, clear skies and infrequent rains. To make it easier to orientate yourself, here are the average day and night temperatures, as well as the average water temperature in several regions of Spain:

Destination	Daytime	Nightime	Water
Madrid	+23,3°С	+12,6°С	-
Barcelona	+20,8°С	+15,1°С	+17,1°С
Valencia	+23,8°С	+15,7°С	+18,6°С
Malaga	+24,0°С	+15,9°С	+17,7°С
Mallorca	+22,7°С	+15,4°С	+18,6°С
Tenerife	+20,2°С	+15,4°С	+20,4°С

The air temperature in Spain in May is gradually rising. If, in the first days of the month, thermometers show +16-20 ° C, then from the second decade of May, the figures rise to +20-25 ° C. By the beginning of summer, the heat can increase slightly, but, as a rule, the temperature remains comfortable.

Even though May days are pretty warm, at night, the temperature drops to +10-15°C.

But what depresses travellers is the water temperature in Spain in May. Even if there is an abnormal heat wave, the sea can warm up to +20°C. In typical weather, the sea temperature in May barely reaches +18-19°C. Only in Tenerife the water is relatively warm — however, May in the Canary Islands is colder than in other Spanish resorts.

No matter how much you want to get closer to the beach season, you must admit that swimming in Spain in May is cold. In most town resorts, the sea temperature is +17-19°C — some people dare to swim a little and even say it is invigorating, but most beachgoers prefer to sit on the shore.

Where to swim if May is hot and the sea remains cool? Water parks start working in most resorts in the second half of the month. Though their pools are not heated, the water quickly becomes warm on sunny days.

Spain's holiday map is a pleasure to look at: the country's entire coastline is decorated with the Blue Flag. This award is given to well-maintained beaches with everything you need for a comfortable and safe holiday, and entrance to all Spanish beaches is free. In addition to the international award, Spain adds its Q mark, which confirms the high level of service, and hundreds of beaches in the country are marked with this mark.

But what's important: "The blue flag season" on most beaches in Spain starts on 15 June.

Before that, the lifeguard and medical service, sun lounger and umbrella hire, beach bars and kiosks, and water entertainment are only available in some places. But at the end of May, the beach facilities are already provided.

The Costa de Almeria resorts are the warmest —  there's even a chance to swim in the sea. Costa del Sol is also very warm, but the water remains cold. The weather is favourable for beach holidays in Costa Blanca and Costa Dorada. But on Tenerife, the island of eternal spring, it is not always possible to sunbathe in May. With an average air temperature of +20.2°C, thermometers often stay at +15-18°C.

But if the air warms up to +23-25°C (which also happens), you can even take a dip in the sea. Its temperature in different years is +19-21°C. The situation is the same in the resorts of Costa Brava. Only at the end of May the air temperature here stably stays above +20°C, and the sea temperature does not exceed +18-19°C.

The southernmost region of Spain is already warm at the beginning of May. The temperature rises to +20-24°C during the day and drops to +12-15°C at night. The sun shines almost from day to day, and one short-term rain is not able to disrupt the plans of holidaymakers. However, the sea off the Costa del Sol is quite cool even in summer; in May remains quite cold: its temperature reaches only +18-19°C.

Most of the sandy beaches of the Costa del Sol are suitable for holidays with children. Pay attention to lively beaches with entertainment (Puerto Banus, Carvajal, Torreblanca) or quiet coast areas (Los Alamos, Montemar, Artola).

For windsurfers, we definitely recommend Playamar and Guadalmina. Despite wind speeds of 2.9 metres per second in late spring, windsurfers and kitesurfers appreciate the stability of wind conditions.

• Costa del Sol for Kids
• The BEST Costa del Sol Family-friendly activities

Costa de Almeria

This part of the Spanish Mediterranean coast is not very popular yet, but it is here that May is the warmest. In any case, the daytime temperature is +23-26°C beginning from the middle of the month, and the night temperature does not fall below +15-16°C. According to the weather report, rain does not occur more often than once a month; the sun rarely hides behind the clouds — generally, the beaches are perfect.

But only bathing in the sea is not yet a pleasure. Firstly, the water warms up only to +19°C, and secondly, there is a noticeable wind (its speed reaches 4.7 metres per second), which raises waves. Sandy and pebble beaches of Costa de Almeria stretch for many kilometres. Often there are children's playgrounds on the shore.

• Costa de Almeria for Kids
• The BEST Costa de Almeria Family-friendly activities

In May, the White Coast is no longer empty: when the air warms up to +20-26°C, spending time on the beach is quite possible. The sunny weather, the extremely low probability of precipitation (one short rainfall for the whole month) and the almost complete absence of wind contribute to holidays on the coast.

The very beginning of May is often chilly for sunbathing, with the beach weather only becoming appropriate towards the end of the month. But the nights on the Costa Blanca are warmer than in other resorts, with night-time temperatures usually above +16°C.

But swimming will have to be delayed, as at the end of spring, the sea temperature barely reaches +18-21°C. All beaches on the Costa Blanca are sandy, with a gentle entrance to the water. With the beginning of the high season, the coast will be crowded, but in May, you can enjoy the space — especially if you choose a wide and long beach for your holiday, for example, Levante in Benidorm or San Juan in Alicante.

• Costa Blanca for Kids
• The BEST Costa Blanca Family-friendly activities

On the "Gold Coast", mid-May is the opening period of the beach season. By this time, the air has time to warm up to +20-24°C, the sun shines most of the time, and it does not rain more than once a month. However, the average wind speed in May reaches 3.8 m/s, and the wind can be chilly.

Nights on the Costa Daurada resorts in May are pretty cold, around +12-16°C. Because of this, the sea temperature in late spring remains at +17-19°C.

The region's long sandy beaches are not crowded in May. To entertain the kids, head to Salou's most popular family beaches, Ponent and Llevant. For lovers of outdoor activities, we recommend the sailing school on Cap de Sant Pere beach, the windsurfing centre on Prat d'en Fores/Regueral beach and the diving centres in Cambrils.

• Costa Dorada for Kids
• The BEST Costa Dorada Family-friendly activities

Arrive in Mallorca in the last decade of May, and you are almost guaranteed to spend the whole holiday on the beach. By the end of spring, the air on the island warms up to +24-26°C, the weather is sunny or low cloud, and one short-term rain can be ignored. The wind speed is 3.4 metres per second — such a wind does not cause discomfort.

Besides, if you choose a resort in Mallorca, you can swim in the sea at the end of May. Here, as well as in Tenerife, the sea temperature in the last days of spring reaches +20-21°C. The most comfortable sandy beaches for children's are in Playa de Palma and Cala d'Or. And the Bay of Baia de Alcudia, where the sea is very shallow, offers the best chance of swimming at the end of May.

• Mallorca for Kids
• The BEST Mallorca Family-friendly activities

While early May is a bit early for beaches, it's better to refocus on a sightseeing programme: Spain has an incredible number of attractions that are fun to visit with the whole family.

For example, you can visit famous art galleries in Madrid — the Prado Museum, the Queen Sofia Art Centre and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The first two have free admission for children, and all museums have interactive tours and children's quests.

It takes at least a week to show your child Madrid's other highlights: Native American outfits at the Museum of the Americas, cave paintings from the Altamira Cave at the Archaeological Museum, ships of the Spanish Armada at the Maritime Museum, dinosaur skeletons at the Museum of Natural Sciences, and much more.

Equally dazzling is Barcelona. Children are especially fascinated by Gaudi's creations — gingerbread houses and mosaic salamanders in the Guell Park, the flowing outlines of the Baglio House, and the fantastic enormity of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral.

For museums, the kids would choose the CosmoCaixa Centre with its interactive exhibits, the Blau Natural Science Museum with its playful Science Nest and the Chocolate Museum. We recommend adding a walk through the ruins of the ancient city of Barcino, a trip to the Barcelona Football Club Museum and a tour of the museums on Montjuïc Hill.

Valencia's main attraction is the City of Arts and Sciences. You'll want to spend at least half a day in the City's Oceanographic Park, where the inhabitants of all seas are gathered, and in the Science Museum, where it's easy to delve into the laws of physics or biology.

There's a good chance the kids will love Valencia's Maritime Museum and the Museo de Fallas (the giant puppets made for the fire festival are very expressive). The seaside resorts have their notable sites. The Costa Blanca has many unexpected things to see: the Turrón Museum in Gijón, the Sea and Salt Museum in Torrevieja, the Shoe Museum in Elda, and the Microgiant Museum in Guadaleste.

In the Costa Brava, children will be delighted by the Museum of Magic and Curiosities (Santa Cristina de Aro). Fans of Salvador Dali should visit Cadaqués and Figueres, where the artist's museums are as unusual as he is.

In the Costa del Sol, a trip to Málaga is a must. Visit the Picasso Museum (200 originals!) and the interactive music museum to keep the family happy.

In Mallorca, you should visit the Spanish Village, a replica of Spain's most beautiful buildings. And in Tenerife, try to see the Teide volcano, either the real one or a working model at the Museum of Nature and Man.

Those who holiday in Spain in the summer have a difficult choice: beach or stunning attractions, beach or safari park, beach or aquatic centre. It is easier to choose in May — while the sea is colder, you can give yourself fun. And what fun!

• Amusement parks. PortAventura, one of the largest amusement parks in Europe, will make even adults crazy. In Madrid, you will have a great time in the Casa de Campo park, in Barcelona — on Mount Tibidabo, in Seville — in the Isla Magica park, in Benidorm — in the Terra Mítica park.
• Waterparks. Each resort has its trump card. The best water park, Costa Caribe, is part of PortAventura. From Barcelona, you can go to Illa Fantasia, several regions have Aquopolis water parks, and Tenerife has the impressive Siam Park.
• Zoos. There are animal parks in many Spanish cities, and these are often places where you can see animals in their natural habitat. We recommend Faunia Park (Madrid), Biopark (Valencia), Terra Natura (Costa Blanca), and Selwo Aventura Safari Park (Costa del Sol) for visiting with children. In Barcelona, try to visit one of the best aquariums in Europe.

Holidays, events and festivals

Spain is like a holiday, and May is another proof of that. Festivals, secular and religious, local and national, are accompanied by festivities, food and music. In Madrid, May Day is followed by City Day (2 May). In Mijas (Costa del Sol), the sardine festival is held on 1 May. Tarragona becomes a Roman settlement in the middle of May — there is a festival called "Tarraco Viva".

In Mallorca, they organise battle reenactments as part of the "Moors and Christians" festival. And Tenerife celebrates Canary Islands Day in May. We recommend checking the event listings before travelling, as some events shift from year to year.

May is the best time to do it if you want to see a bullfight. In Madrid's Las Ventas arena, fights occur almost daily as madrileños honour San Isidro, the city's patron saint.

The feast in honour of Saint Isidore falls on 15 May but is celebrated for at least a week. Tourists come to Madrid especially to see the procession of giant puppets, the light and music show in Retiro Park and the chotis dance performed in the streets.

In addition to so many advantages — one more: prices in Spain in May are relatively low. The price spike occurs during the May holidays, but then prices fall. It is difficult to find a budget option in the major tourist cities now, but it is easy to find one in seaside resorts.

Airfares

The cost of a flight in May decreases by only 2-3% compared to April. At the same time, the price of tickets can tell you in which resorts May is considered the beginning of the beach season. Thus, tickets to Malaga are 5-15% more expensive than to Alicante or Barcelona. The price of air travel to the south of Spain is comparable to a flight to Madrid. In June, the price of tickets slightly increases. The cost of flights to those seaside regions where the holiday season opens increases by 8-10%.

Accommodations

Paradoxically, in May, hotel room prices decrease compared to April. The cost can reduce by 10-50%, and the price changes the least in major cities where tourists come for excursions.

In June, the cost of hotels rises in both cities and seaside town resorts in Spain, with prices increasing by 20-60%.

The situation is different in Madrid. In May, prices for hotels in the Spanish capital grow by 80% compared to April, and in June, they fall by almost the same amount.

Package Tours

Tour packages to Spain at the end of spring become cheaper than in April. The price of tours for 7-10 days drops the most — in May, you will be able to pay 30-35% less for them than a month earlier. Short (up to 3 days) and long tours (from 14 days) become cheaper by only 5-15%.

With the arrival of summer, ready-made tours become noticeably more expensive, with prices rising by 20-30%.

Food

Before the high season arrives in Spain, you can save a little money on food. The savings will be even more noticeable if you eat not in tourist places but in cafes and restaurants where the Spaniards themselves go.

In such places, you can eat an excellent gazpacho for €7, paella for €10-13, and a fish or seafood dish for €12-15. Tourist-orientated restaurants will charge at least one and a half times as much for the same dishes.

To the delight of travellers, spring in Spain is no longer a period of "avitaminosis". On the contrary, there is an excellent choice of fruits for the new harvest in May. You can treat yourself and your children to strawberries, cherries, apricots and medlars.

The average price of strawberries is €3-4 per 1kg, cherries and apricots €2. Tangerines, which ripen almost all year round in Spain, sell for €1.50/1kg.

May is not a time for sales, but that doesn't mean that tourists return from their trip without purchases.

Firstly, you can always buy international brands at a discount in the outlet centres (the largest ones near Madrid and Barcelona). Secondly, some famous mass-market brands come from Spain, and the prices for their products are lower here. Thirdly, there are no jamon, cheese, sausages and wine sales — and no one intends to return without these Spanish delicacies.

Fourthly, if you want to bring something local but practical, pay attention to clothes and shoes made in Spain, cosmetics based on olive oil, and jewellery made of Majorcan artificial pearls.

The main feature of reviews about holidays in Spain in May is diversity. They write about successful excursions, sunbathing, and even swimming in the sea (daredevils!). Parents who visit Spain with their children are also satisfied with the trip. They note the sunny, not hot weather and the abundance of greenery in the parks, which is essential when travelling with a child.

And here are a few recommendations to help you prepare for your trip.

1. Despite the lack of heat, a hat and sunscreen for walks are a must. In May, sufficient protection is provided by cream with SPF 20.
2. When planning to visit museums in major cities, buy a city tourist card. It makes excursions cheaper and gives you the right to enter museums without queuing.
3. If you want to relax in a seaside resort and dream of swimming, look for a hotel with a swimming pool. Some hotels have mini water parks.
4. Family hotels may have children's animations and mini-clubs, but they are usually closed in May.
5. Olive trees bloom in May, which can affect allergy sufferers' well-being. There are no olive orchards, only in the country's northwestern part.

When the programme of holidays in Spain in May with children has already been formed, you can start looking for accommodation. The collection of family hotels and apartments on the Kidpassage website will make the task easier: we have selected those places where the conditions are comfortable for small tourists.