Where’s actually warm in May from Knock?
Places averaging 20°C or more in May, with direct flights. Warmest first.
Warmest: Alicante, about 25°C. Warmest sea: Lanzarote, 20°C. Driest: Lanzarote, barely any rain.
Alicante
25°6/7+9°Cvs home7/10Worth the bother? Worth a look.“Sun, sea and a castle on the hill. Benidorm is down the road if you are feeling brave.”Lanzarote
25°6/7+9°Cvs home7/10Worth the bother? Worth a look.“Looks like the moon, feels like July. Half of Carlow is on your flight.”Málaga
25°6/7+9°Cvs home7/10Worth the bother? Worth a look.“A proper city with a beach attached. Tapas portions are not a meal.”Tenerife
24°7/7+8°Cvs home7/10Worth the bother? Worth a look.“Guaranteed sun. You will meet someone you went to school with.”Faro and the Algarve
24°6/7+8°Cvs home6/10Worth the bother? Could be tempted.“Golf, grilled fish and a sunburnt man from Mullingar. Grand.”Majorca
23°7/7+7°Cvs home6/10Worth the bother? Could be tempted.“Mountains, coves and a cathedral that shows off. Something for everyone, including the stag in seat 14C.”Milan and the Lakes
23°6/7+7°Cvs home4/10Worth the bother? Think about it.“Fashion, a ridiculous cathedral and Lake Como an hour away. Dress up a bit, they notice.”May at a glance
| Place | Avg high | Sea | Sun a day | Rainy days | Flight | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alicante | 25°C | 18°C | 10h | 3 | 2h 40m | 6/7 |
| Lanzarote | 25°C | 20°C | 10h | 0 | 4h | 6/7 |
| Málaga | 25°C | 18°C | 10h | 2 | 2h 55m | 6/7 |
| Tenerife | 24°C | 20°C | 9h | 0 | 4h 20m | 7/7 |
| Faro and the Algarve | 24°C | 17°C | 11h | 3 | 2h 45m | 6/7 |
| Majorca | 23°C | 18°C | 9h | 3 | 2h 30m | 7/7 |
| Milan and the Lakes | 23°C | – | 7h | 9 | 2h 20m | 6/7 |
| Dublin, for comparison | 16°C | 11°C | 6h | 10 | – | – |
Long-term averages, rounded. Rainy days are days with at least 1mm of rain. Sea temperature is shown where there is a beach to swim from.
Irish school holidays in May 2027
No mid-term or school holidays in May, so fares are usually calmer. Good news for anyone not tied to the school run.
What's on in May
Not every good trip is about the sun. Festivals, carnivals and Christmas markets worth the flight.
Madeira 21°C
Flower Festival: parades and flower carpets in Funchal, usually in late April or May.
Direct from Dublin and ShannonMadrid 23°C
San Isidro, the city’s own festival, around 15 May.
Direct from DublinOslo 16°C
Constitution Day, 17 May: the whole country in traditional dress, parades everywhere.
Direct from Dublin
Dates move from year to year. Check the event's own website before you book.
Questions people actually ask
Where is warm in May with a direct flight from Knock?
The warmest places with direct flights from Knock in May are Alicante (25°C), Lanzarote (25°C), Málaga (25°C), Tenerife (24°C) and Faro and the Algarve (24°C). Those are average daytime highs.
Where is the sea warm enough to swim in May?
Nowhere direct is properly warm for swimming in May. The mildest sea is in Lanzarote, at about 20°C: bracing, but warmer than at home.
Where is sunniest in May?
Of the places with direct flights, Faro and the Algarve gets the most sunshine in May, about 11 hours a day. Dublin averages about 6.
Are there school holidays in Ireland in May 2027?
No. With no mid-term or school holidays, fares and hotel prices are usually calmer, which makes it a good time for anyone without kids in school.
What's on in May?
Madeira: Flower Festival: parades and flower carpets in Funchal, usually in late April or May. Madrid: San Isidro, the city’s own festival, around 15 May. Oslo: Constitution Day, 17 May: the whole country in traditional dress, parades everywhere.