May half-term and bank holidays

Whether you’re a family looking to jet off for some half-term sunshine, or a couple planning to take advantage of the two May bank holidays, you can compare prices and save money when you book your May break through TravelSupermarket.

Where you go in May really depends what you’re after. For longer breaks, Mediterranean areas such as Turkey and Greece are really starting to hot up, while far-flung destinations like Florida, the Caribbean and Dubai are also excellent options.

Keeping it short and sweet? Europe’s cities make for exciting May bank holiday escapes, while the Spanish mainland, the Balearics and the Canary Islands are close enough for a long weekend spent lazing on the beach.

May isn’t just about families – with two bank holidays to play with, there’s double the chance of getting away while saving precious annual leave days.

Fascinating cities await in Europe, with Amsterdam, Berlin and Barcelona all within a couple of hours’ flying time from the UK. Alternatively, make the most of your annual leave and book a longer break around either of the bank holidays, jetting off somewhere like New York, Dubai or the increasingly-popular Cape Verde islands.

Whether you’re after a romantic city break in Rome or a week on the beach in Tenerife, TravelSupermarket is where you’ll find the best last-minute May bank holiday deals. Compare cheap couples’ breaks to top European cities, classic Mediterranean destinations and beyond!

Looking for a cheap family holiday this May half-term? Try the Balearics. Menorca has the best family beaches, but Majorca and Ibiza also offer great resorts for you and the children to enjoy.

The Greek islands and Turkey are two more excellent options, while the Spanish Costas, with destinations such as Benidorm and Marbella, offer fantastic value for money.

The Algarve starts to heat up in May, as does Cyprus, which is beautiful at this time of year. Malta too has warm temperatures – perfect for lazing around and spending some quality time with the kids in your hotel pool.

If you’d like a longer trip, Florida is a super destination for its beaches, theme parks and shopping, or you could head to the Caribbean before the summer hurricanes begin. Compare the best deals with us and make sure you don’t pay a penny more than you have to on your May half-term holiday.

Find out when May half-term is in your area so you can plan your break and get the best deal. The May half-term holidays are often planned around the last Monday in May, which is a public bank holiday across the UK.

In 2024, the spring bank holiday is May 27, and many schools will be closed for a week around this day. Some primary schools, however, may have a two-week break, so it's essential you double check with your child's school before booking a holiday.

Dates vary within areas by local education authority, and even within individual schools, so please check the exact holiday dates with your child's school – the dates provided above are for guidance only. Additionally, the bank holiday dates for May are May 6 and 27 – all of which are Mondays.