May half-term is one of the best weeks of the year for a family holiday: the Mediterranean is warming up nicely, resorts are lively but not packed, and temperatures are perfect for children, warm without the fierce heat of August.
Here are the destinations that are reliably warm at the end of May, each with one of our best-rated family hotels.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- The hottest: Turkey and Cyprus
- The Greek islands
- Tenerife
- Late-May temperatures at a glance
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susesi Luxury Resort | Belek, Antalya | 5★ | All Inclusive Plus | 4.7/5 | No |
| Exelsior Junior | Marmaris, Dalaman | 3★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board, Self Catering | 4.5/5 | No |
| Sofianna Resort & Spa | Paphos Resort, Paphos | 4★ | All Inclusive | 4.7/5 | No |
| Anastasia Hotel | Stalis, Crete | 3★ | Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Esperides Beach Resort | Faliraki, Rhodes | 4★ | All Inclusive | 4.5/5 | No |
| Palladium Hotel | Marmari, Kos | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| MarBella Mar-Bella Collection | Agios Ioannis – Corfu, Corfu | 5★ | All Inclusive Plus | 4.5/5 | No |
| H10 Conquistador | Playa De Las Americas, Tenerife | 4★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.3/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
The hottest: Turkey and Cyprus
Typically 27 to 29 °C by the end of May.
Susesi Luxury Resort
- Belek, Antalya
- 5-star
- All Inclusive Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Five-star Susesi Luxury Resort in Belek, Antalya, has a brilliant beachfront location, an on-site waterpark, a rejuvenating spa and a superb selection of bars and restaurants on All Inclusive Plus.
Best for: Luxury all-inclusive
Exelsior Junior
- Marmaris, Dalaman
- 3-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Exelsior Junior in Marmaris is great for families, with spacious apartments and a lively atmosphere.
Best for: Great value
Sofianna Resort & Spa
- Paphos Resort, Paphos
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Sofianna Resort & Spa in Paphos has great children’s facilities, three bars and all-inclusive, with Paphos Old Town nearby.
Best for: Cyprus
The Greek islands
Around 24 to 26 °C, with the sea warming up nicely.
Anastasia Hotel
- Stalis, Crete
- 3-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Anastasia Hotel in Stalis, Crete, is great for families, with an entertainment programme, close to shops and bars.
Best for: Crete
Esperides Beach Resort
- Faliraki, Rhodes
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Esperides Beach Resort in Faliraki, Rhodes, is beachfront, with a great children’s club, fantastic family rooms and all-inclusive.
Best for: Rhodes
Palladium Hotel
- Marmari, Kos
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Family-run Palladium Hotel in Marmari, Kos, has a peaceful location and beautiful gardens.
Best for: Kos
MarBella Mar-Bella Collection
- Agios Ioannis – Corfu, Corfu
- 5-star
- All Inclusive Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Five-star MarBella Mar-Bella Collection in Agios Ioannis, Corfu, has an aquapark, family rooms, great sea views and à la carte dining on All Inclusive Plus.
Best for: Corfu
Tenerife
Reliable sunshine, around 24 °C.
H10 Conquistador
- Playa De Las Americas, Tenerife
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.3/5
H10 Conquistador in Playa de las Américas has direct access to the promenade, two kids’ clubs including a teen club, and an all-inclusive option.
Best for: Teens and tweens
Late-May temperatures at a glance
Typical daytime highs at the end of May: Antalya and Marmaris 28 to 29 °C; Cyprus around 27 to 28 °C; Crete, Rhodes and Kos around 25 to 26 °C; Corfu around 25 °C; Tenerife around 24 °C. Sea temperatures are typically 21 to 23 °C in the eastern Mediterranean, a little cooler further west.
Tips for booking May half-term
May half-term is popular, so book early for the best flight times and family rooms. Check your school’s dates, as they can vary between areas. For the warmest sea, choose Turkey or Cyprus; for a shorter flight, Corfu is around three hours away.
How we chose these hotels
For each destination that is reliably warm in late May, we chose a family-friendly hotel our guests rate highly, avoiding hotels already featured in our other family guides. Every hotel here is well rated by our guests on TripAdvisor, and every one can be booked with us as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
Where is hottest for May half-term?
Turkey and Cyprus, typically 27 to 29 °C.
Is Greece warm at the end of May?
Yes, the islands are usually 24 to 26 °C, with the sea warming up.
Is the sea warm enough for swimming in May?
In the eastern Mediterranean it is usually 21 to 23 °C, fine for swimming.
What is the shortest flight?
Of these, Corfu is around three hours from the UK.
Find your May half-term holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels.
Keep planning
- Antalya holidays
- Paphos holidays
- Greece holidays
- Where’s hot for October half-term?
- Where’s hot at Easter?
- Best family hotels for toddlers
- Where’s hot in September?
- Where’s hot in June?
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
