Go on, tempt yourself with one of our best weekend breaks in May 2019!
Florence, Italy
If you are looking for a cultured getaway, with great food and fantastic weather, then Florence makes for one of the best weekend destinations in May.
Florence is one of the Italy’s, and in fact Europe’s great art cities. There’s so much to do and see here that you’ll have to book another weekend. Marvel at artworks by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other greats at the Uffizi Gallery.
Take a stroll around the palazzos and admire the exquisite architecture, the fountains and the statues. For balance, there’s a vibrant contemporary art scene too.
Become a muse yourself and allow an artist to immortalise you in caricature form. Or just have your photo taken on the picturesque Old Bridge.
The historic side of the city merges perfectly with the more vibrant and modern restaurant and nightlife scene. So when you’ve worn out your walking shoes, you can put on your dancing shoes and join the locals in the many pubs and clubs.
The best way to get to Florence is to fly to Pisa, which is less than 3 hours flying time away. You then catch the train from Pisa airport to Florence city centre. The train takes less than 1.5 hours and you can even get off and spend a few hours exploring Pisa. With two holidays in one, Florence is one of the best weekend breaks in May.
For even more destination tips have a read of our guide to the top 9 things to do in Florence.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki is a vivid mix of lively culture, top-class design and unspoiled nature. The city is compact and walkable making it perfect for a quick weekend break in May.
However, if you would prefer to rest your feet you can get around Helsinki using the modern bus and metro system. You can also travel by ferry across the bay to explore some of Helsinki’s 330 islands.
If you are looking for something quintessentially Finnish to do during your weekend break to Helsinki take a Finnish sauna. Two waterside public saunas are Löyly and Helsinki Allas. There is a beach here at the complex and a bar and when you are done in the sauna cool down with a cold shower or dip in the Gulf of Finland.
Find more travel inspiration in our guide to the top 9 things to do in Helsinki.
Krakow, Poland
Krakow used to be the capital of Poland and with its beautiful and charming old town, it is easy to see why it is so popular with tourists. It is one of the best weekend breaks in May because the weather is very pleasant and the summer crowds have not yet arrived.
Krakow has a coloured past and historical significance. One of the great things about the city is that you can easily see traces of its past reflected throughout the city, particularly through its Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
Start your morning off in Krakow’s main square with a traditional Polish breakfast. Then take a stroll over to the incredible Kazimierz neighbourhood -Krakow’s historic Jewish quarter. This area is a hip mix of cool art galleries, quirky shops, vintage clothing stores and bars and cafes. You could easily spend all day and night in this area but be sure you get out and explore more of this cracking city.
Need more help planing your weekend break in Krakow? Here’s our guide to the top 8 things to do in Krakow.
Manchester, England
Manchester has plenty to offer visitors. Whether you are looking for a relaxing break, football-filled fun or a culture-laden getaway, Manchester makes for one of the best weekend breaks in May.
With such a short flight and transfer to the city centre, you waste no time at all getting your weekend started. Not only that, but Manchester city centre is fairly small – you can walk from one side to the other in around 40 minutes. So it is perfect 48-hour stay.
Manchester is a dynamic city and there are plenty of events on throughout the year. In May, one of the big events is the Manchester Jazz Festival (23 May 2019 – 27 May 2019). During the festival there are free concerts as well as ticketed gigs staged in venues across the city.
Travel inspiration: top 15 attractions and things to do in Manchester.
Munich, Germany
Munich in May sees the city bathed in warm sunshine, delicate greenery colours decorate the parks and people sitting in sidewalk cafés. In May, Munich locals and visitor head outside.
A weekend break to Munich in May is a great for picnics in the Englischer Garten (English Garden) and barbecues in Flaucher park. It’s also the time of year that you can see the thousands of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils adorn the city centre with vivid colours.
As soon as the weather warms up everyone heads to the beer gardens. Under the shade of the chestnut trees, locals and visitors sit side by side eating pretzels, obazda (a local cheese delicacy) and fresh salads whilst drinking cold steins of Bavarian beer.
If you love being outdoors, Munich is one of the best weekend breaks in May.
Need more help planning your best weekend break in May? Here are the top 10 things to see and do in Munich.
Nice, France
A weekend is just enough time to spend in Nice taking in its art, history, beaches and cuisine. The best thing about a weekend break in May is that it is still the off-season and there are fewer crowds and traffic jams along the French Rivera.
Start the day off at the old port sipping coffee and eating croissants outside one of the many cafes. Then spend a few hours pottering around the old town and the many markets that you’ll stumble across.
After some lunch and people-watching at the markets, make your way to the neighbourhood of Cimiez to take in some art and history. In this area you’ll also see the “Belle Epoque” architecture from the period preceding World War I.
The next day, head up to Castle Hill, the highest point in Nice and take in some fabulous views. Then, for more art and museums, head to the New Town and visit the Nice’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Also during your weekend break in Nice, make sure you leave time to take in some live jazz performances and enjoy the obligatory “Salade Niçoise”.
Plan your best weekend break in May with our guide to the top 8 things to do in Nice.
