The 10 Best Honeymoon Destinations in May

Celebrate spring by jetting off to stunning beach locales everywhere from Monaco to Mauritius.
Couple walking and holding hands in Greece
Photo: Stocksy
Lane Nieset
by Lane Nieset
Updated Jan 21, 2025
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June may be the start of wedding season, but May is when the world's most romantic locales are heating up. Some of the best honeymoon destinations in May are in the Mediterranean when the weather is gorgeous and the summer tourists haven't started trickling in yet. Shoulder season is when top honeymoon spots like Santorini and Sicily are on the more affordable side, so that seaside resort or Instagram-worthy cliffside cave hotel may be within your travel budget.

We've researched top honeymoon destinations by month and the latest travel trends to compile a list of 10 of the best honeymoon places in May that check all the boxes, from historic hotels and converted convents to indulgent all-inclusive resorts and unique destinations and hidden gems that provide plenty of privacy and seclusion for your big romantic getaway.

Monaco

If you're planning a French Riviera honeymoon, Monaco is one of the most romantic locales on the Côte d'Azur. One of the top honeymoon locations in May, couples who want to feel the principality in full force should time their trip around the annual Grand Prix, when the winding streets turn into a race track and hotels and yachts in the harbor host luxurious viewing parties and evening events. In May, the weather is just starting to warm up and beach clubs have reopened, so you can bask in style in one of the swankier spots like Eden Plage Mala in nearby Cap d'Ail.

Things to Do: There's plenty to do in Monte-Carlo's centerpiece Casino Square, from dinner and drinks at buzzy Amazónico to live jazz and cocktails at Le Bar Américain and card games or slots at the Belle Époque Casino de Monte-Carlo. Formula 1 fans can take a walking tour of the track, or you can arrange a customized itinerary of Monaco and its neighbors, exploring Nice's Old Town and market or visiting the perched medieval village of Eze.

Places to Stay: It doesn't get more glam than the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo on Casino Square, where dining options include Monaco's sole three Michelin-starred restaurant, The Louis XV—Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris, and the top floor opens up to a heated outdoor pool with panoramas of the principality. On the opposite side of the bay, the boutique, 40-room Monte-Carlo Beach exudes more of a resort feel with loggias opening up to the seaside promenade, a private beach club with bungalows and an Olympic-sized saltwater swimming pool.

Crete, Greece

Greece's largest island is an affordable honeymoon destination that offers couples a romantic mix of attractions, from horseback riding through valleys to farm-to-table cooking classes (this is the culinary capital of Greece, after all), to sailing on a traditional wood caïque. If you're narrowing down good honeymoon destinations in May, this is one of the best months for a Crete honeymoon, since the weather is usually warm, beaches aren't as crowded, and you won't be waiting in long lines of tourists to visit attractions like the Palace of Knossos and other archaeological sites.

Things to Do: The island is so large that it features two international airports, so pick and choose one or two areas so you won't spend your entire honeymoon in a car. If you're staying on the western side of the island, explore the towns of Chania and Rethymno on a day trip from Heraklion. Sail across Mirabello Bay to "the island of tears," Spinalonga, where you can explore the fortress before heading to a beach barbecue on the bay of Kolokytha or set off on a full-day private adventure discovering the myths, legends and historic sites like the Cave of Zeus and 2,400-year-old Platanus Tree in the village of Krasi.

Places to Stay: Tucked in a secluded cove in Agios Nikolaos, Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas features rooms with private pools perched over the sea and over-the-top waterfront villas with private heated saltwater pools sprawling across the terrace. In Elounda, Phāea Blue sits on its own beach and feels more like a private estate than a hotel, with farm-to-table culinary moments, romantic seaside meals and plush bungalows with private pools suspended over the Aegean.

Sicily, Italy

If White Lotus inspired a steamy Sicily honeymoon, we completely understand why. The largest island in the Mediterranean really does have it all, from some of Italy's best food (there are upwards of 80 Michelin-starred restaurants) to spectacular wine from Mount Etna, luxurious hotels and tons of history—not to mention gorgeous beach clubs in resort towns like Taormina. For the ultimate romantic getaway, tack on a few extra days to cruise the coast or around the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, where crystal-clear coves await.

Things to Do: Taste the top arancini (stuffed rice balls) on a walking food tour in Palermo; tour Mount Etna and sip wine on the volcano's slopes; or explore Ortigia's sea caves on a mini cruise from the historic city of Syracuse.

Places to Stay: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel was the backdrop for season 2 of White Lotus, but the former 14th-century convent perched on a rocky promontory over the Ionian Sea offers much more than the fictional hotel in the series—expect a clifftop infinity pool and plush private pool suites overlooking the sea.

St. Lucia

May is one of the best times for a St. Lucia honeymoon since it's the lower rainy season—but don't let that scare you away. Most days are cloud-free and you'll have the island practically to yourself (plus, it's out of hurricane season). One of the top jazz festivals in the Caribbean, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, also falls in May, so music lovers can catch a mix of local and international acts, as well as beach and boat parties around the island.

Things to Do: Speed through a tropical forest on an ATV tour; explore the rainforest three ways on a ziplining, hiking and aerial tram tour; or set off on a private beach horseback ride soaking up views of scenic Anse La Voute beach along the way.

Places to Stay: Bora Bora has its overwater bungalows, but St. Lucia has its iconic three-walled, open-air rooms framing the impressive Pitons—the most famous (and luxurious) being 600-acre beachfront Jade Mountain Resort. The island is also home to fantastic all-inclusive resorts like Windjammer Landing in Labrelotte Bay, which features six pools and seven restaurants.

Charleston, South Carolina

One of the most romantic US honeymoon spots, Charleston is like walking through a living museum with its historic landmarks, antebellum buildings and charming cobbled streets. Stroll around and you'll come across the country's oldest public gardens and streets that haven't changed since colonial days. The dining scene is also one of the top in the US, offering a mix of haute cuisine, fresh seafood and Southern specialties. From beachside bars to rooftop low-country seafood restaurants, there's no shortage of romantic spots to dine in one of the best honeymoon locations in May.

Things to Do: Book one of Bulldog Tours' food walking tours, discovering the city's 300-plus years of cultural and culinary traditions; join Coastal Expeditions on a kayak safari on Shem Creek, where you may spot dolphins along the way; or tour downtown on the back of a historic horse carriage soaking up the main parks, mansions and churches as your trot through town.

Places to Stay: Smack-dab in the center of historic downtown, European-inspired Hotel Bennett places you right on King Street and has one of the best rooftop bars to catch the sunset. Also downtown, historic The Restoration sports a private rooftop pool and rooms like the multi-level Rowhouse Residence with rocking chairs on the private balcony and a veranda overlooking the courtyard.

Hawaii

Summer season (May to October) is considered the best time to visit Hawaii's six major islands, from honeymoon favorite Maui, ringed with 33 miles of beaches, to the wild landscapes of Kauai, nicknamed "The Garden Island" since it's home to craggy cliffs and tropical rainforests best explored by hiking or zip-lining. There's a reason a Hawaii Honeymoon sets the standard when it comes to dreamy romantic getaways—couples are pampered to the nines here and resorts know how to roll out the red carpet for honeymooners.

Things to Do: Take the grand tour of Oahu checking off 16 must-see sights including coffee farms and snorkel spots; soar over the "Golden Isle" of Kauai on an open-door helicopter tour; or take part in Hawaiian tradition during a luau with hula and fire dancing.

Places to Stay: On Maui, Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel sprawls across 40 tropical acres with new, ocean-facing rooms and suites. Plus the grand, three-bedroom hillside Ho'olei Villas feel like a retreat within the resort. Open-air beachfront Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a honeymooner haven thanks to amenities like an adults-only infinity pool and private, torch-lit dinners overlooking the water.

Mauritius

Off the coast of Madagascar, the Indian Ocean island destination of Mauritius is one of Africa's more off-the-beaten-path beach locales. A Mauritius honeymoon is all about barefoot luxury, and many resorts offer affordable honeymoon packages. If you do want to go all out and splurge on an over-the-top stay, you'll find some of the top names in the hotel world, from One&Only to Oberoi, where everything from helicopter transfers to daily activities is part of the program.

Things to Do: Set off on a private tour of Southwest Mauritius's highlights like Seven Colored Earth and the Trou aux Cerfs crater; cruise the coast by catamaran for a day of snorkeling and a barbecue lunch; or swim with turtles in Trou aux Biches beach before embarking on a local food tour of the market in Port Louis.

Places to Stay: Stay on the white-sand beach of natural marine park Turtle Bay at The Oberoi Beach Resort Mauritius, where thatched-roof villas and pavilions open up to lush gardens and ocean views. The One&Only Le Saint Géran sits on the east coast of the island on its own peninsula, offering honeymooners a private escape with haute amenities like overwater restaurants and Mauritius's only Guerlain Spa.

Porto Ercole, Italy

Hotel Il Pellicano put Porto Ercole, one of Tuscany's under-the-radar string of seaside towns, on the map in the 1960s and has long held reign on this Mediterranean stretch of Italy's coastline. One of the best honeymoon locations in May, Porto Ercole offers the perfect balance for a two-part trip starting in Rome, Florence, or one of Tuscany's charming towns like Montepulciano or Pienza. Porto Ercole is as chic as the Amalfi Coast but a lot less crowded, and while you could linger at the beaches here for days, make time to hop over to Giglio Island, one of the area's best-kept secrets.

Things to Do: Bask on a sunbed at Isolotto Beach Club, where you can dine seaside on oysters and crudo like red prawn and avocado salad or set off paddle boarding or kayaking. Day trip to one of the nearby villages in Chianti or go horseback riding or cycling in Maremma Regional Park along the Tyrrhenian coast. Seafood favorite La Sirena is also a must-try for its fresh fish and standout Italian wine list.

Places to Stay: The 55-room LA ROQQA has been completely redesigned by Milanese design house Palomba e Serafini Associati Studio and exudes a retro, dolce vita look inspired by local Tuscan homes (expect a beautiful curation of ceramics, geometric tiled tables and artisan furnishings nodding to contemporary Italian design). Plan to start the evening with aperitivo at the Scirocco Rooftop Bar overlooking the Porto Ercole harbor, sipping art-inspired craft cocktails while admiring unbeatable sunset views.

Croatia

Game of Thrones gave Croatia a major tourism boost, but the coast offers plenty beyond Dubrovnik's stone walls—and it's an affordable honeymoon May destination for a Mediterranean escape. Turn your Croatia honeymoon into a mix of island hopping and road-tripping, setting off to the tiny village of Mali Ston on the Pelješac peninsula, where you can sample oysters right from the source on the water at Bota Šare. Car ferries connect the islands to the coast, but if you're staying somewhere like Hvar, you can skip a car altogether and explore the jetset favorite by bike or boat.

Things to Do: Cruise the coast checking off five islands—plus the famous Blue Cave—or relax in luxury on an intimate yacht sailing to some of the area's most beautiful beaches and islands. Spend the day lingering at beach party hotspot Carpe Diem on Hvar or sample traditional fare on the terrace of Konoba Maestro. For fine dining, Michelin-starred LD Restaurant in Korčula's Old Town is a romantic spot with a terrace stretching along the medieval walls overlooking the water.

Places to Stay: On Hvar, Palace Elisabeth sits right on the harbor, a short stroll from Hvar Town's shops and restaurants. Upgrade to a sea-view room with a balcony—you'll want to soak up those views over the Adriatic, which are also on prime display from the terrace of gourmet restaurant San Marco. Across the island in Stari Grad, Maslina Resort's panoramic view rooms feature sea-facing loggias overlooking the Adriatic and sumptuous soaking tubs, while the pool suites open up to sunbeds and a private heated plunge pool.

Santorini, Greece

A Santorini honeymoon is one of the dreamiest options for couples since the Cycladic island is practically made for romance. But once the weather heats up in summer and cruise season is in full force, Oia's tiny cobbled streets fill up fast. Among the best-kept secrets in terms of spring honeymoon destinations, you'll snag better deals on the island's iconic cave hotels and still be able to take advantage of key attractions like the caldera cliffside walk from Fira to Oia and sailing excursions to secluded coves and undersea hot springs.

Things to Do: Santorini is a culinary capital in its own right that produces some of the most sought-after wine in the Greek islands. Visit Vassaltis Vineyards for a fine-wine tasting learning all about Santorini's star grape, Assyrtiko, or sip wine on the open-air rooftop of MIA'S in the village of Oia, where you'll have sweeping views of the caldera and cave hotels below. The cuisine here melds traditional and modern touches with an emphasis on local ingredients from Santorini, Crete and the Aegean. The grilled octopus with fava mousse is a must-try, and you can't leave without indulging in the baklava crafted from handmade phyllo and housemade Greek coffee pistachio ice cream.

Places to Stay: If you're after the classic Santorini experience during your honeymoon in May, book one of the luxe cave hotels in Oia like Canaves Oia Suites, where plunge pools are draped over the sea and the 10-table Petra restaurant shows off some of the best views of the caldera. In the medieval village of Megalochori, Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort transformed a 400-year-old wine cellar and century-old mansion into 74 suites and villas, all complete with terraces and some sporting jacuzzis or private pools.

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