May half term holidays

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May half term holidays

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 2026, the spring bank holiday is 25 May, 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.

Location	Break up	Return
England	22 May	1 June
Wales	22 May	1 June
Scotland - Edinburgh	Off on May 6 and 18
Scotland - Glasgow	Off on May 22 and 25
Northern Ireland	No May half term 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 are 4 and 25 May – both of which are Mondays.

Where to go during May half-term?

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.