May is a comfortable month for travel with mild temperatures and green countryside-ideal for outdoor sightseeing and festivals. Tourist numbers climb toward summer but are still moderate. Coastal areas and lakes become more appealing for visitors.
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall, from each country's largest city. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Average temperature across Eastern Europe in May.
Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
Long daylight arrives in early summer and temperatures often sit between 17-22°C; June is festival season with Midsummer (Jāņi/Joninės) celebrations that spill into rural meadows across Latvia and Lithuania. Coastal waters are still cool; swimming is possible for hardy visitors but sightseeing and cycling are especially comfortable. Reserve accommodation early for midsummer weekends and pack a light windproof for coastal evenings.
Poland & Belarus
Early summer brings warm weather and clear days ideal for outdoor cafés, city terraces and cycling; June averages often sit around 20-25°C and festivals pick up in Warsaw and Kraków. Heat waves are rare but possible toward the end of the month; inland lakes become popular. Lightweight clothing with a warm layer for evenings and comfortable walking shoes will cover most needs.
southern Poland, Slovakia, western Ukraine & Romania
Early summer offers cool relief from plains heat: high pastures and ridge hikes around the Tatra and Făgăraș can be comfortable at 10-20°C, though sudden storms are common in the afternoons. Mountain refuges see increased use and small villages host folk festivals in June. Carry a waterproof shell, warm midlayer for evenings, and plan hikes to avoid afternoon thunder.
central & eastern Ukraine, Moldova
Early summer brings warm to hot conditions across the plains; June commonly produces 20-28°C with increasing humidity and the first energetic thunderstorms. Odesa and the southern steppe feel distinctly milder, with coastal breezes moderating peak heat on the Black Sea. If visiting beaches or open-air sites, pack sun protection, light clothing and a rain jacket for sudden storms.
Romania, Bulgaria & southern Ukraine
Early summer is warm and sunny with highs often in the low to mid twenties; the sea is pleasant for swimmers by June and resorts fill with families and day-trippers. Danube cruises and delta tours are popular and are best booked in advance. A sunhat, reef shoes for rocky beaches and a lightweight rain layer for occasional storms will cover most beach and boat activities.
St. Petersburg, Moscow & surrounding regions
Early summer brings long daylight hours and often pleasant warmth: June can be balmy in Moscow at 20-25°C, while St. Petersburg experiences white nights in late May-July, with festivals and later opening hours. Tourist numbers climb and booking ahead for popular attractions is wise. Pack layers for cool nights and sunscreen for unexpectedly bright, uninterrupted days.
Public holidays and local events in many countries around May 1.
See how May compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.