Where is hotter in May Turkey or Spain?

The hottest city in Europe in May is Seville (27°C) in southern Spain, followed by Antalya (26°C) in southern Turkey.



In May 2026, Southern Turkey is generally slightly hotter than mainland Spain, particularly toward the end of the month. In destinations like Antalya, Alanya, or Belek, average daytime temperatures in May range from 24°C to 28°C (75°F to 83°F), with coastal water temperatures becoming pleasant for swimming. In contrast, while southern Spanish cities like Seville or Malaga can see similar highs (24°C–26°C), the coastal areas and the Balearic Islands (like Ibiza and Mallorca) tend to be slightly fresher, averaging around 21°C to 24°C. However, if you include the Canary Islands (which are part of Spain but located off the coast of Africa), Lanzarote and Tenerife offer a very consistent 23°C to 25°C throughout May. Turkey’s "hottest" advantage comes from its more "continental" influence and longer sunshine hours (up to 12 hours a day) in the eastern Mediterranean. For travelers seeking a "beach-ready" holiday in May, Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is often the safer bet for guaranteed heat, whereas Spain offers a more mild, "spring-like" warmth that is ideal for city sightseeing and hiking without the intense summer humidity.

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If you're set on finding the warmest area in the Mediterranean, head to Crete, which is the hottest destination in the Mediterranean in May. Similarly to Corfu, Crete has plenty to offer, from its beaches to tavernas, making it perfect for a spring holiday.

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Average Temperatures in May in Mallorca The hottest ever recorded temperature in Mallorca in May was 34°C, but you're unlikely to experience such extremes. The average is 17°C, with the mercury hitting the mid 20s most days.

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In the north of the country, Porto is seeing highs of 54°F (68°C), though some showers are still to be expected, so go prepared. It's balmier and drier still as you move further south to Lisbon, where highs are notching 72°F (22°C) and there are just five days of rain to contend with.

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In May, much of Europe starts to warm up. You'll find temperatures happily above 20? in Greece, Spain, Italy and the South of France. Go further south, and you'll be treated to even hotter days – on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, the average May temperature is 27?.

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May offers some of the best weather of the year, and will have warmed sufficiently by the end of the month that it now feels like summer—with an average high of about 75°F (24°C), it's the perfect time for a beach vacation. There's little chance of rain, with plenty of sunshine and clear blue skies.

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Though daily average temperatures are in the low to mid-60s°F (16°C-18°C) across the country, nightly temperatures drop 10 degrees, so be sure to pack accordingly, warm clothes for the evening and plenty of sunscreen.

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After the city of Córdoba (also in Andalusia), Seville has the hottest summer in continental Europe among all cities with a population over 100,000 people, with average daily highs of 36.0 °C (97 °F) in July. Temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F) are not uncommon in summer.

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