Last minute ideas for May bank holiday breaks

Enjoy a city break this May bank holiday

Ancient ruins. Fun museums. New cultures. Why not travel abroad this May bank holiday weekend?

With two bank holidays in May, we all get some extra time to spend as a family. From scoffing pastel del nata in Portugal and sailing the canals of Amsterdam to the fairytale wonder of Bruges, here’s what you could get up to on the May bank holidays this year.

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Things to do this May Bank Holiday

A family holiday to remember

With an early May bank holiday (6th May in 2024) and a late May bank holiday (27th) you have a couple of opportunities to break from the norm and see somewhere new as a family. You’ll get away from your everyday routine and get some quality time together. There’s an unforgettable trip up the Eiffel Tower just a short flight away. The beaches and football of Barcelona and all the delights of Dublin are calling. This is how you should spend your May bank holiday this year.

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10 best May bank holiday breaks

Explore Europe’s best cities this May

Whether you are looking to spend the weekend lazing on a beach or touring an ancient city there are plenty of options a hop, skip and a jump from the UK. Add one of these amazing cities break destinations to your May bucket list in 2024.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canalside fun

Despite what you might think, Amsterdam is a super child-friendly city. Hop on a cruise along its canals to marvel at the beauty of its buildings. Take your older kids to learn about Anne Frank or let the little ones loose in the interactive NEMO Science Museum. And if you fancy a day outside the city take a trip to Amsterdam Bos – a 1000 hectare forest and nature park on the southern fringes of the city – to feed the goats or check out Fun Forest climbing park. De Pijp is the ideal place to stay away from the crowds.

Look out for:

• Nemo Science Museum.
• Anne Frank’s House.
• The goats at Amsterdam Bos.

Dublin, Ireland

Top craic

Just a short hop over the water, Dublin is ideal for a family-friendly bank holiday. Visit the Natural History Museum to catch a glimpse of the leg of a 40,000 year-old woolly mammoth and a giant whale skeleton. Spend the day at Dublin Zoo to see real-life animals. And for a real magical experience for kids over six, head to the Leprechaun Museum to learn about life in mythical Ireland. Older kids may appreciate a culture fix at the National Gallery of Ireland, while everyone will enjoy relaxing in Phoenix Park. Fingers crossed the adults get a Guinness too.

Look out for:

• The mammoth at the Natural History Museum.
• The Leprechaun Museum.
• The freshest Guinness for the parents.

Cultural Fact File

Paris, France

Disney

It doesn’t get any better than a trip to Disneyland Paris. Check out the Sleeping Beauty Castle, meet your favourite characters, see a parade, watch an incredible stage show and brave the Tower of Terror. You’ll need a couple of days to explore the park, but leave some time for Paris too. Everyone loves to climb the Eiffel Tower and you may be able to tempt the older kids to grasp a little culture with a trip into the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. Museums like the Natural History Museum are child-friendly and kids will love exciting parks like Jardin d’Acclimatation.

Look out for:

• The Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
• Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris.
• Jardin d’Acclimatation.

Barcelona, Spain

Beachside fun

Got kids that love football? There’s no better place than the Camp Nou to enjoy a slice of the beautiful game. If Barca are at home, amazing. But even if they’re not, go to the museum to see years of trophy wins with Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola and co. Barcelona also promises a little beach time, the thrill of Las Ramblas, Barcelona Aquarium and the CosmoCaixa Science Museum. The whimsical Park Güell is also a hit with kids – they may even get a love for Gaudi.

Look out for:

• The trophies at the Camp Nou.
• Gaudi at Park Güell.
• The golden sands of Barceloneta Beach.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Intriguing and educational

Spend a perfect bank holiday weekend in May for the whole family with a trip to Edinburgh. Book a Harry Potter themed tour of the city for any budding wizards and witches. Take a family hike up to Arthur’s Seat to enjoy the views and capture the kids’ imaginations at Edinburgh Castle. You’ll find interactive exhibits at the Museum of Edinburgh, while children of all ages are sure to love Camera Obscura and World of Illusions – with 100 illusions it’s heralded as Britain’s most fun day out. Edinburgh Zoo is well worth a visit too.

Look out for:

• The UK’s only giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo.
• The views from Arthur’s Seat.
• Victoria Street, the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.

Reykjavik, Iceland

A true adventure

Take the family on the adventure of a lifetime with a trip to Reykjavik this May. Make your way down to the Old Harbour to set sail on a whale watching tour – book in advance and remember that kids between five and 14 are more prone to seasickness, so be prepared. Visit Wonders of Iceland to climb into an artificial ice cave and enjoy interactive rooms covering volcanoes, earthquakes and glaciers. The Planetarium also recreates the Northern Lights. Pack your swimming gear for a dip in a geo-thermally heated swimming pool complete with water slides.

Look out for:

• The city’s many water parks.
• The ice cave at Wonders of Iceland.
• Whales off the shores of Reykjavik.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Quirky and cool

The Danish capital is top of the agenda for many couples’ breaks, but it’s perfect for family-friendly fun too. Tivoli Gardens is the second oldest theme park in the world and always worth a visit, while Legoland never fails to deliver. The National Aquarium Denmark, Den Blå Planet, is the largest in Northern Europe and home to some incredible exhibits. And if you’re not tired of animals, Copenhagen Zoo showcases more than 4,000 fascinating animals. The kids will love Danish hot dogs too.

Look out for:

• Hammerhead sharks at the aquarium.
• Danish hot dogs.
• The Demon at Tivoli Gardens.

Lisbon, Portugal

Historic and delightful

Jump on the back of a tuk tuk, it’s time to explore Lisbon with the kids. In the centre of the city, you can hop on the historic Tram 28 to see the sights or hike up to the Castelo de Sao Jorge for stunning views across the city – look out for the noisy peacocks in the castle grounds. Take the train to Belem to check out the tower and grab a pastel del Nata from Pastéis de Belém and eat it in the green park across the street. Hop in a taxi to the Oceanarium – one of the best in the world – to see the stunning marine life.

Look out for:

• Classic pastel del nata.
• HIPPOtrip for tours on land and water.
• The world’s largest nature aquarium at the Oceanarium.

Insider tip:

Tram 28 gets super busy. Head to Martim Moniz to try and bag and a seat. Also be prepared to queue as it’s one of the most popular tourist activities in the city.

Bruges, Belgium

Fairytale city

Bruges is the stuff of fairytales with its Gothic architecture and cobbled streets, and there’s loads to keep the kids entertained too. The Bruges Choco-Story Museum is a must for any trip to the city – you’ll see chocolate being made and get to sample some delicious treats. The Historium is packed with interactive exhibits telling the story of the city, while the Frietmuseum is all about another famous Belgian delicacy – fries. Yes, you get to sample them too. Take a boat tour on the city’s canals and finish with an adults-only Belgian beer tasting.

Look out for:

• The Belfry Tower.
• The colourful houses of Bruges Markt.
• Fries and chocolate.

Rome, Italy

Travel back in time

No doubt your kids will have learnt all about Ancient Rome, but there’s no substitute for seeing all that history in person. Take a trip to the time of gladiators and baying crowds at the Colosseum and dive into the past at the Roman Forum. Little ones will love tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain and making a wish. The city’s central park, Villa Borghese, has open air playgrounds and a miniature train ride for tots. The catacombs on Via Appia Antica offer an eery experience for teenagers whilst Time Elevator Rome 5D Cinema is a unique day out for all the family.

Look out for:

• All that pizza!
• A hike up the Spanish steps.
• Classic Italian gelato.

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A hike to the castle in Lisbon. A hot dog in Copenhagen, a pizza in Rome and some chocolate in Bruges. It’s what May bank holiday dreams are made of.

Thinking of travelling for May bank holiday? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.