Six Smart Ways To Escape The Ordinary This May
There’s something amazing about travelling in May. Summer is just around the corner, the crowds haven’t gathered yet and the weather is starting to warm up in all the right places. It’s the perfect moment to shake off your routine and rediscover the joy of exploring somewhere new — somewhere that looks, sounds and feels a little different.
Whether you’re craving coastal calm, cultural inspiration, or cool city energy, Aer Lingus has great-value flights to destinations that promise a total change of scene. From the sun-soaked shores of Dalaman on the Turkish Riviera to the spice-scented souks of Marrakech, here are six unforgettable escapes — each one just a few hours from Ireland and guaranteed to offer something spectacular this May.
Marrakech: a world of colour and chaos
Flight time from Dublin: approx. 3 hrs 50 mins
Marrakech doesn’t ease you in — it sweeps you up and carries you off. The city’s medina is a tangle of laneways and the pace is fast: mopeds whizz past market stalls, mint tea is poured into tiny glasses, and calls to prayer drift over the rooftops. If your idea of escape involves sensory stimulation, this is the place.
Forget your GPS; instead, follow your curiosity through the souks. Haggle for ceramics, spices and leather slippers, then take a break in the secret courtyards of Le Jardin Secret or the photogenic interiors of the Dar El Bacha Museum. For dinner, try rooftop dining at Nomad for modern Moroccan dishes with a lovely view, or head to La Famille for fresh, garden-inspired fare near the medina. Marrakech isn’t just a city — it’s an experience.
Book your direct flight from Dublin to Marrakech.
The Medina in Marrakech
Zurich: escape the city, in the city
Flight time from Dublin: approx. 2 hrs 20 mins
Zurich: where one charming city meets the great outdoors. Set on a beautiful lake, fringed by forested hills, and with the Alps shimmering in the distance, Switzerland’s largest city offers a refreshing escape with some serious style.
Try your hand at paddleboarding on Lake Zurich, grab a cable car to Felsenegg for panoramic views, or just relax with a cocktail at Frau Gerolds Garten (a cool open air bar made of shipping containers). Explore Zürich-West for galleries, pop-ups and street food, or try a cheese and wine pairing at the historic Chäsalp restaurant. Zurich may be polished, but it’s definitely not predictable.
Book your direct flight from Dublin to Zurich.
A view of Zurich’s beautiful clock tower
Brindisi: the easy rhythm of southern Italy
Flight time from Dublin: approx. 3 hrs 15 mins
Tucked into the heel of Italy’s boot, Brindisi is your gateway to the slow pleasures of Puglia. Whitewashed towns, ancient olive groves, and Adriatic beaches are all within easy reach — and in May, they’re blissfully calm and uncrowded.
Stroll Brindisi’s palm-lined waterfront promenade before hopping on a train to Lecce; known as the “Florence of the South”, this city is awash with baroque architecture and café culture. For a decadent lunch, try orecchiette con cime di rapa or fresh seafood by the coast at Trattoria Pantagruele.
Book your direct flight from Dublin to Brindisi.
The 11th century Brindisi Cathedral
Berlin: freedom in the unexpected
Flight time from Dublin: approx. 2 hrs 20 mins
If you’re on a quest for something unique, Berlin won’t disappoint — it thrives on reinvention, creativity, and the art of doing things differently. From sprawling parks to trendy galleries and riverside bars, this is a city that captures the imagination.
Cycle through Tiergarten Park, pack a picnic for the Landwehr Canal, or delve into the secrets of the Cold War at Teufelsberg, an abandoned spy station turned graffiti-covered viewpoint. Sit back at one of the city’s many indie cinemas, browse to your heart’s content in a rooftop flea market, then refuel at a late-night currywurst joint. For a sensory treat, head to Nobelhart & Schmutzig, where every ingredient is hyper-local and seasonal.
Book your direct flight from Dublin to Berlin.
Berlin, Germany
Nice: glamour with a Riviera twist
Flight time from Dublin: approx. 2 hrs 30 mins
Nice sparkles in May. The Riviera sun is warm but not punishing, the promenade is buzzing, and the Mediterranean looks almost fake, it’s so beautiful. But there’s more to Nice than picturesque charm — it’s also brimming with hilltop villages, galleries and glorious food.
Take in some culture at the Matisse Museum or Marc Chagall Museum, then take a short train ride to Èze or Villefranche-sur-Mer for sea views and cobbled streets. Back in town, try a socca (a chickpea pancake) at Chez Pipo, or seafood pasta at Peixes.
Book your direct flight from Dublin to Nice.
Nice, France
Dalaman: step into a turquoise dream
Flight time from Dublin: approx. 4 hrs 30 mins
If you’re looking for peace, beauty, and a complete change of pace, Dalaman on Turkey’s southwest coast delivers. Known for its natural hot springs, secret beaches and traditional villages, it’s the perfect place to recharge before the summer rush begins.
Sail through the turquoise bays on a gulet boat, try a mud bath at Dalyan, or visit the ruined Lycian city of Kaunos. Dalaman’s food scene is fresh and not fussy — think meze spreads, grilled sea bream, and warm flatbreads dipped in olive oil and herbs. May is the perfect time to visit for sunny, relaxed and magical vibes.
Book your direct flight from Dublin to Dalaman.
Sarsala Bay in Dalaman Town of Turkey
Where will you escape to?
Escaping the ordinary isn’t just about geography; it’s about how a place makes you feel. May offers a rare travel sweet spot; these destinations are calling now — not next month, not someday. Book your flight to one of these incredible destinations today and feel the thrill of planning your next adventure!
