May Holidays 2027: 10 cheap destinations from the Netherlands

When are Dutch May holidays 2027?

The Dutch May school holiday (meivakantie) 2027 runs from Saturday 24 April to Sunday 2 May 2027. All three Dutch school regions (North, Middle and South) have their holiday in the same week simultaneously. This is distinctive: unlike the autumn and spring half-terms, which are staggered between regions, the May holiday always falls in a single shared week.

King's Day (Koningsdag) falls on Tuesday 27 April, right in the middle of the holiday. This makes the week attractive for city breaks within the Netherlands too, though many Dutch families use it to fly south and enjoy the spring sun.

Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag, 5 May) falls the week after the official holiday, creating a natural long-weekend opportunity for those who fly back later.

10 cheap destinations for May holidays 2027

Late April is spring across the Mediterranean: 20 to 26 degrees, little rain, and the first seasonal flights to islands already running. Below are the 10 best options for affordable May holidays 2027 from the Netherlands.

Estimated prices per person for 7 nights including return flight and budget hotel/apartment with early booking (approx. 6 months in advance). Holiday week prices are typically 30 to 60 percent higher with late booking. Always check current fares for your dates.

Morocco: cheap, warm and a short flight

Morocco is one of the most attractive options in April. Marrakech reaches an average of 24 to 28 degrees in late April, and Agadir on the Atlantic coast offers 22 to 24 degrees with a warmer sea than the Mediterranean at that time of year. Ryanair flies direct from Eindhoven to Marrakech in around 3 hours 40 minutes, with return prices regularly under 100 euros with early booking.

Agadir is the relaxed choice for sun and beach; Marrakech suits those who also want the medina, the souks and a day trip to the Atlas foothills. In April the temperature is pleasant for walking the old city, Ramadan is typically over, and the summer crowds have not yet arrived.

Spain: Alicante and Malaga for sun and certainty

Southern Spain already has a holiday feel in April: 20 to 25 degrees, plenty of sunshine for terrace sitting, and a sea that's just about swimmable from late May. Alicante is one of the closest sunny destinations: Ryanair flies there from Eindhoven in around 2 hours 30 minutes, with returns from around 60 to 100 euros with early booking.

Malaga combines beach, city (the Picasso route) and day trips to Antequera and Ronda. The flight from Eindhoven takes around 3 hours. Note: the May holiday is the busiest non-summer travel week for Dutch travellers, and Malaga and Alicante are popular choices. Book at least 5 to 6 months in advance for a competitive fare.

Mallorca is another strong option: direct flights from Eindhoven and Amsterdam in around 2 hours 15 minutes. Late April is the island at its best, just before the high season, with 18 to 23 degrees and affordable apartments available.

Greece and Turkey: early season, big reward

Greek islands and Turkey open their flight season right around the Dutch May holiday. Athens is available year-round from Amsterdam in around 3 hours 30 minutes, with temperatures of 20 to 26 degrees in April. The Acropolis, the National Archaeological Museum and the Monastiraki neighbourhood are far more enjoyable in April than in midsummer heat.

For a beach holiday, Rhodes and Kos are the most popular islands for this period. The first seasonal flights depart from late April, though availability is limited: book early if you have a specific island in mind. Sea temperatures are around 18 to 20 degrees in April, fine for those who don't mind cooler water.

Antalya in Turkey combines early spring warmth (22 to 27 degrees in April-May), ancient ruins (Aspendos, Perge, the old quarter Kaleici) and excellent value. Corendon, TUI and Transavia fly direct from the Netherlands in around 3 hours 50 minutes. The Turkish lira rate makes accommodation, food and day trips very affordable.

When to book, and how

The May holiday 2027 is the same week for all Dutch school regions, meaning more Dutch travellers are in the air simultaneously than at any other holiday. The demand spike on flights and hotels is correspondingly high.

Practical rules:

• Book now (October-November 2026) for the best price. Flights for the May holiday are on average 30 to 60 percent cheaper booked 6 to 9 months out than 4 weeks before departure.
• Compare multiple airports. Eindhoven is often the cheapest for southern Spain (Ryanair). Amsterdam offers more destinations. Also check Brussels Zaventem for routes without a direct flight from the Netherlands.
• Depart on a weekday. Tuesday or Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper than Saturday 24 April (the first unofficial holiday day), when all Dutch travellers take off at once.
• King's Day (27 April) is a peak day. Flights departing on 26 or 27 April are more expensive. Departing a day earlier or later typically saves 20 to 40 euros per person.
• Consider Liberation Day. Flying back on 6 or 7 May instead of 2 May gives you extra days and avoids the busiest return day. Check whether school really does start on Monday 3 May.

Want to see current flight and hotel prices for May holidays 2027 side by side? CheapTrips combines flight and hotel into a single price per person.

Tips for budget travellers during May holidays

For genuinely cheap May holiday travel, there are two strategies: book early or choose alternative destinations the crowds haven't discovered yet.

Albania (Tirana, Saranda on the southern coast) is one such emerging destination. Tirana is around 22 degrees in April, has a vibrant arts scene and costs a fraction of Western Europe on the ground. Direct flights are available via Amsterdam with several European carriers.

Bulgaria is similarly affordable. Sofia is an established city break with impressive orthodox churches, good restaurants and flights via Wizz Air and Bulgaria Air from Amsterdam. The Black Sea coast (Sunny Beach, Varna) sees seasonal flights from late April, but book early for the lowest prices.

The Algarve in Portugal is popular but honestly priced: late April brings 20 to 24 degrees with an average of 8 hours of sunshine and little rain. The famous rock formations near Lagos and Sagres, the surf spots near Sagres and a day trip to historic Silves are all doable in April without summer crowds. Flights from Amsterdam or Eindhoven take around 2 hours 45 minutes.