Dagestan in May 2026 – is it worth going on vacation? Weather and reviews, air and water temperature, how to dress, is it possible to swim in the Caspian Sea? Prices for air tickets, hotels and excursions, what to see in Dagestan at the beginning and end of May, how safe the trip is – says Eurotraveler.
Life is a complicated thing! And in the last few years, it has only become even more difficult – for Russians, for sure.
It is quite natural that every sane person would like to receive compensation for this. Money by itself today can hardly be considered a sufficient reward. But those bought with them tripsespecially in such an optimistic period in every sense as the May holidays and the month of May in general – quite!
That is why we recommend that you abandon all worries for a while. And get out somewhere for a few days for experiences that can restore or strengthen your mental immunity.
For example, you can relax in Dagestan in May. In 2026, an already well-known and even advertised Russian region.
But it is still very popular – juicy reviews from those who have recently visited there (even single girls) literally provoke others to follow their example.
Will it already be warm in May in Makhachkala and Derbent, the mountainous regions of Dagestan? Will the water in the Caspian Sea warm up? What do you need to know about the traditions of the region?
How much do “weekend” tours in Dagestan cost on the May holidays and later? What to see and what in general you can do in good and bad weather?
We tried to find out all the details. And let’s start the story, naturally, with the main thing!
Weather in Dagestan in May
It is, in a sense, exemplary from the point of view of a tourist who is keen on an active pastime. It’s warm enough, the humidity doesn’t bother you, there are plenty of clear days. In a word – go for a walk – I don’t want to!
The beginning of May in Dagestan is often not very warm, even a little cool. And during the first ten days of the month, the air temperature even in Derbent during the day does not want to rise higher +18-20 °C. At night, street thermometers show from +8 to +13 °C.
The weather in Makhachkala and Kaspiysk is not much different. Moreover, on some days – don’t be too surprised – even there the air warms up to a maximum of +13-15 °C by noon.
By mid-May, coastal Dagestan sees more heat. The column of street thermometers begins to regularly look into the territory above +20 degrees Celsius; on the beaches you can already listen not only to the splashing of the waves, but also to sunbathe.
At the same time, travelers should not count on stability: practically summer days in Dagestan on the 15th of May regularly alternate with spring days in the full sense of the word. So cool at times (no higher than +13-15 °C) that you have the right to complain – they say – even in Moscow it is warmer in May!
However, who is going for what – watching eagles soar over the Sulak Canyon or climbing the ridge of the Sarykum Dune in such weather is even more convenient. The impressions will be exactly the same, but you won’t be overtired!
But at the end of May it comes to Dagestan heat for +28-30 °C. Making lovers of seaside holidays look hopefully towards the Caspian Sea.
And those who prefer excursions to remarkable places, on the contrary, will be puzzled by choosing the right equipment. After all, for example, climbing to the same village of Gamsutl, which has become almost the calling card of the region, under the scorching sun is still a pleasure.
- Is it worth going to Dagestan by car?
Daylight and precipitation
On May 1, the sun rises over Makhachkala 15 minutes before 5 am. And at the end of the month he does it another half hour earlier – at 4.14. The star sets below the horizon around 19:00.
The duration of daylight hours, therefore, in the capital of Dagestan in May reaches 15 hours. If you use this time profitably, you will have time even in 3-4 days look much!
Again, precipitation at the end of spring in Dagestan is not too heavy. If we talk about the coastal strip, then about 3-4 days in May are stormy. Moreover, the standard precipitation does not exceed 40 mm.
In mountainous areas the number of rainy and cloudy days is slightly higher. Therefore, you should listen to the advice of guidebooks and, in this case, put at least a raincoat or waterproof jacket.
Water temperature
In theory, you can try swimming in Dagestan at the end of May. But only “walruses” will be able to do this at the beginning of the month without damage to health.
Well, or hardened Siberians – the Caspian Sea and at the end of spring it warms up to a maximum of +17-18 °C. In the best years – up to +19 degrees Celsius.
You should also not count on the fact that you will be able to take a dip somewhere in shallow water on the beaches near Derbent in May. Because even on a fairly hot day, this activity can overshadow strong wind.
What to take with you
A little light definitely wouldn’t hurt, but insulated clothingwhich you can wear under a windbreaker and jacket during country trips. We also recommend putting caps with long visors or hats in your suitcase – the southern sun can burn your skin even at +20 degrees Celsius.
Don’t overload your luggage with summer items. And, in particular, get carried away with short skirts and shorts, sleeveless blouses and tops.
Because although the Ramadan fast ends in May, clothing that reveals too much of the body is not welcome in Dagestan. And for both women and men!
But comfortable and not quite summer shoes (for example, mountain boots) will almost certainly come in handy. After all, a trip to Dagestan involves a very long walking tours. In most cases – over rough or highly elevated terrain.
Is it worth taking a compass and some other necessary things with you on a hike? This doesn’t make much sense – despite the fairly safe environment, walking in areas of Dagestan remote from cities is an overly frivolous activity.
Prices 2026
Direct flights from Moscow to Makhachkala and back during the May holidays will cost 12-16 thousand rubles per person and his luggage weighing up to 23 kg. Not that expensive, considering the general situation and popular travel time, don’t you think?
After all, to fly to Adler and return to Moscow in May, you will need at least 30-35 thousand rubles per passenger!
The cost of renting an apartment from private individuals, but through various aggregators, in the same Makhachkala it starts from 4-5 thousand rubles per day.
On the lower level, you can rent a 1-room apartment, and this is an ideal option for a couple of travelers or a family with one child. At the top you can try to find 2-3 room apartments that can comfortably accommodate up to 4-5 travelers.
In Derbent you can rent a hotel room or a separate apartment for a little less money. If you book in February-March, then it will cost about 3-3.5 thousand for two travelers.
Popular excursion routes such as a trip to the Sulak Canyon and a visit to the Sarykum Dune, as well as a number of nearby places, will cost 3-4 thousand rubles per person. Or 7-14 thousand – for everyone!
Things to do
List of must-sees attractions Dagestan is relatively modest. For now… but it will gradually expand to include new villages and natural sites that are considered inaccessible today.
One way or another, in Dagestan you need to personally see the grandiose Sarykum Dune, a huge sand mountain, which at one time impressed the creators of the cult Soviet film “White Sun of the Desert.” View the turquoise Sulak Canyon from different observation points and take a selfie against its background.
All tourists, without exception, are left under a (positive) impression after a boat ride through this natural wonder. Of course, there are not many places on Earth equal to it in beauty and scale!
Equally, no one will avoid a trip to ancient Derbent. And a visit to his Naryn-Kala fortress, a fortification designed at the request of local rulers to close the so-called Caspian Gate. By the way, they are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The climb to the “Dagestan Machu Picchu”, which (for advertising purposes, of course) is today called the abandoned mountain village of Gamsutl, does not attract everyone. For in the physical sense this is not an easy matter.
But as a reward you will get the opportunity to look at the surroundings from above. And the aura of this ancient village literally penetrates the soul.
Definitely worth the beauty trips around the village of Khunzakh: there are the Tzolotl Canyon and the Tobot Waterfall. The green Chokhsky terraces are extremely photogenic and the Saltinsky waterfall is downright unique.
At the end of spring, it’s probably worth visiting the relict Samur Forest. Another natural attraction of Dagestan, located southeast of Derbent, on the very border with Azerbaijan.
And you can easily go to a neighboring country if you have a car.
Why not – you can already swim near Baku in May! And in the capital of Azerbaijan itself there is something to do!
© Eurotraveler
