Best destinations to visit in April
Best destinations to visit in April
Famous spring flower fields and pleasant desert canyon roads in April
April is when spring really takes hold across the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Hemisphere settles further into cooler, quieter months.
Some travellers plan trips around blooming trees and mild, comfortable weather before the summer crowds arrive. Others chase festivals tied to the season, from Easter celebrations across much of the Christian world to water festivals marking the new year in parts of Southeast Asia. Ski season winds down in most places by April, though a handful of high altitude resorts stay open a little longer. Meanwhile, cooler weather in the Southern Hemisphere makes April a good month for travellers who prefer milder days over peak summer heat. Prices in many popular destinations also tend to ease slightly before the busier summer months begin.
The destinations on our list cover that same range, from spring blooms to the last of the season's snow and everything in between.
Lists by region
City in United States
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
Cherry blossoms bloom along the Cherry Esplanade in Brooklyn Botanic Garden each April. Central Park's paths turn green again after winter as trees leaf out. Mild spring weather with highs near 15 degrees Celsius suits long walks across Manhattan. Broadway theatres keep evening shows running throughout the season.
State/Prefecture in United States
Texas
Vast Landscapes and Deep Culture
Bluebonnets carpet fields and highway shoulders across the Texas Hill Country each April. Families often stop along back roads near Fredericksburg for photos among the blue blooms. Mild spring weather across the state suits road trips between small towns. San Antonio's River Walk stays comfortable for evening strolls.
City in United States
Philadelphia
History, art and cheesesteaks collide
Cherry blossoms bloom along Kelly Drive and around the Japanese House at Fairmount Park each April. Mild spring weather with highs near 17 degrees Celsius suits walking the Independence Historic District. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall sit within a short walk of each other. Reading Terminal Market draws crowds for lunch between sights.
Country
Thailand
Land of smiles and contrasts
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated in mid April with citywide water fights. Streets in Chiang Mai and Bangkok fill with water guns and buckets for several days. April is also one of the hottest months of the year across Thailand. Temples hold quieter, more traditional water blessing ceremonies in the morning.
City in France
Paris
The city of love, art and history
Chestnut trees along Paris boulevards begin blooming in April as spring settles in. Mild highs around 16 degrees Celsius suit long walks through the Tuileries Garden. The Eiffel Tower, completed in 1889, draws steady crowds for its lift to the top. Cafés set out pavement tables as the weather warms.
Country
Greece
Ancient history meets island paradise
Easter is Greece's most important holiday, often falling in April with candlelit midnight services. Whitewashed villages on Santorini stay quieter and cooler than in peak summer. Wildflowers cover hillsides across the islands before the dry heat sets in. Roasted lamb is a traditional centrepiece of the Easter Sunday meal.
City in United States
San Diego
California's perfect weather playground
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch bloom with ranunculus in bands of colour each spring. Mild April highs around 21 degrees Celsius suit walks along Balboa Park's gardens. La Jolla Cove stays calm enough for snorkelling with resident sea lions nearby. Grey whales pass the coast on their spring migration north.
City in United States
Washington, D.C.
Capital of History and Culture
The National Cherry Blossom Festival usually reaches peak bloom near the Tidal Basin in early April. Around 3,700 cherry trees ring the water with pink and white blossoms. Mild spring weather suits walking among the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. The Jefferson Memorial sits directly across the water from the main blossom paths.
Country
Netherlands
Land of canals and culture
King's Day on 27 April fills Amsterdam's streets and canals with orange clad crowds. Keukenhof garden's tulip fields are usually near their peak bloom in April. Canal boats carry revellers past bridges strung with flags and music. Flower markets across the country sell fresh tulips by the bunch.
Country
Vietnam
Ancient charm meets natural wonder
Reunification Day on 30 April marks the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Warm dry weather continues across central and southern Vietnam through April. Hoi An's lantern lit Old Town stays comfortable for evening walks. Ha Long Bay's limestone islands are often calmer before the peak summer season.
City in Turkey
Istanbul
Where East meets West in stunning contrast
Millions of tulips bloom across Istanbul's parks during the Istanbul Tulip Festival each April. Emirgan Park fills with beds of red, yellow and purple blooms. Mild spring weather suits long walks through the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque area. Ferries cross the Bosphorus between the European and Asian sides of the city.
City in Italy
Florence
The cradle of the Renaissance
Wisteria drapes over garden walls across Florence as spring warms the city in April. Mild highs around 20 degrees Celsius suit long days spent walking between museums. The Uffizi Gallery holds work by Botticelli, Michelangelo and other Renaissance masters. Crossing the Ponte Vecchio leads to the Boboli Gardens on the far bank.
Country
Morocco
Where desert meets Mediterranean magic
Mild April weather in Marrakech brings highs around 26 degrees Celsius. Snow still caps some High Atlas peaks visible beyond the city's palm groves. Jardin Majorelle's cobalt blue walls and cactus garden stay busy with visitors. The blue painted lanes of Chefchaouen sit a few hours north in the Rif Mountains.
Country
Egypt
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
Sham el-Nessim, an ancient spring festival, falls the Monday after Coptic Easter each April. Families across Egypt picnic outdoors and eat salted fish on the holiday. April temperatures in Luxor climb towards 30 degrees Celsius. Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan typically run three to four nights.
Country
South Korea
Tradition meets modern innovation
Cherry blossoms usually fade in southern South Korea by early April while still lingering further north. Royal azaleas bloom pink and purple across mountain trails in mid to late April. Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace stays mild and comfortable for spring walks. Bibimbap and other Korean dishes taste especially good after a day of sightseeing.
City in Canada
Ottawa
Canada's green and cultural capital
The Canadian Tulip Festival fills Ottawa's parks with more than a million tulips, building through late April into May. Commissioner's Park along Dow's Lake holds some of the largest displays. The tradition began with a gift of bulbs from the Dutch royal family. Mild spring weather suits walking along the Rideau Canal.
Country
Switzerland
Alpine beauty meets urban charm
Alpine meadows begin greening at lower elevations while high peaks still hold winter snow in April. Zermatt's ski area climbs to 3,883 metres at Klein Matterhorn, still open for spring skiing. Lake Lucerne's shoreline towns stay mild for lakeside walks. Cogwheel trains still climb to alpine viewpoints as the season shifts.
City in Canada
Vancouver
Where mountains, ocean and city life meet
Cherry blossoms bloom across Vancouver's streets and parks through late March into April. Stanley Park's seawall stays a popular route for walking and cycling in mild spring weather. Granville Island Public Market draws crowds for fresh produce and seafood. Mountains across Burrard Inlet still hold snow on their upper slopes.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
Cherry blossoms usually reach full bloom in Kyoto during April's early weeks. The Philosopher's Path follows a canal lined with hundreds of cherry trees. Maruyama Park fills with picnicking crowds beneath a famous weeping cherry tree. The Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji glows above its still reflecting pond.
City in United States
Charleston (South Carolina)
Southern Charm, History and Coastline
Wisteria and azaleas bloom across Charleston's gardens and courtyards each April. Rainbow Row's pastel houses along East Bay Street date mostly from the 1700s. Mild spring highs around 24 degrees Celsius suit horse drawn carriage tours. Magnolia Plantation's gardens, first opened to the public in the 1870s, sit a short drive from downtown.
Region in Indonesia
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
Rice terraces near Ubud turn a vivid green as the wet season eases into April. Tegallalang's stepped paddies are a popular short stop outside town. Warm dry weather from April onward suits beach days on the Bukit Peninsula. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary sits a short walk from central Ubud.
Country
Peru
Ancient wonders meet diverse landscapes
Dry season begins in the Andes around April, clearing trails after the wet summer months. Machu Picchu's hillsides turn a fresh green after the rains ease. The classic Inca Trail reopens each year at the start of April following its February closure. Misty mornings still linger over the ruins before the driest months arrive.
City in Portugal
Lisbon
Sun-soaked streets and rich history
Freedom Day on 25 April marks the 1974 revolution that ended decades of dictatorship. Mild spring weather with highs near 20 degrees Celsius suits riding Tram 28 through Alfama. Jacaranda trees begin to bloom with purple flowers along some of the city's avenues. The Belém Tower stands a short ride from the historic centre.
Country
Jordan
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
Mild April weather with highs near 24 degrees Celsius suits the walk into Petra through the narrow Siq. Wildflowers bloom briefly across Wadi Rum's red desert after winter rains. The Treasury facade was carved into rose coloured sandstone by the Nabataeans. Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum offer overnight stays under a wide desert sky.
City in Canada
Victoria
Garden city by the Pacific
Butchart Gardens fills with spring blooms through April in its converted limestone quarry. Mild coastal weather with highs around 14 degrees Celsius suits walking the Inner Harbour. Whale watching boats begin spotting orcas returning to nearby waters each spring. Craigdarroch Castle, built in the 1890s, sits a short drive from downtown.
Country
New Zealand
Land of the long cloud
Autumn colours turn beech forests gold around Lake Wanaka and Queenstown in April. Mild days and thinning summer crowds suit hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Wineries in Central Otago host harvest events as the season winds down. Milford Sound often looks especially dramatic under autumn light.
City in Spain
Seville
Andalusia's Heartbeat of History
Feria de Abril fills a fairground with flamenco dresses, tents and horse drawn carriages each April. The week long fair follows Semana Santa, Seville's elaborate Holy Week processions. Orange trees still hold fruit along the streets in early April. Mild spring weather suits long walks through the Real Alcázar gardens.
City in United States
Sedona
Red Rocks, Vortexes and Starry Skies
Wildflowers bloom briefly across Sedona's red rock trails after a wet winter. Mild April highs around 24 degrees Celsius suit hikes to Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. Oak Creek Canyon stays green along its shaded stream banks. Airport Mesa remains a popular spot for sunrise and sunset views.
Island
Borneo
Wild rainforests meet unique wildlife
Orangutans at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah come to a feeding platform most mornings. Danum Valley's rainforest canopy walkway hangs high above the forest floor. April sits before the wetter middle of the year in much of Borneo. River cruises on the Kinabatangan spot proboscis monkeys along the banks.
City in Japan
Kanazawa
Samurai streets, gold leaf and Kenrokuen garden
Cherry blossoms typically bloom around Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden in early April. Kenrokuen, laid out by the Maeda clan starting in the 1600s, ranks among Japan's most celebrated gardens. Paths wind past ponds, stone lanterns and old tea houses. The Higashi Chaya geisha district preserves wooden teahouses from the Edo period.
City in Australia
Perth
Sun, surf and city style collide
Mild autumn weather settles over Perth in April with highs around 24 degrees Celsius. Kings Park's wildflower displays continue into early autumn most years. Rottnest Island's beaches stay warm enough for swimming well into the month. Cottesloe Beach stays a popular spot for sunset walks along the coast.
City in Japan
Sendai
Tohoku's biggest city with samurai roots
Cherry blossoms typically bloom in Sendai in mid April, later than cities further south. Aoba Castle ruins overlook the city from a hillside once held by the Date clan. Mild spring weather suits walking through Nishi Park's long avenue of cherry trees. Matsushima Bay, dotted with pine covered islands, lies a short train ride away.
City in China
Guilin
Karst Mountains and Serene Rivers
Limestone karst peaks rise beside the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo. April brings mild temperatures before the humid heat of summer arrives. Bamboo rafts and river cruises drift slowly past the dramatic rock formations. Reed Flute Cave nearby holds colourfully lit stalactites and stalagmites.
Lake in Japan
Lake Kawaguchi
Mirror-like lake with the best Fuji views
Cherry blossoms usually bloom around Lake Kawaguchi in mid April, later than in central Tokyo. Mount Fuji, 3,776 metres tall, reflects in the still lake water on clear mornings. A pink corridor called the Fuji Kawaguchiko Sakura Festival lines part of the shore. Ropeway cars climb to a nearby viewpoint over the lake and mountain.
Country
Namibia
Desert wilderness meets wildlife wonders
Dunes at Sossusvlei tower more than 300 metres above the desert floor. April marks the start of the dry season with cooler mornings and clear skies. Etosha National Park's waterholes draw gathering wildlife as the bush dries out. Coastal Swakopmund stays mild thanks to the cold Benguela current offshore.
City in Argentina
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
Grape harvest season winds down in Mendoza by early April at the foot of the Andes. Autumn colours turn the vineyard leaves gold and red against the mountains. Malbec tastings continue at wineries across the valley through the month. Bike tours link small bodegas along quiet country roads.
Country
Belize
Tropical paradise with diverse ecosystems
Dry season weather continues into April with clear skies over the Belize Barrier Reef. Warm water and calm seas suit snorkelling around the Great Blue Hole. Caye Caulker's sandy lanes have no cars, only bicycles and golf carts. Howler monkeys call from the treetops at the Community Baboon Sanctuary.
Region in United States
Antelope Valley
Desert poppies and high skies
California poppies carpet the hillsides of Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve most years in April. The state flower turns entire slopes bright orange after a wet winter. A network of easy walking trails loops through the reserve's fields. Bloom timing shifts each year with rainfall, so travellers should check ahead.
Country
Seychelles
Tropical paradise with pristine beaches
Sea temperatures stay around 28 degrees Celsius through April, suiting swimming and snorkelling. The Vallée de Mai on Praslin holds coco de mai palms that can weigh 25 kilograms. Giant tortoises wander freely across Curieuse Island's trails. April sits between the two trade wind seasons, often calmer for sailing between islands.
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