Cheapest Holiday Destinations in April
Five spring destinations worth comparing, and how to avoid paying Easter prices when you do not need to.
April can be one of the most appealing months for a European holiday from the UK. Longer days, flowering landscapes, comfortable sightseeing weather and the gradual reopening of coastal resorts can make a modest budget go further. But there is one big catch: Easter can change the price of an April trip dramatically. The best-value week is not necessarily the warmest or the first one you see advertised.
Quick answer: the Algarve, Costa del Sol, Mallorca, Malta and Cyprus are five destinations worth comparing for an April holiday. The Algarve offers coastal walks and relaxed towns; the Costa del Sol makes city-and-beach breaks easy; Mallorca is excellent for exploring outside peak summer; Malta rewards sightseeing; and Cyprus can offer warmer spring days. These are value candidates, not a verified ranking of the five cheapest places. Which is actually cheapest depends on your UK airport, dates, holiday duration, hotel and inclusions.
Rather than pretending every April beach resort is summer-ready, this guide explains where each destination works, what can disappoint, how to use the Easter calendar, and which expenses to compare before committing.
The April price trap: Easter is not always in April
The timing of Easter moves from year to year, so an article about cheap April holidays needs to work beyond one season. In 2027, Easter Sunday falls on 28 March, but many schools have holidays extending into early April. For example, Camden Council's 2026/27 calendar lists the Easter holiday from 26 March to 9 April, with term restarting on 12 April. This can make the first part of April 2027 a peak-demand period even though Easter itself is in March.
In other years, Easter falls later and shifts the busy period. Always check your own school or council dates via GOV.UK's school holiday checker. April is not uniformly a shoulder-season bargain. If you can travel outside the Easter break, compare dates immediately after schools return as well as earlier in the month. If you must travel during the break, compare multiple departure airports, trip lengths and destinations instead of assuming moving the flight by one day will always save money.
Useful comparison: price a seven-night break from Saturday to Saturday, then search Friday departures and three-, four-, five- and six-night trips. Work out total cost and cost per usable holiday day. A shorter holiday can cost less overall but more per night once flights and transfers are factored in.
Explore holidays departing on your dates
TripsByDate shows advertised package holidays across its wider inventory. The changing options below are not necessarily Christmas-week departures or packages to these five destinations. Use them as starting points, then compare your own dates and check the final price, availability and festive arrangements with the provider.
LGW • 7 nights
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LGW • 7 nightsB&B · Broadway Travel
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LGW • 7 nightsB&B · Broadway TravelFive potential better-value destinations for April
The temperatures below are historical climate averages or approximate seasonal conditions, not forecasts. The infographic gives broad ranges that may reflect warmer individual days; use official monthly averages to understand what is normal.
1. Algarve, Portugal: for scenic coastlines and active spring breaks
Why consider it: The Algarve is particularly rewarding if you enjoy walking, coastal villages and long lunches rather than needing a week of swimming. Lagos has an attractive old centre and easy access to dramatic rock formations; Tavira is gentler and suits a slower-paced stay; Albufeira offers a wider choice of resort-style accommodation, though some nightlife and seasonal businesses may be quieter than in summer.
Weather reality: Faro's April average daytime high is around 21°C according to climate normals from Portugal's meteorological institute, IPMA. That can be excellent for walking, but Atlantic sea temperatures are much cooler than the sunlit beaches in the graphics suggest. Plan for an occasional shower and cooler evenings. Explore IPMA's official climate information.
Where the value can hide: compare self-catering apartments with hotels that include breakfast, and look at towns with direct bus or train connections if you do not want to hire a car. The cheapest inland apartment is not necessarily best value if you need taxis to reach the coast each day.
Before booking: check whether advertised swimming pools are heated, whether local boat trips operate on your dates and whether the location is convenient without a car. See our Portugal month-by-month guide for the difference between spring and peak summer.
2. Costa del Sol, Spain: the easiest city-and-coast combination
Why consider it: The Costa del Sol works particularly well for travellers who want to do something every day. Málaga offers museums, food markets, the waterfront and city beaches, while Torremolinos and Benalmádena offer familiar coastal holiday options. A coastal stay with easy transport links can reduce the need for organised excursions or a rental car.
Weather reality: Spain's official AEMET records an April average daytime maximum of 21.4°C at Málaga Airport, with an average overnight minimum around 11.1°C. It is a pleasant time for walking and café terraces, not reliable hot-summer beach weather. Check the official AEMET climate table.
Where the value can hide: compare Málaga itself against nearby resort hotels. For a three- or four-night trip, walkable accommodation near a railway station may beat a nominally cheaper hotel that requires transfers. Check whether your room rate includes breakfast and whether you will use resort facilities in cool spring weather.
Before booking: check actual walking distance to transport and attractions, not just the destination name. Read our guide to the best months to visit Spain if you are deciding between a city break and summer beach holiday.
3. Mallorca, Spain: value when you travel for more than the beach
Why consider it: Mallorca is much more than its summer beach resorts. April suits coastal walks, Palma's historic streets, cycling, markets and small-town exploration. Palma is a natural base for city-focused travellers, while Port de Sóller or Alcúdia may appeal if scenery matters more than late-night entertainment.
Weather reality: AEMET's Palma Airport climate normals show an average April daytime high of 19.8°C and an average minimum of 7.4°C. Those averages make a strong case for sightseeing and outdoor activities, but not for promising beach heat or warm seawater. See the Mallorca climate records.
Where the value can hide: seek accommodation in areas that function year-round. A heavily discounted seasonal beach hotel may have limited facilities or nearby restaurants open. For a short trip, proximity to Palma's attractions and airport transport can make a more centrally priced room better value.
Before booking: confirm pool heating, restaurant opening days and whether any planned tours or activities are operating. If you want guaranteed long beach days rather than spring exploring, consider when European beaches are warmest.
4. Malta: make the most of museums, towns and easy day trips
Why consider it: Malta is particularly good for travellers who care more about things to see than a beach resort. Valletta, Mdina, the Three Cities and Gozo offer layers of history, architecture and coastal scenery. A few days can feel substantial because the island has so many different places to explore.
April advantage: milder spring temperatures are often more comfortable for sightseeing than the height of summer. That said, wind and occasional rain remain possible, and the sea may feel cold for swimming. The island is not a guaranteed hot-weather choice simply because it is in the Mediterranean.
Where the value can hide: compare well-located city accommodation against coastal resort hotels. The right location can reduce taxi spending and lost travel time. Check ferry schedules and admission charges before designing an itinerary. Visit Malta is a useful official starting point for attractions and seasonal events.
Before booking: decide whether you want a city stay or a resort, and check the total cost of getting between the places you intend to visit. Malta also features in our European city break timing guide.
5. Cyprus: warmer days, but check exactly what is open
Why consider it: Cyprus can appeal if spring sunshine is a higher priority, especially for travellers balancing historic sites, walks and hotel relaxation. Paphos has archaeology and a coastal promenade; the Larnaca area can suit those wanting convenient access and a city-and-coast mix; resort areas around Ayia Napa may be livelier later in the season.
April trade-off: Cyprus is often warmer than many western Mediterranean islands in spring, but sea temperatures and pool conditions can lag behind daytime air temperatures. Warm afternoons do not guarantee a full summer-style resort experience. For seasonal guidance, see the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
Where the value can hide: some package hotels may be attractively priced as the holiday season builds, but compare what is actually included and operating. An all-inclusive label tells you little about the number of restaurants, pools and activities open during your stay.
Before booking: ask about outdoor versus heated indoor pools, kids' clubs, airport transfers and the availability of nearby food options. If you want reliably hotter weather, our warmest places in Europe in April guide sets expectations.
Which April destination is best value for your kind of trip?
- Budget-conscious coastal walkers: compare the Algarve and Mallorca. Choose a convenient base and avoid paying for facilities you are unlikely to use.
- Short city-and-sun break: look first at Málaga or Malta, where food, architecture and sightseeing can justify the trip even without swimming weather.
- Family spring holiday: compare Cyprus and the Costa del Sol, but check whether the pool, children's facilities and suitable room configurations are included and available in April.
- Couples who like quiet towns and food: try the eastern Algarve, Palma outside its busiest areas, or Malta's historic centres.
- Beach-first travellers: be cautious with all five. If swimming every day is the main goal, compare heated pools and alternative warmer destinations, not merely average daytime highs.
A practical April value test: compare the holiday you will actually take
A low headline price is only the beginning. MoneySavingExpert's package-holiday guide recommends comparing package offers carefully rather than assuming one booking approach is always best.
Start with dates, not destinations. Search the dates you can genuinely travel, then check two or three nearby departure dates where practical. Compare the Algarve with the Costa del Sol, Malta, Mallorca and Cyprus at the same time instead of assuming a favourite destination is cheapest.
Compare a like-for-like trip. Set the same number of travellers, holiday duration, baggage allowance and board basis. Check whether transfers are included and whether flight times waste most of the first or last day. A package costing £30 less can be poor value if it requires £70 in transfers or forces you to buy food you assumed was included.
Consider the true location cost. Mark the hotel on a map and estimate what you would spend reaching beaches, towns or attractions. A central apartment with a slightly higher rate may save daily travel costs, especially for a short city break.
Review the cancellation and protection terms. Check the booking provider, relevant ATOL protection for eligible flight-inclusive packages, deposit balance dates and any additional charges before paying. Never assume that every listing has identical protections or inclusions.
Six April-specific mistakes that can ruin a bargain
1. Assuming Easter is over because it fell in March. UK school holidays may run into April. In 2027, many schools resume on 12 April. Compare before and after your local Easter break rather than relying on the date of Easter Sunday alone.
2. Expecting summer temperatures. Climate averages around 20–21°C for several of these destinations make spring days pleasant, not guaranteed hot. Bring an evening layer and a light waterproof.
3. Booking a closed-down resort. Ask whether hotel restaurants, outdoor pools, kids' clubs and neighbouring businesses are operating. Some seasonal resorts may still be ramping up.
4. Confusing a lower total with a better nightly rate. Compare four-night and seven-night trips on both total cost and usable holiday days. Flights can make short breaks disproportionately expensive.
5. Ignoring spring festivals and local events. Easter and local celebrations can make city visits memorable but may affect accommodation demand, attraction hours and transport. Check the destination's events calendar before finalising dates.
6. Forgetting the return journey. A late landing, difficult airport transfer or costly taxi can wipe out the apparent saving on an inexpensive flight.
April holiday FAQs
What is the cheapest place to go on holiday in April?
There is no reliable universal winner. The Algarve, Costa del Sol, Mallorca, Malta and Cyprus are useful candidates, but the cheapest package depends on live availability and your exact dates, airport, duration and inclusions. We have not ranked them using a comparable live price survey.
Is April cheaper than July or August?
Outside school holidays and destination-specific events, April may offer lower prices than peak summer at many Mediterranean resorts. But the Easter school break can create a noticeable price spike, so you need to compare actual dates.
Are European beaches warm enough for swimming in April?
Sometimes, for people comfortable in cool water. But the Algarve and much of the Mediterranean have not yet reached typical summer sea temperatures. Consider a verified heated pool if swimming is central to the trip.
Is early or late April better value?
It varies by year. For April 2027, many UK schools are on holiday until 9 April, so dates after schools return may be worth comparing. Other years have different Easter dates. Price-check your actual calendar rather than following a fixed rule.
Are package holidays cheaper than booking flights and hotels separately?
Either can win on price. Compare the full package against the separate flight, hotel, baggage and transfer cost, alongside booking protection and cancellation terms. The answer varies by route, hotel and demand.
How can TripsByDate help find an April deal?
Start with your departure airport and the dates you are available. Browse available package listings across destinations by date and compare the advertised prices, then open the provider's listing to confirm the full live cost and conditions before booking.
Related guides to help plan an April break
Where to Go on Holiday in April · Warmest Places in Europe in April · Cheapest Months to Go on Holiday · Best Months for a Family Holiday · Best Months for a Beach Holiday in Europe · Cheapest Holiday Destinations in March.
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