Where to Go on Holiday in April
Six genuinely different spring escapes, from Mediterranean coastlines and ancient cities to the Dutch tulip season.
April is a brilliant month for travellers who want to get outdoors without the heat and crowds of midsummer. The Mediterranean is waking up, cities are comfortable for walking, and the Netherlands has one of Europe's great seasonal spectacles. But there is a catch: an April holiday can mean everything from sunbathing beside a sheltered pool to sightseeing in a rain jacket. The best destination depends on what you actually want to do.
This guide compares six destinations with different strengths, explains where April weather may disappoint, and helps you choose a realistic trip rather than buying into pictures of empty, sun-drenched beaches. The temperature ranges on our infographic are illustrative, not forecasts; local weather varies by location, elevation and time of month.
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
RO · Broadway Travel
LGW • 7 nightsSC · Broadway Travel
BRS • 7 nightsB&B · Iglu Ski
MAN • 7 nightsHB · NeilsonApril holiday ideas at a glance
- Crete: spring scenery, archaeology and relaxed coastal towns; choose it for exploring rather than guaranteed beach weather.
- Algarve: golden cliffs, short breaks and family-friendly bases, with Atlantic water still cool.
- Malta: an easy-to-organise blend of historic cities, boat trips where operating and island walks.
- Antalya: a warmer Mediterranean spring option, with resort facilities that need checking individually.
- Rome: famous sights and neighbourhood wandering before the hottest months, but popular attractions still need planning.
- Amsterdam: canals, museums and tulips; rewarding even without warm or reliably dry weather.
The distinction that matters: an April trip to Rome or Amsterdam can be excellent when it is too cool to sit outside for long. A pool-and-beach holiday is much more sensitive to weather, heated-pool provision and hotel opening dates.
1. Crete, Greece: spring coastlines, villages and history
Crete makes sense in April when your ideal days involve a harbour lunch, a scenic drive, a little walking and plenty of Greek food. The island has far more to offer than its summer beach resorts: Chania's Venetian harbour, Rethymno's old town, inland villages and major archaeological sites can make a varied week without a packed beach itinerary.
For a first spring visit, Chania or Rethymno makes a good base if you want cafes and a walkable town atmosphere. Heraklion is practical for travellers focused on museums and the archaeological site of Knossos. If you choose a quieter seaside resort, check that restaurants, excursions and your preferred hotel facilities are operating at your dates. Seasonal businesses may not all be running at full summer capacity.
April can produce lovely sunny afternoons, but showers, cooler evenings and cold sea water remain realistic possibilities. It is not the month to promise children long days swimming in the sea. For hikes, check local trail access and conditions rather than assuming every gorge is open: routes can be seasonal and affected by rainfall.
Best for: Couples, history lovers and families happy to mix coast and culture. Think twice if: Everyone expects hot sand, warm sea and a fully operating summer resort.
Plan with the official Visit Greece guide to Crete.
2. Algarve, Portugal: beaches to admire, walks to enjoy
The Algarve looks spectacular in spring. Think cliffs, coastal paths and waterfront towns without the intensity of high summer. Places such as Lagos work for travellers who want historic streets, restaurants and access to dramatic western Algarve scenery. Tavira gives a different feel, with a quieter town setting and access to the eastern coast. Around Albufeira there is a larger concentration of holiday accommodation and family-oriented facilities.
April is much better treated as coastal-exploring weather than dependable swimming weather. The Atlantic remains cool, exposed beaches can be breezy and a cloudier day changes the feel of a beach holiday dramatically. If the pool is central to your trip, ask the property directly whether it is heated and usable in April; photographs of an outdoor pool say nothing about water temperature.
A car can help if you want several beaches and villages in one holiday, but it is not essential for every base. Consider whether you want a resort you can walk around in the evenings or a quieter villa where you will drive for meals. Also check whether the advertised airport-to-hotel transfer is included: two holidays of similar headline price can have very different total costs.
Best for: Spring coastal walks, a relaxed family base and scenic short breaks. Think twice if: Your definition of a beach holiday requires warm Atlantic swimming.
See Visit Portugal's Algarve destination information for regional ideas.
3. Malta: a compact island break packed with history
Malta is one of the most practical April options if you want a holiday full of things to do without changing accommodation every couple of nights. Valletta offers architecture, museums, harbour views and restaurants; Mdina provides a contrasting walled historic setting; and a day on Gozo can add countryside and smaller villages to the itinerary.
Staying in Valletta or nearby Sliema can work well if you want restaurants and transport connections. Families may prefer to compare hotels farther north for larger pools and beach access, but April beach conditions are less predictable than the photographs suggest. Strong winds and showers can interrupt outdoor plans or ferry trips, so keep one or two indoor options in reserve.
Malta is especially good for travellers who like to combine independent exploring with occasional organised excursions. Do not judge it on temperature alone: even a mild day can feel chilly beside the water if the wind is up. On the other hand, those conditions can be far more pleasant for walking around fortified towns than July heat.
Best for: History, food, manageable sightseeing and short breaks. Think twice if: A long, hot beach holiday is your main objective.
For ideas and current visitor information, use the official Visit Malta tourism website.
4. Antalya, Türkiye: a warmer spring with more resort choice
Antalya is worth considering if you want the Mediterranean coast but with a better chance of comfortably warm afternoons than northern European cities. The Turkish State Meteorological Service records an average April maximum of 21.8°C for Antalya in its published 1981–2010 climate series. That is a historical average, not what you will necessarily experience on your own dates.
Antalya city gives you the old town of Kaleiçi, harbour views, food and a more urban base. Large resort complexes outside the centre suit travellers who prioritise hotel facilities and space. Those are very different holidays, even when the arrival airport is the same. Check transfer location and whether water parks, beach bars, outdoor pools and children's clubs operate in April; seasonal opening can vary by property.
If you want excursions, add a historical stop such as Perge or explore the coast. But avoid treating a resort's summer promotional photographs as proof of April temperatures or service levels. Pack an extra layer for evenings and consider an indoor or heated pool if travelling with younger children.
Best for: Travellers seeking a warmer-feeling Mediterranean spring and a choice of large hotels. Think twice if: You need guaranteed swimming weather or every summer activity operating.
Check the Turkish meteorological service's Antalya climate figures before setting expectations.
5. Rome, Italy: a memorable city break without midsummer heat
April is a strong month to visit Rome if you want to spend hours outside visiting ancient monuments, neighbourhoods and piazzas. Start with a realistic plan: the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill deserve proper time rather than being squeezed between several other ticketed attractions. Save a separate half-day for the Vatican area if that matters to you, and leave space simply to enjoy the streets.
Where to stay: The historic centre is convenient if being able to walk out for dinner matters more than hotel space. Areas around Monti can appeal to visitors prioritising ancient Rome, while other neighbourhoods may offer better value at the cost of extra travelling. Always compare the specific accommodation location against the sights you plan to visit, not just the district name.
Rome is popular well beyond summer. Book high-priority attractions through official channels, allow for queues and security checks, and confirm opening arrangements for religious holidays. A day of rain does not ruin the city, but comfortable shoes and a light waterproof make the trip far easier. Budget for the cost of entry tickets and meals as well as flights and accommodation.
Best for: Couples, culture-focused friends and first-time city breakers. Think twice if: You want a quiet, inexpensive city with no advance planning.
Read the official Rome tourism guide to the Colosseum Archaeological Park and use its links to check ticket arrangements.
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands: tulips, canals and spring atmosphere
Amsterdam is the opposite of a guaranteed sunshine escape, and that is precisely why it belongs on this list. April is about spring colour, canal-side neighbourhoods, museums and the possibility of a day trip to the famous bulb-growing region. The city's official tourism service highlights tulips across public spaces and the wider region during spring.
For 2027, Keukenhof is scheduled to open from 18 March to 9 May. Flowering itself depends on the weather, so no single April weekend guarantees peak tulips. If Keukenhof is essential to your trip, reserve the park visit and transport using official information; do not assume every flower field is open to the public. Amsterdam's own April Tulip Festival offers another way to see displays without leaving the city.
Choose a hotel with good public transport access, especially if you plan to combine central Amsterdam with the flower region. Build in time for the Rijksmuseum or another indoor attraction in case of rain. Expect cool mornings, changeable conditions and some popular spring dates rather than summer heat or empty streets.
Best for: Tulips, art, photography, couples and spring city breaks. Think twice if: You want warm evenings or a low-cost, spontaneous visit to headline attractions.
Check Keukenhof's official 2027 dates and visitor information and I amsterdam's flower-season guide.
Know when you can travel?
Choose your departure airport and dates first, then compare the holidays available for your April break.
Find holidays by dateIs April warm enough for a beach holiday?
It depends on what you mean by a beach holiday. Crete, the Algarve, Malta and Antalya can have sunny and enjoyable coastal days in April. None offers a guarantee of warm sea swimming. Water temperatures often lag behind air temperatures in spring. Even where daytime air temperatures feel comfortable in the sunshine, a breeze or a cloudy afternoon can make sunbathing less appealing.
Before booking, ask three simple questions: Is the hotel's outdoor pool heated? Are the beach facilities you want operating on your dates? Would the trip still be enjoyable if two days were cloudy or wet? If the answer to the last question is no, a warmer destination outside this shortlist may be worth considering instead.
What about Easter and the school holidays?
Easter changes date every year, which matters when comparing April bargains. In 2027, Easter Sunday is 28 March and Easter Monday is 29 March, so Easter weekend itself does not fall in April. Some schools may still have holiday dates extending into April; check your own local authority or school calendar rather than assuming a standard nationwide break.
The same destination may have dramatically different prices and availability between two neighbouring weeks. Families tied to school holidays should compare several departure days and airports, including the cost of reaching each airport. Travellers who are flexible may find different options outside the busiest school-break windows, but there is no universally cheapest April week.
How to choose the right April destination
- For a family resort: Compare Antalya and the Algarve, then verify actual April hotel facilities. Crete may suit families who enjoy exploring as well as relaxing.
- For sunshine with things to do: Crete, Malta and Antalya are worth researching, but plan alternatives to the beach.
- For a romantic short break: Rome delivers food, history and memorable walks; Amsterdam offers canals, museums and spring flowers.
- For walking and scenery: The Algarve's coastline and Crete's landscapes are appealing, provided you check trail safety and conditions.
- For the most seasonal experience: Amsterdam's flower displays are a reason to travel in April specifically.
How to get better value in April
Start by deciding what must be included, rather than simply sorting by the lowest advertised package price. For a resort break, look at baggage, airport transfers, board basis, pool heating and the cost of travelling from the airport. For a city break, a cheaper hotel farther out may lose its appeal after adding transit fares and time.
Compare flexible departure days, alternative UK airports and different lengths of stay. A shorter trip with sensible flight times may give you more usable holiday hours than a longer one with late arrival and early departure. Do not assume that travelling just outside Easter school holidays automatically guarantees the best price; compare the actual offers available.
Remember that TripsByDate is a holiday discovery and comparison service, not the tour operator. Check the final operator price, inclusions, terms and availability before booking.
Frequently asked questions about April holidays
Where is warm in Europe in April?
Southern Mediterranean destinations such as Crete, Malta and the Antalya coast can offer milder, sunnier conditions than northern Europe, but April is still spring rather than peak summer. Weather differs across islands, coasts, cities and individual weeks.
Can you swim in the sea in April?
Some people do, but Mediterranean and Atlantic sea temperatures can feel cold even on sunny afternoons. If swimming is non-negotiable, research local sea temperatures and look for confirmed heated-pool facilities instead of relying on air-temperature averages.
Is April a good month for city breaks?
Yes, especially when you want to walk extensively without intense summer heat. Rome makes a strong culture-focused choice and Amsterdam offers a distinctive spring season. Rain, crowds and advance ticket requirements are still worth planning for.
Is the Algarve hot in April?
The Algarve can have pleasantly warm afternoons, but it is not reliably hot in the way it can be in midsummer. Cooler evenings, Atlantic breezes and showers are all possible.
When can you see tulips in Amsterdam?
Spring flowers appear at different times depending on the weather and variety. Keukenhof is scheduled to open from 18 March to 9 May 2027, while Amsterdam's citywide displays run during April. Check the official flowering updates closer to your visit.
Keep planning your spring holiday
If you can travel earlier, see our March holiday ideas. For the wider range of seasons and experiences, explore the Holidays by Month guides. If April is your only available window, you can go straight to TripsByDate's date-first holiday search and see what's currently listed.
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